Yearly we celebrate Columbus Education Week. This week coincides with American Education Week. It is a good time for the community to reflect on their commitment to free public education for all students and on the benefits this has for us locally and nationally.

Our nation and community have prided themselves on giving every student the opportunity to receive a quality education. Education is important for all students and is particularly important for students that come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is true because it is the key that opens many doors for young people. Education is the great equalizer. Our country prides itself on the fact that all people can advance themselves and receive the benefits of our free enterprise system provided they work hard and take advantage of the opportunities our country provides them.

Our public schools have always served another key role: Helping people new to our country learn our common heritage. Related to this, they help newcomers assimilate into our society and become contributing citizens. This important task has been a part of public school education since its inception. As a result, people from multiple nationalities have learned to prize the history and heritage of the American experiment. The public schools more than any other national organization have helped America be a melting pot of ideas, talents and gifts that work together to create one innovative and prolific system.

In the last century it was largely people from European cultures who were assimilated and transformed into productive U.S. citizens. In this century, the same work is transpiring in our public schools to help a different group of foreigners become the newest ingredient in our rich and succulent melting pot. The nationalities may be different this century, but the work and goals of the schools are still the same: help all young people, regardless of their country of origin or personal histories, to be contributing members of our nation.

Through education all students also learn the common values that have proven to be essential to rising above disadvantages and attaining the American dream. These values include respect, hard work, and persistence. Young people that attain these qualities will likely realize their dreams and have many options in life available to them. This is true whether a student comes from a wealthy advantaged background or from a poor disadvantaged one. The Columbus Public Schools embrace the challenge of daily teaching and expecting the practice of these values in all their schools. This expectation will help their students become contributing adult members of our community.

There is much for us to celebrate during Columbus Education Week. We have provided our community’s youth with an exceptional opportunity for personal growth and fulfillment. Those who work in our schools are very grateful to the Columbus community for all you do to make this educational system strong and successful. The support you give the schools through your time, energy and finances is deeply appreciated. The schools’ effectiveness is directly related to this strong community support. Because of this, the Columbus Public Schools have much to be grateful as they begin the celebration of Columbus Education Week.

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