Mendocino County Student Events

The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) sponsors and coordinates a number of countywide events for students.  These academic events are designed to encourage and promote student learning as well as recognize students for their accomplishments.  For information regarding all Student Events, please contact the Educational Services Department at (707) 467-5107.

Poets in the Schools

Poet teachers visit students in grades 7-12 to assist them in creating their own poetry as well as discovering poetry created by other poets. An anthology of student poetry is collected and printed annually.  Two poetry readings celebrating the publication of the anthology, SKIES OF A DREAM, will be held:

Sunday, January 8, 2012   3:00 p.m.   Gallery Books, 319 Kasten Street, Mendocino

Friday, January 13, 2012   6:00 p.m.   Mendocino Book Company, 102 South School Street, Ukiah

The Coast and Countywide Poetry Slams take place during the school year: Contact Blake More, 707-884-9189 or blake@snakelyone.com

High school poets from the coast schools will deliver their original poetry at the 2011-12 Annual MCOE/CPITS Coast High School Poetry Slam. The event will be held at the Arena Theater in downtown Point Arena on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.  It will begin immediately following the Poetry Out Loud event which begins at 3:45 p.m. 

High school poets from several  Mendocino County schools will deliver their original poetry at the 2011-12 Annual MCOE/CPITS Countywide High School Poetry Slam.  The event will be held at the Mathison Performing Arts Center on the Mendocino High School Campus beginning at 4:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. 

Mendocino County poets will judge these event with audience response influencing their decision. This event is free and open to the public.

The above events are sponsored by the Mendocino County Office of Education and California Poets in the Schools. 

Mendocino County Poetry Out Loud

Mendocino County Poetry Out Loud is a collaborative effort of the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, and the California Poets in the Schools.  Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to memorize and perform poems. 

"Learning great poetry by heart develops the mind and imagination, " said Dana Gioia, former Chairman for the National Endowment for the Arts.  "It isn't just an arts program.  By immersing themselves in powerful language and ideas, the students will develop their ability to speak well, especially in public.  This is a skill they will use in the workplace and the community for the rest of their lives."  Poetry Out Loud helps students master public speaking skills, builds self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

The Poetry Out Loud Finals will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the Arena Theater in downtown Point Arena.   with the Poets in the Schools Coast Slam. Poetry Out LoudThese students will compete for the chance to become the Mendocino County representative at the 2012 State Finals of the Poetry Out Loud Recitation Competition in Sacramento.  The event which is free and open to the public will precede the Coast High School Poetry Slam competition.  For more information: Mendocino Poets In The Schools website

Young Authors' Fair

The purpose of this project to inspire students in the elementary schools to write, edit, and publish their own stories. An elementary school may apply for the award funding by completing the Young Authors' Fair Project Proposal Form: 

Young_Authors_Fair_Cover_Letter_and_Proposal_Form_2011-12  Please complete and submit the proposal form to the following email address:  rhubbell@mcoe.us