Texas celebrates its public schools March 4-8

March 1, 2013                                                            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

District Contact: Rayanne Schmid, communications coordinator

936-569-5000, ext. 8845 (office) or 936-585-1518 (Cell)

rschmid@nacisd.org

NACOGDOCHES  — Nacogdoches Independent School District joins the 1,014 other school districts in the state to celebrate Texas Public Schools Week.

This year’s theme is “Imagine, Explore, Discover.”

Texas Public Schools week began in 1950 as an initiative of the Freemasons in Texas. It is typically recognized the first full week in March to coordinate with the celebration of Texas Independence Day.

Grand Master William Jennings Burris developed the first public schools week to “create a long-lasting program of collaboration with all Texas citizens to an important institution and invaluable resource — our public schools and our children,” according to the Texas School Public Relations Association.  “Burris issued a proclamation calling upon all Texas Masons to not only assist in the program, but to impress upon their friends the importance of a closer affiliation between parents and teachers, and a revival of interest in the educational system.”

In his message, Burris said:
"It is important that each of the Lodges understand fully that the proclamation that I issued on December 26 is to be fulfilled in each point, as it is so important that we, as Masons, dedicate this one week to the very important subject of Public Schools, since through the effort of the Order, public schools in Texas were given their birthright.  I feel that the type of program proposed will accomplish this important undertaking."

TSPRA, in more recent years, has evolved the program into a year-long campaign — Celebrate Texas Public Schools. The move helped districts who experienced conflicts celebrating the traditional week during a time of the year when the schools are undergoing standardized testing.

This year, Celebrate Texas Public Schools offers a chance for schools to participate in a video contest that addresses the importance of public schools. State winners in each of five categories will receive a $1,000 prize.

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