* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
In Support of American Education Week - November 11-17, 2007
FOR the purpose of expressing support for American Education Week 2007, endorsing this year's theme of Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility that reflects the National Education Association's calling upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century, and reiterating the commitment of the City Council to ensure that every student in the Baltimore City public school system is the recipient of a quality education on parity to that provided to public school students throughout the State of Maryland.
Body
Recitals
In 1919, distressed that 25% of the country's World War I draftees were illiterate and 9 % were physically unfit, representatives of the National Education Association and the American Legion met to seek ways to generate public support for education. The conventions of both organizations subsequently adopted resolutions of support for a national effort to raise public awareness of the importance of education.
In 1921, the National Education Representative Assembly called for designation of one week each year to spotlight education, calling in the inaugurating resolution for: "An education week...observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure the cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs." The first observation of American Education Week occurred December 4-10, 1921.
American Education Week is now celebrated the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving, and the sponsorship has grown to include the U.S. Department of Education, the National PTA, the American Association of School Administrators, the National School Boards Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the American School Counselor Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National School Public Relations Association, the National Association of State Boards of Education, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
The events of American Education Week are as follows:
• Sunday, November 11: Student Leaders Day;
• Monday, November 12: National Kickoff Celebration;
• Tuesday, November 13: Invite Parents to School Day;
• Wednesday, November 14: Education Support Professionals Day;
• Thursday, November 15: Educator for a Day; and
• Friday, November 16: Substitute Educators Day.
In Baltimore, the High School Fair has been scheduled for Saturday, November 17, the last day of American Education Week. Students are encouraged to attend the Fair that will take place at Poly-Western School Complex at 1400 Cold Spring Lane. As stated in the introduction to the high school guide, Choosing the High School That is Right for You, choosing where to apply to attend high school is one of the most important decisions young people will make in their lives. The high school years "will help you to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills that will serve as a foundation for your decision making as an adult and for lifelong learning."
In supporting the Baltimore City Public School System, the Council seeks to ensure that Baltimore's children are truly given a sound foundation on which to build a happy and successful future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body supports American Education Week 2007, endorsing this year's theme of Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility that reflects the National Education Association's calling upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century, and reiterates the commitment of the City Council to ensure that every student in the Baltimore City public school system is the recipient of a quality education on parity to that provided to public school students throughout the State of Maryland.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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