‘MISS TOLIVER’ TO SHARE PROMISING PRACTICES

Kay Francis Toliver -- featured in the Peabody Award-winning PBS special, "Good Morning, Miss Toliver"; the Peabody Award-winning classroom series, "The Eddie Files"; and the staff development series "The Kay Toliver Files" and "Teacher Talk" -- will be among the educational experts sharing their strategies and techniques at Washington’s Promising Practices State Conference scheduled Oct. 13-15 at the Spokane Convention Center. For information on the Promising Practices conference and registration, go to http://www.ncesd.org/promisingpractices/ .

TEACHERS ENCOURAGED TO HAVE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN WRITING CONTESTS

Migrant students can win up to $200 and have their story printed in the Migrant Education News (MEN) by participating in MEN’s writing contest about "Challenges I have overcome as a migrant student." Bonus points will be awarded for appropriate photos or illustrations submitted with their story. The winner will receive $200, second place $100, third place $50, fourth place $25, fifth place $15 and sixth place $10. Deadline for the contest is Nov. 1, 2005. MEN will also sponsor a second writing contest on the topic, "Sacrifices my family has made to pursue the American Dream." The prizes will be the same amount as in the first contest, but the deadline will be Feb. 10, 2006. For entry form and additional details, go to http://virtual-institute.us/contest

TEACHER GRANTS DEADLINE APPROACHES

Deadline for the 2005-06 Kids In Need Teacher Grant applications is Sept. 30, 2005. This year more than $105,000 is being offered in grants to certified K-12 teachers at any public, private or parochial school in the U.S. The grants are from $100 to $500 for innovative classroom projects. National sponsors of the program are Jo-Ann Stores Inc. and Office Depot. Regional sponsors include Fred Meyer, Publix, and Price Less Drug Stores. The website -- http://www.shopa.org/shopa_foundation/teacher_programs.php -- has the guidelines posted, and applications can be completed and submitted online.