Lincoln County Retired Teachers Association shines light on American Education Week

Since 1921, National Education Week has become a celebration during which we recognize the important roles public schools and their staffs play in student development. Communities across the country have long devoted personnel and resources to achieve this significant goal.

Today, more than ever, communities are called upon to help our educational systems excel in their quest to inspire excellence in each child. During American Education Week, observed from Monday, Nov. 17 through Saturday, Nov. 22, we urge everyone to take a moment and thank those people who work in the forefront of a system that was designed to help each child attain her/his potential.

Individually, Lincoln County schools will have their own ways of celebrating this week, but perhaps there’s something you could do this week and beyond. A few ways to celebrate and help your child include:

• Have your child write a thank you note to a teacher or two. Even if you have been out of school for decades, now might be a good time to send a note to that teacher who made a difference in your life. What a great way to brighten someone’s day!
• Volunteer at your child’s school.
• Attend concerts, art displays, sporting events, fundraisers, parent/teacher conferences (even in the high school years) and any other activities that bring you closer to your schools.
• Family efforts count. As a family, make education a priority. Set aside time daily to be a part of your child’s educational life. Talk with your child. Put reasonable limits on social media and gaming. What you do as a family can have a tremendous impact on a child’s education. Remember, it’s not always where the bus is going but where it’s coming from that helps create success.
• Hopefully, this activity has begun in the home early in a child’s life. If not, it’s never too late to begin. Read to and with your child. Take your kid (and maybe the neighbor kids too!) to the library. It’s free, healthy entertainment. If you notice that your child experiences difficulties with reading, get help. In addition, make sure your child sees you read daily. If you struggle with reading, there are apps that can read to your children. Teachers can help you with such offerings.
• Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. If your child struggles, ask for help. Maybe it’s something as simple as an eye exam. Maybe your child displays characteristics of learning issues such as dyslexia, speech problems or a myriad of other learning obstacles. Some may require a clinical evaluation, while others can be addressed by school specialists.
• Educate yourself. Be aware of curriculum initiatives that may seem new to you. Find out about efforts such as the state-driven Act 20, aimed at improving reading skills in all schools. Talk to your child’s teachers as a starting point. Some of the curriculum efforts, whether new or old, might need your volunteer help. What a great way to help in the school while educating yourself!

This week should inspire parents and supporters of education to help keep our schools vibrant and effective. Educating America’s youth has never been more important and challenging than today.

What can you do to help kids, schools and teachers?

Be aware. Adopt a watchful eye for your child’s physical and mental well-being. Report concerns to appropriate school personnel. All too often we hear of tragic suicides occurring among our youth. Remember the Wisconsin Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is there to help by dialing 988.

Promote safe schools. We’ve long done this with anti-smoking and anti-drug laws. Firearms are a fact of life in our area. Many of us get great joy in the hunting culture and the family and friend relationships promoted by this activity. That’s great. However, the epidemic of violence in schools should tell us that schools and school property are no places for weapons. Do whatever you can to help build a safe culture in our schools. Remember too – If you see something, say something.

Make bullying unacceptable. Physical and verbal abuse is never acceptable, whether on the playground, in a classroom or on any social platform. Never make it OK to bully. Report bullying threats and actions to school authorities.

Be an advocate in limiting social media time, in particular on cellphones. Use of such devices during class time is a distraction that is best dealt with through a combined effort between home and school. Most schools have rules that limit cellphone use for everyone. Be supportive of those by rules meant to improve the educational culture while providing for the safety of all students.

Be a partner, not an adversary. Realize that every classroom is made up of students who have differing abilities, aspirations, backgrounds, and values. Addressing the needs of this unique group is a daunting task. While you must be concerned about one child’s progress, that teacher has to find ways to help everybody. Working calmly and rationally together helps solve issues.

This list of suggestions, although limited in length, would be an ideal way to make American Education Week extend to a year-long commitment to our public schools and those who work diligently to prepare our children and grandchildren to face a complex, demanding future stretching out for another hundred years and more.

Happy American Education Week to all!