NJTESOL/NJBE, Inc.

AN AFFILIATE OF NJEA, TESOL, AND NABE

THIRD ANNUAL NJTESOL/NJBE 8^th Grade English Writing Challenge

SPONSOR

NJTESOL/NJBE is offering a netbook computer for a student at the 8^th grade level who is or has been enrolled in Bilingual/ESL classes. We request that you distribute the information to the Bilingual/ESL teachers and/or guidance counselors in the middle schools in your district as well as to eligible students. Please encourage them to apply. If you have any questions about the award, please contact the Award Committee:

ELIGIBILITY

The applicant must be:

1. an 8^th grade student in school in NEW JERSEY.
2. a New Jersey resident
3. a student who is currently receiving bilingual and/or ESL instruction in New Jersey or who exited successfully from a Bilingual/ESL program in New Jersey last year (2008-2009)
4. referring teacher must be a member of NJTESOL/NJBE

CRITERIA

The application consists of three sections. Each of the three sections is considered carefully in selecting the award winner. Forms for Parts I-III should be downloaded. Follow the directions explicitly. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Each application packet must include the following items in one envelope, which will be considered in the selection of the award winner:

Checklist

1. Part I: Award Application Form ________

2. Part II: Persuasive Essay on, “Two Languages are Better Than One”

Typed or handwritten, double-spaced; 400 words or less. ________

Essays will be graded primarily on content.

The purpose of the essay is to see how students write independently. ________

3. Part III. Recommendation ________

DEADLINE

***Award applications and writings must be POSTMARKED by March 5^th , 2010. No exceptions.***

The application packet must be complete. No incomplete or late packets will be considered.

Mail to:

Ms. Sandee McHugh-McBride

355 Adelphia Road

Farmingdale, NJ 07728

NJTESOL/NJBE

8^th Grade Writing APPLICATION

PART I. PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION.

Name ______________________________________________________Phone ________________

(first) (last)

Address ___________________________________________________ Zip____________________

Date of Birth ________________________ Parent/Guardian Name___________________________

Native Language ___________________________________ Country ____________________

Sex: Male _____ Female _____

Years in which you receive(d) Bilingual/ESL services: From _______________ to __________

List extra curricular activities in the space below. Use additional paper, if necessary.

ACTIVITY

GRADE LEVEL

YEAR

Elementary/Middle School __________________________________________________________________

School Address ____________________________________________________________________

Principal ____________________________________ Phone ______________________

ESL/Bilingual Teacher ___________________________ Phone _______________________

* Referring teacher must be a member of NJTESOL/NJBE.

NJTESOL/NJBE

8^th Grade Writing Contest APPLICATION continued

PART II: INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE Writing Contest

(TO BE TYPEWRITTEN or HANDWRITTEN ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER)

Writing Theme: “Two Languages are Better Than One”

Essay

· 400 words Maximum

· Relevant to topic

· Written in English

· Will be judged using the 8^th grade New Jersey State Holistic Writing Rubric

Applications will be judged anonymously. All identifying information must be written on the back of the essay, NOT on the front.

Although you may discuss and brainstorm the topic with peers and teachers during the pre-writing stage, your final draft should be yours exclusively.

The selection committee will base the evaluation on the message contained in your writing and the unique form in which you express it. In summary, the committee wants to consider a work for which you can claim ownership because it contains your true feelings and thoughts. It must be your work with no editing by others. The title must be “Two Languages are Better Than One”.

**Be sure to include your name and contact information on the back of your essay.**

Please complete the following certification.

I, ____________________________________ certify that the essay and open-ended question are my own work with no editing by others. We give permission to NJTESOL/NJBE to edit and publish the essay with the applicant’s name and photo if this association deems it appropriate. To the best of my knowledge all the information contained in the information packet is accurate.

_______________________________ ______________________

Signature of Applicant Date

____________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian
NJTESOL/NJBE, Inc.

AN AFFILIATE OF NJEA, TESOL, AND NABE

PART III: 8^th grade Writing Contest Recommendation Form

To the student: Fill out your name and school below, and ask one of your ESL or bilingual teacher who is a member of NJTESOL-NJBE to complete this recommendation form.

STUDENT NAME: _______________________________________________________________

School: ________________________________________________________________________

To the teacher: The student from whom you received this form is a candidate for a laptop computer offered by our association. The selection committee would appreciate your candid response to the following questions. Please place the recommendation in a sealed envelope, write your signature over the seal and return it to the student. The student must include it with his/her application materials, which must be postmarked by March 5^th , 2010. Applications postmarked after that date and incomplete applications will not be considered! Thank you for your time.

Why do you recommend this student for this Award?

Teacher’s Name Title ___________________

Signature_____________________________________________ Date _________________

Address________________________________________ Phone or email __________________