November 13, Dear Principal,

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1 November 13, 2015 Dear Principal, The Florida Division of Emergency Management announces the 15 th Annual Severe Weather Awareness Week statewide education campaign to be held February 22-26, Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity for the Division to collaborate with the elementary schools throughout Florida to educate students about all types of severe weather that may occur. The annual events include a statewide tornado drill, a poster contest for elementary students, and a video contest for middle and high school students. The Division, in partnership with the American Red Cross, is hosting the poster contest for elementary-aged students in Florida. Teachers and parents are encouraged to have students create a poster that demonstrates their view of severe weather in Florida. One winning poster will be selected to represent each of the seven regions of Florida emergency management throughout the state. The 2016 Severe Weather Awareness Week program is undergoing a few changes that we believe will increase participation in the two contests. Teachers are encouraged to spend the week of February 22-26, 2016 teaching the types of severe weather that Florida experiences. During the week teachers are encouraged to have students create a poster on what severe weather means to them. The Division will provide Severe Weather Awareness Week activity books for teachers interested in using them during the week to teach the different types of severe weather seen in Florida. Poster submissions must be postmarked by March 10, 2016 and mailed to the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross in Tallahassee. Winning entries will be announced Friday, March 18, During the week of April 11-15, 2016 the Division will host an event with Professor Tinkermeister at the school of the poster winner in each of the seven regions. The Division s External Affairs Office will contact the winning school the week of March 21-25, 2016 to finalize details of the event. Details on the contest are on the enclosed flyer and a full list of contest rules can be found on the Division s educational program website under the contest tab. In 2004, the Division announced the program Kids Get a Plan ( to educate students, teachers and families on ways to prepare for disasters. The program includes a website includes the books and activities related to preparing for disasters, an interactive museum exhibit, traveling exhibits used at outreach events throughout the state, and mobile apps available on Google Play store and Apple itunes. The poster contest is one way to foster a culture of preparedness in Florida. With your assistance, we can educate the next generation about the importance of preparedness, and help Floridians to be prepared year-round. Outreach materials can be requested through the Division s External Affairs office at DEM-ExternalAffairs@em.myflorida.com. Sincerely, Bryan W. Koon

2 2016 Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week February 22-26, 2016 Poster Contest Rules and Prizes ~CONTEST ENTRY FORM~ This entry form and the parental consent form must be completed for each poster. The form must be taped the back of the poster submission. All entries must be postmarked by Thursday, March 10, 2016 Contest entry forms and posters should be submitted to: Capital Area Chapter American Red Cross 1115 Easterwood Drive Tallahassee, Florida Name: Grade: Age: School Name (If applicable): School Address: City: Teacher /Parent Name: Telephone: CONTEST RULES 1. Entry is open to all Florida elementary school students in public, private, and charter schools, as well as those enrolled in home-school programs. 2. Poster theme should depict what severe weather preparedness or a disaster supply kit means to the student. 3. Creativity is the key. Individual work is required. Posters with stencils, traced, computergenerated or commercially manufactured stick-on lettering or images will be disqualified. 4. Posters should be completed on poster board or construction paper, white in color. Computer paper is discouraged. Poster size should be no larger than 11 x14. Those larger than the identified size may be disqualified. 5. Students should use only crayon, magic markers, colored pencils, or watercolor/acrylic paint. 6. Parental consent form must be completed and attached to the poster submission. Posters may be disqualified if the consent form is not completed. PRIZES One winner will be selected from each of the seven FDEM regions. Each winner will be honored at an event at their school during the 2016 Severe Weather Awareness Week Statewide Tour. The tour will be conducted April 11 15, Additional prizes will be awarded to the winning student and teacher.

3 2016 Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week Poster Contest ~PARENT ENTRY WAIVER~ Instructions: Parent and/or legal guardian, please read this consent form carefully. If you wish to give consent, please complete and sign this form and submit with the contest entry form. A form must be completed for each team member. Please note that if submissions are not accompanied by properly completed and signed parental waiver and contest entry form, submissions will not be accepted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. I, am the lawful custodial and/or non-custodial parent/legal guardian of. My child has my consent and permission to: Enter and participate in the 2016 Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week Poster contest, sponsored by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Allow the child s likeness, name, age, grade level and school to be displayed along with their video in official Florida Division of Emergency Management campaign. Participate in any media or promotional events, including any possible winner ceremonies, media interviews and publicity events related to the contest. I understand that any personal information collected during the course of the 2016 Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week Poster contest, sponsored by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, will only be used for administering this competition, or as otherwise set out in the enclosed contest rules. Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes the child s and his or her parent s/legal guardian s consent to the storage, use and disclosure of the child s entry details as set out in the enclosed contest rules. I understand that upon submission, my child s entry becomes the sole property of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and no submitted entries will be returned. I, the Parent/Guardian and his or her successors and assigns, shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the State of Florida from and against any and all claims, actions, lawsuits, demands, liabilities, judgments, and costs of any nature whatsoever arising as a result of the child's participation in this contest. Parent/Guardian Name: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: The Contest Entry Form and Parent Entry Waiver forms must be printed, completed, signed and sent to the Florida Division of Emergency Management with the poster submission. Florida Division of Emergency Management c/o External Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd Tallahassee, FL Questions on the 2016 Severe Weather Awareness Week Poster Contest should be directed to the FDEM External Affairs Office DEM_External_Affairs@em.myflorida.com.

4 Enter the 15 th Annual Kids Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest Open to Kindergarten through 5 th grade The Florida Division of Emergency Management & Professor Tinkermeister are looking for the best Severe Weather Awareness Posters! Create a poster about severe weather preparedness or a disaster supply kit!

5 Submit entries to: Capital Area Chapter American Red Cross 1115 Easterwood Drive Tallahassee, Florida Create your poster during Florida s Severe Weather Week February 22-26, 2016 Submissions due by March 10, 2016 Poster winners will be announced March 18 and celebrated during a Statewide Tour in April For more information visit floridadisaster.org/swaw We are social! Check out FLGetAPlan and KidsGetAPlan here: