SIOUX CITY — No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. Preston Fischer really is wearing a polo shirt adorned with little rubber duckies. It's one of the Riverside Elementary School principal's more sedate shirts.
You should see Fischer's polos featuring dinosaurs or Tiki mask-covered cartoon characters. "I've never had a problem wearing loud polos," he explained. "As long as they're appropriate for school, I'll wear 'em.
" Indeed, over-the-top tops have been a staple in Fischer's closet for the past three years. "I started wearing polos when I was the assistant principal at Spalding Park Elementary School," he said. "Originally, the shirts were pretty conventional.
They've become more colorful over time." There was a method to Fischer's madness. "I discovered my polo shirts were a real ice breaker, especially with my students," he said.
"If they liked something that was on my shirt, I'd ask about their favorite things." Fischer was even OK if one of his shirts got a thumbs-down from the kids. "I don't mind being teased by the students because I have broad shoulders," he admitted.
"I'd rather tease me than tease each other." Fischer's penchant for polos actually inspired a design project at his former school. "The winning entry featured cherries with happy faces and frowny faces," he said.
"I had a local vendor create a polo with that design." Currently in his second month as Riverside's principal, Fischer has discovered he is already a bit of an elementary school influencer. "I'v.
