1. Presented by Tara Nalley taranalley@windstream.net

2. What is Honoring Our Heroes? A writing program sponsored by the Cherokee County Council that encourages students to recognize a person who has been special to them and to express their thoughts through writing. Any student at a PTA school in Cherokee County that has a PTA or PTSA in Good Standing can participate.

3. Do you know a real life hero? The program was designed to encourage students to discover “real life” heroes who have shown generosity, trust, persistence, dedication, leadership, creativity, caring, bravery, imagination, service, gentleness, courage or compassion. This is for students to recognize a true hero in their lives. Our real heroes are parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, doctors, coaches, policemen, soldiers, or anyone else that has made a real and positive impact on a student’s life.

4. Before you get started Talk to your principal about how they would like the program to work at your school. There are two ways entries can be completed by students: During School Hours At Home

5. Two program structures During School Hours Students complete essays during class with teacher direction Judging occurs within grade level with each class having a winner From class winners, a winner is chosen from each grade level to be submitted to county Communication with teachers about how to conduct the program is vital. At Home Students submit the essays completed at home by a school- determined due date Judges select a winning entry from each grade 1 entry per grade is submitted to county as winner Advertise via school newsletter, email through Room Parents, website, flyers sent home, etc.

6. Honoring Our Heroes – LU Process Select a Chairperson Establish a structure (choose between in school or at home program) Determine timeline (work back from the CCC due date) Publicize Collect entries Judge the entries Award your school winners Turn in grade-level winners to CCC by February 8, 2016 Attend CCC HOH Reception – March 22th, 2016 – More info to come

7. Judging Each LU judges their own entries and submits one per grade level to FCC. You can do this similar to how you get Reflections judges. You can also ask teachers to swap from different grades and read the entries. Entries are judged based on the student’s ability to articulate the qualities of the hero and to describe the manner in which the hero affected the student’s life, either directly or indirectly.

8. Format Entries are limited to ONE 8.5x11 inch piece of paper. The student may use both sides of the paper. Entries may be handwritten or typed. Pictures drawn by the students may be included as part of the entry, but they are to be judged primarily on content, and not on artistic ability. Each entry submitted to CCC must have an completed HOH Entry Form with students name, address, school name included.

9. Submitting Entries to FCC When you submit your entries to CCC, please include a completed Cherokee County Council Packet Cover. Completed packets should be mailed by county mail or delivered to: Tara Nalley Macedonia Elementary School Please email me when they are sent so that I can be on the lookout for them. Do not fold the entries! Please lay flat in a 9x12 envelope. Also, make a backup copy of the entries for your records. Entries must be submitted by February 8, 2016

10. The Reception Who’s Invited: all school essay winners and their hero, plus their parents and family. PTA presidents and officers. School teachers and principals. Invitations will sent by February 28 th to both winners (via school mail to LU PTAs/PTSAs) and their heroes. That is why it is important to have the addresses on the entry forms. Each winner and their hero will receive a certificate of appreciation. Each school’s Media Center will receive a 2015-2016 Honoring Our Heroes Book.

11. Refreshments Each school that participates in HOH is requested to bring a snack item for the Reception that can be eaten by hand (cookies, fruit, cheese, sandwiches, etc.). A request will be sent out about before the reception. CCC PTA will provide the drinks.

12. Questions?