Harrington Elementary principal gets taped to wall for good cause
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CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (January 19, 2024) – For many schoolchildren, taping their principal to a wall is something they dream of doing.
On Friday, Jan. 19, Principal Rob Asselin made that dream a reality for Harrington Elementary School students.
“It’s really just a fun way to spend the morning on a Friday,” he said, explaining that the best part is seeing the students’ faces. “Seeing their excitement is the most rewarding aspect of the whole thing for me.”
In addition to the joy it brings the children, there is a purpose behind the event. Mr. Asselin explained that it serves as a fundraiser for Harrington families.
“We have such a heavily economically disadvantaged population with this community that we’re always looking for ways to raise money to support families as best we can so students can participate in all activities,” he said. “We’re fully inclusive and we want to be able to support that and take the burden financially, if we can, off families that may struggle.”
Harrington Elementary School students took turns applying strips of duct tape to Principal Rob Asselin in the gymnasium on Friday morning, Jan. 19. Taping him to the wall served as a fundraiser for the school community.
Mr. Asselin said the proceeds are used for a variety of things, from fourth grade dues to field trip expenses to enrichment activities.
Students, staff, faculty and even parents paid $1 for each foot of duct tape. And there was a lot of buzz in the halls at Harrington leading up to Friday.
“Experience-wise for the students … their connection to me and being able to do that to me, I think, is very rewarding for them,” he said. “It gets them excited and just motivates them. As far as bringing the students together for a great cause, I couldn’t think of a better way than sticking your principal to a wall.”
This wasn’t the first time Mr. Asselin has been taped to a wall. The fundraising activity was held once before, prior to the pandemic.
“The last time we did it, it was hugely successful,” he said. “It was a great turnout. I think we went through maybe 80 rolls of duct tape.”
Purposely dehydrating himself prior to the event, Mr. Asselin said it can start out a little rough since he has to hold himself to the wall.
“As the tape keeps coming on, I can relax a little and it will hold me,” he said, noting that stronger duct tape was purchased this time around. “The end result is, when it’s all done, being able to pull myself off the wall.”
About Chelmsford Public Schools
The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.
