Public Schools Week: Creating Safe, Equitable, and Engaging Public Schools
Alexandria, Va. (Feb. 16, 2022) —Educators, school leaders, and public education advocates across the country are joining together in celebrating public schools, Feb. 21-25, a week designated to highlight and speak out on the vital role that local public schools play in students and our nation’s futures.
The teaching and learning in our local K-12 public schools positively impacts students and families, the neighborhoods and communities they live in, and our nation as a whole. Amid the multiple challenges presented or exacerbated by the global pandemic, educators and school leaders have worked with commitment, creativity, and critical thinking to provide and maintain safe, equitable, and engaging learning opportunities for our children.
“Public Schools Week 2022 provides a much-needed opportunity to showcase success stories and public-school champions—those who have gone above and beyond to meet students’ social, emotional, and academic needs—particularly in these extraordinary times and circumstances,” said Richard Long, executive director of the Learning First Alliance.
Joining the Public Schools Week celebration are leading education groups, representing more than 10 million members, including American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; AASA: The School Superintendents Association; American Federation of Teachers; American School Counselor Association; Consortium for School Networking; Learning Forward; National Association of Elementary School Principals; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Education Association; National PTA; National School Boards Association, and National School Public Relations Association.
This year’s events include a “Why we support public education,” webinar; panel of exemplars in a discussion of the pandemic’s impact on students and how public schools are responding to the challenges; a webinar covering the findings of public education public opinion polls by the American Federation of Teachers, National PTA, and the School Superintendents Association, AASA; and an expert panel discussion of student mental health and wellbeing.
About Public Schools Week, Feb. 21-25
Visit www.publicschoolproud.org to view the schedule, register for the week’s virtual events, and access images and messages you can use on social media.
Help celebrate Public Schools Week by sharing on social media a personal success story about your local public school, teacher, counselor, or other school staff member, using the #PSW22 hashtag.
Watch interviews with teachers, parents, administrators, principals, and others committed to advancing student learning and success at https://www.learningfirst.org/podcasts/.
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The Learning First Alliance is a partnership of leading education organizations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America’s public schools. Alliance members include American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; AASA: The School Superintendents Association; American Federation of Teachers; American School Counselor Association; Consortium for School Networking; Learning Forward; National Association of Elementary School Principals; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Education Association; National PTA; National School Boards Association, and National School Public Relations Association.
