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From: Herczog_Michelle Herczog_Michelle@lacoe.edu
Subject: LegiSchool Project Programs and Contests
Subject: LegiSchool Project Programs and Contests
The LegiSchool Project
Programs and Annual Contests
PSA Video Contest
What Would $1,000 Do For Your School?
The LegiSchool Project is currently seeking entries for their annual Public Service Announcement (PSA) Video Contest: What Would $1,000 Do For Your School? In the age of budget cuts, deficits, and spending caps, every little bit counts and $1,000 could go a long way toward improving your school. They invite high school students throughout California to break out their video cameras and create a 60-second PSA video showcasing what $1,000 would do for their school. One video from the individual category and one video from the class/club category will be selected as official prize-winning entries and the $1,000 prize money will be awarded directly to your school for the project highlighted in the video.
Entries must be postmarked by Friday, October 16, 2009.
Please see the attached announcement for details and share it with your students.
Additional flyers and/or entry forms are available at:
http://www.csus.edu/legischool
14th Annual Essay Contest
The Future of Education in California
All California students have been impacted in some way by the state's budget crisis and the direct effect it's had on education. Whether it is larger class sizes, reduced extracurricular activities or ill-maintained facilities,every school has its own story. So the question remains: where do California schools go from here? Students are asked to share their thoughts and views of the state's educational system, and explore what's working in California's schools and what they think the future holds for future students. Ten winning essayists will be invited to spend a day in Sacramento at LegiSchool's 14th Annual Student Legislative Summit, April 8, 2010, where the highlight of the day is the Student-Run Press Conference. Look for essay contest details and deadlines on our website in November, at:
Postmark deadline is Friday, January 22, 2010.
Photo Contest
California Through My Eyes
How do you envision California? What represents California to you? Poverty? Wealth? Technology? Farms? Water? Mountains? Towns? People? Cities? Cars? Hiking Trails? Family? Community? Landscapes? These are just some of the images that students are invited to photograph for LegiSchool’s annual photo contest. The photo can be of a person, place or anything–big or small. The FIRST PLACE winner will receive $100 and four runners-up will receive $50 each. Look for complete details in January.
Postmark deadline is Friday, May 7, 2010.
FREE State Government Curriculum Materials
Offered by The LegiSchool Project and The California Channel
Each DVD is accompanied by a Video Viewing Guide, which includes two pages of critical-thinking exercises and pertinent vocabulary for teachers to use as an assignment for students.
Understanding California’s Budget Process
With a budget of over $110 billion dollars, California ranks among the top 10 economies in the world! Imagine the work that goes into preparing a budget of this magnitude…The entire process takes roughly one year. This 8-minute video examines California’s budget process throughthe eyes of a family trying to balance their own budget. Emphasis is placed on the many players involved in the process, the constitutional constraints that dictate how the money is spent and the compromise needed to pass the budget with a 2/3 majority in the Legislature.
The Voting Process: YOU Have the Power!
This energetic 8-minute video gives students a step-by-step look at procedures for voting in California. The goal of the video is to give young, first-time voters the knowledge and confidence to become involved in our most cherished constitutional right, the democratic process. Registration, absentee ballots, resources (websites, phone numbers, etc.) and demonstrations of the three prevalent forms of voting systems in our state are given a thorough treatment.
The Initiative Process
This 8-minute video takes a step-by-step look at the initiative process and provides a strong message of civic involvement and personal empowerment. Daylight savings time and the banning of nuclear power plants are just two of the examples provided that illustrate the power of this important political tool of the people. Thomas Jefferson stated that “there is no safer depository of the ultimate power of society but the people themselves”—a frank recognition of the important role the initiative process plays in making law and placing the public in power to set this state's political agenda.
Checks & Balances: The Three Branches of State Government
This 10-minute video is geared toward helping students learn more about how our state legislative process works. The main premise for the lesson is that, as in the federal government, the framers of our state’s constitution wanted to be sure that no one branch of government would have too much power, so they divided the powers of the government into three equal branches.
How a Bill Becomes Law
Produced by the California Channel, this 10-minute video uses AB 2268, the Bicycle Helmet Law, to describe how a bill becomes law in California. Ideal for high school students, the video introduces concepts such as how a bill is authored, the process of first, second, and third readings, and how legislation is assigned to various committees within the Legislature.
State Government for Beginners Handout Binder
Looking for good, basic handouts about state government and the legislative process? Then this binder is for you!
Easy-to-duplicate handouts include:
• Legislative terminology
• A diagram and step-by-step description of the legislative process
• A sample bill with instructions on how to read legislation
• Voter registration and elections information
• Useful state government and political websites and much more!
To request any of these materials, please complete the enclosed order form.
The LegiSchool Project is a civic education collaboration between California State University, Sacramento and the State Legislature, administered by the Center for California Studies. LegiSchool’s mission is to engage young people in matters of public policy and state government by creating opportunities for students and state leaders to meet and share ideas on issues affecting Californians and by developing free high-quality government-oriented curriculum materials for California educators to enhance and help improve the quality of state government-related curriculum in our schools. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact: Megan Thorall thorall@csus.edu (916) 278-7563.
