Thursday, October 1, 2026
Hayley Dunne, a third grader at Newbridge Road Elementary School in North Bellmore, recently won a PTA raffle, earning her the honor of serving as the school’s principal for a day on Jan. 23.
Hayley began her day alongside Amanda Licci, the school’s actual principal, helping supervise morning arrival as students were dropped off. After students settled into their classrooms, she joined third-grade student council members in delivering the morning announcements, closing with a message about good character and a reminder to demonstrate the school’s “Newbridge HEART.”
Throughout the day, Hayley accompanied Licci on classroom visits across multiple grade levels. They visited sixth-grade classrooms for a read-aloud of “Why Not?” and walked the hallways while Licci answered Hayley’s questions about the principal’s role.
Hayley also participated in school-wide incentive activities that reward positive behavior. At Newbridge Road, classes earn hearts for good conduct during lunch and recess, with prizes awarded after collecting 20 hearts. Hayley joined a fourth-grade class for Pause and Play and a third-grade class for Cub Comedy Corner, where students shared jokes. She also assisted second graders in writing their names on cafeteria windows as part of the Tiger Ink reward.
The student principal ate lunch with Licci in the principal’s office, with food provided courtesy of the PTA. Hayley selected macaroni and cheese, a Sprite and strawberry ice cream for dessert.
During the afternoon, she made another school announcement, continued visiting classrooms and helped with dismissal. She even briefly returned to her regular schedule to participate in recess and gym class.
“I never knew what it is like to run a school,” Hayley said. “It is a hard-working day but a lot of fun.”
Licci said the principal-for-a-day raffle was introduced this year to offer students insight into school leadership and daily operations.
“Being a principal, you’re constantly moving,” Licci said. “Hayley got to see a lot of different things a principal might do.”
Talia Granshaw, co-president of the Newbridge Road PTA, said the fundraiser was designed to give a student an in-depth look at how the school operates while also supporting programs that benefit students.
“The goal of this fundraiser was to give a student an opportunity to see what it was like to run the school behind the scenes and to learn what administrators and a principal do,” Granshaw said. “We had many eager students participate.”
Granshaw added that the PTA is always seeking creative ways to raise funds while enhancing the student learning experience. She said the winning student shadowed the principal throughout the day and received a sponsored lunch from International Delight, a local restaurant.
“This was such a fun fundraiser,” Granshaw said. “It was a successful event, and we plan on doing this again next year.”
Licci expressed hope that the experience leaves Hayley with a lasting memory and a better understanding of how the school operates behind the scenes.
