To avoid false hope, here's a sample letter you can give students when you ask them to fill out the Poetry Release Form. Please edit it to suit your particular purpose or circumstance.

click here for Word Version of SAMPLE RELEASE FORM REQUEST LETTER
click here for PDF of SAMPLE LETTER

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Dear Student:

I really liked the poem that you wrote in class. I would like to keep a copy of your poem for two reasons. One is to use your poem in my workshops with other students, to show to adults whose children I may work with, etc. The other reason is to possibly submit your poem to California Poets in the Schools for inclusion in the statewide annual anthology. I must have your permission and the permission of your parent or guardian in order to submit your poem for the anthology.

Now the hard part. It is very important that you understand that your chances of getting into the anthology are slim. I am allowed to submit only ten poems from all the students I work with in a year, so I have to make tough choices. There are over a hundred teachers like me who will also be submitting ten student poems so there are many poems to be considered.

I hope that you and your parent(s) will decide to take a chance. If so, return the attached form and the final version of your poem to me.

If you have any questions, please email me at

Thanks,

 

Poet Teacher