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News and notes to keep you in touch with other educators and the world of Catholic education

Students can learn about U.S. geography and have a chance to win Capstone Press books with the What's Great About Our 52 States? contest. To enter, students must research, compile, and creatively present a minimum of 52 spectacular sights, one from each of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Entries may take the form of poems, stories, games, posters, etc. One Grand Prize-winning school will receive a gift certificate for $1,500 worth of Capstone Press books, plus the new series Land of Liberty, worth more than $1,300. Other prizes will be given in each of three grade level categories. Entries must be postmarked by April 10, 2004. Entry forms can be found at www .capstonepress.com/cap/html/ 52StatesContest.htm. Free Lewis and Clark activities, bookmarks, tattoos, and a U.S. map poster are also available at the website.

Students can win up to $1,000 in this year's Maryknoll Student Essay Contest, "Love Your Enemies?" Is it possible to follow the teaching of Jesus, who told followers to turn the other cheek? Students should write a 500-750 word essay on this topic to enter. One winner from grades 7-9 and one from grades 10-12 will each be awarded $1,000; second and third place awards will also be given. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1, 2003. For an application and more details, visit society .maryknoll.org and enter the word contest in the search field.

Create a schoolyard habitat with the be a Habitat Hero Contest from National Geographic Explorer. Students work with classmates and teachers to come up with ideas. The habitat should be something students could actually create and must also be appropriate for the school's location. The schools that submit the five winning habitat ideas will receive $1,000 each to build their schoolyard habitat. Classes of students in grades 3-6 may enter by submitting an application with a description and drawing of their habitat idea. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 10, 2004. Applications may be found at www.nationalgeographic.com/ ngexplorer/contests.

Teachers looking to become recertified or just wanting to keep their S skills sharp can find resources at ProfessionalTeacher.com. The unique, user-friendly site offers state-by-state certificate renewal requirements, downloadable forms, lists of recommended courses, and links to education resources. It also houses a career center with resume building tips and job search advice. Special discounts are available for NEA members. Find out more at ProfessionalTeacher.com.

Educational toys are the basis for the unique fundraising program from Learning Resources. The fundraising catalog offers more than 100 fun and educational toys for ages 3-13, many of which are multiple award winners. Orders can be shipped either directly to parents or to schools. Schools earn up to 60% profit, with no door-to-door selling and a 100% product satisfaction guarantee. To learn more, visit www.learningresources.com/ Fundraiser/index.asp or call 800222-3909 ext. 361.

Swingline, a leader in stapling and punch products, is awarding $30,000 in college scholarships, including a $20,000 grand prize savings bond and 10 $1,000 firstplace cash prizes, to students nationwide through its Win Swingline College Cash Sweepstakes. Students ages 13 and older have the chance to win scholarships or be one of 300 selected to win backpacks filled with Swingline products. Prizes will be awarded monthly throughout the sweepstakes, which concludes in February 2004. No purchase is necessary to enter. A sweepstakes overview, rules, and entry details are available online at www.swingline.com/collegecash.

Recycle Depot is a recycling fundraising program that offers an easy and fast way to raise funds. Schools collect empty ink jet and laser toner printer cartridges and old cellular phones and return them to Recycle Depot for cash. Participation in the program and shipping the collected cartridges and phones to Recycle Depot is free. For more information on how to participate, including brochures and posters to promote the program and detailed lists of the cartridges and phones accepted for recycling, connect online to www.recycledepot.com.