HOUSTON – Aug. 8, 2018 – It can be the simplest idea that turns into the biggest success story, especially when a community gets together to support the cause. That’s what the Spring ISD Family and Community Engagement Department is counting on with its new project – Tie Tuesday, Spring.

“What we are trying to do is introduce the concept of wearing neckties to all of our students in the district by designating every Tuesday as a day for them to wear a tie to school,” said Tranita Carroll, director of parent engagement. “We really need donations of new or gently used ties to help us get this project launched by our targeted start date of Sept. 4, and we hope our community sees this as a fun way to get involved and support our students.”

Carroll gives Charles Dorsey, one of the district’s elementary teachers, credit for the idea, which he introduced while teaching at Hirsch Elementary.

“It started with a boys’ mentoring group, and we decided we were going to wear ties on Tuesday. A lot of other students that were not in the group decided that ‘hey, could we wear ties on Tuesday as well?’”

An active Twitter user, Dorsey’s tweets of students wearing their ties – tying their ties – caught the eye of Superintendent Dr. Rodney Watson, who decided to expand it districtwide at all schools and grade levels.

“This project is about more than wearing a tie and learning how to tie one,” Watson said. “It is about dressing professionally, learning how to be a leader and developing good character traits as well.”

Community members who would like to donate new or gently used ties may drop them off at the reception desk at the Gordon M. Anderson Leadership Center, 16717 Ella Blvd. and then follow the project #tietuesdayspring on twitter.com/SpringISD. For more information, call Carroll at 281-891-6019.