FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    ?
    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
    R
    OBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    P
    HOEBE RAULERSON
    L
    INDA K. TAYLOR
    August 29, 2005
    Dear Superintendent:
    Governor Jeb Bush has declared Monday, September 26, 2005, as
    Family Day – A Day to Eat
    Dinner with Your Children
    . Family Day provides an opportunity to draw attention to the
    importance of parents and children spending quality time together. Studies have shown that
    spending time together at family dinners can greatly affect a child’s decisions. For example,
    children who regularly have dinner with their families are less likely to try drugs, drink, or get
    into trouble.
    As Commissioner of Education and Director of the Florida Office of Drug Control, we are
    asking for your help. We need you to encourage all principals in your district to disseminate
    information on Family Day. This
    event is aimed at promoting the value of family interaction as
    a means of preventing and reducing substance abuse among young people.
    We are asking that you encourage your schools to recognize the importance of this day by not
    scheduling any extracurricular activities or events that evening that may preclude students and
    their families from taking part in this important initiative. It would also be helpful if you and
    your school leaders could assist in getting the word out about Family Day via school calendars,
    websites, newsletters, marquees, and/or other creative ways.
    The well-being of our children and families is critical to the vitality and welfare of our
    communities. It is incumbent upon us as leaders and role models to promote such worthy efforts.
    While having dinner with your family one day a year may not change a child forever, it certainly
    is a start. By promoting Family Day, you are helping to raise awareness of the impact this can
    have on a child’s life.
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
    District School Superintendents
    August 29, 2005
    Page Two
    Supporting material about Family Day and the important role it can play in the lives of Florida
    families can be found on the Family Day website at www.floridafamilyday.com. Please review
    this information to learn more about Family Day and how parents can get involved. Feel free to
    contact Brooks Rumenik, Program Specialist with the Department of Education’s Office of Safe
    and Healthy Schools, at 850-245-0749 for additional information. Thank you.
    Sincerely,
    John L. Winn Jim McDonough, Director
    Commissioner of Education
    Florida Office of Drug Control
    JLW:jm:br

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