August 29, 2002

Dear Principal:

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.

As Commissioner of Education and Secretary of Education, we are asking for your help in

doing this by encouraging your school to participate in a very worthwhile program scheduled to take

place this fall. Governor Jeb Bush has declared Monday, September 23 as Family Day – A Day to

Eat Dinner with Your Children. This event is aimed at promoting the strong value of family interac-

tion as a means of preventing and reducing substance abuse among young people.

Studies have shown that the act of families having dinner together can greatly affect a child’s

decisions regarding the use of harmful substances. As such, Family Day provides an opportunity for

both parents and children to spend quality time together, in which the parent/child relationship can

be nurtured and reinforced.

We are asking that you recognize the importance of this day by not scheduling any extracur-

ricular activities or events that evening that may preclude students and their families from taking

part. It would also be very helpful if you could assist in advertising Family Day by posting informa-

tion via school calendars, newsletters or marquees.

Additional material about Family Day and the important role it can play in the lives of Florida

families can be found at

www.myfloridaeducation.com/familyday.

Please review this information

to learn how your school can actively get involved. Feel free to contact the Department of

Education’s Office of Family Involvement at 850-487-3521 for additional information.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Charlie Crist Jim Horne

Commissioner of Education Secretary of Education

CHARLIE CRIST

COMMISSIONER

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

THE CAPITOL

 

PLAZA LEVEL 08

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400

(850) 487-1785 • SC 277-1785

FAX (850) 413-0378 • SC 993-0378

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY TOWER

220 S.E. 2ND AVENUE, #726

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301

(954) 762-5322

FAX (954) 762-5197

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, ST.PETERSBURG CAMPUS

POY 248, 140 7TH AVENUE SOUTH

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33701

(727) 553-3730

FAX (727) 553-1033

http://www.firn.edu/doe