November 6, 2009
To: Division Superintendents
School Board Clerks
From: Frank E. Barham, Executive Director
Gina Patterson, Assistant Executive Director
Re: School Board Appreciation Month in February
This year, School Board Appreciation Month in Virginia will take place in February and the theme is “Celebrating Leadership” VSBA has requested that Governor-Elect designate February as School Board Appreciation Month in Virginia. (Although we have not yet secured an appointment with the Governor-Elect to sign the proclamation, we are sending the usual materials so that you can plan your local observances in advance.)
Enclosed in the Clerks packets only are VSBA Certificates of Appreciation for each of your school board members. We appreciate your help in recognizing the school board members in your division and, to that end, we are enclosing a resource kit for your use. It includes:
1. A list of suggested activities to help celebrate this special month.
2. A sample news release for you to use as is or to localize for distribution to your local media.
3. Ready-to-use promotional ads for division publications or other local publications.
If you are celebrating this month in a special way, send a description of the activity and photos, if available, to Gina Patterson who at VSBA, 200 Hansen Road, Suite 2, Charlottesville, VA 22911. We often have a use for such news items in our newsletter or annual report. For other assistance in planning appreciation activities, please contact Gina at 1-800-446-8722.
P.S. The National School Boards Association has established January as National School Board Appreciation Month. If you choose to publicize both events, you may want to clarify the distinction. Thanks for your help in promoting school boards' efforts!
November 6, 2009
To: School Board Chairman
From: Frank E. Barham, Executive Director
Gina Patterson, Assistant Executive Director
Re: School Board Appreciation Month in February
This year, School Board Appreciation Month in Virginia will take place in February and the theme is “Celebrating Leadership”. VSBA has requested that Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell designate February as School Board Appreciation Month in Virginia. (Although we have not yet secured an appointment with the Governor-Elect to sign the proclamation, we are sending the usual materials so that you can plan your local observances in advance.)
To help promote this observance, our office has sent each division clerk and public information officer a resource kit of the following materials:
1. A list of suggested activities to help celebrate this special month.
2. A sample news release for use as is or to localize for distribution to local media.
3. Ready-to-use promotional ads for division publications or other local publications.
Finally, many thanks to you and your fellow board members for your dedicated service to the children of Virginia. If VSBA can be of assistance in any way, simply give our office a call at 1-800-446-8722.
Whereas, the Commonwealth of Virginia is proud of its educational system and is appreciative of the efforts of local school board members to make the Virginia public school system an excellent place in which to educate its youth; and
Whereas, local school boards have devoted themselves to providing a high quality education for all students of the Commonwealth; and
Whereas, this year’s theme, “Celebrating Leadership” is a testimony to the importance of education in all walks of life;
Whereas, the contributions of these men and women should be recognized and appreciated by all who benefit from our public school system;
Now, therefore, I, Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell Governor of Virginia, do hereby recognize the month of February, 2010, as School Board Appreciation Month in Virginia and call its significance to the attention of all our citizens.
November 6, 2009
Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell has been asked to proclaim the month of February as School Board Appreciation Month in Virginia. This observance was established by the Virginia School Boards Association in 1989 to encourage public recognition of the roles and responsibilities of school board members and to highlight the importance of public education throughout the Commonwealth.
Many school divisions plan local appreciation activities for school boards in conjunction with this special month. This year's theme “Celebrating Leadership”— stresses the important role that today’s school boards play in the future of public education. More than 850 school board members in Virginia are entrusted with establishing goals and policies for 134 local school divisions.
As constitutional officers of the Commonwealth, school board members are responsible for setting educational policies, employing school personnel, providing buildings and equipment, operating a transportation system, and disbursing school funds. As community leaders, school boards serve as advocates of the children in local public schools and must study, evaluate and decide what actions are in the best interest of those students.
For further information, contact Gina Patterson, Assistant Executive Director at the Virginia School Boards Association, at (434) 295-8722.