New Director's Message: National Teacher Appreciation Week – May 4-10

I would like to take this opportunity, when all of America joins together in appreciation of our Nation’s teachers, to recognize the great work of our own educators.  DoDDS-Pacific/ DDESS-Guam proudly joins the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and school districts all over the country in recognizing our teachers during National Teacher Appreciation Week. This year’s commemorative week is scheduled for May 4-10.  This year’s theme “Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools” represents the tapestry woven by our teachers as they ensure our children receive the very best educational opportunities.  

New Director's Message: Administrative Professionals Week will be celebrated April 20 - 26th

Formerly known as Secretary's Week, this special week represents a time to recognize the incredible support we receive from the secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals who keep our schools and offices going. This year’s theme “Forward Moving" denotes how career-minded our administrative professionals are as they position themselves for success in today's ever-changing business environment by mastering advanced office technology and forging collaborative relationships with managers, coworkers, and teachers.  Today’s support personnel take charge of their own careers and career advancement.

Millions of people around the world work in offices, and appreciate that administrative professionals are the key components in maintaining a well run organization.  In our schools and district offices, these energetic, highly skilled, multifunctional individuals ensure that excellence is not the exception, but the standard mode of operation, from greeting visitors to working with children, teachers, and educational leadership. . .(go to article)

Director's Message: Women's History Month

National Women's History Month grew from an effort to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women in American history.  In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County, California, Commission on the Status of Women initiated Women's History Week.  In 1987 – at the request of museums, libraries, and educators across the country – the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March.

Women’s History Month is a time to reflect and celebrate the accomplishments of women in history.  The theme for this year’s celebration is Women’s Art: Women’s Vision.  It is fitting that we honor women who have contributed to Art.  To ensure that a diversity of art and artists are represented, the National Women’s History Project selected the following artists as 2008 Honorees based on their art, their vision, their art form, their cultural background, the region in which they live, and the quality and passion of the nomination submitted. . .(go to article)

Director's Message: Black History Month

The Black History National Theme and Department of Defense Theme for 2008 is: Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism.

It is fitting that we honor Dr. Carter G. Woodson for this year theme since we owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to him. What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied-or even documented-when the tradition originated. Although blacks have been in America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century that they gained a respectable presence in the history books. . .(go to article)

Director's Message: American Education Week

The 86th Annual American Education Week (AEW) will be observed from November 11–17, 2007.  This year’s theme, “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility,” highlights the importance of bringing together educators, school staff, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great schools. 

For over 60 years the Department of Defense Dependents Schools have maintained the highest standards for academic achievement in education.  DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam is recognized and respected as a leader with a proven track record of superior results both inside and outside the classroom . . .(go to article)

Director's Message: National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

For many years, Native Americans and others have urged that a special day be set aside to honor America’s first citizens.  From time to time, legislation was proposed in the U.S. Congress that would designate the Fourth Friday in September of each year as American Indian Day.  There has also been legislation that would establish a Native American Awareness Week the fourth week in September.  In 1987, the week of November 22-28 was proclaimed as “American Indian Week” by President Reagan.  It wasn’t until August 3, 1990, that a Joint Resolution designating the month of November as “National American Indian Month” was signed by President Bush, becoming Public Law 101-343.

American Indian Heritage Month is celebrated to honor and recognize the continuing contributions American Indians make to this country.  The theme for this year is: Honoring Warriors Past and Present.  During this month’s celebration let us remember and honor our American Indian warriors. . .(go to article)