Sant Bani School celebrates writing

Published in the Concord Monitor

The Sant Bani School community took part in Writers Festival on April 12 with a day-long celebration of reading, writing, books and creativity. Activities included students sharing their own writing in mixed-age groups as well as workshops on a variety of topics including nature poems, sports writing, story maps, beeswax story characters, upstanding statements, illuminated characters, and book making.

Special guest author and Newbery Award winner Jack Gantos was a highlight of the day. Gantos spent the day on campus, spoke to students, drew his popular character Rotten Ralph, and signed copies of his books for students and teachers.

“Jack was not only inspiring,” said Jess Pine, director of curriculum and program, “He had actionable strategies to help students improve their writing.”

Sant Bani School was also pleased to welcome middle school students from Plymouth Elementary School and high school students from New Hampton School who joined in the day’s festivities.

The day-long celebration of writing concluded with an evening event for families. Students and their parents worked together on a variety of writing activities designed to encourage families to have fun reading and writing together.

The day was a big success, or as one second grader put it, “I don’t have time for lunch – I need to keep writing!”