MEMBER FOCUS
Classified School Employee Week
CSEA celebrates Classified School Employee Week
May 19-25
Each May, California salutes the important contributions of classified school employees during Classified School Employee Week (CSEW). This year, we will be celebrating the theme: Empowering Generations.
"Classified School Employee Week is when our colleagues and community honor our hard work and dedication to our students," said Association President Adam Weinberger.
Classified employees have earned respect as educators and partners in the education community. More importantly, they have become recognized as the essential frontline workers who keep our schools up and running while making a difference in the lives of the students they serve.
“We are used to working behind the scenes, but this is our time to be celebrated!” said Association President Weinberger. “I hope you and your chapter do something special for CSEW, whether a job-shadow event with administrators or a get-together with your fellow CSEA members.”
“Please take the time to express your appreciation for each other and show your school community that classified employees are Indispensable, Inspiring and Invincible!"
To find out what is happening where you are, keep an eye out for emails from your Area Director or Chapter Executive Board, or contact them for details.
Many school and community college district board of trustees adopt resolutions to recognize CSEW and celebrate the work of classified employees. If your school board has not adopted a CSEW resolution, CSEA leaders can ask the board to consider one by visiting the CSEW webpage for a sample letter and resolution that is ready to use.
Promotional items such as T-shirts, drink cups and balloons are now available online here. Additional information, CSEW logos and Zoom backgrounds are available at www.csea.com/csew.
History of CSEW
Since CSEA’s founding in 1927, members have strived to make their communities aware of classified employees’ contributions to public education.
Gov. Ronald Reagan first proclaimed Classified School Employee Week in 1969, stating that "The classified employee is proud of his status and the integral part he plays in the total field of education throughout the State of California."
In 1984, CSEA members passed a resolution to establish an official recognition week, and a year later it was adopted as a state-sponsored resolution. Then, in 1986, Senator William Campbell’s Senate Bill 1552 permanently solidified Classified School Employee Week as an annual week of statewide recognition.
Senator Campbell said, “I urge all citizens to work closely to take time out and to think about school days and recall the efforts of the bus drivers, secretaries, custodians and all the other classified staff they met and knew. As much as any other group of employees, the classified school staff is a valued and integral part of our public school system and their work is vital to our children’s success.”
The ensuing recognition led to newspaper articles and resolutions by local school districts. There were picnics, award ceremonies and other events. Over the years, the CSEW tradition has continued with celebrations held every third full week of May.
