NWP-VT February Newsletter

Help your students see how writing fits into your discipline! In this workshop, three NWP fellows--Cindy Faughnan (7/8 language arts), Rick Schluntz (7/8 science), and Brian Eyler (art)--will demonstrate how teachers can incorporate more writing into their classes, regardless of subject. Come learn how writing within the classroom can enrich your studentsÕ learning experiences and create a closer learning community. This workshop is open to all Vermont teachers and will take place on March 15^th in 427A Waterman at UVM from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. As always, teachers will discuss and test run practices that are transferable across grades and disciplines. There is a $45 fee that includes the best of UVMÕs breakfast treats and a Waterman Manor lunch. NOTE: We may be going outside—please wear appropriate clothing! To register email inservice@nwpvt.org.

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May 9^th Conference: Teachers Who Write

Vastly Reduced Price for NWPVT Õ07 Summer Fellows and Retired Teachers!

At MontpelierÕs Vermont College on Friday, May 9, NWPVT co-sponsors the 21st annual Teachers Who Write. Keynote speaker Doug Wilhelm, author of The Revealers and several other young-adult novels, will deliver the keynote address, ÒRevealing the WriterÕs Inner Child: A Right Brain/Left Brain Approach.Ó Wilhelm will also offer a workshop on prewriting.

Other workshops include NWPVT veterans Sydney Copp on ÒImpromptu Debate and Persuasive Writing,Ó Julia M. Hewitt on ÒDigital Storytelling,Ó Lisa H. Italiano on ÒThe Role of Writing in Emergent LiteracyÓ and Heidi RingerÕs exciting workshop, ÒQuickwriting – Just 7 Minutes a Day.Ó

Also featured will be Kathleen BrinegarÕs ÒReading as Inquiry – Strategies for Engaging Adolescents with Text,Ó Carol GlynnÕs ÒLearning on Their Feet – Everyday Curricula Taught Kinesthetically,Ó Kim JordanÕs ÒDrama in the Elementary and Middle School Classroom,Ó Tony MagistraleÕs ÒComposition and Revision – A WriterÕs Workshop,Ó and Suzanne Rexford WinstonÕs ÒBuilding a Painting Word by Word!Ó

Pre-registration is required; participants may choose two workshops, and attend a lunchtime concert by VermontÕs latest singing/songwriting sensation, Anais Mitchell.

Do not let this opportunity pass you by! Contact Geof Hewitt, 828-3158 or geof.hewitt@state.vt.us for a registration form. Registration deadline is May 2, but early registrations are a kindness to us all! $75 covers everything, including lunch; if you qualify for the Õ07 TCÕs discount or if you are retired, you need pay only $45.

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Montpelier Media Artist Captures NWP-VT Slam

Roger Crowley, a teacher/photographer/audio specialist, brought his equipment to Langdon Street CafŽ in November to film and record the poetry slam sponsored by our Õ07 Summer Fellows. Some great shots and voices of our fellow Fellows and other slammers who vied for the fabulous prizes are yours for the clicking on: http://homepage.mac.com/crowleyvt/ASHOW/PS/index.html

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VT Senators Sign for NWP Funding

Because the Bush administration has proposed zero funding for the National Writing Project, it is very important that all of us work

closely with our congressional offices to explain the importance of the NWP.

Last week a Dear Colleague letter was sent to every member of the Senate, circulated by Senators Rockefeller (D-WV), Snowe (R-ME), and Bingaman (D-NM). Colleagues are invited to add their signatures to the letter in support of a $30 million appropriation for the National Writing Project. Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) have already signed the letter. Thanks, Bernie and Pat!

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Vote With Your Voice! Thank Bernie and Pat, and Contact Peter Welch

Vote with your voice: Vermont U.S. Senators, Bernie Sanders and Pat Leahy, signed a Dear Colleague letter in support of continued NWP funding. Write or call to thank them and let them know that you value the NWP.

To email Bernie Sanders, use the comment form on http://sanders.senate.gov/comments/. Senator SandersÕ Washington number is (202) 224-5141. Call Pat Leahy in Washington at (202) 224-4242 or toll free in Vermont at (800) 642-3193. Email him at senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov.

Now is the time to contact Peter Welch and encourage him to support NWP. You can call him in Vermont toll free at (888) 605-7270 or in Washington at (202) 225-4115. Email him by going to the following website and filling out the email form: http://www.house.gov/formwelch/issue_subscribe.htm. NWP has not yet sent a House Dear Colleague letter, but it is coming. Once that letter is sent, the following instructions (which currently refer to the Senate letter) are a guide for advocating for the NWP:

GUIDE FOR MAKING CALLS AND SENDING EMAILS TO YOUR LEGISLATORS

NWPÕs Web page (on NWPi), ÒSupporting the NWP,Ó includes a copy of the 2008 Senate Dear Colleague letter and supporting materials. Please note that page seven of the Advocacy Toolkit provides the most up-to-date information on NWPÕs impact, which can be used to guide your communications with policymakers.

