From Nov. 16 to Nov. 20, Bel Air High School will be celebrating National American Education Week, showing visitors how our school operates and educates.

American Education Week was first celebrated in Dec. 1921 as a way to increase literacy rates throughout United States following the end World War I. Since its creation, the purpose for celebrating the week has evolved to promote the maintenance and creation of public schools nationwide, and the idea that all children should be allowed to have access to quality education. This year will be the 94th annual American Education Week held nationwide, and has the theme Great Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.

For the week, Bel Air High School will be inviting parents and grandparents to view students’ everyday activities. The grandparents of students will be permitted to visit the school on Monday, Nov. 16. Parents who wish to observe the classroom environment are permitted to attend on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, depending on which grade they would like to observe.

BAHS principal Mr. Komondor stated, “I know from being a part of the Harford County Public School system both as a teacher and an administrator that we provide more than quality education. Our teachers and staff work hard to challenge our students and provide them with every opportunity to prepare them for the future. We not only focus on strong academic standards, but also work to provide students with many opportunities to be a part of the community.”

American Education Week is sponsored by groups such as The National Education Association, The U.S. Department of Education, The American Association of School Administrators, The American Federation of Teachers, The American School Counselors Association, and The National Association of State Boards of Education.

Joahanna Hoch, a student from Bel Air High School, expressed, “I think schools should be the starting point for students to find out what they want to do with their future. Schools give students the support they may not get from their home environment, and create memories that will always be comforting to reflect on.”

American Education Week is a weeklong event that shows individuals how schools operate, helping communities and students learn more about the lives of those who operate and maintain educational institutions, and the lifelong effects they have on their students.