Michael Crouse took the reigns on May 25 — the same day student Samantha Stalder became “School Resource Officer for a Day.”
Van Zant Elementary School hosted its Fun Fair on May 13, and one of the raffle prizes drawn on that day was the chance to become the school’s principal for one day.
Principal Sue Screnci proposed the prize idea, and according to the school, the students responded enthusiastically by stuffing the raffle bag for the “Principal for a Day” prize with an abundance of tickets.
Yet only one lucky name was drawn in the end — third-grade student Michael Crouse. Michael recently claimed his prize on Thursday, May 25, when he became Van Zant’s principal.
On the same day, another student, Samantha Stalder, claimed her raffle prize to become “School Resource Officer for a Day.” She was picked up at her house and chauffeured to the school by School Resource Officer Paul Apistar.
As principal, Michael attended morning meetings with Screnci and visited the kindergarteners to teach a math lesson and read aloud. Screnci then took Michael on a behind-the-scenes tour of the school cafeteria and checked in with the school nurse.
Michael and Samantha crossed paths during a security meeting led by Apistar. He filled the students in on his efforts to keep the school safe.
Michael and Screnci then enjoyed a pizza lunch with two of Michael’s friends. After lunch, the school tour continued as Screnci and the “Principal for the Day” visited more classrooms.
However, in the middle of a classroom visit, they learned of a traffic incident that would affect their afternoon buses and parents who would be arriving to pick up their children. According to the school, Screnci and Michael worked together to come up with an efficient way to alert the bus company and parents to ensure that afternoon pick-up continued to run smoothly.
“Every day is a new adventure,” Screnci told Michael.
According to the school, Michael wrapped his day by delivering the afternoon announcements, which included two decisions he had made with Screnci: “On June 14, no homework! Phillies day will be held on June 15th, more details to come,” Michael said.
At the end of the day, Michael gathered all of the items he got that morning in a “principal gift basket,” which was put together by Screnci and the nameplate he received for his desk in the principal’s office.
“I think I am going to put this in my room; I had a good day,” Michael said as he packed up and left his temporary office.
