ED EMMETT County Judge

September 2007

Dear Teacher:

Thank you for including your students in the Do the Write Thing Challenge.

The Challenge was designed as an outlet for members of a vulnerable age group, seventh and eighth graders, to express their point of view about violence. Students are encouraged to profoundly think about the issues surrounding violence and the possible outcomes of violent behavior. With your commitment, students will examine, discuss and write about the following issues: the causes of violence, the effects on their lives and the individual impact they can have to help build a healthy society.

Participating helps young people learn problem-solving and coping skills while improving their writing proficiency.  Every writer receives a certificate of recognition.  The Challenge satisfies many of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum objectives in English/Language Arts, Social Studies, and Health.  In addition, it complements character building and drug abuse prevention programs.

The Houston/Harris County Do the Write Thing Challenge is affiliated with the National Campaign to Stop Violence, (NCSV), a coalition of prominent organizations and individuals dedicated to reducing youth violence.  The NCSV sponsors the National Challenge events.  There are nine Texas Challenge programs which are administered locally and supported by area/civic leaders and state officials.

The two students (one boy and one girl) from your school who submit the best entries are named as School Finalists and are invited - along with their parents/guardians, teacher, principal, and superintendent - to a recognition celebration hosted by the Houston/Harris County Do the Write Thing Committee, in which I chair. 

From all the School Finalists, the Executive Committee Readers Panel will select four student authors (two girls and two boys) to be National Finalists and two runners-up as State Finalists.  These students, their parents/guardians and teachers are invited, as honored guests, to the Leadership Summit in Austin for three days of recognition activities.

The two National Finalists from our area will be honored in Washington, D.C.  While there, the students, parents/guardians and teachers will be invited to several days of activities and events (travel and lodging are provided by the Challenge program).

Enclosed is your Do the Write Thing Teacher’s Packet.  It includes information about the rules, deadlines, judging criteria, a Lesson Plan, and a detailed description of student recognition opportunities.  Also included are the Cover Sheet/Consent Statement (which both the student and parent must sign in order for the student’s entry to be valid), Instructions for Students, and a Teacher Survey.  Please make a note of the deadlines.  All student entries, with completed Cover Sheet/Consent Statement attached, must be submitted to your school district’s coordinator no later than Friday, December 7, 2007.  Please complete and submit the brief Teacher Survey along with your student entries.

Senior District Judge Patricia R. Lykos coordinates the Do the Write Thing Challenge for my office.  Should you need further information, please call (713) 755-4005.

Ed Emmett
Harris County Judge
Houston/Harris County Do The Write Thing Challenge Chair