Principal for a Day at Nohl Canyon

Today I had the honor of serving as the Principal of Nohl Canyon Elementary School for the day on behalf of my Anaheim Hills Rotary Club and Innovate Learning Center.  The day began with a designated parking space and a welcome sign.  Next, a presentation from a team of dedicated parent volunteers and the student council.  Afterward, I was able to tour the school, going into each and every Pre-K through sixth-grade classroom.  Highlights included watching the newly hatched baby chicks and also hearing numerous students shout out "Hey, Mrs. Strickland" when they were supposed to be taking a test.  Last, we visited the district where I had a couple of flashbacks, some of which were good--Mrs. Roni putting a speech medal around my neck for academic decathlon, and others of which were not-so-good--camping outside on the pavement in anticipation of the district's decision on whether or not El Modena High School's Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Club should be permitted to continue.  As I recall, the district withheld its support at that time. *The following year, I would give my Academic Decathlon speech on this topic, and I would not even place.  Memory after memory, and now I am standing here, one of the power players (well, for the day, at least).  Overall, I am humbled to have been invited, grateful for the many connections made, and pleased with the district's outreach to form partnerships with the public and private sectors in service to its students.