Pulaski County coalition launches “School Appreciation Week” initiative
By Mike Wade, PCPC member
This week, the Pulaski Community Partners Coalition (PCPC) is launching an initiative to recognize the educators, administrators, and other staff who work with Pulaski County Public Schools.
Over the next seven weeks, volunteers with PCPC and others in the community will be teaming up to provide school employees with small tokens of appreciation, including hand-written thank you notes, signs, a free lunch, and more. The “School Appreciation Weeks” will be conducted at each of the county’s seven public schools, concluding on Friday, March 25 – which also happens to be “Pulaski County Proud Day.”
PCPC is a group of community volunteers and stakeholders who have a shared concern for the overall well-being of the community, with a particular emphasis on the prevention and reduction of substance use among youth. Over the years, PCPC has conducted a coffee/waffle bar at the annual “After-Prom Party,” as well as the back-to-school pool parties for local middle school students at Randolph Park, and the yearly observance of “Red Ribbon Week” in October.
“For several months, our coalition members have been discussing ways that we could possibly demonstrate the community’s appreciation for our teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and administrators,” explains PCPC Vice-Chair Lisa Webb. “I think we all recognize how challenging the last couple of years have been for folks who work in education and this is just a small way for us to let them know that we care.”
According to Webb, the initiative is being supported by several local churches, the Pulaski Senior Center, and local law enforcement. She adds that PCPC was also very intentional about involving the local business community and is partnering with locally-owned restaurants to assist with the lunch at each school.
“Our schools are truly one of the most important assets our community has,” says Webb, “but the education of our young people takes a tremendous amount of effort, day-in and day-out.”
“The individuals who work within our school system play a vital role in the future of our young people and they work tirelessly to help students grow and learn in safe, healthy environments,” Webb adds. “Initiatives like this are the least we can do to thank each and every one of them for taking care of our kids.”
Webb says PCPC hopes to make “School Appreciation Weeks” an annual initiative. To make a contribution to support this initiative, please make checks payable to “PCPC” and note “School Appreciation” in the memo line. Contributions can be mailed (or delivered in-person) to Sally Warburton (PCPC Treasurer) at the Pulaski Public Library, 60 3rd Street NW, Pulaski, VA 24301.
PCPC typically meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. Meetings are open to the public and interested community members are welcome to join/attend at any time. To join the PCPC email list or to learn more, contact Mike Wade at mwade@nrvcs.org.