Nationally Renowned Author to Visit Merrick, Speak to Students and Parents

Students, faculty and families of the Merrick School District will receive a special visit from world-renowned children’s author and advocate Trudy Ludwig on Nov. 16 and 17.

Over the course of her two-day visit, Ludwig will speak to students in grades K through 6 about ways to create and maintain healthy friendships. The author will visit Birch, Chatterton and Levy Lakeside schools and host two assemblies at each, during which she will read from one of her books and discuss the story and roles each character plays.

Through engaging, age-appropriate activities and role-play with the author, children will learn important life skills related to making healthy friendship choices.

In addition to the student assemblies, Ludwig will deliver a special presentation, “Understanding Our Kids’ Online and Offline Social World: Friendships, Cliques and Power Plays,” for parents and family members on Nov. 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Levy Lakeside School.

“We’re excited to have Trudy Ludwig share her books and expertise with our schools about this very important issue,” said Dr. Jill Karp, the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction and educational services. “We want to stay on top of the latest research and learn about new resources and tools to help us continue to provide a safer social-emotional learning environment for our children.”

Ludwig has been featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and PBS’s “Keeping Kids Healthy” and “Reading Rainbow,” as well as in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post and the National Crime Prevention Council’s Circle of Respect program, and has served as an expert panel member on Sesame Street Workshop’s video series addressing bullying. Her books have received national praise for helping children cope with and thrive in their social world.