Author Visits Gibbs, Polizzi Presents Academies Program

Green Eggs and Ham!

It was that time of year again, time for the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day, which has always been celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. 

Since 1997, March 2 has become the annual reading motivation and awareness day that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading.  In cities and towns across the nation, teachers, librarians, and parents bring reading activities to schools and libraries designed to get children excited about the importance of reading. 

Gibbs was no exception this year in making Read Across America an exciting time.  Each day of the week was represented by the students wearing something special and then on March 2, the PTO invited author Sarah Weeks to come to Gibbs for an author visit.

Weeks has written more than 50 picture books and novels for children and young adults.  In addition to writing, Weeks is an adjunct faculty member in the prestigious Writing Program at the New School University in New York City and a founding member of ART, a traveling troupe of authors who perform reader’s theatre at conventions and conferences across the country. 

Due to the wide range of Weeks’ work, she was able to provide presentations appropriate for a variety of age groups.  For the younger grades, Weeks discussed her picture books and showed an entertaining power point presentation that described her childhood and how she got into writing.  

For the older grades, she discussed her chapter books, novels, and the writing process.  Weeks did a great job keeping the kids engaged and explaining how you don't have to be a great speller or reader to be a great writer.  It really struck a chord with the students that they can do just about anything they want if they put their minds to it and use the world around them for inspiration.  It was a pleasure meeting Weeks and having her come to Gibbs school.

For more information about Sarah and her books visit www.sarahweeks.com.

The New Milford High School Academies:

The Gibbs PTO meeting was also held on March 2 and New Milford Schools Superintendent Michael Polizzi was there to discuss the new Academies program being introduced at the high school this September.  There were many residents in attendance at the meeting to hear about this new and exciting direction the New Milford School district is going in.

Polizzi discussed how the idea of the Academies was first introduced and how this vision has come to fruition.  At the end of his presentation, there was time for a question and answer forum.  I personally cannot help but be very encouraged with this new direction.  Just seeing a group of educators work together to try to make a change has been inspirational.  So, New Milford residents, I urge you to keep this momentum going, please come out on April 14 to attend the first K-12 Spring Open House to learn more about this new direction for New Milford Schools in the NMHS Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming Gibbs School News:

• Gibbs Carpool Days Wednesday & Thursday, March 9 & 10
• Eating of the Greens Thursday, March 17
• Half day for students Monday, March 21
• PTO Meeting & Budget hearing, March 22