If you thought Lyn Rivet was the Principal of Sippican School in Marion, you’d be right, except for one day a year when she steps down and hands the reins to a student.

Friday, June 1, was the school’s annual Principal Day. Students who participated in April’s “Skip the Screen” week, in which they set aside electronic entertainment, all had a chance to be selected to do Rivet’s job for a day.

“We had a lot of children who participated this year,” said Rivet. “It’s a hard thing to not watch TV or use your computer or your iPad or your iPod.”

Third grader Rachael Fantoni admitted that getting through a week screen-free was a challenge, but it all paid off when she was chosen to be principal for a day.

“It was hard because my dad watches the news so I couldn’t be in the room.” Instead, Rachael said she rode her bike, drew pictures and played tag with her sister.

As her first decree, Principal Rachael named her one-day reign Pirate Day.

Rachael said she brainstormed different ideas and landed on pirates because she likes the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, and “it’s kind of easy to dress up, and it’s a really fun activity for people to do.”

Everyone from students to administrators joined in the fun. Teachers concocted pirate-themed games, and the lunchroom staff prepared a special menu with golden chicken nuggets. (Rumor had it that if you didn’t like them, you had to walk the plank.)

As her day as principal coincided with the end of Teacher Appreciation Week, Rachael also made the executive decision that each student would write thank you notes to teachers and staff on golden doubloons.

See, pirates aren’t all bad.