INFORMATIONAL

     Governor Allen has designated the month of May as the
  Month for Children in Virginia, pursuant to House Joint
  Resolution 496 agreed to by the 1995 General Assembly.  The
  purpose of this memorandum is to call attention to this
  designation, and to encourage special activities and media
  coverage that focus on the contributions made by our
  children and youth.

     As part of this effort, the state's Children and Youth
  Task Force has adopted the following mission:

          Provide a yearly forum to recognize and appreciate
          children and youth and their mentors for the good
          they do, and create an awareness throughout the
          state of the unheralded contributions they make to
          the communities in which they live and learn.

     In the Commonwealth of Virginia in May 1997, sixteen
  children and youth and sixteen mentors will be honored in a
  special celebration in Richmond.  The exact details of time
  and place for the celebration will be made known as soon as
  plans are finalized.

     Enclosed is a list of task force members, a flyer to
  post or copy, and information regarding student and mentor
  nominations.  Please note the February deadline for
  nominations.

     Questions related to this effort should be directed to
  Ken Magill at (804) 225-2073 or Sydney Diggs, Task Force
  Director, at (804) 725-5319.

  MKM/jd
  Enclosures
  This memo and its attachments will be sent to the
  Superintendent's Office                    Child Nomination Form
                 May, the Month for Children


  The Children and Youth Task Force wishes to recognize the
  contributions of children to the community in which they
  live.

  As part of this effort, two children will be chosen from
  each of the eight school regions in the Commonwealth of
  Virginia.  One child from kindergarten through 6th grade and
  one from 7th through 12th grade will be selected from each
  region.  From all the nominations throughout the
  Commonwealth sixteen children and youth will be selected
  (eight from K-6 grades and eight from 7-12 grades).

  We are asking that parents, relatives, neighbors, teachers,
  and peers let us know of any young hero/heroine and his/her
  outstanding contribution to the community.  Nominations
  should be submitted in accordance with the following
  guidelines:

     1.   The young person nominated must be a student in
          kindergarten through grade 12.

     2.   The young person nominated must be a resident of
          Virginia.

     3.   The typed/printed letter of nomination must not
          exceed 200 words in length and must include a
          description of the contribution made by the young
          person and the person(s) who benefited from it.

     4.   The top of the letter should include the child's
          first and last names, grade in school, the name of
          the school the child attends, the child's home
          address, phone number, and the name of a parent or
          guardian.

     5.   The deadline for nomination letters is February
          15, 1997.

     6.   Please address nominations to:

               Children's Month in May
               Virginia Commission on Youth
               General Assembly Building
               Suite 517 B
               Richmond, Virginia 23219





  Sydney Diggs
  Task Force Director
  (804) 725-5319
                        Mentor Nomination Form
                 May, the Month for Children


  The Children and Youth Task Force would like to recognize
  the contributions of mentors.  We are asking that neighbors,
  teachers, parents, and other community residents let us know
  of any mentors who have made outstanding contributions to
  their communities by helping children.

  Two outstanding mentors will be chosen from each of the
  eight school regions in Virginia.  One of the mentors must
  be a person who has helped children from kindergarten
  through the sixth grade, and the other must be a person who
  has contributed to children and youth from the seventh
  through the twelfth grade.  From all the nominations
  throughout the Commonwealth there will be a total of sixteen
  mentors honored.

  Please submit your nomination following these guidelines.

     1.   The person nominated must be an adult who has
          contributed to the "good" or "achievement" of a
          student in kindergarten through grade 12.

     2.   The person nominated must be a resident of
          Virginia.

     3.   The typed/printed letter of nomination must be no
          more than 200 words in length and include a
          description of the contribution made by the
          mentor.

     4.   The top of the letter should include the mentor's
          first and last names, home address, and phone
          number.  Professional, vocational, or other
          representation should be included.

     5.   Deadline for nomination letters if February 15,
          1997.

     6.   Please address nominations to:

               Mentor Nominations
               Children's Month in May
               Virginia Commission on Youth
               General Assembly Building
               Suite 517 B
               Richmond, Virginia 23219



  Sydney Diggs
  Task Force Director
  (804) 725-5319