Education week

Several schools in the area will be holding extra activities for students this week, which is American Education Week.

The first observance of American Education Week was in 1921; it is celebrated the week before Thanksgiving. And that seems appropriate. Of all the things we should be thankful for, how often do we think about our education? It should be high on our list.

As members of our neighborhoods and communities; as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, we all share the responsibility of encouraging education and reminding children and teens that education is essential to personal freedom. The more we know, the more we can do and accomplish; the more money we can make; the more places we can go; and the better leaders we can become.

If you haven't had a good talk lately with the children in your life about the importance of learning, American Education Week gives you a good excuse to ask them what they're doing in school and to remind them how vital education is to all of us.

It's also a good time to drop a note to a couple of teachers to let them know how much they are appreciated. Sometimes an encouraging word can go a long way to help a teacher, who these days are under more pressure than ever.

Happy American Education Week, everyone.