Mendocino County Student Events

The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) sponsors and coordinates a number of countywide events for students.  These academic events are designed to encourage and promote student learning as well as recognize students for their accomplishments.  For information regarding all Student Events, please contact the Student Programs and Support Services Department at (707) 467-5100.

Poets in the Schools

Poets visit students in grades 7-12 to assist them in creating their own poetry as well as discovering poetry created by other poets. An anthology of student poetry is collected and printed annually.  Three Poetry Slams take place during the school year: Inland, Coast, and Countywide. Contact Blake More, 707-884-9189 or blake@snakelyone.com

High school poets from Anderson Valley, Ukiah, and Willits will deliver their original poetry at the 2009-10 Annual MCOE/CPITS Inland High School Poetry Slam.  The event will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at the Willits High School Auditorium.  Three Mendocino County poets will judge the event with audience response influencing their decision.  This event is free and open to the public.  The slam is sponsored by the Mendocino County Office of Education and California Poets in the Schools.  For more information: www.mcn.org/n/mpits.

High school poets from Point Arena, Fort Bragg and Mendocino will deliver their original poetry at the 2009-10 Annual MCOE/CPITS Coast High School Poetry Slam.  The event will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2010  in the Arena Theater in Point Arena (214 main Street, downtown Point Arena).   Three Mendocino County poets will judge the event with audience response influencing their decision.  This event is free and open to the public.  The slam is sponsored by the Mendocino County Office of Education and California Poets in the Schools.  For more information: www.mcn.org/n/mpits.

High school poets from Anderson Valley, Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Point Arena, Ukiah, and Willits will deliver their original poetry at the 2009-20 Annual MCOE/CPITS Countywide High School Poetry Slam.  The event will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in the Mathison Performing Arts Center, Mendocino High School.  Three Mendocino County poets will judge the event, with audience reaction influencing their decision.  This event is free and open to the public.  The slam is sponsored by the Mendocino County Office of Education and California Poets in the Schools with a prize offered by the Mendocino Study Club.  For more information: www.mcn.org/n/mpits.

Mendocino County Poetry Out Loud

Mendocino County Poetry Out Loud is a collaborative effort of the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the California Poets in the Schools and the Arts Council of Mendocino County.  Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to memorize and perform poems. 

"Learning great poetry by heart develops the mind and imagination, " said Dana Gioia, former Chairman for the National Endowment for the Arts.  "It isn't just an arts program.  By immersing themselves in powerful language and ideas, the students will develop their ability to speak well, especially in public.  This is a skill they will use in the workplace and the community for the rest of their lives."  Poetry Out Loud helps students master public speaking skills, builds self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

The Mendocino County Poetry Out Loud finals will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.  This event will be held at the Arena Theater in Point Arena (214 Main Street, downtown Point Arena)  for high school poets from Mendocino, Fort Bragg, and Point Arena.  These students will compete for the chance to become the Mendocino County representative at the 2010 State Finals of the Poetry Out Loud Recitation Competition in Sacramento.  The event which is free and open to the public will precede the Coast High School Poetry Slam competition.  For more information: Mendocino Poets In The Schools website

Spelling Bee

This event gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their spelling ability, think on their feet, and speak before an audience.  Elementary students first participate in local school competitions and those winners are eligible to participate at the Mendocino County Spelling Bee. Information on eligibility for the State Championship is indicated below.  

The location and date of the Mendocino County Elementary Spelling Bee will be posted at a later date. 

Please note:  Only two of the top spellers in grades 4, 5, and 6 will be certified as the county champions by the Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools (or designee).  These two students will be eligible to participate in the California State Elementary Spelling Bee Championship held at Sonoma State University, Person Theatre, in Rohnert Park on May 15, 2010. 

Mendocino County Registration/Announcement and General Guidelines

Information on the Spelling Bee Regional Rules can be found at this link:  MENDOCINO_COUNTY_REGIONAL_RULES.pdf

Contact Ruth Hubbell at (707) 467-5107.  

Young Authors' Fair

The purpose of this project to inspire students in the elementary schools to write, edit, and publish their own stories.  An elementary school may apply for the award funding by completing the Young Authors' Fair Project Proposal Form.  Contact Julie Buickerood, djbuick@adelphia.net or call (707) 459-5385 x1462.

ROPES

A ROPES Course is an outdoor adventure experience that encourages and develops cooperation, communication, teamwork, trust and problem-solving. Registration is ongoing. Grades 7th - 12th; Contact Leggett USD at (707) 925-6285

Leggett ROPES website