COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

May 25, 2012

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Patricia I. Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:  Preview Meetings on Effective Schoolwide Discipline in Virginia

In the spring of 2005, the Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE) Office of Special Education Instructional Services initiated a series of meetings for superintendents, central office personnel, and principals to introduce Effective Schoolwide Discipline (ESD), a statewide initiative to support positive academic and behavioral outcomes for all students.  Virginia's ESD initiative is based on the accumulated research that documents the effectiveness of a multi-tiered system of positive behavioral interventions and supports.  To date, 229 Virginia schools in 43 school divisions have participated in statewide ESD training.

In August 2012, the Virginia Department of Education will offer another round of preview meetings for superintendents, central office personnel, and principals in the eight superintendents' regions at which time discussion will focus on the ESD initiative and upcoming training.  Discussion also will highlight the various roles of education personnel and the importance of the appointment of a school division coordinator.

At the upcoming ESD preview meetings, superintendents, central office personnel, and principals will receive an ESD Readiness Packet that contains all the necessary information and timelines to apply for the next round of training in ESD.

The meetings in each region have been scheduled as follows:

Region 1/8
Monday, August 6, 2012
8:30 a.m. - Noon
Sheraton Park South Hotel
9901 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, Virginia  23235
Registration Deadline:  July 25, 2012

Region 2/3
Thursday, August 2, 2012
8:30 a.m. - Noon
Omni Newport News Hotel
1000 Omni Boulevard
Newport News, Virginia  23606
Registration Deadline: July 25, 2012

Region 4
Thursday, August 16, 2012
8:30 a.m. - Noon
Four Points by Sheraton
10800 Vandor Lane
Manassas, VA 20109
Registration Deadline: August 3, 2012

Region 5
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
8:30 a.m. - Noon
Festival Conference and Student Center
1301 Carrier Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Registration Deadline: July 25, 2012

Region 6
Thursday, August 9, 2012
8:30 a.m. - Noon
Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center
2801 Hershberger Road
Roanoke, Virginia  24017
Registration Deadline:  July 25, 2012

Region 7
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
8:30 a.m. - Noon
Martha Washington Inn
150 West Main Street
Abingdon, Virginia  24210
Registration Deadline: July 25, 2012

If you decide that the ESD initiative would meet a need in your school division, please encourage your central office personnel and principals to register by clicking the hyperlink above or by accessing the calendar on the Effective Schoolwide Discipline Web site at http://www.ttac.odu.edu/esd/calendar/htm.  Upon registration, you and your team members will receive a confirmation e-mail from the ESD online automated registration program.

On the ESD Web site, you will find additional information on the Effective Schoolwide Discipline initiative at http://www.ttac.odu.edu/esd/about.htm.  The Web site includes a booklet entitled “An Introduction to Effective Schoolwide Discipline in Virginia” and a description of Virginia's ESD initiative, both of which are in a printable format.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Irene Walker-Bolton, educational specialist, Office of Special Education Instructional Services, via e-mail at Irene.Walker-Bolton@doe.virginia.gov or telephone (804) 225-2066.

PIW/IWB/dlj