Teacher Press Kit

Guidelines for Media Placement:

1. The following news release is designed to be adapted and sent to media in your community. You should change everything that is underlined, make appropriate additions, and alter the release accordingly. Please read it carefully; you may need to change information that is not underlined.

2. All reporters should be treated equally.

3. If you have good, clear, descriptive photos of your Close Up Washington, D.C. visit, you may want to send one or two to your local newspaper(s). Label the photo(s) on the back with a date, description, relevant names and sites, etc.

4. It's very important to include your name, school, and telephone number(s) on the release in case a reporter has questions.

5. You can mail, fax, or e-mail the press release, but it may be more effective to deliver it in person to news editors, education reporters, or the assignment desk.

Sample Press Release

(replace bolded copy with appropriate information)

STUDENTS GET "CLOSE UP" VIEW OF D.C.

Washington, D.C. became a classroom, and some of its leading experts served as educators as Number of Students School Name students and teacher Your Name participated in the Close Up Foundation government studies program Dates of Participation.

Students included list students' names.

"During their week in Washington, the students attended seminars on Capitol Hill and met government officials, political experts, lobbyists, and a representative of the Washington press corps to learn more about the federal process," said Your Last Name.

"Students also visited with List Names of Relevant Senator(s), U.S. Representative, and/or Congressional Staff Members and Titles."

The School Name group participated with students from other areas of the country for daily debates, discussions, and activities focusing on current issues and the governing process. There also were opportunities to tour the city, visit universities, and attend cultural events.

"Close Up's goal is to inspire its participants to become active, engaged citizens," said Steve Janger, founder, Close Up Foundation. "Students return home with an increased interest in national, state, and local matters."

Your Name accompanied the students-not as a chaperone, but as a participant in a program designed to teach current issues and innovative educational methods. Close Up provides fellowships for educators and low-income students through a Congressional appropriation, with additional support from the private sector. Close Up's work in Your Town has been sponsored in part by List Local Sponsors as Appropriate.

The Close Up Foundation is the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit, civic education organization providing firsthand opportunities to learn about the democratic process and the role of the individual. For more information, call 800-CLOSE UP (256-7387) and visit www.closeup.org.

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