Throughout the year, the Rendell Center delivers special programs that are based on fresh content, current events and civic holidays.
March 11 & 12, 2025
During Civic Learning Week, we will feature two special Read Alouds to celebrate Good Citizenship
Salute to First Responders Read Aloud
Benjamin Franklin described volunteer firefighters as “Brave Men, Men of Spirit and Humanity, good Citizens, or Neighbors, capable and worthy of civil Society and the Enjoyment of a happy Government”. There are more than are 29,000 Fire Departments in the United States, with 1.1+ million firefighters. And nearly 70% of these first responders are volunteers. They are great examples of Citizenship in Action!
What to Expect:
Firefighters will actively engage in a Virtual Read Aloud Session with your students from the firehouse. They will read the book Sprinkles, the Fire Dog by Frank Viscuso, discuss the history of volunteer firefighting and how to become an engaged citizen. The program can be tailored to meet your needs. Average length of time is 45 minutes. Firefighters will also answer questions from the students about firefighting. Space is limited so register today.
Citizenship in Action
Mahatma Gandhi said “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” in this Civic Learning Week Read Aloud, our second book offers a wonderful platform to discuss giving back and being a good citizen.
What to expect:
Join Members of ABOTA and the Pennsylvania Bar Association as they read the book Carl the Complainer by Michelle Knudsen and discuss Citizenship in Action.
Join Us For One of Our Sessions!
Register below
Note: We’re doing something new this month. We’ve added a second Zoom meeting for each time slot. When you sign up, you will be assigned one of the two. Someone else can sign up at the same time for the other session; they are wholly separate.
Register as a Teacher
Civic Learning Week
Click Here to register your classroom for a reading
If you are a lawyer or firefighter and would like to read to a classroom, please email bspecker@rendellcenter.org.
Read Alouds selected for Civic Learning Week
What Teachers Have Said about the Read Aloud Program:
“Thank you very much for this special opportunity. We were awestruck by the presenters.”
“Thank you so much for such an exciting
story time.”
What ABOTA Members Have Said about the Read Aloud Program:
“Thank you for allowing me to participate today – the students were wonderful and asked great questions!”
“I was really looking forward to my reading and I’m glad I did it. The experience was even better than I anticipated. I’d love to do it again.”