During the week of November 15-21, the School District of Pickens County will celebrate American Education Week, an annual observance honoring our public educators. This year’s tagline Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility calls upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century.

Think with me for a few minutes about how you have benefitted from your education. In elementary school you learned how to read and write as well as how to do math. You also developed patriotism and citizenship. You began developing essential skills such as critical thinking, conflict resolution, team building, cooperation, and problem solving.

As you moved through elementary school to middle and high school, you honed those skills, growing as a person and as a productive citizen. Your education continued as you entered the workforce, college, or the military, and you hopefully realized that learning is a life-long endeavor and that education does not reach a stopping point.

Just as individually we have benefitted from public education, so have our nation, state and community. Education has certainly helped make Pickens County a great place to live and rear our children.

Fewer than one-hundred years ago, over 25 percent of Pickens County’s population was illiterate. Today, everyone—regardless of race, economic status, special needs, or religious status—has the opportunity for a quality public education. As a community, we have the responsibility to provide excellent public schools so that each student can become a productive citizen and pursue the American Dream.

I believe our community takes the responsibility seriously.

Pickens County’s public schools are strong and growing stronger as we focus on success for every student. Our teachers and support staff continually challenge all students academically to reach their potential. We’re providing safe, supportive environments for learning through Building Futures, our comprehensive facilities plan. We’re moving forward to ensure our students are equipped to pursue their dreams in a complex world.

During American Education Week, please take time to thank School District of Pickens County educators. Dedicated teachers, principals, school support staff, district services staff, school board members, nurses, bus drivers, custodians, student nutrition workers, and parents all play an important part in building success for our students. Let them know that you appreciate their commitment. Let them know they are valuable.

I also want to say “thank you” to every teacher, administrator, and support employee. I appreciate the outstanding job you do every day for our children. I also want to say “thank you” to each parent, each volunteer, each business, and each community member who supports us. By continuing to work together, we can give every student the foundation for building success beyond the classroom.