The Schnader Theatre at  Roschel Performing Arts Center, Franklin & Marshall College

From October 2010 through April 2011, students from Lancaster’s public elementary and middle schools have been studying and writing poetry inspired by our city. Help celebrate their work at our 2nd annual Kids Poetry Reading, featuring:

• Original poetry and art by 60+ students from Burrowes, Lafayette, King, Wharton and Reynolds schools
• Words from our Poet in the Schools, Barbara Strasko
• Live performances by Heads Up Lancaster Junkyard Drumming Group, Music for Everyone Lancaster Community Chorus, and the Washington Elementary String Ensemble
• Light refreshments to follow

The theatre is located on the west side of College Ave between New and Frederick Streets. Click here for map. Free street parking.

Free and open to the public.

**ALSO, COME TO RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THIS YEAR’S KIDS POETRY JOURNAL, 97 hot-off-the-press pages of original poetry and art

Today, 50 fourth graders and their teachers (Stacy Herr and Wendy Weaver) from Wharton Elementary walked down the street to the Lancaster Arts Hotel to learn about the intertwining of art, music and poetry. Local artist, Claire Giblin showed her work and local musicians, Loretta Bilieux and Chad Kinsey, performed, both sharing how poetry affects their work and how their work in turn gives birth to poetry. Back in the classroom, our Poet in the Schools, Barbara Strasko, then lead the students in poetry workshops throughout the week, building on this topic.

Barbara Buckman Strasko was the Poet Laureate of Lancaster County 2009-10, appointed by The Lancaster Literary Guild. In 2009, she was named Teacher of the Year by River of Words, an International Environmental Poetry & Art Contest for Youth. Find her complete bio here.

"Migration of Negro #1" by Jacob Lawrence

This week, about 50 students at Martin Luther King Elementary School participated in a Poetry Paths workshop on the themes of the underground railroad, migration and empowerment. Provocative images from Jacob Lawrence’s ‘Migration Series’ created a visual story the students thoughtfully responded to.

We are grateful to Mrs. Ritter and Mr. Rodriguez, 5th grade teachers, as well as Ms. Schmid, instructional coach, for helping to make this happen.

Barbara Buckman Strasko was the Poet Laureate of Lancaster County 2009-10, appointed by The Lancaster Literary Guild. In 2009, she was named Teacher of the Year by River of Words, an International Environmental Poetry & Art Contest for Youth. Find her complete bio here.

There are seeds in you. You can plant your seed with grace in a simple garden.

These were the first lines from Ciara Landron’s poem, “Lessons from a Green Roof,” composed under the tutelage of our Poet in the Schools, Barbara Strasko. The 4th grade classes of Mrs. Hutchinson and Ms. Kozell, are fortunate enough to have brand new rooms close to the school’s impressive green roof installed last fall. Before picking up their pencils, the students heard from several visitors:  Tashya Dalen, eco-designer, talked about the watershed, Fritz Shroeder, from Live Green, shared why green roofs are valuable, and Ron Strasko, from Creek Hill Nursery, handed out small sedum plants, explaining how a green roof is built.

Barbara Buckman Strasko was the Poet Laureate of Lancaster County 2009-10, appointed by The Lancaster Literary Guild. In 2009, she was named Teacher of the Year by River of Words, an International Environmental Poetry & Art Contest for Youth. Find her complete bio here.