COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 137

July 14, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	2006 Schools To Watch Program

Since 2003, Virginia has been one of the 15 state members of the Schools to Watch Program. Sponsored by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, the goal of Schools To Watch is to identify and recognize outstanding middle schools based on three criteria:

academic excellence;

the provision of high-quality teachers, resources and learning opportunities for every student; and

a response to the unique challenges of early adolescence.

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce the names of two Virginia middle schools that have been added to our list of Schools To Watch. They are:

Tabb Middle School, York County Public Schools; and

Azalea Gardens Middle School, Norfolk City Public Schools.

These schools join the ranks of 85 middle schools across the country considered to be important resources for other schools to consult in their efforts to continuously improve programs for middle grades students.

All middle schools across the Commonwealth are invited to apply to be a School To Watch. Application information and instructions are posted at http://www.vmsa.org/ with a due date of September 30, 2006. For questions, please contact Gwen Griffith, President, Virginia Middle School Association, by e-mail at gwenbgolf@aol.com or by telephone at (540) 966-4255; or Dr. Lois Williams, mathematics specialist, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, by e-mail at Lois.Williams@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 786-8078.

BKC/LW/yba