Do the Write Thing is a 503(c) organization created by the National Campaign to Stop Violence.  Do the Write Thing (or "DtWT") is primarily an essay contest (or "Challenge") where 7th and 8th grade students submit essays answering the following questions:

 

1) How has violence affected my life?

2) What are the causes of violence?

3) What can I do to reduce violence?

 

Students submit their compositions (in the form of an essay, poem, or song) to the DtWT staff at 700 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19106.  Students must include the attached Permission Letter (required) in order to be considered for the Challenge.  Students or teachers or parents should mail all submissions no later thatn April 13, 2010 in order to be considered for the National Challenge.

 

Volunteers throughout the Commonwealth, including Judges, attorneys, politicians, members of the press, and educators, all come together the rate the effectiveness of the compositions and essays from each school.  The selected essays are then combined for a final round of review.  The students who write the top submisions are then rewarded for their efforts by an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. for themselves, a family member, and their teacher.  Other students also receive prizes and recognition at local ceremonies.  

 

Teachers and schools are also rewarded with prizes depending on the amount of children who participate.  Teachers who want their classes to participate in the program should contact us at padothewritething@gmail.com. 

 

 

Click on the link for the documents and more information: 2010 Logo Contest

 

 

Suggestions for Schools:   

 

Many schools incorporate DtWT into their lesson plans because they find that it is a great way to start a productive discussion about violence.  We have created four (4) Lesson Plans that may be very helpful for teachers who want to include DtWT in their classroom.  Also, teachers may submit a Speaker Request Form via email or mail.  We will arrange to have a prominent member of the community come to your classroom and get involved in the discussion about violence. 

 

DtWT is also designing a Facebook page where students can learn how they can fight violence.

 

 

 

Contact information: 

Email: Ryan G. Gatto, Esq. at padothewritething@gmail.com

Call:  215.601.9289

Write / Submit a composition:        DtWT

                                                              700 Sansom St.

                                                              Philadelphia, PA 19106

  

 

 

 

 

 

2004 - 2008 Winners from Previous Years 

 

 

 

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