Establishing the Spirit of the Commonwealth Award
Resolution Number 2007-14
April 27, 2007
The Board of Education adopts the criteria and guidelines for the Spirit of the Commonwealth Award. The criteria and guidelines were adopted as follows:
The Individual Student Awards
In order to be eligible for an individual award, a student must be nominated by a school division principal, teacher, guidance counselor, or a parent. Nominations should be based on academic achievement, participation in a variety of service and community/civic activities, leadership, and good character.
Nominated high school juniors would complete an application and submit it with letters of recommendation to their respective principals. Each public high school principal, with the assistance of a school team, would review all applications and select the most qualified applicants in their respective schools. The names of the selected applicants would be forwarded to the school division administration for review and submission to the Virginia Department of Education. Award recipients would receive letters and certificates of recognition from the Board of Education.
The Middle and High School Awards
In order to be eligible for an award, a school would be nominated by a principal, teacher, or parents. Nominated schools would have demonstrated success by:
- Provision of diverse opportunities for students to participate in service activities in the school and community; and
- Recognition of demonstrated student leadership in a variety of areas.
Principals of the nominated schools would submit applications to their respective school division administrators for review by a division team. The division team would select the most qualified middle/junior high schools and the most qualified high school recipients. Names of schools would be forwarded to the Department of Education. Award recipients would receive letters and certificates of recognition from the Board of Education.
VIRGINIA SPIRIT OF THE COMMONWEALTH AWARD
Purpose: Students across Virginia are using their talents and ambition to make a difference in their schools, neighborhoods and communities. On April 26, 2006, the Board of Education's 2005-2006 Student Advisory Committee acknowledged the importance of promoting student involvement by
recommending that the Spirit of the Commonwealth Award be developed. The award recognizes:
- Student leadership in the school and community
- Student involvement in clubs, sports, societies, and service organizations
- Academic achievement
- Civic involvement through service to others and volunteerism.
The award is also designed for school divisions and parents to recognize middle/junior and high schools that make diverse opportunities available for students in the award areas. These middle/junior and high schools collaborate with community organizations to promote student leadership, involvement, service and civic responsibility.
Process: To be eligible, a student must be nominated by a principal, teacher, guidance counselor or parent. Nominated students must submit an application and at least two letters of recommendation to their respective school principals. Each division high school principal, with the assistance of a school team, reviews all applications and selects the most qualified applicants in their respective schools. The names of the selected applicants are forwarded to the school division administrator for review and submission to the Virginia Department of Education.
Middle/junior high, high schools, and combined middle/junior/high schools nominated by principals, teachers or parents will also be required to complete and submit applications. Principals of the nominated schools would submit their applications to their respective division administrators for review. The school division administrator, with the assistance of a division-level team, is responsible for selecting the most qualified middle, junior and high schools for recognition. The school division forwards the selected award recipient school names to the Virginia Department of Education.
The Department of Education (VDOE) will provide school divisions with a certificate of recognition and a letter of congratulations from the Board of Education for each award recipient. The completed certificates will be sent to school division administrators for presentation to the recipients.
Mark E. Emblidge, President
Board of Education
Adopted in the Minutes of the Virginia Board of Education
April 27, 2007
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