FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
LINDA K. TAYLOR
March 8, 2004
TO:
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Elementary School Principals
School
Superintendents
FROM: Commissioner Jim Horne
SUBJECT: Annual Florida Missing Children’s Day Statewide Essay Contest
The Florida Missing Children Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board is sponsoring the
Sixth Annual Florida Missing Children’s Day (FMCD). This special ceremony remembers past
and present missing children and recognizes those citizens who work hard to bring children
home safely. This year’s ceremony will be held on Monday, September 13, 2004, at the State
Capitol in Tallahassee.
To create awareness among the children of Florida, an essay contest is again being held in
conjunction with FMCD. I want to encourage all elementary students in the fourth grade to
participate in this contest, with each school selecting one winner. The chosen essay from your
school will be submitted to the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board.
One essay will be selected as the statewide winner. The winner will be invited to Tallahassee to
read the essay on the steps of the Florida Capitol. The winner will also receive a trip to
Tallahassee with a parent, a check for $250, and a trophy. This year’s theme is “Safety First:
If . . .? What . . .?”. Examples:
If I were walking to a friend’s house and someone I do not know asked if I
wanted to ride, what would I do?
?
If someone I do not know asked me to help him find a lost pet, what would I do?
?
If my parents were unable to pick me up and someone else I do not know was
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there to get me, what would I do?
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
The guidelines for the essay contest are enclosed. Entries of the winning essay from each school
must be submitted by April 9, 2004, to Mrs. Pat Rutherford or Mrs. Dawn Mikola, Florida
Department of Law Enforcement, Missing Children Information Clearinghouse, Post Office Box
1489, Tallahassee, Florida 32302-1489, or fax the essay entry to (850) 410-8599. If you have
any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Pat Rutherford or Mrs. Dawn Mikola at
1-888-356-4774.
We look forward to welcoming the statewide winner to Tallahassee.
JH/bs
Enclosures
cc: Safe and Drug-Free Schools Coordinators
School Resource Officers
Student Services Coordinators
Nonpublic School Principals
Page 2
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
MISSING CHILDREN
Presents the
6
th ANNUAL FLORIDA MISSING CHILDREN’S DAY
STATEWIDE FOURTH GRADE ESSAY CONTEST
Theme:
“Safety First: If . . . ? What . . . ?”
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PURPOSE:
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1.
th
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¾
¾
them
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3.
4.
essay.
5.
INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE
If I were walking to a friend’s house and someone I do not know asked if I
wanted to ride, what would I do?
If someone I do not know asked me to help him find a lost pet, what would I do?
If my parents were unable to p ck me up and someone e se I do not know was
there to get me, what would I do?
To promote safety awareness among F orida’s children and encourage
them to proactively think of ways to keep themselves safe.
CONTEST GUIDELINES:
The contest is open to all 4
grade students in the state of Florida.
Essay topics must focus on safety tips for the following:
Dangerous situations when going to/from school, a friend’s house, the park
Any circumstances where adults may not be present or are unable to assist
Essays may be based upon, but are not limited to:
Personal experiences where the student had to overcome adversity
A report on interviews held with peop e who could assist them in dangerous
situations
A research report about safety practices that all students cou d use
Participants should develop thoughts into an essay no longer than one (1)
typewritten or two (2) handwritten pages.
The submission form with school contact information must accompany each
Essays must be grammatically correct and free of spelling errors. They must
demonstrate clear thought processes and be based on realistic scenarios.
AWARDS:
1.
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School Winner
– Each participating school must select
on e (1) winn e r
. The
winning essay must be submitted to the contest coordinators, Patricia
Rutherford or Dawn Mikola, by
April 9 , 2004
. A certificate of participation
will be given to all participants. The school contact person can submit the school
winner in one of the following ways:
•
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E-mail from school: Forward the following to mcic@fdle.state.fl.us
Submission Form
A copy of the winning essay
•
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Fax: (850) 410-8599
•
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Mail: FDLE, Missing Children Information Clearinghouse, PO Box 1489,
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489, ATTN: Essay Contest Coordinators
2.
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Regional Winner
– All essays received by April 9, 2004, will be reviewed by the
judging committee. One winner from the seven FDLE regions will be chosen.
The seven FDLE regions are:
(1) Tallahassee
(2) Jacksonville
(3) Tampa
(4) Orlando
(5) Miami
(6) Ft. Myers
(7) Pensacola
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Each regional winner will receive:
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•
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A $100 check
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Recognition at the formal Florida Missing Children’s Day ceremony by
having his/her name announced
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A chance to be selected as the Grand Prize Winner
3.
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Statewide Winner
– The statewide winner will be selected from the regional
winners and will receive the following:
•
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A trip to Tallahassee to read the winning essay at the Capitol during the
formal Missing Children’s Day Ceremony on September 13, 2004
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$250 Cash Award
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Trophy
•
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Universal Studios VIP package
**** Winners will be announced prior to the close of the 2003-2004 school year.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:
STUDENTS
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Using the included interview sheet, conduct interviews with individuals who
could help if you were ever in a dangerous situation.
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Discuss the subject with friends and classmates. Find out if anyone has
been in a situation where he or she had to make good choices.
