Cole Elementary Principal Kathryn Nikas gave up her job recently — twice — but only so that two Boxford youngsters could be principal-for-the-day.

The parents of first-grader Emma Sturgis and second-grader Maddie Canelli had placed the winning bids to be principal for a day at the Boxford Parent Teacher Organization's annual spring fundraiser and auction in April.

"It's delightful. They get to see another side of the role (of principal)," said Nikas. "Hopefully, as part of my job, they know me well. This gives them a different perspective as to what I'm actually doing."

Emma and Maddie were excused from classes for part of a day to shadow Nikas and see what it's like to run the school.

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Second-grader Maddie Canelli

Canelli, 8, was principal for the day of Cole School on May 13. Her first decisions as principal were to have a pizza party in her classroom for lunch along with an extra recess.

"I wanted to see what it was like," she said of being principal. "It's not as hard as it seems to be."

Canelli gave the morning announcements over the school's loudspeaker, and accompanied Nikas on her morning visit to each classroom in the school.

Maddie said that the walk-through was one of her favorite parts of the day, because she was able to see her old classrooms and teachers.

Maddie is the daughter of Matt and Abbie Canelli; her dad was on hand with a camera for Maddie's day as principal.

Before the auction bidding, Maddie told her family she "really, really wanted to be principal for a day," Matt said. "She's very fond of Ms. Nikas."

Maddie has talked about being a teacher or principal some day, along with a number of other professions, he said.

"It's not out of the question. She can do whatever she wants," said Canelli.

First-grader Emma Sturgis

Emma Sturgis, 6, was principal for the day of Cole School on May 6. Her favorite part of the day? Giving her class extra recess.

But Emma also enjoyed seeing an offlimits hallway leading between the school's first and second floors.

"I got to see an entrance that not everyone gets to see at Cole School. It's only for grown-ups," Emma said.

Like Maddie, Emma accompanied Nikas on her walk-through of the school, "to see how everybody was doing," Emma said. She also gave the morning announcements and the "afternoon goodbye," ending school for the day over the building's public address system.

"I really wanted to be principal because I thought it would be cool to spend a day with Mrs. Nikas," Emma said. "It felt really great ... I learned that it's pretty hard, and it's kind of fun because you get to be near friends (other Cole staff) and kids."

Emma is the daughter of Heidi and David Sturgis.

Heidi Sturgis said her daughter always has talked about becoming a teacher or a principal someday. Nikas "went above and beyond" to make her daughter feel special for the day, and made her a name badge to wear as principal, she said.

Heidi Sturgis also brought pizza and juice boxes on May 6 for a special lunch pizza party in Principal Emma's class.