DAPHNE — Being a school principal is a tall order. However, some community leaders in Daphne will get a firsthand view of how complex that role has become when they serve as “Principal for a Day” — from start to finish — on Monday, Oct. 22.

The event is being sponsored by Supporting Educational Enrichment in Daphne’s Schools, in conjunction with the TEAM Up for Daphne Character Coalition, as a community-wide observance of national Character Counts Week.

The purpose of the event for Daphne civic leaders is threefold:

•To experience firsthand the challenges of being a school principal today;

•To observe closely the impact of growth on local classrooms and school facilities — and to learn how this issue is being addressed;

•To get an inside look at the diverse ways in which the Daphne schools are working together to integrate character education into every aspect of school life — i.e., classroom instruction, student conduct, school climate, etc. 

Representatives from various Daphne civic organizations and the local print media scheduled to take part in the project include:

•Tom Byrne, superintendent, Riviera Utilities; (Daphne-Spanish Fort Rotary Club);

•Joe Cleveland, president, Joseph Cleveland Architects LLC; (Daphne-Spanish Fort Kiwanis Club);

•Cathy Barnette, Daphne City Council member; (Olde Towne Daphne Association);

•Helen Callaway, retiree and community activist; (Daphne Women’s Study Club);

•Jessica Overstreet, staff reporter (The Daphne Bulletin); and

•Josh Bean, staff reporter (The Baldwin Press-Register)

In 2006, SEEDS facilitated the establishment of the TEAM Up for Daphne Character Coalition in response to the Daphne principals’ request for more citizen involvement in encouraging students to do and be their best at school and in the community.  Citizens who have signed on to support the effort have pledged to teach, enforce, advocate and model good character.

Follow-up activities for the Principal for a Day project will include special programs for local civic organizations and a community forum at which participants will discuss their experience.

SEEDS is an independent, non-profit education foundation that brings together citizens of all ages who value learning and share a vision for education’s role in Daphne’s future. SEEDS’ enrichment funds and programs benefit each of the five Daphne public schools as well as Christ the King Catholic School.

For more information, contact Denise D’Oliveira, SEEDS communications coordinator, at (251) 656-SEED (656-7333) or visit www.seedsindaphne.org.