•
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Go to the library or visit the web to research ways to stay safe.
•
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Be sure to ask permission from your parents before you conduct interviews
or go on the web.
TEACHERS/FAMILIES
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For your use, a promotional flyer has been created and an electronic copy is
included with this information. Use the essay topic as a daily journal entry or
writing prompt. Suggested topics:
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What would you do if you were walking to a friend’s house and
someone you do not know asked to speak with you?
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What would you do if someone asked you to help him find a lost pet?
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What would you do if your parents were unable to pick you up and
someone else was there to get you?
•
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Conduct a class discussion to explore different dangers that children face
when traveling alone. Have students break into groups to discuss how to
overcome each danger.
•
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Have students make a safety “quilt” that shows ways to be safe. Have each
square represent a danger and the solution to overcome it.
•
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Suggest that students discuss the essay topic during dinner, while traveling
in the car, or at any time a “teachable” moment arises. Suggest they include
all siblings as much as possible.
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If a child opts to conduct interviews, help devise a plan so that the
information gathered can be helpful.
•
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We hope that this will assist in encouraging student participation.
1.
”
2.
3.
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(Click “Child Safety” link on left)
(Know the Rules...School Safety Tips)
(
(Know the Rules)
lts.
4.
5.
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ials and a teaching coloring book.
6.
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games, comics, and puzzles.
7.
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SUGGESTED WEB SITES:
The following is a brief list of web sites that are available to provide safety
information. Each of these has appropriate information for students, teachers, and
parents to learn more about various areas of safety:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Missing Children Information
Clearinghouse, click on the “Safety Tips” tab to view “Guide Lights to Protect
Your Child’s Safety
http://www3.fdle.state.fl.us/MCICSearch/
Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abduction
http://www.jimmyryce.org/prevention/index.html
Provides tips on how to be a predator smart kid.
National Center for Missing & Exp oited Children
http://www.ncmec.org/en_US/publications/NC63.pdf
http://www.ncmec.org/en_US/publications/NC23.pdf New Neighborhood Safety Tips)
http://www.ncmec.org/en_US/publications/NC54.pdf
Provides information about safety. Also has interactive safety quizzes for both
children and adu
National Safe Kids Campaign
http://www.safekids.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=2770&folder_id=720
Provides a selection of puzzles, coloring books, and games.
YourSafeChild.com
http://yoursafechild.com/pdf/coloringbook.pdf
Provides child identif cation mater
National Crime Prevention Council – McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog
http://mcgruff.org/mcgruff/
Site’s primary focus is students, but does have a section for adu ts; provides
Attorney General Charlie Crist – Kids Space
http://myfloridalegal.com/kids/kids.html
Provides an excel ent interactive quiz for students to learn how to protect
themselves and handle emergencies.
INTERVIEW SHEET
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Be sure
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Parent//Guardian’s Signature
When are you available?
Use this sheet to interview adults in your community who could help you in an
emergency or assist you in practic ng “Safety First: If . . . ? What . . . ?”.
to get permission from your fam ly prior to contacting these people. You may use
this form to gather information to write your essay.
Suggested people to interview: school resource officers, family members, school
officials, security officers, law enforcement officers, etc.
Name ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
What is your name and what is your occupation?
What tips can you provide to help me stay safe?
How can I get in touch with you if I need help?
If you are not available, who else can I contact for help?
SUBMISSION FORM
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
MISSING CHILDREN INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE
6
th ANNUAL FLORIDA MISSING CHILDREN’S DAY
STATEWIDE FOURTH GRADE ESSAY CONTEST
Theme: “Safety First: If . . . ? What . . . ?”
If I were walking to a friend’s house and someone I do not know asked if I wanted to ride, what
would I do?
If someone I do not know asked me to help him find a lost pet, what would I do?
If my parents were unable to pick me up and someone else I do not know was there to get me,
what would I do?
***Remember – this information must accompany the essay whether e-
mailed, faxed, or mailed.
PLEASE PRINT
Student Name
School Name
School Address
School County
Teacher/School Contact Name
Phone Number
Fax
Number
Alternate School Contact Name
Phone Number
Fax Number
4
th grade students write an essay telling how to make good decisions about
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If I were walking to a friend’s house and someone I do not know asked if I wanted to ride, what would I do?
?
If someone I do not know asked me to help him find a lost pet, what would I do?
?
If my parents were unable to pick me up and someone else I do not know was there to get me, what would I do?
?
A TRIP TO TALLAHASSEE to read your essay at the Capitol
during the formal Florida Missing Children’s Day Ceremony,
September 13, 2004,
AND
a $250 CASH AWARD
AND
a Trophy
AND
a Universal Studios VIP PACKAGE!
Contest is open to all Florida 4th grade students
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Levels of winners: school, regional, & state
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Essays must focus on abduction safety tips
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Suggested topics may include, but are not limited to:
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Personal experiences where you overcame a dangerous situation
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A report on interviews held with people who can assist you in a dangerous situation
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A research report about safety practices that all students can use
Essays must be no longer than one (1) typewritten or two (2) handwritten pages
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For more information, contact
Pat Rutherford or Dawn Mikola
at (888) 356-4774.
