- Several months prior to Family Week select a theme and establish rules for the art and essay contests.Select a different theme each year that is simple enough for the youngest children, but also challenging for the older students.
- With the permission of the school district, distribute the art and essay contests to the elementary schools as well as to area preschools two to three months prior to Family Week.
- The contest deadline is set the month before Family Week so that there is time to judge the entries and return to the students during Family Week.
- Make an effort to see that each participant is given a certificate and some type of reward (local businesses may be willing to donate coupons). The purpose is for every child to feel like its family is important.
- If possible arrange for several children to read their essays on a local radio station or at some other event. Artwork can be displayed in such places as City Hall and used on the cover of the supplemental newspaper insert for Family Week.>