March 10, 2017

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Virginia WWI & WWII Multi-Museum Statewide Teacher Symposiums

I am pleased to bring to your attention the commemoration of two significant anniversaries - the 75th anniversary of WWII and the 100th anniversary of WWI.  During the summer of 2017, Virginia and the Virginia World War I and World War II Commemoration CommissionThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website will be at the forefront joining museums and historic sites to mark the occasion by hosting eight symposiumsThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website for teachers in various locations across the Commonwealth.

The symposiums will offer various sessions providing overviews of both wars, content for teaching WWI and WWII, and museum tours highlighting local resources that support SOL content and history and social science skills.  Although the symposiums are free for Virginia educators, registrationThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website is necessary as space is limited.  Lunch will be provided.  Attendees will receive recertification certificates.

The eight symposiums will be offered at the following locations:

Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace MuseumThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website, Wytheville
Sessions hosted by: Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, National D-Day Memorial, Virginia War Memorial

Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Historic Masonic TheatreThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website, Clifton Forge
Sessions hosted by: Edith Bolling Wilson Museum and Birthplace, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, Marshall Foundation, Virginia War Memorial

Tuesday, July 11, 2017
MacArthur MemorialThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website, Norfolk
Sessions hosted by: Hampton Roads Naval Museum, MacArthur Memorial

Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Virginia Historical SocietyThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website, Richmond
Sessions hosted by: U.S. Army Women's Museum, Library of Virginia, National D-Day Memorial, Virginia Historical Society

Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Bedford Elementary School and the National D-Day MemorialThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website, Bedford
Sessions hosted by: Virginia War Memorial, Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum, National D-Day Memorial, George C. Marshall Foundation

Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Longwood UniversityThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website, Farmville
Sessions hosted by: U.S. Army Women's Museum, Virginia War Memorial, National D-Day Memorial, Military Aviation Museum

Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Museum of the Shenandoah ValleyThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website, Winchester
Sessions hosted by: Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, Virginia War Memorial, National D-Day Memorial, George C. Marshall Foundation

Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Fredericksburg Area MuseumThis link takes you out of the Virginia Department of Education website, Fredericksburg
Sessions hosted by: National Museum of the Marine Corps, Hampton Roads Naval Museum, MacArthur Memorial, National Park Service, Virginia Holocaust Museum

For more information about the Virginia WWI & WWII Multi-Museum Statewide Teacher Symposiums or registration, please contact Lily Jones, by email at ljones@dls.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 786-3591, ext. 252; or Betsy Barton, Specialist for History and Social Science, Office of Humanities and Early Childhood, by email at Betsy.Barton@doe.virginia.gov  or by telephone at (804) 225-3454.

SRS/BSB/vdg