BRE celebrates Principal Appreciation Day
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos
Students showered BRE Principal Jen Murdock-Jacoway and Assistant Principal Dr. Rob Thelen with cards and posters, and filled their offices with party decorations for Principal Appreciation Day in May.
Principal Appreciation Day
Students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) worked hard to show their appreciation for Principal Jen Murdock-Jacoway and Assistant Principal Dr. Rob Thelen, commemorating the annual Principal Appreciation Day in May.
Students filled both offices with streamers, confetti, balloons, banners, posters and miscellaneous party decorations while administrators were away. Upon returning to school after the weekend, Thelen and Murdock-Jacoway were duly surprised. Not wanting to disrupt the messy show of affection, Murdock-Jacoway worked on the floor for part of the day, due to the copious decorations on her desk and table.
School principals do more than simply supervise and discipline. They often work long hours, many averaging 60 hours a week. Frequently, they are first to arrive and the last to leave. Principals are mentors to students and staff. In addition to serving as the head of security and ensuring everyone’s safety in the school building, principals are responsible for school budgets, including planning, requisition and securing grants. Principals oversee staffing needs in their schools and function in human resource capacities. They organize and attend board meetings and support community events. Principals also advocate for their school’s families at the school district. They participate in Individual Education Plan meetings and help problem solve classroom, transportation, or other issues that affect staff and students. They are the loudest cheerleaders for the children they serve.
Their many efforts are not unseen by those around them. Fourth grade student Caleb M. said “Dr. Thelen and Mrs. Murdock-Jacoway are the most energetic, exciting, and fun principals I’ve ever seen. They definitely deserve lots of appreciation.”
At BRE, individual classes spent part of the day making cards and posters. Students expressed all the ways they love and appreciate their administration. Murdock-Jackoway and Thelen then stopped at each classroom, visiting with students and staff, celebrating together.
“It was so heartwarming and just reinforced why I love my job every day, no matter what the world throws at us. I have the most amazing staff and group of students!” enthused Murdock-Jacoway.
