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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2000

News Release

Education Support Personnel To Be Recognized November 15, During American Education Week

Schools Seek Community Support During Celebration of Education, November 12 - 18

Washington, D.C. -- How many adults does it take for a child to succeed academically? This isn't the set-up line for a joke on the Letterman or Leno show. Educators know it takes numerous adults ? at school, home and in the community ? for students to maximize their potential. During American Education Week (AEW), Wednesday, November 15, will be dedicated to recognizing a special group of these adults: education support personnel (ESP). AEW, entitled Children-Schools-Parents, Helping Students Achieve, will be celebrated November 12 - 18, 2000.

Since 1987, Wednesday of AEW has been set aside to honor the education support personnel who do so much to help schools run smoothly and assist students. These personnel provide services in areas such as: building and grounds maintenance; security; food and nutrition; health and student services; paraeducation (teaching aides); administration; technical services; trades, crafts, machine operators; and transportation, delivery and vehicle maintenance.

"American Education Week is the ideal time to recognize the contributions of the whole education team that impacts students' lives on a day-to-day basis," said Bob Chase, president, National Education Association (NEA). "Without a clean, safe, smooth-running school, students will be distracted from even the most engaging lessons. ESPs create the environment in which learning can happen."

Richard Malizia, NEA's 2000 ESP of the Year, exemplifies tremendous caring and willingness to go above and beyond to assist students at his school in Union City, NJ. Malizia, who worked for one and a half years as a school janitor before becoming an attendance officer, works to spot a child's early warning signs of problems and intervene. He was instrumental in bringing a complete cadre of student support services on-site ? including psychologists, social workers and counselors ? so that students' problems can be addressed more quickly and comprehensively.

Says Malizia, "We act like a SWAT team. If I can't solve the problem, I refer the student to a teacher or counselor. I check attendance and report back any problems. We get to the root of the problem quickly, solve it, and move on."

Activities recognizing ESPs include:

• The Union City (NJ) Education Association will distribute to its approximately 450 ESP members thank you cards with a raffle ticket. One winner from each of the 12 schools and one "at-large" ESP winner will receive a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
• ESPs in many schools will receive appreciation certificates.
• Some ESPs will get key rings with the insignia "Commitment to Excellence."

The 2000 AEW celebration will serve as a call to action for businesses, religious institutions, civic organizations and community members to lend their support to their local schools. Whether reading with a child, coaching a team or painting a school, community members can provide needed services.

Resources:

For more info on AEW, visit www.nea.org/aew. For data on student achievement in your state, visit http://www.nea.org/publiced/goodnews/. AEW coincides with International Education Week, November 13 - 17, a project of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. State Department. Visit http://exchanges.state.gov/iep/infokit.htm for more information.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support personnel, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.