1. Go to http://www.nwp.org

2. Log in to NWP Interactive (NWPi) in the right column of the page underneath NWPÕs interactive map. (Note: You must have an NWPi account, which is free and open to anyone interested in joining.)

3. Click on ÒSupporting the NWPÓ in the middle of the page to find the information you need.

4. Call your legislatorsÕ Washington, D.C. offices. You can find contact information for your senator by entering your zip code on the

following website: http://www.senate.gov. You may also contact Kelsey Krausen at 510-642-8816 or kkrausen@nwp.org.

5. Ask to speak to your senatorÕs education aide. Ask your legislator to support the NWP by signing the Dear Colleague letter. If your

senator or the aide has not seen the letter, you may fax a copy to the office.

FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR SENATOR

DonÕt forget to follow up and be persistent. You are a constituent; your senator wants to hear about the issues that are important to you!

Please let us know when you make your calls and tell us what response you get. We will keep you up to date as legislators sign the letter.

We are proud that our program has bipartisan support and we want to thank you in advance for all of the great work that you do for this effort. If you have any questions, donÕt hesitate to contact Kelsey at the number or email above.

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The Summer Institute, or So Much Depends UponÉ

Not a red wheelbarrow, this time, but youÕve heard this before, too. We need you reach out to talented colleagues and encourage them to apply for the Invitational Summer Institute. Please take a moment today to forward nomineesÕ names and addresses (both U.S. mail and email) to summerinstitute@nwpvt.org. You might also refer them to the web page (http://nwpvt.org/institute.html) for more details and directions about how to apply.

We continue to receive applications, but there is still room for more fellows in this summerÕs cohort. The preferred application deadline is March 1, followed by an informational session on Friday, March 14. We would love to add the voices of some alumni to this gathering, so if youÕd like to join us, drop Julia Hewitt a note at summerinstitute@nwpvt.org. WeÕll begin at 4 p.m. at the State Department of Education in Montpelier, and be finished before 6.

Summer Institute Dates to Note:

May 16 – 17: Summer Institute Orientation. On Saturday afternoon, weÕd love to have some NWP-VT teacher consultants join us to welcome our 2008 new group. Again, let Julia know: summerinstitute@nwpvt.org.

July 7 – 31: Invitational Summer Institute. YouÕre always welcome to stop by. Let us know when youÕll be coming so we can brew an extra cup of coffee and copy another demo packet or two.

July 30: VisitorsÕ Day. Invite your colleagues to join you in this celebration of the Summer Institute and the first recruitment effort for the summer of 2009. Lunch will be provided.

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Reminder: Advanced Institute

Come help us for a week in June to plan to expand the Study Group program. If you or your administrators are interested, please be in touch with Cate Lamb or Tish McGonegal (sitedirector@nwpvt.org).

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Reminder: Young WritersÕ Program

Hartford Memorial Middle School is offering a summer Young WritersÕ Program. You can, too! Contact the NWP office at sitedirector@nwpvt.org to set up a Young Writers Program at your school this summer.

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ThereÕs still time to sign up: April 3-4 Spring NWP Meeting in D.C.

HereÕs a great opportunity to thank Bernie and Pat in person for their support of the NWP. Check out the details on the NWP website. NWP-VT has some money to help defray travel expenses, and your school may have travel funds to send you after these leadership resources. Contact Tish at sitedirector@nwpvt.org.

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Summer Programs Organizing

More opportunities are blossoming for NWP-VT work this June and July. Our site is currently contracting with Educational Service Agencies in four parts of the state, and we hope to build short summer workshops and programs. Be in touch with Tish, sitedirector@nwpvt.org, or Cate if you are interested in helping with any of these programs.

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Letter Writers

Thanks to everyone who contacted Bernie Sanders and Pat Leahy in support of the NWP! Our funding only continues because you continue to exercise your voice. Thank you!

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Got News?

Send us your updates, personal and professional! We like to hear how NWPers spend their time when theyÕre writing and when theyÕre notÉemail newsletter@nwpvt.org.

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Contact UsÉ

Visit our website at http://www.nwpvt.org.

Address: 201 Mann Hall, 208 Colchester Ave., UVM, Burlington, VT 05405

Telephone: (802)656-3935

Email: sitedirector@nwpvt.org

Director: Patricia McGonegal

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