MWRA Poster and Writing Contest 2004-2005 INFORMATION PACKET FOR TEACHERS Table of Contents Page 2 - Letter from MWRA 3 - List of eligible communities 4 - Topics 5 - Rules and details 6 - Registration form 7 - Student labels
To: Grade K-12 Educators in the MWRA Service Area From: Meg Tabacsko, Manager - MWRA School Program Date: December 21, 2004 Re: MWRA Poster/Writing Contest It's time again for the MWRA Poster/Writing Contest. I hope that you will consider participating. The contest helps students make the connection between the natural environment and their faucets and drains. Listed below are the contest topics. Poster Contest Grades K-2: Create a poster depicting water use in your home. Grades 3-5: Create a poster depicting water use in your school. Grades 6-8: Create a poster depicting water use in the industries and/or businesses of your community. Writing Contest Grades 3-5: Write about what you think the greatest benefit of a clean Boston Harbor is. Grades 6-8: Write about what you think was the greatest contributing factor in the revitalization of Boston Harbor. Grades 9-12: Write about what you think is the most important effort that must be continued in order for Boston Harbor to remain clean. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, March 18, 2005 and mailed to: MWRA School Contest 100 First Ave., Bldg. # 39-2 Charlestown Navy Yard Boston, MA 02129 Every group of student entries must have a Contest Registration Form and each entry must have a student label taped to the back of the entry. These are included in this packet and can be downloaded from the MWRA's website at www.mwra.com. Please don't hesitate to contact me at meg.tabacsko@mwra.state.ma.com or at 617-788-1139 if you have any questions or need additional information. Good luck!
Only schools located in the MWRA Service Area are eligible to participate in the 24th Annual Poster & Writing Contest Arlington Lynn Southborough Ashland Lynnfield South Hadley Bedford Malden Stoneham Belmont Marblehead Stoughton Boston Marlborough Swampscott Braintree Medford Wakefield Brookline Melrose Walpole Burlington Milton Waltham Cambridge Nahant Watertown Canton Natick Wellesley Chelsea Needham Weston Chicopee Newton Westwood Clinton Northborough Weymouth Dedham Norwood Wilbraham Everett Peabody Wilmington Framingham Quincy Winchester Hingham Randolph Winthrop Holbrook Reading Woburn Lancaster Revere Worcester Leominster Saugus Lexington Somerville Schools located in the Quabbin, Ware, and Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Area and all Cape Cod communities are also eligible to participate in the MWRA contest. Please contact Meg Tabacsko, MWRA School Program Manager, at (617) 788-1139, or meg.tabacsko@mwra.state.ma.us with questions regarding eligibility.
2004/05 Poster and Writing Contest Topics Poster Contest Wasting water can add up quickly. On average, a family of four uses 90,000 gallons of water each year: each person uses about 60 gallons of water each day. Consumers are discovering that more efficient water use can reduce the impact on the water supply and their wallets. Grades K-2 Create a poster depicting water use in your home. Grades 3-5 Create a poster depicting water use in your school. Grades 6-8 Create a poster depicting water use in the industries and/or businesses of your community. Writing Contest Twenty years ago Boston Harbor was described as "The Dirtiest Harbor in America". Today, water quality in the harbor has improved tremendously, the marine life is thriving, and people are enjoying recreational activities in and around Boston Harbor. Grades 3-5 Write about what you think the greatest benefit of a cleaner Boston Harbor is. Grade 6-8 Write about what you think was the greatest contributing factor in the revitalization of Boston Harbor. Grades 9-12 Write about what you think is the most important effort that must be continued in order for Boston Harbor to remain clean.
MWRA Poster/Writing Contest Rules & Details POSTER CONTEST Who is eligible for the poster contest? All Massachusetts students in grades K-8 who attend school in one of the MWRA s service communities. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. All artwork must be done by the student. Only individual entries (not group entries) will be accepted. How will poster entries be judges? Judging is based on originality, clarity of message, use of materials, and quality of work. What size should posters be? Posters should be no smaller than 8 _ X 11 and no larger than 18 X 24. Note: Posters will not be returned. Posters will be made available for pick up at the MWRA s headquarters in the Charlestown Navy Yard during April Vacation Week if indicated on the registration form. WRITING CONTEST Who is eligible for the writing contest? All Massachusetts students in grades 3-12 who attend school in one of the MWRA s service communities. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Only individual entries (not group entries) will be accepted. Audio or video entries will not be accepted. How will writing entries be judged? Judging is based on factual accuracy, originality, creativity, clarity of thought, readability, and persuasiveness. How long should writing entries be? Entries should be no longer than two pages. Entries may be typed or written neatly in ink, using one side of the paper only. DETAILS FOR BOTH CONTESTS DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2005 Packaging Instructions: Each entry must have a attached. Entries without student labels will not be judged. Labels should be taped or glued securely to the back of the entry (not paper clipped or stapled). Teachers must fill in the Contest Registration Form stating the grade levels and number of entries. If you have entries from more than one grade level, please fill out separate Contest Registration Forms. Can entries be delivered to the MWRA? Yes, entries to either contest can be mailed or delivered to the MWRA s headquarters in the Charlestown Navy Yard. What are the prizes? The first place winner in each category receives a $200 savings bond. Second prize is a $100 bond and third prize is a $50 bond. Honorable Mention Awards will recognize other outstanding entries. Each student who participates will receive a certificate of participation. When will winners be announced? Winners will be notified by mid April. The Spring edition of Water from Source to Sea will include a list of winners. Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony at the Deer Island Treatment Plant on Friday, May 27, 2005. The MWRA reserves the right to reproduce any entry, in whole or in part, or to display entries as a public exhibit. Students are not eligible if a parent or guardian works for the MWRA or serves as a judge for the contest.
2004/05 MWRA School Contest Registration Form To be completed by the teacher and submitted with every packet of entries. Each individual entry must have a. (Please print) School Name: School Address: City/Town: Zip Code: Teacher: (last name) (first name) School Phone: All entries should be sent to: MWRA School Contest Charlestown Navy Yard, Bldg. #39-2 100 First Ave. Boston, MA 02129 ************************************************************************ Number of poster entries included: Students grade: Posters will not be returned. If indicated below, they will be made available for pick up in the Charlestown Navy Yard during April Vacation Week. If nothing is indicated, the posters will be discarded. Please make posters available for pick up YES NO ************************************************************************ Number of writing entries included: Students grade: ************************************************************************ FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Entries Received: Certificates Sent:
MWRA SCHOOL CONTEST STUDENT LABELS * TEACHER MAY COMPLETE THESE BLANKS PRIOR TO COPYING