MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 23, 2003

CITY OF FREDERICK ANNOUNCES CHALLENGE TO MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Frederick, Md. --- City of Frederick Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty will announce the establishment of two exciting challenges at an event on Friday, October 24, at 7:55 a.m., at West Frederick Middle School. The challenges are aimed toward inspiring local students to be more informed citizens today so that tomorrow they can become leaders.

For teachers, the first Mayor's Challenge encourages and rewards any public or private middle school teacher to create a classroom or take-home project that focuses learning on local or national current events. Students can learn about the current events affecting them on personal levels and/or national levels. Students should be encouraged to read newspapers, watch news coverage on television, surf the web for newsworthy sites and visit the library to gather information to include in the project.

Teachers are encouraged to submit their own entries, but can also be nominated by another teacher or principal. Nominations should include a brief letter stating why the proposed project will create enthusiasm among students for current events.

The second Mayor's Challenge is designed to excite and reward middle school students. Middle school children are invited to write a biographical "People Paper" on a person of national or international importance.

Inspired by her 6th grade teacher, Deborah Martin, Mayor Dougherty hopes this challenge will create enthusiasm for research and communication as a similar project did while she was a student. "People Paper's" will be judges on content, style, subject manner, and enthusiasm. "Miss Martin was the first teacher who treated us as future leaders. She wanted us to have the necessary skills and enthusiasm for learning. She was excited about teaching and we were excited about learning," stated Mayor Dougherty.

The Mayor added, "Miss Martin's message was that education is a lifelong process. She's right!"

Students are encouraged to submit their own entries, but can also be nominated by a teacher. Nominations should include a brief letter stating why the student's "People Paper" is outstanding.

The deadline for both contests is December 1, 2003. Winner's each will receive a U.S. Savings Bond. Awards will be announced in December.