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Proposed Process for 2014 Student Essay Contest: Commissioner Groff <br />questioned if a word or page limit was set on the essay contest. Ms. Curti stated at <br />this time, the only requirement was that the essay not be longer than three pages. <br />Commissioner Doneen suggested a word limit and recommended font size be set in <br />the requirements for 2014. She then reviewed a proposed essay contest scoring <br />process for the HRC to consider for next year. The new system would assure there <br />was equity between both middle schools while also having a diversity of essay topics <br />within the semi - finalists. She then requested comments or questions from the <br />Commissioners. <br />Vice Chair Brisbois indicated she awarded three or four perfect scores on the essays <br />this year, and her number one essay ended up in sixth place. She suggested while <br />the scoring was being completed that the Commissioners also rank their top three <br />essays. <br />Commissioner Doneen agreed with this recommendation stating the rubric could be <br />amended to add this fourth dimension. <br />Commissioner Becker was in favor of amending the rubric and suggested originality <br />be placed on the spectrum. Commissioner Doneen commented this was within the <br />rubric and was a component of the analysis piece. <br />Chair Grefenberg agreed with Commissioner Becker. He was also concerned that the <br />top three finalists have to cover separate- topics. He suggested instead that this be <br />more flexible to only require two out of the three finalists have a different topic. He <br />also recommended the term " "categories" be removed from the essay contest rules. <br />Commissioner Doneen indicated this provision could read the essay was to address <br />human rights issues and concerns and the HRC would work to have the two middle <br />schools be represented in the finalists. Ms. Curti added that in the past she had <br />sought essays from home schooled youth as well. She indicated another option for <br />next year would be to collect the essays from each teacher to assure there was a fa i r <br />representation of each classroom. She stated in the past six middle school teachers <br />have submitted essays. <br />Ms. Curti explained another option for the grading process would be to seek <br />comments or recommendations from the teachers on the current rubric. Vice Chair <br />Brisbois agreed with this suggestion. <br />Chair Grefenberg recommended that the number of honorable mentions not be <br />limited to two entries. Commissioner Doneen agreed and added that a representative <br />from each class could be selected for next year. <br />Commissioner Doneen agreed to speak with several teachers on the essay scoring <br />rubric to seek suggestions or recommendations and would report back to the HRC <br />next month. <br />Chair Grefenberg thanked the Commission for their discussion this evening. He <br />requested Commissioner Doneen revise the essay contest 2013 -2014 provisions to <br />be approved at the April meeting. <br />Update on Planning for Community Dialogues on Violence: Chair Grefenberg <br />