Marshall County Schools Superintendent Shelby Haines was joined this past week by representatives from the school district, board of education, teachers’ union, Marshall County Chamber of Commerce and Marshall County Commission at the BOE office to sign a proclamation declaring Nov. 18-22, as American Education Week in Marshall County.

The theme this year is “Together for Safe, Just & Equitable Schools.”

American Education Week spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality education from pre-K through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great.

Each day of the week has its own theme, during which faculty, staff and students will celebrate the Marshall County Schools’ community. Festivities honor the team of people who work in the county’s public schools, everyone from the bus driver and classroom teacher to the cafeteria worker and administrative staff, plus countless others.

The first American Education Week was observed from Dec. 4-10, 1921, with the National Education Association and the American Legion as the co-sponsors. The following year the U.S. Office of Education joined the week-long celebration as a supporter.

Since then, more than a dozen sponsors, including the U.S. Department of American Education and the American Federation of Teachers, have joined the founders for this annual event.

American Education Week is now recognized every year the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving.

The text of the American Education Week proclamation signed in Marshall County follows:

“Whereas, public education is the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the tools they need to maintain our nation’s precious values of freedom, civility and equality; and

“Whereas, by equipping young Americans with both practical skill and broader intellectual abilities, schools given hope for, and access to a productive future; and

“Whereas, public education employees, be they educators, substitute educators, higher education faculty and staff, custodians, teachers, bus drivers, clerical workers, food service workers, security guards, technical employees, or librarians, work tirelessly to serve our children and communities with care and professionalism; and

“Whereas, public schools are the foundations of neighborhoods and communities, bringing together adults, and children, educators and volunteers, business leaders and elected officials in a common purpose.

“Therefore, be it further resolved, that we proclaim November 18-22, 2024, as the annual observance of American Education Week. Proclaimed this 13th day of November 2024.”

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Several Board of Education matters were addressed this past week by the Marshall County board.

Resignations include, Morgan Allman–Teacher of Multi-Cat with Autism/Profound at Moundsville Middle School; Roger Cain–Drug Free Club Adviser at Cameron High School; Anastasia Klemm–Head Volleyball Coach at Sherrard Middle School; Chelsea Rine– Secretary at John Marshall High School; Jarrell Bailey–Girls Head MS Basketball Coach at Cameron High School.

Employment/Transfers include Robert Bonar from Teacher of Math at Cameron High School to Teacher of Math, John Marshall High School; Peyton Bertram from Teacher of Grade Five at Cameron Elementary to Teacher of Vocational Agriculture at John Marshall High School; Aimee Jones from Substitute Teacher to Teacher of English at Moundsville Middle School; Brian Ullom from Substitute Bus Operator to Bus Operator, Route 77, Countywide; Richard Smith from Substitute Bus Operated to Route 96.

Advisers include: Gregory Shutler volunteer Middle School Lacross Advisor, Joshua Gary, Youth Leadership Association Adviser; Olivia Snider, National Arts Honor Society John Marshall and Michael Pukula, Softball Assistant Coach, Cameron High.

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Don’t forget to reserve your tickets for the upcoming Christmas Concert.

The concert, Faire May, will take Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Cockayne Farmstead:. There will be two shows, one at 3 p.m., and a candlelight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include refreshments at intermission.Due to the intimate setting, seating will be very limited with only 25 tickets per show with no tickets will be sold at the door.

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The Marshall County Chamber of Commerce is conducting a Toy Drive during this month.

Toys will be donated to Marshall County Schools students.

Dropoff is to be to 609 Jefferson Ave. in Moundsville (the chamber office).

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The Charles Hughes Memorial Fund, though the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, recently awarded grants to the Feeding Body and Soul Community Kitchen located at Simpson United Methodist Church in Moundsville and to the 707 Youth Group located at the Glen Dale Methodist Church in Glen Dale for $850.

The CHMF was established in 2021 by Dr. Chad Hughes of Durham, North Carolina, in memory of his late father.

Based in Wheeling, the CFOV was established in 1972 as a facilitator of philanthropy in the Ohio Valley region.

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The Moundsville High School class of 1964 will hold a holiday luncheon at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Guest House Resturant in Moundsville. Family and friends are invited as well as any classmates from MHS.

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Thanks to several Marshall County friends and relatives, I had a nice 90th birthday on Nov. 9. I received many cards, several phone calls and a large box of cookies.