COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P. O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120


SUPTS. MEMO NO. 214
December 8, 2000

INFORMATIONAL
 
TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: Jo Lynne DeMary
Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Month for Children

The 1997 General Assembly amended the Code of Virginia to officially designate May as "The Month for Children" in the commonwealth (Section 2.1-17.9). The purpose of the legislative action is to focus on children’s special contributions to families, schools, and communities; to deal with problems that affect children in the commonwealth, the nation, and the world; and to encourage the citizens of Virginia to increase their efforts to improve the lives of children everywhere. This memorandum calls attention to this initiative and encourages special activities and media coverage that focus on the contributions made by our children and youth.

To support this endeavor, The Children and Youth Task Force was established to:

Provide a yearly forum to recognize and appreciate children and youth and their mentors for the good they do, and create an awareness throughout the State of the unheralded contributions they make to the communities in which they live and learn.
  Plans are under way to honor up to 16 children and youth and 16 mentors in a special celebration at The College of William and Mary in May 2001. It is a time for all Virginians to give recognition to the accomplishments of our children and youth and their mentors.

Enclosed is information prepared by The Children and Youth Task Force regarding student and mentor nominations. Please note the February 12, 2001, deadline for nominations. A separate mailing from the task force is being sent to all principals.

Questions related to this effort should be directed to Kenneth Magill at (804) 225-2073 or Sydney Diggs, task force co-director, at (804) 725-5319.

JLD/jd

Enclosures