February 25, 2025
Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Reed, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Hirono, Mr. King, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Van Hollen, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Booker, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Welch, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Peters, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Padilla) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
Designating the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025, as Public Schools Week
.
Whereas public education is a significant institution in a 21st-century democracy;
Whereas public schools in the United States educate students about the values and beliefs that hold the individuals of the United States together as a nation;
Whereas public schools prepare young individuals of the United States to contribute to the society, economy, and citizenry of the country;
Whereas 87 percent of children in the United States attend public schools;
Whereas Federal, State, and local lawmakers should—
(1)
prioritize support for strengthening the public schools of the United States;
(2)
empower superintendents, principals, and other school leaders to implement, manage, and lead school districts and schools in partnership with educators, parents, and other local education stakeholders; and
(3)
support services and programs that are critical to helping students engage in learning, including counseling, extracurricular activities, and mental health support;
Whereas public schools should foster inclusive, safe, and high-quality environments in which children can learn to think critically, problem solve, and build relationships;
Whereas public schools should provide environments in which all students have the opportunity to succeed beginning in their earliest years, regardless of who a student is or where a student lives;
Whereas Congress should support—
(1)
efforts to advance equal opportunity and excellence in public education;
(2)
efforts to implement evidence-based practices in public education; and
(3)
continuous improvements to public education;
Whereas every child should—
(1)
receive an education that helps the child reach the full potential of the child; and
(2)
attend a school that offers a high-quality educational experience;
Whereas Federal funding, in addition to State and local funds, supports the access of students to inviting classrooms, well-prepared educators, and services to support healthy students, including nutrition and afterschool programs;
Whereas teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals should provide students with a well-rounded education and strive to create joy in learning;
Whereas superintendents, principals, other school leaders, teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents make public schools vital components of communities and are working hard to improve educational outcomes for children across the country; and
Whereas the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025, is an appropriate period to designate as “Public Schools Week”: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate designates the week of February 24 through February 28, 2025 as Public Schools Week
.