New York State History Day News

March 2008

Volume 2 - Issue 8

Greetings from the State Coordinator

Greetings!

What is that folk saying we have about March? In like a lion and out like a lamb, or in like a lamb and out like a lion? Either way, I am sure most History Day students are feeling their lion's share of pressure right now.

It's competition time, which is both the best and most difficult part of the program. For students, I imagine it is exciting to meet like-minded students from across the state and share a year's worth of scholarship. I can also see how it can be difficult to face judges in interviews, and making it through award ceremonies can wrack even the most stoic student's nerves.

During this stressful time, I find it helpful to keep in mind the long-term benefits of History Day. Years from now only a few students will be able to boast that they won medals in competition. But EVERY student will be able to communicate more clearly, think more critically about their world, write more eloquently, and much much more.

These are the true awards of National History Day, and although they may offer little consolation now, they will become more apparent in time. I congratulate every student who participated in History Day this year; medal or not, your experience will benefit you in ways you have yet to imagine!

Respectfully,

Tobi Voigt

Help NHD Get Federal Funding!

A Message from NHD Executive Director, Cathy Gorn:

"To all friends and supporters of History Day: here we go again! It is once more the time of year to voice your support for NHD, and to press your representatives in Congress to appropriate federal funds to one of the longest-running education programs in the country.

Phone calls from constituents like you compelled 31 Representatives and 21 Senators to support NHD in a "Dear Colleague" letter last year. As part of the federal appropriations process, "Dear Colleague" letters are circulated to Chairs of the Appropriations Subcommittees urging them to include funding in the overall bill which funds the Department of Education for certain programs.

For grassroots activism, the number of signatures we gained last year is a tremendous result, and I am certain that your energy and concern can bring us even closer to federal funding this year.

We were very close to being included in last year's budget, which gives us momentum this year. So I ask you again, please make those phone calls and send those emails and letters to your Members of Congress, and help "save the day" for National History Day!

Two letters are now circulating in Congress - one in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives - asking Members of Congress to support $5 million in funding for the National History Day program in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2009.

In the Senate the letter is being circulated by Sens. Akaka (D-HI) and Coleman (R-MN), and in the House, the letter is being circulated by Rep. Van Hollen (D-MD). We must get as many signatures as possible supporting $5 million for National History Day.

We need your help! Please call both your Senators and Members of the House of Representatives and tell them:

Your name and where your program and services are located.
For members in the House, tell them you are calling today to urge the Representative to sign the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Rep. Van Hollen supporting funding for National History Day.
For Senator Clinton and Schumer's office, please urge them to sign the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Sens. Akaka and Coleman.
During all calls, ask them to please sign the Dear Colleague so we can continue to expand the reach of the program through the district and state.

If you don't know how to reach your representative go to www.house.gov or call the Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121, and they will connect you."

Call for Nominations: 2008 New York History Teacher of the Year

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History announces its call for nominations for its Preserve America History Teacher of the Year.

Winners receive $1,000 and their school receives an archive of primary historical materials.

For 2008, all middle and high school teachers who have responsibility for teaching American history are eligible for nomination. Winners will be chosen based on several criteria.

Qualifying Criteria

At least three years of classroom experience in teaching American history.
A deep career commitment to teaching American history, which includes local and state history.
Evidence of creativity and imagination in the classroom that address literacy and content beyond state standards.
Close attention to primary documents, artifacts, historic sites, and other primary materials of history, including oral history.
Evidence of thoughtful assessment of student achievement.

Eligibility

Any full-time middle or high school teacher may be nominated who teaches American history (including local and state history) as his or her primary subject, or one of the subjects he or she is responsible for in the classroom.

Procedure

Nominations must be submitted by May 1, 2008
Submit the following to the state coordinator:

The nominee's resume.
A letter of nomination that addresses the award criteria and includes quantitative measures of student achievement. Nominations can be made by a department or division head, a school director, social studies director, principal or superintendent.
A letter of support from a colleague, immediate supervisor, or education professional familiar with the nominee's work.

Submit an original and three copies of all written materials to:

Gloria Sesso, NY Coordinator

Patchogue-Medford Schools

241 South Ocean Avenue

Patchogue, NY 11772.

For more information, visit: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/student8.html

New Women's History Website Debuts

Roads from Seneca Falls, www.roadsfromsenecafalls.org is a new website that links more than 2000 of the best websites relating to women's history and leadership for K-12 students and teachers.

Cataloged by subject, grade level, and type of material, Roads from Seneca Falls includes lesson plans, activities, primary sources, biographies and more. Special features include "Ask Mrs. Stanton" (which allows students to receive answers to their own specific questions) and links to more than 800 museums, libraries, and historic sites relating to women's history and leadership across the country.

Funded by the Department of Education and prepared by the State University of New York at Oswego and Syracuse University's School of Information Studies, Roads from Seneca Falls offers easy access to the best web-based material for women's history and leadership for K-12 students and teachers.