DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 34
February 9, 2007
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Tornado
Preparedness Day, March 13, 2007 |
In
In order to
focus attention on tornadoes and to help spread preparedness
information to communities across the Commonwealth, Governor Timothy M. Kaine has proclaimed Tuesday, March 13, 2007, as Tornado
Preparedness Day. This day will begin with a voluntary statewide tornado drill
at 9:45 a.m. Should severe weather threaten the state
on March 13, the tornado drill will be rescheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday,
March 14.
The Code of Virginia in 22.1-137.1
requires that all public schools participate in at least one tornado drill per
year. Participation in this drill would fulfill that requirement. However, if
this drill date or time is not convenient, schools are welcome to choose an
alternative date or time.
We will work
closely with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to
disseminate information to schools about Tornado Preparedness Day. VDEM has
already sent you a letter with links to tornado resources for educators and
information about the upcoming statewide tornado drill.
For the first
time this year, VDEM has created an online registration form for statewide
tornado drill participants on its website, www.vaemergency.com. Entering your
schools information will help VDEM show the media and the public the full
extent of school participation across the state. With your help, we will be
able to show a growing number of schools and students who participate in the
drill.
The
Department of Education supports Tornado Preparedness Day. I encourage your
schools to participate actively by educating staff members and students about
tornadoes and taking part in the statewide tornado drill. Your local emergency
manager can help you to identify your schools tornado safety areas as well as
develop your schools emergency plans for both natural and man-made hazards.
More information about tornado preparedness and a listing of local emergency
managers can be found at www.vaemergency.com.
If you have
any questions about Tornado Preparedness Day or the statewide drill, please
contact Jolie Brendlinger,
VDEM public affairs specialist, at jolie.brendlinger@vdem.virginia.gov,
(804) 897-6510 or Arlene Cundiff, coordinator of the
safe and drug-free schools program with the Virginia Department of Education,
at 804-225-2871, or arlene.cundiff@doe.virginia.gov.
BKCJr/ADC/fta