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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 10, 2013<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>477 Connecticut Boulevard, Suite 217, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108 Telephone: (860) 289-1971 • Fax: (860) 291-2795 www.nfbct.org Elizabeth Rival, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Braille Readers, During this year's summer vacation, we want to encourage you to participate in the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut's "Braille Readers are Leaders" Contest The enclosed application explains the rules and regulations. If you wish to participate, on June 1st, begin keeping track of pages read. The contest ends on August 31st. Reading books can open up a world of adventure and discovery for you. Pick out a shady tree in your yard or a lovely sandy spot at the beach and read, read, read. We hope you will participate. We are sure your parents, Braille teacher and/or librarian will help you select books if you wish and keep track of pages read. Have a wonderful summer, and we look forward to receiving your application by September 15th. Sincerely, Betty Woodward, Braille Readers are Leaders Contest Chairperson NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF CONNECTICUT<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>( Voice of the Nation's Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PURPOSE OF CONTEST The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut's Annual Braille Readers are Leaders Contest is to encourage blind children to read more Braille. It is just as important for blind children to be literate as it is for sighted children. Good readers can have confidence in themselves and their abilities to learn and to adapt to new situations through their lives. Braille is a valuable alternative to print for the blind child. Yet, many blind children are graduating from our schools with poor Braille skills and low expectations for themselves as Braille readers. They do not know that Braille readers can be competitive with print readers. The NFBC's Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest helps blind children realize that reading Braille is fun and rewarding. They discover that "Braille Readers Are Leaders". WHO CAN ENTER THE CONTEST School age children from kindergarten through the twelfth grade are eligible to enter. A student will compete within his/her grade level category. The categories are: Elementary, Middle and High School age. PRIZES FOR THE CONTEST The winner of the High School category will receive a two hundred dollar ($200) prize; the winner of the Middle School category will receive a one hundred fifty dollar ($150) prize; the winner of the Elementary School category will receive a seventy-five dollar ($75) prize; prizes will be awarded at the annual National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut banquet of our state convention in November.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RULES FOR THE CONTEST Winners will be chosen based on the number of Braille pages read. The contest entry form MUST be COMPLETELY filled out and received by the judges no later than September<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>15th. With their entry forms, contestants MUST submit a list of books and magazines they have read. Please use an extra page, if necessary.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CERTIFYING AUTHORITY The Certifying Authority is responsible for: • verifying that the student has actually read the Braille material that he or she reports reading and that the material was read between June 1 and August 31 (contestant may NOT count material read before the contest begins); • filling out and sending in the contest entry form in an accurate, complete and timely fashion. Teachers, librarians and parents may serve as Certifying Authorities. The Certifying Authority must also be prepared to cooperate with the judges if the judges have any questions or need additional information about an entry. All decisions of the judges are final. Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BRAILLE READERS ARE LEADERS June Ito August 31 CONTEST ENTRY FORM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Student's Name Address Parent's Name E-Mail Address Certifying Authority: Name Position: Parent [ ] Address Home Phone E-Mail Address Category: (Check One) [ ] Elementary School [ Middle School [ ] High School<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BOOK/MAGAZINE LIST <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1Book Title/Magazine Article Author/Volume/Date Braille Pages Read<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To the best of my knowledge, this student did read between June 1 and August 31.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Signature of Certifying Authority Date<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mail entries to, or for more information: Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest National Federation of the Blind of CT<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>477 Connecticut Boulevard, Ste 217, East Hartford, CT 06108 Tel: (860) 289-1971 City Home Phone Age Grade_ State Zip Work Phone<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Zip Teacher [ ] Librarian [ City Work Phone<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>umber of Braille pages<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>