Suggested Programs, Cost & Expenses

Janie Lynn Panagopoulos

PO Box 704

Roscoe, Illinois 61073-0704

Author@prodigy.net

Information 2007-2008 School Year

PROGRAMS: GRADE K-2

Some schools like to include all grades in an author visit and since I have two picture books concerning history for Lower L - A Place Called Home & Castle at the Straits, including these grades in their own program is not a problem.  For K-2, I do a 30 minute program designed to address their needs. WHAT I NEED: 8 ft table, tall stool and microphone.  LIMITS:  comfortable assembly set-up, numbers to be determined by school.

GRADE 3-6

MAKING HISTORY COME ALIVE! This 60 minute program is designed to give students an overview of research and how I pull a story together.  This is the most popular selection for schools and includes time for Q & A. WHAT I NEED: 8 ft table, tall stool and microphone. LIMITS: comfortable assembly set-up.

GRADE 3 - 4

WRITING PRACTICE  This program works best with 90 minutes.  This program is an overview on the elements of writing, along with the practice of character development. WHAT I NEED: Classroom set up, student with desk space, paper & pencils for students, plenty of board space to write on, tall stool, teacher supervision.         LIMITS: 50 students per program.

 GRADE 4-8

WRITING PRACTICE 90-120 minute program designed to fit age level and maturity of group.  Overview of writing elements and the development of a historically based story set in your community.  Pre-visit research: a list of historically based questions will be sent for you to research with the class, answers to these questions will be used in the story to be written after my visit.  Writing practice based on a framework, major characters, setting & plot will be decided upon by the group vote.  Students will need to finish story on their own or during class time provided by teacher.  I will also give suggestions to create after stories are finished an author reading/signing celebration, if requested.  WHAT I NEED: Classroom set-up, student desk space, paper & pencils for students, plenty of board space to write on, tall stool, teacher supervision. LIMITS: 50 students per program.

 GRADE 3-8

BOOK TALK 60 minute program, basic overview of books, students are invited to ask pre-selected questions concerning the books, writing, research.  If all questions are asked I will take open questions from audience if time permits.  WHAT I NEED: 8 ft table, tall stool and microphone.  LIMITS: Comfortable assembly seating.

GRADES 3-8

DISTANT LEARNING PROGRAMS  Full day of programming.  If your school district participates in the Distant Learning program or ASK program,  I will be happy to work with you in meeting your needs for an “in studio” author visit. If you have Distant Learning but do not participate with ASK please contact me to set-up a possible video connect.

 ADULT PROGRAMS Conferences, social organizations, libraries, local radio, local television, newspaper interviews, book signing at local book stores.  If I am visiting your community for a residency, I will be happy to make myself available for any of these possible settings.  Since I am a guest in your community it is impossible for me to be aware of any of these contacts.  If you have suggestions or ideas for any of these events, please call your local contact to see if they might be interested and have them contact me at Pandex@prodigy.net or email for phone numbers.  I appreciate any of these opportunities to present in your community as long as time permits.  Thanks!

 RESIDENCY PROGRAMS  I am available in 3-14 day visits, designed to include many/all schools within a district.  Programs must be coordinated in advance of the visit and contracted with all information on each school including maps.  Due to the popularity of this program-districts desiring this  format will be given priority on my calendar.  Please limit the number of schools visited per day to two  schools.

 INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS  If your school is over 60 miles from my home please book a room for me at a local hotel the night before the program so I will be fresh and prepared to work with your students.

 PROGRAM PRICE LIST

HALF-DAY SESSION   May include assemblies by grade level or full school (by grade level allows for a better program focus), classroom writing program or history program.  NO multi-school programs with half-day session.  A half-day session consists of two one-hour programs and possibly an additional 30 minute program for Lower L.  PRICE: Email for price plus expenses (mileage at .48 cents per mile - to and from the program, meals & hotel). If not in residency programs should start at or after 10:00 a.m. for travel and set-up time.

 FULL- DAY SESSION   May include assemblies, classroom visits, writing programs, etc.. A full-day session consists of four one-hour programs or two writing programs.  PRICE: Email for price plus expenses (mileage at .48 cents per mile - to and from the program, meals & hotel). If not in residency programs should start at or after 10:00 a.m. for travel and set-up time.

 Mileage Expense: .48 cents per mile to and from location.  If a residency, I will invoice at end of program.  If day visit, I will give total at end of day.  I generally use an on-line service to acquire map and mileage not my odometer reading which might include my personal driving.

Meal Expense: Lunch is generally provided by the schools. I am not opposed to a school lunch.  If in residency, I generally am given $25.00 per diem or will turn my bills in with an invoice at the end of the program stay.

Hotel: (Non-Smoking room only, direct billing) Please select lodging in a location central to most of the schools I will be visiting.  Even though I love Bed & Breakfast lodging, unless this is all that is available, I prefer a commercial hotel as most B&Bs do not have phone service or free internet connection.  Also, most B&Bs will make your breakfast per their specifications or schedule and it often doesn’t work for earl school visits or dietary needs.  Also, if possible please book in a hotel that has a restaurant attached as I am generally unfamiliar with your community and am not sure where to eat and if booked in the winter months it is often difficult to get around.

Flight Arrangements: I will make my own arrangements with supervision of coordinator to stay within budget.

Transportation: If in residency and I fly to your community, I will need transportation.  Transportation can be a car rental or a private loaner.

SNOW DAYS!!!!  If I am already on the road for a program or in residency and a “Snow Day” is called the school will be responsible for the days expenses and the program will be rescheduled for the next day (if possible) or the next available calendar opening.  If in residence, we can try to “schedule in” the missed programs in the current schedule if possible.  If the program is regional the school will need to notify me before I leave my residence to change that day’s program without incurring expenses.  I am generally up by 4:30, my home/cell phone: Email for phone numbers…  Please use both numbers to try to contact me.

 DIETARY WOES!!!!  If I visit your school for a full day or am in residency and travel between schools in your district, I will be eating lunch with you.  Unfortunately I have some food allergies and I have to be careful what I eat.  I can have NO butter, cheese, sour cream or milk whey products... This means I am very limited to “generally” a plain salad with no cheese, croutons, or dressing (except plain oil and vinegar or a “red” French).  I can eat no bakery items unless made specifically with soy products (This is a real pain to me too!). I can eat fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, plain deli meat, boiled eggs and anything with soy products.  I don’t expect the school to cater to my personal needs but just want you to be aware that I will turn down that beautiful baked lasagna dish and those wonderful donuts and fabulous desserts and stick to a boring salad and possibly a few Saltines (because I must).   

 MISCELLANEOUS

General programs run 60-90 minutes, Lower L runs 30 minutes (K-2),Writing Projects 90-120 minutes.

· Assemblies: group over 100 should selected one student representative per class to ask questions.  Class questions should be decided upon and written down prior to programs.  Questions should center around history, writing, the books or other appropriate questions .