LaChandra Figgs - Chanel Cruz
Every year for the past seven years, the Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce sends one person to Eleanor Roosevelt High School to shadow Mr. Reginald McNeil as “Principal for a Day.” This year LaChandra Figgs got the chance to be the principal.
As principal for the day, Figgs was able to see how the school is run and interact with students, administrators, and teachers. She spent the day meeting administrators and learning what they do, looking at a number of classrooms, and seeing the students in action. “I’m really just getting a feel for the flow of the day, the staff, and a little bit of exposure to the students,” said Figgs.
Figgs learned of the “Principal for a Day” program from her membership with the Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce and was intrigued by the opportunity. “I received notice that there was a program in the county called ‘Principal for the Day’... to spend the day in a school to learn how, as business owners, we can help the schools and provide some assistance...” said Figgs. The point of the program is to find a business person who is willing to be a supportive member of the school system in Prince George’s County and because ERHS is in Figgs’ neighborhood, and it was the school her daughter graduated from in 1999, ERHS was the obvious choice.
Figgs’ day at ERHS was full. “Well, I've gotten a chance to see the students’ arrival at school. I got a chance to see the beginning of the school day. I got a feel for just the flow of the school and the beginning of the day. I’ve gotten a chance to meet a number of the school administrators and hear some things about what they do- for example how they handle scheduling. I’ve gotten a chance to look at a number of the classrooms, especially physics [which is]one of my favorites. I got a chance to see some teachers in action, students in action, and listen to some of the discussions.
As an entrepreneur Figgs thinks it’s important that PGCPS be financially supported. “ I think the most exciting thing so far was to hear about the variety of classes and clubs that go on here because I had no idea there were so many... it would be a shame to lose them.”
Mr. McNeil was pleased with the outcome of the Principal for a Day event at ERHS. “ I think the whole purpose for [ the Principal for a Day] program is to see how all of us can work together to help [students] and... see what else can we do to make this a better place for [students] and give [students] a better opportunity to be successful in the future.”