LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

“Good morning, School No. 5! Today, we are joined by two very special guests—our Vice Principals for the Day,” Principal Crawley announced with pride, introducing Sana Donaldson, 10, and Kiyan Laloi, 11, as her “Vice Principals for the Day.”

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

The day officially began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the young vice principals. “Ready? Begin,” announced Sana and Kiyan in unison, their voices steady and clear as the entire school recited the pledge together.

With poise and excitement, the two fifth graders stepped forward to greet their peers.

“Good morning, everyone! My name is Sana Donaldson, and I’m so excited to be one of your Vice Principals for the Day,” Sana said, her enthusiasm shining through the screen.

“And I’m Kiyan Laloi, your other Vice Principal for the Day,” Kiyan added with a confident smile. “We’ll be visiting your classrooms, helping out at recess, and making sure everyone has an amazing day.”

Their energy was infectious as Principal Crawley looked on proudly. “Let’s give them a warm welcome and show them what makes School No. 5 so special,” she said.

The broadcast continued with announcements about upcoming events, lunch options, and a reminder to practice gratitude, tying the day’s activities to the theme of American Education Week. “Alright, Vice Principals, it’s time to begin our day!” Crawley exclaimed as the announcements concluded.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Sana, smartly dressed in all black, and Kiyan, rocking a fitted light blue suit and fresh white sneakers, stepped into their roles with confidence. The young leaders clutched their walkie-talkies—Principal Crawley’s signature communication tools—with a mix of curiosity and pride, eager to coordinate with staff as they moved through the bustling school building.

“We’re going to visit classrooms, check on the students, and ensure everything is running smoothly,” Crawley explained as they prepared to exit the principal’s office.

When asked about their excitement for the day, Kiyan shared, “I’ve always wondered what other kids are doing in their classrooms. Now, I finally get to find out!” Sana added, “I’m looking forward to the lockdown drill and learning how everyone reacts during an emergency.”

𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬

The highlight of the morning was a simulated school-wide lockdown drill, providing the students with hands-on leadership experience. Crawley guided them through the protocol, emphasizing the importance of safety.

“Why do we pull on the doors during a lockdown?” Crawley asked as they checked classrooms.

“To make sure everything is secure so that everyone stays safe,” replied Sana, demonstrating her understanding. Kiyan added, “Safety is the most important thing for learning to happen.”

Crawley praised their efforts after the drill, saying, “You’ve done an excellent job,” reinforcing their confidence and sense of responsibility.

The students also visited classrooms across grade levels, where they read to younger students and offered advice to their peers. “The kindergarteners loved our reading!” Kiyan said, reflecting on the experience. Sana added, “We told the older students that hard work and listening to their teachers can help them succeed, just like it’s helping us today.”

𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

Adding to the day’s excitement was a surprise visit from Superintendent Atiya Perkins, who stopped by to meet the young leaders. Perkins greeted them warmly, saying, “So, how’s it going, Vice Principals? I’ve heard nothing but great things about the work you’re doing today.”

Sana enthusiastically shared, “It’s going amazing! We’ve been visiting classrooms and helping out. It feels like we’re real vice principals.” Kiyan added, “Yes, it’s fun, but we also see how much responsibility it is.”

Perkins encouraged the students, sharing, “Good leaders are good listeners. They inspire others and lead by example. From what I hear, you’re both doing just that.”

Before leaving, Perkins emphasized the significance of the day. “This is what American Education Week is all about—celebrating our schools and giving students opportunities to grow as leaders,” she said.

𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡

The young leaders enjoyed a pizza-and-soda lunch with Assistant Superintendent for Support Annabell Louis and Principal Crawley. Over lunch, they reflected on their experiences.

“The responsibilities of a principal are so much more than I imagined,” Sana admitted. Kiyan added, “It takes so many people working together to make everything run smoothly.”

Louis commended their efforts, saying, “Leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about setting a good example and supporting others. You’ve done that beautifully today.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Sana and Kiyan were selected as Vice Principals for the Day through a competitive process that highlighted their leadership skills and ability to handle challenges.

Principal Crawley explained, “They completed applications, sharing what makes them great leaders and how they would handle difficult situations. Their answers really stood out.”

The two students impressed with their focus on conflict resolution, supporting others, and fostering a strong school community. “They’re personable, intelligent, and excellent communicators,” Crawley said. “They’ve set a shining example for their peers.”

𝐀 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

As the day came to an end, Sana and Kiyan reflected on their unique experience.

“I loved visiting classrooms and seeing what everyone else is working on,” Kiyan shared. Sana added, “It was amazing to have this opportunity to lead and make a difference.”

Crawley expressed pride in the students, saying, “Sana and Kiyan embraced this role with grace and enthusiasm. They’ve set a shining example for their peers.”

The day served as a testament to the values of American Education Week, highlighting the dedication of educators and the importance of fostering leadership in schools. For Sana and Kiyan, it was more than just an honor—it was a chance to inspire and be inspired, leaving a lasting impact on their school community.