Rotella School Rocks/Barks!

Written By: Schmitty The Weather Dog | July 30, 2015
Woofs from Waterbury, CT!

Woofs from Waterbury, CT!

After hearing about the fun STEM assemblies we did in schools in the Hartford area, the Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School in Waterbury, CT ordered Schmitty The Weather Dog: Daydream books for ALL their teachers! Bow Wow! That was the beginning of a semester long STWD school project with the grand finale being moi, Meteorologist Ron, and Author Elly visiting their school. Arf-Arf!

600 students waiting for my Schmitty The Weather Dog Weather/Science Assembly.

600 students waiting for my Schmitty The Weather Dog Weather/Science Assembly.

I must humbly say it was PAWSOME! But hey, don’t just take my word for it. Check out the fun pics and what my new BFF and Rotella’s drama & literacy specialist, Marly Parker had to say:

“Hey Schmitty what do you say?” I know what Rotella says: “We want more!” Our PreK – 5th grade students couldn’t get enough of Schmitty The Weather Dog, Meteorologist Ron Trotta, and Author Elly McGuire. From start to finish, the Schmitty the Weather Dog experience was a BIG success!

 Rotella is so pleased to have chosen the Schmitty The Weather Dog:Daydream book to be a focus on reading and science for our whole school. Every teacher received a book and read it to their students. Teachers from different grades did a multitude of activities with the book. The technology, science, art, classroom, and more teachers integrated the book into their lessons. The anticipation of Schmitty’s arrival was at a peak. When the day finally came, all 600 Rotella students were pumped and only became more excited as they listened to Author Elly’s enthusiasm as she read her book. Then Ron Trotta brought out Schmitty The Weather Dog and the school went crazy! Meteorologist Ron led our school through various songs teaching our PreK – grade 5 students’ weather terms and their meanings as Elly traveled the auditorium with Schmitty assisting in maintaining an engaged atmosphere. We were very lucky to have had Schmitty, Elly, and Ron travel around our school letting every student greet them. Of course, they all knew how to greet her properly because among all of the things taught, how to greet a dog was included!

 As we traveled our school stopping in all 29 classrooms, Schmitty, Elly and Ron were treated to seeing integration of their book in action. One kindergarten class was writing stories about Schmitty and her  2-legged dad. Another class had just drawn portraits of Schmitty. A class in PreK was brainstorming weather words they had learned. One of the PreK students impressively said, “Friction causes lightning!” Ahh, the power of song!

 Then to end our time together Elly and Schmitty signed over 100 books dedicating each one to the student or teacher who purchased it.

 Schmitty, Elly and Ron are a well balanced team: a weather predicting dog, a talented author, and anengaging meteorologist. What more can you ask for?

#Blush!

On stage with a Weather Word wiz student winning one of my STWD buttons! I love my job!

On stage with a Weather Word wiz student winning one of my STWD buttons! I love my job!

Rotella classrooms we visited were like snowflakes - each one cool and unique. Arf-Arf!

Each Rotella classroom we visited were like snowflakes – cool and no two alike. Arf-Arf!

A budding Picasso? Arf-Arf!

A budding Picasso? Arf-Arf!

Look at my weather words! #SoProud

Look at my weather words! #SoProud

Principal Henry poses with Team STWD & another cool classroom in the lobby.  Does that make us lobbyists? BOL!

Principal Henry poses with Team STWD & another cool classroom in the lobby. Does that make us lobbyists? BOL!

In front of my Schmitty The Weather Dog Wall of Fame. #Blush

In front of my Schmitty The Weather Dog Wall of Fame. #Blush

With Principal Henry & Author Elly paw-tographing one of my books for the Rotella Library. It's a lot of work being a STEM star!

With Principal Henry & Author Elly paw-tographing one of my books for the Rotella Library. It’s a lot of work being a STEM star!

A big four paws up for Ms Marly who worked hard before & during our visit to Rotella.  Ms Marly rocks/barks!

A big four paws up for Ms Marly who worked hard before & during our visit to Rotella. Ms Marly rocks/barks!

You have to admit – I’m one lucky dog. I get to wear my really cool New Yorkie clothes and travel all over the USA bringing STEM fun to kids.  Hey, maybe I can come and play at your school sometime?

Arf-Arf,

Schmitty The Weather Dog


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