COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 25

February 21, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	KIDsafe Virginia School Safety Toolbox

In November 2002, Governor Mark Warner announced the new KIDsafe Virginia program. This program has been designed to supplement, coordinate, and strengthen many successful efforts to teach personal safety skills to school-age children that already exist in communities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. A copy of the press release can be accessed at www.governor.state.va.us/Press_Policy/Releases/Nov02/1121.htm).

As an important part of this project, all public school principals will receive a KIDsafe Virginia School Safety Toolbox. The kit will contain a number of publications about school safety including information on crisis management, juvenile law, drug detection, and prevention.

Other items in the toolbox will include Kidsafe Virginia Personal Safety Lesson Plans and Lessons in Crime Prevention, posters, brochures, and magnets. The toolboxes are currently being assembled and will be mailed to the principals in early March 2003.

Detailed information about the Kidsafe Virginia program can be accessed at www.gosap.state.va.us/kidsafeva.htm. Questions may be directed to the Governors Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, which will be coordinating the statewide campaign, at 804-786-9072.

JLD/ADC:saj