Opportunities for Newark Public High Schools with the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival in October 2016
The Dodge Poetry Festival introduces poets from widely diverse backgrounds, to thousands of Newarkers and beyond. These Dodge Festival poets are extraordinary-participating in live readings and discussions, designed to engage with literature as a living art form. Students and teachers who attend the Festival, have the opportunity to converse directly with writers about their work, their practices and their influences. The personal connection that students and teachers can make to poets and poetry is unique to the Dodge Poetry Festival and presents an innovative way to encourage student reading and writing, and to encourage deep engagement with literature.
The staff of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation places a high priority on including Newark Public School in the 16th Biennial Dodge Poetry Festival. There are three ways to get involved:
- Newark High Schools may request an In-School Mini Festival or School Assembly on Thursday October 20, 2016, featuring 2-4 Festival poets, for a student audience as large as the schools’ auditorium can accommodate. Poets will give readings and do an informal Q & A, engaging with students in a thought provoking way. This mini-festival can be scheduled at no charge to your school. The deadline to request an In-School Mini Festival is Friday, September 23, 2016.
- Newark High Schools may attend the Dodge Poetry Festival in Newark’s Downtown Arts District on Friday, October 21, 2016, which is referred to as High School Student Day, where 200+ schools from New Jersey and beyond are in attendance. High School Student Day is a full day of readings, conversations and open mic events featuring today’s most vibrant and accomplished poets. Pre-registration required. This is offered at no charge. The deadline for registering for High School Student Day is Friday, October 7, 2016.
- All Newark teachers (of any grade level or subject matter) may register* to attend the Festival on Thursday, October 20, 2016. NJ Professional Development Hours are awarded. Sessions will take place at NJPAC and at surrounding downtown Newark venues. Registration is required by Friday, September 30, 2016 (http://www.dodgepoetry.org/festival-events/teacherday/) and entitles teachers to attend all daytime events and/or evening Poetry Reading Sampler.
For more information, please contact Ysabel Y. Gonzalez, vgonzalez@nullgrdodge.org or 973-695-1185