WHEREAS, school principals work cooperatively to direct, develop, and inspire all members of the school staff and student body, and to communicate effectively with parents to engage them in the learning process; and

WHEREAS, principals serve as educational leaders, responsible for managing the policies, regulations, and procedures necessary to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for all students in Virginia’s public and private schools; and  

WHEREAS, principals and teachers are entrusted with the opportunity and the responsibility of guiding, directing, nurturing, mentoring, and imparting knowledge to our children while they are at school; and 

WHEREAS, principals must work collaboratively with teachers, staff, students, parents, and the community-at-large to proactively prepare students to be self-reliant and productive citizens; and

WHEREAS, Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week is an opportunity to recognize the hard work of Virginia school principals and to recognize the importance of principals in ensuring that every child has access to a quality education;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize January 19-25, 2020, as VIRGINIA SCHOOL PRINCIPALS APPRECIATION WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.