American Education Week

shoaglund's picture
Submitted by on Mon, 11/14/2011 - 12:01pm

It's American Education Week  - a time each year to honor students' hard work to learn, recognize the professionalism and dedication of teachers, support staff and other educators, thank parents and members of the community who help students succeed, and rededicate the community at large to quality public education for every student.

There are many ways you and your family can participate in the 90th Anniversary of American Education Week as outlined by the National Education Association: 

I found 25 ideas for celebrating AEW by Education World. Not all of the ideas listed will work for everyone, but it's a good start...

  1. Kickoff the week by providing breakfast for the staff on Monday morning.
  2. Provide each student with a blank thank-you card to fill out and give to someone who works in the school.
  3. During AEW, place a box of apples (or apple muffins or apple pies) in the staff lounge along with a note that reads In celebration of American Education Week, an apple for the teacher.
  4. Arrange for local businesses to provide gift certificates or discount coupons for staff members.
  5. Ask all staff to wear suspenders to show their support for Education Support Professionals on their day. (Wednesday is Education Support Professionals Day.)
  6. Write a letter of thanks to the community, and invite your local newspaper to publish it as a Letter to the Editor.
  7. Plan a What I Like Best About My School contest for all students. Students in lower grades can draw pictures. Others write short essays. Award savings bonds for the best entries. Display the winning entries in the school lobby during American Education Week. Have some students read their essays during the weeks daily announcements.
  8. Ask your local newspaper to devote a full-page ad to publishing student comments about the things they like best about their schools. The newspaper might even be willing to publish photos.
  9. Post a large U.S. map in the school lobby. Have each teacher and staff member sign his/her name by the location where he/she was born.
  10. Hold a contest to design a school flag.
  11. Hold a student vs. teachers volleyball game. The event might be used to raise money for student awards.
  12. Invite students to come to school dressed as if they were dressed for their future career.
  13. Invite a local radio station to pose quiz questions about your districts schools.
  14. Post a different education-related quote on your schools marquee each day.
  15. Have students circle the school and give it a big hug. Invite the local media to cover the event.
  16. Teachers might change classes for one day during American Education Week.
  17. Students might make cookies and give them to school bus drivers along with thank-you cards signed by all the students on their route.
  18. Hold a faculty trivia contest. Invite staff members to share trivial information about their lives that students might not know. Which student(s) guesses correctly the teacher associated with the most trivia statements?
  19. Provide special recognition to parent volunteers who support the school in many ways.
  20. Arrange for a collection of gently used books to be donated to a local shelter or hospital.
  21. Send letters to area churches asking them to publish an announcement about American Education Week in their weekly bulletins.
  22. Invite students to write essays about What I Would Do If I Were Principal. Post the essays for all to read.
  23. Encourage your entire school community (or your entire community!) to wear school colors on the Friday of American Education Week.
  24. Challenge all classes in the school to create a bulletin board tied to this years American Education Week theme.
  25. Send a "Thank You" card to each staff member. Include a raffle ticket in the card. Then hold a raffle for a special prize(s) including gift certificates to local businesses.

If you do nothing else this week,  set aside some time this week to thank the teachers, administrators, and parents who help educate and inspire our children on a daily basis. 

Related Links

White House: Presidential Proclamation--American Education Week

Education World: Twenty-Five Ideas for Celebrating American Education Week

NEA.org: American Education Week