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HIGHTSTOWN: Schools observe American Education Week

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN – The Board of Education proclaims it the 94th annual American Education Week in the East Windsor Regional School District during its meeting on Monday night.
“It is requested that the Board of Education proclaim Nov. 16-20, 2015, as American Education Week in the East Windsor Regional School District,” said Board of Education President Alice Weisman as she read the proclamation to the public.
“America’s schools are the backbone of our democracy, providing each new generation with the tools needed to maintain our nation’s precious values of freedom, civility, and equality,” she said.
She said by equipping Americans with both practical skills and broader intellectual abilities, schools give them hope for, and access to, a productive future.
“Schools are community linchpins, bringing together adults and children, educators and volunteers, business leaders and elected officials in a common enterprise,” she said.
Education employees – be they custodians or teachers, bus drivers or librarians – work tirelessly to serve our children in communities with care and professionalism, she added.
Grace N. Rogers Elementary School Principal Heather Gladkowski said that the theme for this year is “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.”
“As is tradition at the Grace Norton Rogers School, a cordial invitation is extended to parents to visit their child’s classroom,” she said.
Kindergarten and pre-school parents were invited on Monday from 9:30 to 10 a.m. then from 1 to 1:30 p.m.; grades 1-5 parents were invited from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. to visit their child’s classroom.
Ethel McKnight Elementary School Assistant Principal Anthony Aliperti said that during the week of Nov. 16, all schools across the country are celebrating American Education Week.
“This week spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college,” he said. “In recognition of American Education Week, EMK parents are invited to join us on Friday, Nov. 20, to celebrate and observe the many wonderful programs EWRSD and EMK has to offer.”
Perry L. Drew Elementary School Principal Robert Dias said that parents were invited to visit their child’s classroom and could join them for lunch after their class visit on Nov. 17. Class visits started at 10:10 a.m. and ended at 1:30 p.m. and were done by grade.
Melvin H. Kreps Principal Lori Emmerson said the school will recognize the educators and school staff who keep their children safe and healthy as well as help them achieve.
She said that the school’s official theme, “Raise Your Hand for Student Success,” highlights the importance of bringing together educators, school staff, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools.
“It is the perfect time of year to demonstrate the pride we have in our school by inviting moms, dads and grandparents to visit,” she said.
She said that they hosted their visitation day on Nov. 17 where they were invited to observe their child.
“At the middle school, we saw about 40 parents,” she said.
High School Principal Dennis Vinson said that the high school addressed Education Week by highlighting some of the activities that staff conduct that goes above and beyond in their faculty meetings.
“We also highlight the work our students are currently doing in our new course – Teach for Tomorrow,” he said. “This is a course we are now offering that is geared for future teachers.”