School briefs

Published 3:17 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

Essay contest developed for eighth-graders

The King County Civil Rights Commission is sponsoring a Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Essay Contest for eighth-grade students

attending public schools in the county.

This year’s theme is “Dr. King’s work: What my generation can do

to complete it in the new millennium.” The purpose of the contest is to

encourage junior high school students to think critically about King’s legacy

of peace and justice.

The essay rules are as follows: it must be between 750 to 1,000

words, typed and double spaced on a white 8.5″ by 11″ paper; submit two

copies by regular mail; write the student’s name, address, home phone

number, school, grade and age on a cover page — name should not be on any

other pages; essay should be in English and include a bibliography.

The essays will be judged on the student’s knowledge of King and

his work in the Civil Rights Movement, originality of ideas, insight, clarity

of expression, organization and grammar. Winners will receive $100

for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place.

All works become the property of the commission and must be

submitted by Dec. 17 to King County Civil Rights Commission, 900 Fourth

Ave., Suite 860, Seattle, WA 98164. Winners will be notified by mail.

For more information, call Paula Harris-White at (206) 296-8610.

CHS hosts respect program

Cedarcrest High is holding a Days of Respect program this week,

Nov. 15 – 19, that will focus on building skills to foster an overall climate

of respect for self and others, on understanding issues of diversity, and

on developing skills related to empathy and understanding.

Each student will participate in breakout sessions and an

assembly. Students, staff, parents and community members will facilitate the

sessions.

The goals for the Days of Respect include helping students build

a school-wide climate of respect and decrease violence; developing

active family and community participation; sustaining the program which is

offered every other year; and establishing a permanent, collaborative

problem-solving process within the school.

For more information on Days of Respect, call Principal

Clarence Lavarias or counselors Anthony Smith and Barbara MacKenzie at (425)

788-7116.

Reading `rocks’ at MSHS

“Reading Rocks” is the theme for Teen Read Week happening at

Mount Si High’s library from Nov. 15 – 19.

The week’s activities include a book display contest, book talks

and trivia. The highlight of the week will be a “Poetry Coffee House”

at Isadora’s in Snoqualmie from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17.

Teens will read their own poetry, perform a song they wrote, do a dramatic

reading or just visit with friends.

One free coffee drink or soda will be provided for each teen,

compliments of Friends of the Snoqualmie Library.

Parents are also invited to stop by the high school to see the great

displays and pick up a free bookmark.