The Mae Smythe Elementary School Chorale and the Morris Fifth Grade Center Band kicked off the “Lift-Off to Higher Learning” Public Schools Week campaign and served as the featured entertainment at the Texas School Public Relations Annual Conference at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston recently.

Both musical groups played this year’s Texas Public Schools Week song, “The Stars are Within Our Reach” and the “Mickey Mouse March.” The lyrics and music of the Texas Public Schools Week piece were written by Morris band director Paul Busby and Mae Smythe choir director Ken Davis.

The theme of “Lift-Off to Higher Learning” is designed to encourage schools to hold activities to promote the value of take children’s learning to new heights in order to prepare them for college. Pasadena ISD will celebrate Texas Public Schools Week on March 10-14.

Members of the Pasadena Independent School District’s communications staff and other departments served on this year’s Texas Public Schools Week committee, along with public relations staff members from area districts.

Texas Public Schools Week committee includes Pasadena ISD communication staff members Candace Ahlfinger, Mark Kramer, Ashley Holt, Bruce Stone, LaVonna Alexander-Carew and Pat Brenneman. Pasadena ISD elementary science specialist John Elmer, director of fine arts Linda Fletcher, coordinator of Library Services Kay McBride, along with Busby and Davis served on the committee. Tammy Dowdy, public information officer with Dickinson ISD, was a member of the group.

Texas Public Schools Week was established in 1950 by the Masonic Lodges of Texas to recognize contributions made by the state's free system of education. Each year, the event has grown and it continues to be a meaningful way to showcase the many educational opportunities given to more than four million students attending Texas Public Schools.