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SJR 93

Designates first full week of May of each year as "Teacher Appreciation Week."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carmen Amato and 4 co-sponsors

Designates the first full week of May as New Jersey Teacher Appreciation Week, with the Governor issuing annual proclamations and observers encouraged; effective immediately.

Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
#commemoratio #teachers
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Bill Summary · SJR 93

Summary: Senate Joint Resolution No. 93 (SJR 93)

Overview

SJR 93 is a joint resolution in the New Jersey Legislature that designates the first full week of May each year as “Teacher Appreciation Week” in New Jersey. The measure emphasizes recognizing the contributions of teachers, including their responses during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The resolution is ceremonial in nature and requests annual gubernatorial proclamation and observance by the public.

  • Introduced: March 4, 2024
  • Status: Reported out of the Senate Education Committee with amendments; 2nd Reading as of January 30, 2025
  • Classification: Joint resolution
  • Subject: Commemoration of teachers
  • Sponsors: Senator Linda R. Greenstein (District 14) and Senator Angela V. McKnight (District 31); Co-sponsored by Senators Diegnan, Amato, and Turner
  • Related: Companion AJR 83 (Assembly)

What the bill would do

  • Designate the first full week of May every year as “Teacher Appreciation Week” in the State of New Jersey.
  • The Governor would be respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation designating that week and to urge public officials and citizens to observe it with appropriate activities and programs.
  • The resolution takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Key provisions and language (as amended)

  • Preamble highlights: Acknowledges the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact and the extraordinary efforts of New Jersey teachers in delivering remote instruction to over 1.4 million public school students; notes collaboration with parents and teachers’ continued commitment despite challenges.
  • Purpose clause: Emphasizes recognizing “the exceptional efforts and enduring contributions of the teachers of this State.”
  • Formal designation and proclamation mechanism:
    • Designation of the first full week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week.
    • Governor’s proclamation and exhortation to observe the week with suitable activities.
  • Immediate effect: The resolution is designed to take effect right away.

Who is affected

  • Teachers and educators across New Jersey, and the broader school community (students, families, school officials) through formal acknowledgment and potential observance activities.
  • State government and public officials, who would participate in proclamations and observances.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced in March 2024.
  • Referred to Senate Education Committee; amended and reported out on January 30, 2025 (2nd Reading).
  • Companion bill AJR 83 exists (likely in the Assembly).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Ceremonial designation designed to elevate recognition of teachers without creating new programmatic requirements or funding.
  • Encourages voluntary observance and public acknowledgment via proclamations and events.
  • Aligns with the nationwide observance of National Teacher Appreciation Week (since 1985) to bolster state-level recognition.

Bottom line

SJR 93 would formally designate the first full week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week in New Jersey, with the Governor issuing an annual proclamation and calls for observed activities. It is a ceremonial measure aimed at honoring teachers’ contributions, particularly highlighted through the COVID-19 era, and would take effect immediately if enacted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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