American Education Week coming up

American Education Week is Nov. 13-19. First observed in 1921, the weeklong event celebrates America’s public education system. It also provides schools with an opportunity to recognize teachers and administrators for their hard work and dedication to students. The National Education Association and American Legion were the original sponsors of the event.

Schools across the nation will participate in a variety of activities – most of them easy to plan and implement. Examples of previous year’s activities, shared by the National Education Association, are listed below.

• A middle-school art class made vanity license plates for American Education Week. The plates were posted in school hallways.
• A contest was held to design a school flag.
• Students gave teachers a “pat on the back” by filling in anonymous compliment sheets.
• Guests from the business community read to elementary students.
• Ice cream bars were given to students and teachers because “school is cool.”
• Parents were invited to have lunch with their children in the school cafeteria.
• Students gave their high school a “hug” by holding hands and encircling the building. The math department had measured average arm spans and the building’s circumference in advance, and had calculated that there would be enough students to surround the school.

Use one of the examples above to generate awareness and support in your community, or create your own program. Above all, take time to celebrate your achievements!