English 8: Bonus Opportunity for the Third Nine Weeks

The 2016 MLB Breaking Barriers Essay Contest is open to all students in grades 4 through 9. This is a chance for students to submit an essay about barriers or obstacles they have faced or are currently facing in their lives and how they used the values exemplified by Jackie Robinson (citizenship, commitment, courage, determination, excellence, integrity, justice, persistence and teamwork) to deal with those challenges.

For more details on the contest, you are to visit www.scholastic.com/breakingbarriers. To enter, please follow the instructions listed on the website. All entries must be either mailed or submitted digitally no later than Monday, March 14th. If you would like Mrs. Porter to review your work or mail your submission for you, it is due by Monday, March 7th.

Prizes for winning entries include trips to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game in San Diego, laptops, classroom visits by Jackie’s daughter Sharon Robinson and more. In addition, the Pirates will provide two complimentary tickets to a 2016 home game (based on availability) to all students who submit an essay and the school with the most entries will win a “Pirates Day” at their school!

If you would like to participate, you must submit a hard copy of your entry to Mrs. Porter by Monday, March 14th. If you follow all of the directions, you could earn up to ten bonus points for the third quarter.