The time upon us is one we all cherish, for it is a time when families and friends come together to celebrate the season and look ahead to the New Year.

The spirit of the holidays brings us merriment, reflection and hope. As I celebrate the season, I am mindful about a gift we sometimes take for granted - our public schools. There is an important lesson of appreciation families and friends can learn as they gather for the holidays and ask a few simple questions.

What do they most value and appreciate about public schools in New York State? Why should they not take public education for granted? What are the qualities and benefits of public education to which so many prominent people proudly credit their success?

Amidst appropriate discussions of student test scores, teacher qualifications and decades of work directed to measuring education outcomes, when I ask New Yorkers from all walks of life what they truly appreciate about public education, I get some memorable responses.

Most people tell me about their favorite schools and favorite teachers. Some reflect on college, or adult education courses in their communities. Common threads unite the many voices, striking themes essential to high quality public education; themes which enhance our participatory democracy and make for a more vibrant economy. Let me share with you a sampling of responses that different people have shared with me.

People say such things as: "Thanks to public education." ... "I had a succession of teachers who made a wonderful difference in my life. They taught me how to think for myself and question, always question." ... "I discovered what I was really good at, and how I could make a living." ... "I fell in love - with books and with my wife! We met in high school study hall."

Perhaps the most common comments are about learning to live with others: "I found myself in a sea of diversity and had to learn how to get along in the real world." "We take a lot for granted," say many New Yorkers. "My parents learned to speak English because of public education." ... "Take a look at Afghanistan and Iraq to be reminded of public education's effect on freedom and expression; on our culture and society." ... "Public schools are the hub of our community. When crisis strikes, they are often the safety valve for the children of our community."

"Thank God for public education," people say, for the lifelong values they acquired in school. "I learned cheating wasn't going to help me get ahead." ... "I learned the hard way about the consequences for my behavior." ... "I learned I needed to back up my point of view." ... "I learned how to step up to the plate when my team was counting on me." ... "I gained confidence." ... "I believe that what I learned was greater than anything in any text or on any test."

To be sure, competencies required for good jobs and prosperity in the 21st century are among New York's top priorities for public schools. However, the virtues that make our democracy strong such as honesty, compassion, courage, teamwork, loyalty, responsibility, empathy and equity, are virtues which seem to be high among the qualities and benefits of public education that are highly valued yet not so easy to chronicle and quantify.

Public appreciation is indeed a valuable way to gauge school success. And it is a potent accountability tool. At this time of gift giving, reflection and resolutions for the New Year, let us take stock of the many reasons to be thankful for our public schools and not to take them for granted. And, we must resolve to continue to improve our public schools because in doing so we also continue to improve and enhance the quality of our lives, our communities and our democracy.

Barbara Batroletti is president of PS21, Public Schools for the 21st Century, a New York State-based organization supporting public education. She also is legislative director of the New York State League of Women Voters.