Approve Contract with Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Inc. for District High School Poetry Jam, May 9, 2008 - $766.49 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

We request approval of the Standard Hall License Contract with the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Inc. which provides facility usage of the TECO Energy Foundation Theater for the District High School Poetry Jam, on May 9, 2008.

The first Poetry Jam was held in April 2005, and 10 high schools participated. Participation has increased and 23 high schools registered for the 2008 event. To prepare for the Poetry Jam, schools host a school-level jam for 50 to 100 students where students receive instruction on writing and performance poetry and listen to a local poet, provided by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, perform spoken word poetry. Then students write individual poems and are given the opportunity to perform for their peers. A small panel composed of teachers and public librarians judges each performance using a rubric created for this event and selects the student that gives the best performance to represent the school at the District High School Poetry Jam.

Goal 1 - The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

Funds of $766.49 donated by Barnes and Noble will cover the contract fee for the use of the TECO Energy Foundation Theater.