Thursday, July 2, 2020

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." John Dewey

  





I live in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, PA.  Like much of the rest of the country, our stores and restaurants were closed down for about 3 months during the pandemic. Thanks to increased COVID 19 numbers surging, all restaurants, bars, and casinos will close at midnight tonight for one week, So many small business owners are struggling to keep their businesses alive; the entire scenario is heartbreaking.  No graduations, no wedding receptions, no funeral gatherings, no anniversary parties, nothing.

What will happen when school begins again?

Pediatricians say that kids NEED to be in school. They believe that in-school personal instruction is more important than COVID 19.  School provides much more than instruction -  many kids eat two meals a day at school;  school is the place where kids learn social behavior and leadership skills; and school is the place to find friends and a mentor, just to name a few. Yet, I am afraid of what will happen when school begins, in fact, I am terrified that so many children will become ill and take the infection home to parents, grandparents, and siblings. 

I have no answer,  I have read so much about the pandemic of 1918, and in some ways, this one is similar.  But even the scientists can't make a foolproof prediction about what will happen, so I surely don't know. 

I want kids to be back to school for so many reasons. I hope it can happen.

To read the article in the LA Times regarding pediatricians' advice about school, here is the link: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-03/coronavirus-school-return-risks 

 As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rittman Publishing, LLC ®


Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com  and a company called www.StreamableLearning.com GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.




Visit Dede's web page for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required readingSigned copies are available  www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics. 


I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books.  Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self.  However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired! 

Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom.  Check them out!  http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/ 

Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book.  I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading.  Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com  The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!
 Please like Dede's new page Grady Gets Glasses for updates about her children's book. https://www.facebook.com/gradygetsglasses?ref=hl 

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