In an effort to recognize the contributions that businesses, community organizations, and government agencies make to public education, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has proclaimed Nov. 21 to be national Education Day.
The group hopes the event, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of American Education Week, creates more support for public schools and emphasizes the need for strong connections between schools and other organizations.
“The thrust is not to push Washington to pour more money into schools,” Mike Brown, the spokesman for the mayors’ group, said. “The thrust is to get more people aware of the need to help schools locally.”
More than 100 cities--large metropolitan areas as well as small towns--plan to observe Education Day.
In Rock Hill, S.C., for example, city and school officials will showcase an arrangement in which high school students spend half-days on the job with police officers, building inspectors, and other city employees.
And in Scottsdale, Ariz., Superintendent Linda Powell and state schools chief Lisa Graham Keegan will be the guests at a community breakfast.
More information on this year’s activities, and the cities that are participating, is available by calling the Conference of Mayors at (202) 293-7330.
--LINDA JACOBSON
