COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 68

March 26, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	The Governors Youth Public Safety Advisory Council Superintendent Selection

Governor Mark R. Warner and Secretary of Public Safety John W. Marshall have created the Governors Youth Public Safety Advisory Council (GYPSAC). The council serves as a vehicle for soliciting the opinions and feedback of Virginia high school youth concerning school and community safety issues.

On Wednesday, June 30, 2004, GYPSAC will hold a Speakout! Summit targeting youth in Superintendents Region Study Groups 1, 3, and 8. The purpose of this session is to have youth from these regional study groups gather to discuss safety issues in their communities and schools. Up to 200 high school age youth in Superintendents Regional Study Groups 1, 3, and 8 will attend the Speakout! Summit facilitated by the VCU Center for Public Policy. Superintendents in these regions may assist GYPSAC by selecting the youth who will become council participants. The Speakout! Summit will be held at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Superintendents in Region Study Groups 1, 3, and 8 are encouraged to select youth who represent a diverse cross section of students in their school division. Superintendents may select up to three students to represent their school division. Rising sophomores and juniors are preferred. As participants they will bring back to their homes and schools information they discussed at the council. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the Speakout! Summit.

Superintendents are asked to send the name, address, telephone number, high school, and any other contact information to Ms. Ashaki McNeil, Governors Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, P.O. Box 1475, Richmond, VA 23218, by Friday, April 30, 2004 at 5 p.m. Selected students will receive a confirmation packet with additional information about the Speakout! Summit. To expedite the process, superintendents are encouraged to fax the contact information to Ms. McNeil at (804) 371-6381 or e-mail to ashaki.mcneil@governor.virginia.gov.

If you have questions, please contact Mr. Greg Brittingham in the VCU Office of Public Policy and Training at 804-827-1583 or e-mail at glbrittingha@vcu.edu or contact Ms. Myra Shook in the Department of Education at 804-371-7586 or e-mail at mshook@mail.vak12ed.edu.

JLD/MS/klr