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RICHMOND — Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane is calling on Virginia schools to participate in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools: Everyone Counts! Week, March 2-6, and to promote the 2020 census by incorporating lessons and activities from the Statistics in Schools program into classroom instruction.
“Promoting participation in the 2020 census is a high priority for the Virginia Department of Education as census data helps determine the allocation of federal resources supporting special education, technology, teacher training, after-school programs, school nutrition programs and other vital services in our schools,” Lane said.
The U.S. Census Bureau recently mailed 2020 Census Statistics in Schools kits to every school in the nation. The kits include information for teachers about the census and links to free activities and instructional materials.
“The Statistics in Schools lessons and activities were designed by teachers for teachers,” Lane said. “The content is easily adaptable and provides a means for connecting instruction in history, civics, geography, mathematics and other content areas with an important national event that touches every household in every community.”
Lane also is asking teachers to distribute the Statistics in Schools take-home flyer to students on Friday, March 6, the final day of Statistics in Schools Week. The flyer, available in English and 12 other languages, explains the importance of the 2020 census and how adults can make sure that every child in their home is counted.
Additionally, Lane is asking PTAs to promote the 2020 census through newsletters and on social media by highlighting the value of programs such as Head Start, school breakfasts and lunches, and explaining how 2020 census data will support these programs.
More information about the commonwealth’s efforts to ensure a complete count during the 2020 census is available from the Virginia Complete Count Commission and on social media by following @CountOnVirginia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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