PTO to honor past, present educators
The Albany Parent Teachers Organization plans to honor past and present educators by establishing a dedication wall and sponsorships of murals in the recently renovatedlibraryatNancy Smith Elementary School.
The PTO assisted the school district with decorating new walls that had to be replaced in the library due to a major roof leak almost a year ago. The PTO hired local artist AlannaStephenstopainta total of 18 murals depiciting popular children and young adult books.
“We have already received eight mural dedications of the 18 available,” said PTO officer Robin Balliew. “The dedications can be made to educators who have taught in the past or who are currently employed by the district. We are not limiting the recognition to just teachers; administrators and other staff members are also included.”
The cost to dedicate one of the murals is $300.
Plans are also in the works to host a “Wall of Honor” at the entrance to the library where names of educators can be placed on individual plaques. The cost of those plaques is $100.
“We sent out a mailing to PTO members or a few other groups, but this is open to the public,” she said. “We are wanting to provide an opportunity to honor school personnel that made a difference in the lives of Albany students.”
Balliew said she is hoping that the mural dedications can be ordered by the end of the school year and mounted in time for Meet the Teacher in August.
“We don’t have to have every mural dedicated at first, but we do want to get as many as possible hung by the start of school inAugust,” she said. “If we have some still available, we will complete those as they come in or are reserved in the future.”
Names for the Wall of Honor at the entrance can be ordered at any time and will be installed as they become available.
Anyone who wants to spnsor a mural or honor a retired or current eduator can contact the Albany PTO at P.O. Box 2241, Albany, TX 76430 or email at albany.tx.pto@gmail.com.
Payments can be made by check to the mailing addressorVenmo@Albany txPTO.
