SOSCV! Kicks Off Third Annual 'School Matters' Writing Contest

By Allen Mueller

Save Our Schools Castro Valley! (SOSCV!), a non-profit organization established in 2009 to reduce the impact of budget cuts in education, announces the launch of its third annual district-wide “School Matters” writing contest. 

District students from fourth grade through 12th grade will have the opportunity to submit essays of 250 to 300 words on any of the eight topics described in the contest rules posted on the SOSCV! web site.

1. Why are school sports programs important to students?
2. Why are small class sizes important to the K-3 students and 9th grade English students?
3. Why is it important for households without children in our district schools to support our schools through this period of cuts?
4. Why is the elementary vocal and instrumental music program important?
5. Why are librarians important to our district’s schools?
6. Why are counselors important to our district’s students?
7. Why is it important for local businesses to support our district’s schools?
8. Who is teacher, administrator, or classified employee who has influenced me?

Students in these grades will receive the contest flier in their classrooms on Monday Jan. 23 and Tuesday Jan. 24. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m.

Contest results will be announced on Friday, Feb. 17. The winning essays in each category will be chosen by the SOSCV! Contest Committee, who will then pick the top six entries to publish on Castro Valley Patch for six consecutive weeks. The published articles will incorporate the student’s essay, their picture, and an introduction to the topic from SOSCV!

“We want the Castro Valley community to hear directly from the students about how important these potential cuts are to them,” said Allen Mueller, President and Co-Founder of SOSCV! 

“Hearing all about the budget cuts from the perspective of those who are running the schools or those who are raising the money gives only an adult perspective on the situation. We hope that the community will embrace the student’s perspective on how these cuts will impact them directly, and it will motivate them to take action to preserve the top-notch school system that we’ve been blessed with in Castro Valley,” Mueller added.

SOSCV!’s goal is to raise $365 per student which would enable the organization to restore $3.2 million in funding to the district that has cut over $10 million since 2008. 

“The district is now facing the threat of even more cuts for the upcoming school year 2012-2013 due to the continued state budget problems,” Mueller said.

SOSCV! is continuing to expand their fundraising activities into corporate and small businesses in the local Castro Valley community. It is also pursuing grants and donations from residents both with children in Castro Valley schools and those without. SOSCV! believes that everyone will be impacted by this crisis, so everyone needs to be a part of the solution.

To date, to the — a portion of which has been used to .

For more information or to donate, please visit www.soscv.org

You may also contact Allen Mueller at 510-537-3000 x1662 or e-mail info@soscv.org