Bartlesville Public School District

Celebrates American Education Week

(Published Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006 in Examiner-Enterprise)

This month Americans will celebrate the eighty-fifth annual American Education Week.

On October 16, 2006 , the Bartlesville Public Schoo ls' Board of Education approved a proclamation recognizing the week of November 13-18 as American Education Week. The goal is to unite educators, school staff, parents, students, and communities in building great public schools for our most precious resource: our children. The theme for this year's celebration is: Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.

Without question, schools now carry the burden of more responsibility to students than ever before. School staff members now assume a myriad of responsibilities that heretofore were in the domain of the home, family, religious institutions, or other arms of government. Schools provide before-and after-school-care, oversee immunizations, student health, socialization skills and bullying prevention. School leaders assist new parents to learn to parent; assist with drug prevention and intervention, support students with multiple disabilities and much more, on a daily basis. In addition to these responsibilities, schools face increasing academic and professional scrutiny with new federal and state legislation.

Still, with these somewhat overwhelming responsibilities, our public schools remain successful. However, the challenge is to become a great public school and I believe through commitment, consistency and caring, or three C's, Bartlesville Public Schools can continue being a great school district.

Commitment . Simply put, our schools can only be as effective as our teachers. At Bartlesville Public Schools, we are committed to hiring and retaining the best professional teaching staff that is available. Teachers have an immeasurable impact on our students daily. A uthor Helen Caldicott said, “Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth.” Because of their commitment to professionalism, our teachers teaching s taff continually improv e s their skills through additional courses and workshops. Through their commitment to their students, our teachers work tirelessly to assist students in the learning environment. They bring the best to their classroom every day.

Consistency. Schools do not become great in one or two years, but instead it is through the continued efforts over many years. Bartlesville Public Schools are fortunate to have the support of parents who have volunteered at our schools, assisted teachers, and tutored children every year. We are also extremely fortunate to have the support of local business leaders who provide volunteers and who sponsor school events or donate funds in support of bond projects. Through consistent efforts of the members of our community, Bartlesville Public Schools have been able to achieve many great things for our students.

Caring. Of the three, this component is perhaps the most critical. Teachers who care about their students' success reach out to them and inspire them. Parents who care about the public schools in their community are involved, working alongside teachers in and out of the classroom. They attend parent-teacher conferences and volunteer their time and efforts serving as room parents, chaperones, mentors, tutors, and event coordinators. Parents who care about great schools reinforce good study habits at home, assist with school projects, ensure students attend tutorial sessions, band, or music practice, and ensure students do their best work in all their endeavors. Patrons of schools districts who care about education show their support through assistance with school bond efforts, attendance at school athletic, theater and musical productions, and many numerous other ways. Members of the Board of Education who care about the students in the district where they serve, spend countless hours working to improve schools from providing safe buildings to hiring the right staff members to evaluating student success from pre-Kindergarten through graduation.