By Ashley Cummins for the FCT

West Elementary School is celebrating the 94th annual American Education Week Nov. 16-20.

This week gives the community the opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring every child receives a quality education.

The weeklong celebration will spotlight distinguished individuals who are critical in building great public schools for the nation’s 50 million K-12 students. American Education Week’s celebration at West Elementary School days include:

Monday – “Hats off to educators” – Wear your favorite hat.

Tuesday – “Red, White, and Blue Day” – Wear these colors to show support for all American educators.

Wednesday – “Sock it to Illiteracy Day” – Wear crazy or mismatched socks.

Thursday – “Educators bend over backwards day” – Wear your shirt backwards.

Friday – “School Spirit Day” – Wear black and gold to show support for the students and educators in the Russellville City School District.

“We are trying to make sure that every single person who is involved with the education at West Elementary School is honored this week,” said Jason Walker,  at-risk teacher at WES. “Everyone at WES has a very important role in the day-to-day function. Everyone on the faculty starts working well before the bell rings and continues long after the last child has gone home for the day.”

WES Vice Principal Kelby Daniel explained, “Education has changed so much over the past few years – it’s become much more involved. It truly takes a village to pull things off around here,” he said. “It’s hard to find the time for those little breaks that we all need from time to time. That’s why we are hosting a duty-free lunch on Wednesday so the teachers can get a little break. It’s just one small way that we can show our appreciation for everything they do each day.”

Daniel added that teachers weren’t the only ones being recognized as part of education week.

“This week we celebrate everyone from the administration, office workers, cafeteria staff, substitute teachers, bus drivers, technical staff, custodians, librarians, SROs, foster grandparents, and aides – just everyone who helps us on a day to day basis,” Daniel said. “We want the community to know what we are doing and be excited about it.”

Donna Bolton, instructional coach, said, “This is a great chance for us to recognize everyone – not just teachers. This is for everyone who is invested in the education and day-to-day operation here at WES. From the Central Office, to the parents, to the community stakeholders: We are all responsible and involved in our children’s education in one way or another.”