llewis / Wednesday, March 10, 2010 / Categories: 2010 NEWS RELEASE: Collier County Supervisor of Election Office Conducts Elementary and Middle School Reading Elections FOR IMMEDIATERELEASEMarch 10, 2010For more information contact:Cyndi Young, Education CoordinatorSupervisor of Elections Office ~ (239) 252-8450Naples, FL – The Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office is partnering with elementary and middle schools across the county again this year during the 2009-2010 Sunshine State Young Readers Awards (SSYRA) and the Florida Reading Association Children’s Book Award (FRA) programs. For the 8th year, the Supervisor of Elections Office will provide eligible kindergarten through 8th grade public and private school students the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite book on a real voting machine. Last year, over 4,000 students voted on the voting machines and this year that number is expected to increase. On March 5, the Supervisor of Elections Office conducted the first of 35 scheduled student elections and 224 Pelican Marsh students participated by voting for their favorite book. Several 5th grade student ambassadors and student government members served as election officials during the election. The SSYRA program, designed to encourage 3rd through 8th grade students to read, is cosponsored by the School Library Media Services Office of the Department of Education and the Florida Association for Media in Education. Students who read three or more of the 15 selected books are eligible to vote for their favorite. At the close of the election, statewide results are tallied and the winning authors receive special recognition. The FRA program encourages younger students (pre-K to 2nd grade) to become enthusiastic about books and reading. The winning FRA book is determined by votes from students who have heard or read some of the eight nominations. The winning author is honored at the annual FRA Conference. "We believe it is important to involve students in the democratic process by familiarizing them with the ease of voting, what to expect on Election Day, and how to cast a ballot like an adult in a real election," commented Jennifer J. Edwards, Supervisor of Elections. Below is a list of upcoming student election dates. For more information contact Cyndi Young, Education Coordinator for the Supervisor of Elections Office at (239) 252-8805. March 18 – Lake Park Elementary March 19 – Vineyard Elementary March 22 – Village Oak Elementary March 23 – Estates Elementary March 24 – East Naples Middle March 25 – Sable Palm Elementary March 26 – Laurel Oak Elementary April 6 – St. Elizabeth Seaton April 6 – Corkscrew Elementary April 7 – Calusa Park Elementary April 7 – Manatee Elementary April 8 – Tommie Barfield Elementary April 9 – Palmetto Elementary April 12 – Seagate Elementary April 12 – Community School April 13 – Lely Elementary April 14 - Golden Gate Elementary April 15 – Seacreast Day School April 15 – Oakridge Middle April 16 – Poinciana Elementary April 16 –Naples Park Elementary Previous Article PUBLIC NOTICE: Naples Canvassing Board to Conduct Manual Audit for February 2, 2010 City Council Race Next Article NEWS RELEASE: Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office Begins Mailing Election Notice/Absentee Ballot Requests Print 1780