Police chief tries stint as middle school principal

10 civic leaders step away from their offices to see what goes on in the district’s schools.

Middletown City Councilman Josh Laubach, left, a 2000 Middletown High School grad, filled in Friday, March 12, for MHS Principal Dennis Newell, who sent him off with some gifts.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Middletown City Councilman Josh Laubach, left, a 2000 Middletown High School grad, filled in Friday, March 12, for MHS Principal Dennis Newell, who sent him off with some gifts.

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Middletown City Schools hosted a number of city officials as guest principals on Friday, March 12. Middletown police Chief Greg Schwarber, left, filled in for Vail Middle School Principal Michael Valenti.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Middletown City Schools hosted a number of city officials as guest principals on Friday, March 12. Middletown police Chief Greg Schwarber, left, filled in for Vail Middle School Principal Michael Valenti.

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Kelly Cowan, Miami Middletown Community Liason, right, filled in for Mayfield Elementary Principal Marla Marsh on Friday, March 12.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Kelly Cowan, Miami Middletown Community Liason, right, filled in for Mayfield Elementary Principal Marla Marsh on Friday, March 12.

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By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer Updated 1:07 AM Saturday, March 13, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — MUM Community Liaison Kelly Cowan’s first two hours as Mayfield Elementary’s “Principal for a Day” was a whirlwind of activity.

Even though she only shadowed building Principal Marla Marsh, Cowan gained a new appreciation for the flurry of events that happen in a school.

“It started at 9 a.m. with two crying children,” Cowan said. “By the time Mrs. Marsh finished solving their problem, I looked at my watch and it was 9:20. I thought, ‘Wow, we’ve only just begun.’ ”

Two hours and more than 11 classroom visits later, Cowan took a few moments to catch her breath in the principal’s office with Marsh. They had already sat in on a fifth-grade art class, small reading groups and a busy kindergarten class.

“I wish anyone who might have a quibble about what happens in the schools could spend a half a day here just watching,” Cowan said. “The second by second, minute by minute focus these teachers have to have is something to see.”

Cowan was one of 10 local leaders who stepped away from their offices Friday, March 12, to be a “principal for a day” across Middletown City Schools. The program is designed to help community leaders better understand the complex role of the school principal and get perspective on the school system from within.

City Councilman Josh Laubach had the unique perspective of serving as visiting principal at his own alma mater, Middletown High School. Laubach, a 2000 graduate, had the opportunity to see how MHS has been prepping its students for the Ohio Graduation Test next week, as well as members of the student government raising awareness and money for earthquake victims in Haiti, Chile and Taiwan.

“The school is the pulse and reflection of our community,” Laubach said. “What the city does impacts the schools and vice versa. We are not just a vacuum among ourselves. We are connected and we need to see what we can do together to create a vibrant community that people want to come back to or live in.”

Middletown police Chief Greg Schwarber walked the halls with Vail Middle School Principal Mike Valenti during his morning stint as principal for a day and said he noticed the importance of connecting the schools with the community in a different way.

“I get to see the students and parents out in the community,” Schwarber said. “But, getting the chance to come in here and see the kids in this setting, I feel like I’m getting to see the whole child.”

Schwarber said he liked his principal experience so much, he hopes to return the favor by having Middletown school staff spend a day with the police department.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mrossiter@coxohio.com.

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