COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 246

November 16, 2007

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

 

FROM:

Billy K. Cannaday, Jr.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

SUBJECT:

Distribution of Free Student Guides to r u ready?:  Life After High School (2008 Edition)

 

We are pleased to notify you that the new, updated r u ready? (2008 Edition) magazine will be sent in late-November to school counseling specialists in all Virginia public high schools.  We are asking school counselors to distribute the magazine to all students enrolled in the junior class.  Principals and counseling personnel will be notified prior to the distribution of the magazine.

 

This publication emphasizes the importance of preparing now for the road ahead and is designed to provide information for students with a variety of post-high school goals, whether the choices are to enter the job market following high school or to continue formal education.  Regardless of their career goal, all students will benefit from resources available in Virginia’s high schools to prepare for the journey ahead.  The magazine, r u ready?, can help students identify those resources.

 

This edition of r u ready?, which should appeal to teenagers, will provide sound, up-to-date information about the importance of making wise decisions about careers and continuing education.  The publication includes a letter of endorsement from Governor Kaine emphasizing the need to plan now for life after high school.  The primary message the guide provides to students is that the next stage of life happens whether you are ready or not.  The publication was developed by Virginia Business Magazine, an affiliate of Media General, in cooperation with the Department of Education.

 

We are requesting that r u ready? be presented formally to students rather than just distributing copies to them.  This could be accomplished through an academic or career and technical education course or by offering instruction as an extracurricular activity in cooperation with business/industry and continuing education partners.  Both the student and teacher guides reinforce selected Standards of Learning.

 

As you may know, r u ready? is part of a series, including the teacher’s guide ready or not, a parent’s brochure, and the Virginia Career Resource Network (www.vacrn.net) Web site.  The updated parent’s brochure will be delivered to 8th grade parents in early December.  Principals and school counseling personnel are being notified how to obtain additional copies of all these resources, including requested copies for students other than high school juniors.

 

If you have questions concerning any of the products in the series or need additional information, please contact Elizabeth Russell, director for career and technical education, via e-mail at Elizabeth.Russell@doe.virginia.gov or telephone at (804)225-2051.  We hope this information will help you and your staff prepare your students for life after high school.

 

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