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It's Time for Metra's 2019-2020 Safety Poster and Essay Contest!

For the 14th straight year, Metra is asking the region's students to illustrate through posters or essays the importance of safe behaviors near the railroad. This year's theme: “Obey the Signs” emphasizes the importance of looking for railroad signs and control devices that are installed near the railroad tracks. Being aware of your surroundings is important especially when people are near railroad tracks, platforms, and crossings, which can be extremely dangerous.

In 2018, 819 people were injured in the U.S. at railroad crossings according to statistics compiled by the Federal Railroad Administration.  Each one of these incidents was completely preventable. That's why Metra feels it's so important to reach out and educate people, especially our children, about how to be smart and stay safe around the railroad tracks and rail crossings found throughout our region.

This year we’re emailing school districts, libraries and government centers across the region to help spread the word of safety along the railroad by promoting the contest electronically. Along with this letter we are providing links to the posters in English and Spanish and we ask that you share them with your schools and communities to increase awareness of this free contest to the students, teachers and parents. Please display them prominently and encourage participation.

The contest is open to all students in grades K through 12 living or attending school in Metra’s six-county service area: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will. The deadline for all entries is Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.

The Safety Poster Contest asks students to take on an advocacy role and create an image that clearly communicates the importance of safety near the tracks and stays within this year’s theme. One first-, second- and third-place winner will be selected from each grade, K through 12, and awarded the following prizes:
First Place: iPad
Second Place: $250 gift card
Third Place: $100 gift card

In addition, winning designs will be featured in Metra’s safety calendar, website and on weekend passes.
Students can also submit an essay describing in 300 words or less why it’s important to “Obey the Signs” when near railroad tracks, platforms, and crossings.  There will be a first-place prize awarded in each of the essay contest's three divisions: grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-12. The first-place winners in the essay contest will receive an iPad.

We want as many students as possible to participate and be exposed to rail safety information, and we encourage you to make rail safety and the Metra Safety Contest a school-wide project. Metra will recognize the school that submits the most entries in the 2019-2020 contest by awarding it a new computer compatible with the school’s current system.
Until the contest ends on Jan. 31, we’ll be reaching out monthly via email to share tips and links to relevant safety materials.

You can also follow the Metra Safety Poster Contest page on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Contest news, galleries featuring past winners, entry forms and classroom materials are available on our website: metracontest.com. You can also submit your entries electronically through the site or simply send them to us via email at metracontest@metrarr.com.

Questions? Email us at the address listed above or call us at 312-322-6776.

As always, we look forward to all of the creativity that each year’s contest brings.

Remember to “Obey the Signs”
 
Metra Contest

 
 
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