EUTAWVILLE - Students and staff at St. James-Gaillard Elementary School in Eutawville joined in celebrating the 87th annual American Education Week last month with the theme "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility."

Principal Michelle Wilson noted that each year since 1921, schools across the nation have observed Education Week, spotlighting the importance of providing every child with a quality education from kindergarten through college and the need for everyone to do their part in making public schools great.

"The theme for this year is really outstanding. Our children do have a right to receive the best education possible, and we as educators have a great responsibility on our hands," Wilson said. "We must ensure that this great gift, educating our youth, is done with power and authority."

Featured events during the week-long celebration included an appreciation breakfast sponsored by the school's Parent-Teacher Organization; a reading of American Education Week history and an educational quote each day; a trivia challenge question for grades K-5 each day; a Parents' Day, where parents were invited into the classroom for a hands-on experience of what a day in the life of a student is like; School Spirit Day, where everyone wore the school colors, black and green; Hat Day, where students wore their favorite hats to school to participate in the "Hats Off to a Great Public School" event; Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, where each individual received a certificate of appreciation and a mug with goodies; and an essay contest on the topics of "What I Like Best About School," and "What I Would Do If I Were Principal."

"If I were the principal," said Michaela Aquart, 5th-grade essay winner, "I'd make sure each student got a good education. I'd find fun things to put on the playground. But most of all, I'd give our teachers more money. I'd give them a good amount of money every week."

Fourth-grade essay winner Morgan Jackson wrote about what she likes best about her school, including her teachers, "who are intelligent, make learning easier, and encourage us in every way," and her principal," who is beautiful and a nice person, but who doesn't baby us in our work."

Ashley Jackson, third-grade essay winner, summed up the theme of the week by saying, "It's my first year at St. James-Gaillard, but I already notice the concern the teachers and our principal have for us. It's fun, and it's challenging here. I know our school is the best, because my mom reads about our school in the paper all the time."

Anna Moorer, a kindergarten teacher and public relations assistant, noted, "It takes the teamwork of each student, parent, staff worker and interested community member to truly make a great public school."

Challenge Question winners during American Education Week 2008 were: Taylor Pepitone, Christain Mallard, Ja'lasia Davis, Teon James, Brandon Gibbs-Sanders, Kaylan Graham, Tevin Washington and Chelsea Smith.

Essay winners were: Third grade - Ashley Campbell, first place; Wynayjai Wright, second place and Jalen Clinton, third place. Fourth grade - Morgan Jackson, first place; Briana Bunch, second place and Danieyer Taiste, third place. Fifth grade - Mickaela Aquart, first place; Travaisha Shaw, second place and Dominique Davis, third place.

T&D Correspondent Diane Gainer can be reached by e-mail at bcdthinktank@yahoo.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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