Thanks to a generous donation from the Hopatcong Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (HEPTO), the Durban Avenue School was honored to have a guest author visit on Tues., May 24. Elvira Woodruff led a school-wide assembly on the writing process, editing, and publishing process along with highlighting her “George Washington’s Socks” and “George Washington’s Spy” books!  Participants even learned about her numerous odd jobs that led her to her final career as a children’s author.

All classes participated in a school-wide door decorating contest to win VIP seating at this year’s assembly.  Mr. Venturino’s fourth grade class and Mrs. Catizone’s fifth grade class earned these front row seats.  Venturino’s class door depicted “The Battle of Yorktown;” Catizone’s class door represented “Paul Revere’s Ride”.

Following the assembly, Woodruff stayed to personally hand out all pre-ordered, autographed books that the students had ordered earlier in the year.  Each student had their own time to meet the author, ask questions and have their picture taken with her.

After lunch, Woodruff spent the afternoon hosting two 30-minute assemblies for all fifth grade students to receive more in-depth information on her writing process and to ask questions.