Friday, April 26, 2013

Hello School District 83!


I am busy organizing my presentation materials and beginning to pack for my trip to Salmon Arm, Armstrong, Sorrento and Sicamous next week. I will be visiting schools there and look forward to meeting all the students and staff.

It is a double pleasure for me to travel to the area because this is the school district where I was a teacher some years (decades!) ago. I have many happy memories of teaching at Armstrong Elementary School. In fact, it was teaching those classes of primary children that led to my becoming a writer — something I've never forgotten.

A big thank you to my friend and colleague, Chris McMahen, who invited me to the schools and organized my trip. Chris is a teacher-librarian in the district and he is also a popular and award-winning author. His most recent (and wonderfully written) book, Box of Shocks, just won the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award. Hooray for Chris!

And now, it's back to packing... See you soon, District 83.

And Happy Spring to everyone else. I hope it's sunny where you are.

Cheers!


Friday, April 19, 2013

Thank you, Kent Elementary!


A big bouquet of thanks to the students and staff of Kent Elementary School for making me feel so welcome yesterday! It was wonderful to meet you all. From the attentive audiences, to the potluck lunch, student research projects on the wall, and the sign on the front of the school, it couldn't have been a nicer time!

Thank you especially to teacher-librarian, Karen Dumas, for inviting me and organizing the visit. Thank you to the PAC for making it possible, and to principal, Chris Wejr, and his wonderful staff and students. It was an amazing day!


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Hello Kent Elementary!


I have the pleasure of visiting Kent Elementary School this week. Here's a photo from the school's website.

The school is situated in the scenic Fraser Valley and I look forward to seeing the mountains and trees on the drive out.

More importantly, I am excited to meet the students and staff who so kindly invited me to visit. See you all soon.

Cheers!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Thank you to Osler Elementary!


A big thank you to Patricia Bartha, teacher-librarian, and the students at Sir William Osler School in Vancouver. It was lovely to spend the afternoon with you yesterday! You were a fabulous audience, full of great questions and comments. :-)

When I looked out the windows of the school library, I could see several ornamental cherry trees in full bloom.

Here on the west coast, it is the season for beautiful blossoms and for spring school visits. What a wonderful combination!

I'm looking forward to spending a day at Kent Elementary in Agassiz next week. See you soon.

Cheers!