COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 152

August 5, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Implementation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 of Each Year

I would like to call your attention to legislation passed by Congress that requires the implementation of an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution, on a date designated by statute as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. This 2004 Congressional initiative is authorized by Section 111 of Division J of Public Law 108-447, and applies to educational institutions receiving federal funding from the United States Department of Education (USED).

Section lll(b) states, Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution. When September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day may be observed during the preceding or following week.

All schools may determine what kind of educational program is appropriate for their students. Some informational resources pertaining to the Constitution that may be useful in planning educational activities are listed on the USEDs website at: http://www.ed.gov. Go to the search box and enter Constitution Day. Other nonpartisan resources are listed at: www.BillofRightsInstitute.org and http://www.constitutionday.com/.

For more information, please contact Beverly Thurston (Beverly.Thurston@doe.virginia.gov), history and social science and international education coordinator, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, at (804) 225-2893.

JLD/BMT/yba