Photo courtesy Pasadena Educational Foundation

An Emmy-nominated actress, a rock musician, a scientist, an author, a former State Attorney General, and local business and civic leaders will be spending the day in the principal’s office on Friday, November 6, 2015, for the tenth annual Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Principal for a Day program. Guest principals—including several noted PUSD alumni—will spend the morning on 25 school campuses shadowing a PUSD school principal. Sponsored by Merrill Lynch and coordinated by the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF), Principal for a Day gives community leaders a rare and valuable perspective of running a public school, and is part of a nationwide program used successfully in many school districts to build stronger relationships among schools, businesses, and the wider community.

Among the alumni principals returning to their childhood schools is former State Attorney General John Van de Kamp, “I am proud to return to my alma mater, John Muir High School, as a 2015 Principal for Day and to support its continued progress and that of our communities’ public schools.”

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the Pasadena Unified Principal for a Day program has seen more than 325 participants and helped build lasting relationships for the schools. “Merrill Lynch has supported this local program for the past 10 years because it helps bring together community leaders from both the public and private sectors to strengthen and provide valuable resources for local public schools.” said Craig Colbath, Market Executive – California Valley Complex Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

“This program is a fine example of a successful business-in-education experience and has ignited countless partnerships over the last decade here at PUSD,” shared PUSD Superintendent of Schools Brian McDonald. “Principal for a Day sheds light on the success of PUSD’s educational leaders and students, as well as the challenges faced. One of the greatest takeaways for me from this unique partnership is the fresh and innovative ideas generated by business and community leaders as they share their reflections of serving as Principal for a Day.”

After their day on campus, the 2015 class of Pasadena Unified Principal for a Day graduates will gather for a luncheon at the Altadena Town & Country Club to share their experiences. Douglas Kranwinkle, retired Executive Vice President, of Univision Communication Inc. will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. Other speakers include, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, and PUSD Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald.

For a full list of Pasadena Unified Principal for a Day participants go to: http://www.pasedfoundation.org/2015-principal-for-a-day.

Pasadena Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that advocates for public education, engages the community, and develops resources to support excellent education for every Pasadena Unified School District student. Whether it be through the arts, music, health centers, gardens, or STEM programs they support, PEF is dedicated to creating a better future for the public school students of Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.

Merrill Lynch is one of the world’s leading wealth management, capital markets and advisory companies, with offices in 37 countries and territories and total client assets of approximately $1.6 trillion. As an investment bank, it is a leading global trader and underwriter of securities and derivatives across a broad range of asset classes and serves as a strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide. Merrill Lynch owns approximately half of BlackRock, one of the world’s largest publicly traded investment management companies, with more than $1 trillion in assets under management. For more information on Merrill Lynch, please visit http://www.ml.com.

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) serves pre-K to 12th grade students in a 76-square mile area that includes the communities of Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County. Pasadena Unified School District provides a caring, engaging and challenging educational experience for over 18,000 students every day.

Stay connected to the Pasadena Unified School District! Visit us online at www.pusd.us; follow us on Twitter @PasadenaUnified, www.twitter.com/PasadenaUnified; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict; text PUSD to 888777; and subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/klrnpasadena. Or call the Communications Office, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at (626) 396-3606.

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