By Paulette Lash Ritchie, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
SPRING HILL — Suncoast Elementary School had a special guest recently when author Susan V. Bosak visited.
Bosak, who is based in Canada, came to Suncoast on Nov. 12 and read her book, Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom and Wishes, to students.
That was special for the students because this school year is centered on the theme of dreams. At the start of the year, even before students returned, principal Lisa Braithwaite greeted the teachers with the idea.
Later, Braithwaite and assistant principal Charlie Smith went from room to room reading Bosak's book, which, Braithwaite said, has received 11 national awards.
"It was a way for us to be in the classrooms and see the kids," Braithwaite said.
The administrators used the opportunity to talk to the children about goals for themselves and for their classes.
Another activity reflecting the theme was an invitation to kindergarten through Grade 5 classes to decorate their doors, windows or bulletin boards with dreams. One class used dream catchers; another had dreams for the world, and one used dream quotes. The winners were announced with Bosak's visit.
Besides reading her book, Bosak talked to the children about creative writing and the importance of working with others whose talents complement their own. She encouraged the children to dream, believe and think.
Bosak also involved the students in a dream exchange. The children had each written their dreams on a star, and the stars — more than 850 of them — were given to the author to deliver to another school. Bosak gave Suncoast students the dreams from a Catholic school in Ontario so the children could see what those children dream about.
Her visit was sponsored by the Parent-Teacher Association and paid for in part with proceeds from the school's book fairs.
"We've had several authors in the past come to the school," Braithwaite said, clearly pleased with Bosak's visit. "She did a really nice job. She had a lot of positive things to say."