The Polk County Chamber of Commerce wants to ensure that educators are being given their due as the school year begins for the efforts they are making to teach and keep children safe, and is starting a new campaign on social media showing appreciation for the Polk School District.

“In the coming weeks the Polk County Chamber of Commerce is asking individuals to post a status thanking an educator, bus driver, cafeteria worker, maintenance worker, IT professional, school secretary, school nurse and all other education professions as they continue the school year,” the chamber posted when launching the campaign online today. “Make sure to use the hashtag, #THANKPSD. We know that they continue to face challenges each day in efforts to keep students safe. Let’s encourage them as they take care of our children.”

The goal, according to Chamber Executive Director Blair Elrod, is to encourage educators during the start of the year.

“In late April we saw our members and business owners throughout the community adapt to a new environment in regards to the coronavirus as businesses began opening back up. Now, in August we are seeing our education system doing the same,” she said. “Each day brings new challenges and situations that must be carefully navigated by our school system, just as businesses owners faced during their reopening. The Chamber rallied around our first responders and our businesses.”

She said that as the new campaign launches, the Chamber will continue to post items on social media with #THANKPSD alongside the community.

“We will encourage and support Polk School District employees just as we have the other vital roles in our community as they face challenging days ahead,” she said. “Education is an important component in our economy and is an area the Chamber has always supported.”