WTCI-TV (PBS) is launching the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, a national competition designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning.

The effort encourages children in grades K-5 in WTCI's 35-county viewing area and communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations. The deadline for entries is Thursday, April 15.

“This contest is one our favorite outreach activities at WTCI,” said Paul Grove, WTCI president and CEO. “Not only does it encourage a life-long love for reading, it encourages children to use their imagination and share their creativity with others. This is just one example of the dynamic educational services WTCI provides to the community.”

The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest extends the powerful tradition and annual success of the 15-year national “Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest,” originally created by WNED-TV Buffalo/Toronto and NET Nebraska.

The new contest is produced by WNED-TV, Buffalo/Toronto and PBS. The contest attracts over 500 entries locally and more than 40,000 entries nationally each year.

“We know from research that there is an important connection between writing and the development of early literacy skills, critical cornerstones for school readiness and achievement,” said Lesli Rotenberg, senior vice president, Children’s Media, PBS.

“PBS KIDS GO! uses the power of media to open up the worlds of letters and words for all children, encouraging them to explore ways to communicate more effectively.”

All children that enter the contest will receive a certificate of achievement, and WTCI will honor first, second and third place winners in each grade with prizes, a trophy and an awards ceremony held at WTCI's broadcast center.

First place local winners in grades K-3 will be entered into the national level of the Contest where a renowned panel of judges will identify the national winners. Winners will be announced and national prizes, including laptops, digital cameras and MP3 players, will be awarded in Summer, 2010.

Complete rules for the contest and entry forms may be obtained by calling Jennifer Hoff, director of Public Relations, at 423 309-7464.

There are minimum and maximum word requirements for each grade level, and all stories submitted must also have a minimum of five illustrations. There is no charge to enter the contest. Parents, teachers, after school programs, and other community organizations are encouraged to get children involved in the contest.

The contest is sponsored locally by Boyd Buchanan, Chattem, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Dr. Joseph Chung, and Lawson Electric.

“WNED is proud to continue its leadership role in literacy for public television through the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest,” said WNED President and CEO Donald K. Boswell. “Building on the important legacy of Reading Rainbow, this new contest ushers the powerful mission of our programs directly into the homes and classrooms of the community, motivating young students to create and imagine.”

The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is produced by WNED-TV, Buffalo/Toronto and PBS, and is part of PBS KIDS Raising Readers, a national initiative which uses the power of public media to build the reading skills of children ages 2-to-8, with an emphasis on children from low-income families.

The effort is funded by a Ready To Learn grant from the U.S. Department of Education, part of a cooperative agreement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS and The Ready To Learn Partnership.