THUNDER BAY -- Emily Palo is living every child’s dream – and she promises not to let the power go to her head.
The Grade 4 student at Five Mile Public School in Thunder Bay on Wednesday was named principal for the day, but said she won’t be bringing in any sweeping changes during her short-lived regime.
Instead she planned to organize the world’s largest freeze-tag game at lunchtime, ensure students have a healthy fresh fruit snack and hold run-of-the-mill meeting with staff, including the school custodian.
With the school at her fingertips, she and her vice-principal and best friend, nine-year-old Skylar Milani, said they wouldn’t be jumping on the school computer to change anyone’s grades or offering up detention to teachers.
No, for Emily, life in the principal’s office will be a much more laid-back affair.
“I plan on eating cookies and having fun,” the nine-year old said.
Asked if she knows exactly what running a school the size of Five Mile School entails, Emily said he had a pretty good idea.
“I have to do supervisory duties and have to read Easter stories to the senior kindergarten and junior kindergarten classes.”
Emily earned the right to rule the school for a day last month, raising $150 at the school dance-a-thon.
Principal Angelina Tassone-Vogrig, who traded places and spent the morning in the Grade 4 French class, said the switch was a great way to teach students about leadership, a focus at the Dawson Road school.
“It connected really perfectly with that, to give her an opportunity to build some self-confidence for herself as well to make some decisions, because we’re confident in her ability and that she can make some good decisions and show some leadership to her peers,” she said.
So far, so good she said, though wasn’t exactly sure what to expect after reporters who visited the school started giving Emily and Skylar some ideas of their own.
“Well, the ideas I’ve heard have been fabulous, but I hear you guys have been giving her some other ideas that I’m not sure we may be as excited about. She’s come up with some really good things that have impacted both students and staff and I think everybody is looking forward to the changes today.”
Skylar, one of two vice-principals chosen for the day, said she was happy to help out any way she can.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I want to deliver things. I don’t want to sit in the office all day.”
