650 business leaders and celebrities will participate in the annual principal for a day program. Organizers
moved the date from April to October so partners can volunteer all year.

"It’s not just skipping a day from work to do volunteer work," said
Janet Corcoran, president of Public Education Needs Civic Involvement
In Learning, the nonprofit that runs the program. "It is making a real
difference."

For executives, getting into classrooms is a hands-on opportunity to
help their future workers and customers. They see principals as fellow
leaders in need of resources and fresh perspective that educrats can’t
provide.

At In-Tech Academy in the Bronx, a Microsoft manager signed up to be
principal last April and, with the help of two colleagues, developed a
summer program for students to visit his office once a week.

Stephen Gordon, senior business strategy consultant for the high-tech
giant, will return as principal this week and plans to help teens
upgrade their Web sites.

"We helped open their eyes to the possibilities in the business world," he said.

JetBlue Chairman David Neeleman paired with Beach Channel High School
in Queens and advises staff on airline-career classes. In return, the
school band will play at an inaugural flight.

At least three-quarters of the leaders at this year’s events are repeating, Corcoran said.

Others who will participate Thursday are talk-show host
Tony Danza, comedian Steve Harvey, Virgin Records CEO Matt Serletic,
Nets President Brett Yormark and People magazine publisher Paul Caine.