TUESDAY CONCERTS A SUCCESS PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY SIGN-UPS OPEN; CASH BENEFITS EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - An oversized check had members of the Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation dancing in the streets Tuesday night.

Tuesday night concerts at the Westfield Valencia Town Center brought in $1,600 for the foundation, which provides financial support to local schools and scholarships to eductors and students.

``It will really help,'' said Joe Messina, the foundation's vice president. ``Last year, we gave out $60,000 in grants, but we had $160,000 in requests and they weren't for frivolous things. They were from art teachers needing supplies or shop teachers for new tools, very valid needs from schools that just don't get every program funded.''

The foundation holds three major fundraising events: the Teacher Tribute dinner, Tapa Tuesdays and the Principal for a Day, for which applications are now available.

More than 100 business and community leaders will have the opportunity to shadow principals, assistant principals and other district administrators from campuses across the valley during the 14th annual Principal for a Day event Nov. 7.

``I love this event,'' Messina said. ``You get to go to so many schools; I've been principal at Saugus High, Plum Canyon Elementary and last year, I was superintendent with Bob Lee at the Hart District. I wish it was a daylong event instead of just half a day because you really don't get a true feeling of what they do and have to deal with.''

Those who want to get hands-on experience and information can shadow a school official by donating various amounts. Elementary, junior high and middle school principal spots are available for $150, assistant high school principals for $200, high school principals for $250, assistant superintendents for $275 and superintendent for $300.

A first-time opportunity this year will be shadowing Jaime Castellanos, the new superintendent of the William S. Hart Union High School District. In his former district, Castellanos remembers programs like this paying off.

``They give the community a chance to look at things from a principal's perspective,'' he said. ``I've had people with me on a day when we got a bomb scare, so they got to see how we handled that, and I was able to take them into the classroom and show them what I look for in evaluations. After one visit, I had a couple of parents ask if they could be on campus for noon duty and they ended up staying six years.''

To get the school of their choice, participants should apply as soon as possible; positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Businesses can also participate as sponsors for contributions of $1,500, $1,000 or $500. Applications for participation and sponsorships are available by calling Dena Maloney at [phone] or by visiting the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce at 28460 Ave. Stanford, Suite 100, Valencia.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com