FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
?
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
?
Dr. Eric J. Smith
Commissioner of Education
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
November
26,
2008
?
Contact Information
Just Read, Florida! Office
(850)245-0503
M E M O R A N D U M
?
justread@fldoe.org
K-12: 2008-206
TO:
District School Superintendents
K-12
Principals
FROM:
?
Evan B. Lefsky, Ph.D.
?
Executive Director, Just Read, Florida!
?
SUBJECT:
?
Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest
The Just Read, Florida! Office in the Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with other DOE
offices and numerous other state organizations and agencies throughout the state of Florida, is
planning a statewide “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” event, scheduled for the week of January
12-16, 2009. Mark your calendars now for this important week of events!
The goals of “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” are to promote literacy throughout the state by
raising awareness of the programs and projects offered by DOE and its partner agencies and projects,
and most of all, to promote the enjoyment of reading for children and adults of all ages. Education
Commissioner Eric Smith will also be hosting a “What’s Working in Reading” event on January 14,
2009, which will be webcast on January 15, 2009.
As a part of the week’s events and activities, there will also be a statewide contest asking students to
create a 26 second public service announcement (PSA) that celebrates and promotes the importance
of literacy in the state of Florida. Students in elementary, middle and high school in all school
districts are invited to participate in the PSA contest. Only one team from each school may enter.
Each school’s PSA must be mailed to the Just Read, Florida! Office and postmarked no later than
Friday, December 19, 2008,
to be eligible for the contest. First, second and third place winners will
be chosen for each of the elementary, middle and high school level entries that are submitted. Each
first place winning school will be awarded a $1,000 gift card, each second place school will be
awarded a $500 gift card and each third place school will be awarded a $250 gift card. Winners will
be notified the first week of January 2009.
DR. EVAN B. LEFSKY
?
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JUST READ, FLORIDA!
?
325 W. GAINES STREET, ROOM 1548 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0503 • www.fldoe.org
Memorandum to District School Superintendents and K-12 Principals
Page Two
For more information on the contest, a complete list of contest rules, deadlines and the list of prizes,
please visit the Just Read, Florida! website at http://www.justreadflorida.com/ and go to the
“Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” link. This website will also include information about the
“What’s Working in Reading” webcast and exciting daily suggestions for promoting literacy within
every school and school district in the state.
We look forward to your participation in this literacy event. Thank you for your commitment to
making literacy the highest priority every day in your district and schools!
EBL/jj