Calling All Students: Enter to Win!

Staff are encouraged to invite students to enter a variety of art and writing contests now accepting submissions. Details below:

• High school students are invited to submit videos for the county Department of Transportation’s “Heads Up, Phones Down” video contest. The 30-second public service announcements are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29. Entries can be submitted individually or as a group of up to four in English or Spanish. Students may also qualify for up to 10 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for successfully completing an entry. Winning contestants will be visited by MCDOT staff and have their videos posted on MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School website.
  
  
• The MCPS Division of Sustainability and Compliance is sponsoring an art contest to find designs to use as wraps for new electric-powered cargo vans. These electric vehicles will help reduce MCPS’ overall greenhouse gas emissions and support the Board of Education’s commitment to cut GHG emissions by 80% by 2027. MCPS staff and students from MCPS middle and high schools are invited to participate. The deadline is Friday, March 1. Learn more.
  
  
• The Keeping it SAFE Coalition: Under Twenty-One Alcohol Prevention Coalition is sponsoring its annual video contest to create a 30-second public service message addressing the risks and dangers of under 21 alcohol use. This year’s topics are:
• Standing Your Ground: Fighting Peer Pressure from Friends to Drink
• Ways to Help/Support Friends Who Are Abusing Alcohol
• How Alcoholic Drinks Affect Mental Health

The contest is open to teams of two or more students enrolled in Montgomery County middle and high schools. Cash prizes of $100 to $1,000 are up for grabs. Participating MCPS students are also eligible for five Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Entries are due by 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. Visit the website for more information and official contest rules.

• The Division of Sustainability and Compliance is also sponsoring its annual poster contest, open to MCPS students and staff. Raise awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability, energy conservation, waste reduction and responsible recycling, and showcase your creativity! Entries are due Friday, April 5. Check out the contest flyer, guidelinesand entry form. 
  
  
• The National School Bus Safety Week poster contestis sponsored by the National Association for Pupil Transportation. This year’s theme is Driving Safely Into the Future. Posters must be submitted to state directors by Wednesday, April 17. The contest is open to students in K–8th grade, special education students in K–12th grades and those who use computer-aided drawing. Details and guidelines are available here.