It shall be the duty of the authorities of every public school in this state to assemble the pupils in their charge on such day in the school building, or elsewhere, as they may deem proper, and to provide for and conduct such exercises or instructions as shall tend to (1) acquaint such pupils with the achievements of Commodore John Barry, "father of the American navy," and (2) honor the memory of Commodore Barry.
N.J.S. § 18A:36-11