By Paulette Lash Ritchie, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I had a wonderful summer, traveling around and visiting relatives. I enjoyed seeing all of them, even though there was perhaps a little too much pie to sample, but now I am ready to begin visiting schools and putting stories on the Top of the Class page.
If your school has any new programs this year that you wish to share with our readers, contact me. I am also interested in reporting on unusual activities or special events.
Try to give me time to put your event on my calendar and schedule a photographer. It is difficult, if not impossible, to cover an afternoon event I hear about that morning. That is not to say I can't make it to a same-day event. Sometimes it works out, but not usually. The more advance notice I get, the better the chance of newspaper coverage.
The Top of the Class page is also the place to advertise school happenings. I can alert parents about school advisory, PTA, Title I committee or other kinds of meetings. I can let the public know when your school is having a spaghetti dinner, a festival, a parent night and other after activities. Be sure to include time, date and place.
My deadline for Thursday's Top of the Class page is Friday the week before. I need to have time to process requests and contact schools for clarifications, so the Thursday before publication is best.
The education page is a venue to brag about outstanding students or school organizations. I will list students who have won exceptional awards, such as science fair winners, band or chorus honors, or other competitions.
Don't look for honor rolls; I don't have the space (which happily means there are so many students achieving honors).
I won't be able to cover things that every or most schools do, like all the school-level science fairs and honor roll recognitions, unless this year's event is different from other schools in some significant way. It's that space thing.
If you are not sure what to submit or what I can or cannot cover, send it anyway. I can make a determination and let you know. And never get discouraged. I will cover as much as I possibly can.
The best way to reach me is by e-mail. My address is eduritchie@yahoo.com. I can also be reached on my cell, but I prefer you try e-mail first. My cell phone number is (352) 650-0013.
I look forward to visiting every single elementary, middle or high school, public or private this year. I hope to hear from administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, grandparents and even students.
Our schools do amazing things. Let Hernando County know about them.