We are pleased to announce the return of the Poetry Out Loud program for the
2009-2010 school year! In 2008-2009, almost 1,000 Rhode Island high school
students from 11 schools, public and private, from Burrillville to Portsmouth, participated in the second year of this national enrichment program. Beginning in the fall of 2009, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation will again present Poetry Out Loud, in partnership with the RI State Council on the Arts and VSA arts of RI.

This educational project allows high school teachers of English, Life Skills, Theatre Arts, Public Speaking and other specialties to work under the guidance of professional teaching artists to give students the benefits of a nationally approved program in the recitation and performance of poetry. Teaching artists will begin visiting registered schools as early as October, leading up to each school’s competition. Students participating in the program have the opportunity to advance to a statewide competition in late February or early March. One winning RI student will be sent to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., April 25-27, 2010 to compete against winners from the rest of the nation for awards totaling $50,000 in scholarships and school prizes.

REGISTRATION

Interested teachers are asked to submit a registration form by October 30 , 2009 in order to be considered for participation – click here for a pdf.

Please note that should we experience a high volume of interest, first preference will be given to classrooms serving a) junior and senior students; and b) classrooms which are inclusive of students with disabilities. However, all interested educators are strongly encouraged to apply.

STATE FINAL INFORMATION:

The State Final will be held in late February or early March, 2010, in preparation for the National Finals being held in Washington, D.C., April 25-27, 2010.  Schools should hold their own competitions no later than February 19.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Brian Platt, Rhode Island State Coordinator for Poetry Out Loud:
poetryoutloud.ri.bp@cox.net

Phone: (401)725-0247 (office hours 4pm – 6pm every Wednesday, or leave a message)