Readers And Writers, Listen Up!

**IMPORTANT NOTE: Having gone through so much in my life while struggling with illness, I have come to realize the utmost importance of having people by your side during difficulties.  Reach out to a parent, a teacher, a friend, a loved one.  Reach out to me, to anyone.  There are always people to talk to.  Talking is life saving.  Don’t wait.  Talk now.  The closer you will be to finding hope and healing.

MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LINE:  In Ottawa: 613-722-6914  /  1-866-996-0991

ROYAL OTTAWA MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE:  613-722-6521 

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MY BOOK LAUNCH IS “STILL” JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!

 

ATTENTION ALL!!!  My new book has finally arrived!  With its beautiful full-paged coloured illustrations, SALLY is the heartwarming story of the friendship between a teenaged boy and a homeless woman demonstrating the extreme necessity of compassion and acceptance for one another, especially in times of suffering or isolation.  We are never truly alone.  Sally was written for youth to adult in 2005 during my difficult battles with mental illness.  My launch at St. Patrick’s has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.  Sally sells for exactly $20 and is appropriate for any age.  I will keep you posted on a launch date here, on my Facebook Page, and on Twitter.

 

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MY FIFTH BOOK IS ON IT’S WAY – UNITED TOGETHER: REFLECTIONS OF OUR LIVES – an anthology of works written over two years in a long-term care home for those who suffer from mental and physical ailments.  An author, 8 mental health advocates, and 14 writers have come together to produce an inspiring collection of short stories, biographies and poems.  It is guaranteed to join in the fight against mental illness stigma and encourage hope and healing for all those who read these wonderful written works.  We are all capable of great things when we are accepted.  Thumbs up to my amazing residents for all of their hard work.  It has definitely paid off!

DATE OF RELEASE: I anticipate the release in summer of 2016. 

EXCITING NEWS: I am pleased to announce that United Together received its first official endorsement from the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.  It will now be sent to the Mental Health Commission of Canada for a second endorsement before going to my publisher.

 

READING & WRITING PRESENTATIONS ARE NOW IN FULL FORCE!

Presentations are currently being booked.  I present to groups in PRIMARY, JUNIOR, INTERMEDIATE and HIGH SCHOOL.  I will also do WORKSHOPS with individual classes.  As well, I have begun parent presentations where the focus is discussing the “why” and “how” of reading and writing, the connections between them, and why efforts at home are essential in building these skills.  This talk includes many resources and one-on-one homework tips to try with your child.  If you are interested in having me speak to your school to speak to students or parents, please contact me through the CONTACT CHRIS page and I will send you more information.  I hope to meet you soon!  There is no limit to what your students can achieve by succeeding in reading and writing.  The more you read, the better you write.  The more you write, the better you read.  It’s that simple, but it takes practice.  Like they say, practice makes … some pretty darn good writers and readers!  Invite students to join me on a journey through The Colourful World Of Reading And Writing, as they learn tried and true techniques that will strengthen their skills in both reading and writing.  I will also introduce them to a chart that is sure to end writer’s block forever!  It’s time to find a love of writing and reading through the tales and adventures of an author who’s been there, done that, and will do more.

 

REFERENCES FOR READING & WRITING PRESENTATIONS

 

DECEMBER, 2015 – ST. JAMES ELEMENTARY – Elizabeth Dean (principal) – elizabeth.dean@ocsb.ca [13 COPIES OF SALLY SOLD!]

DECEMBER, 2015 – ST. MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE – Kim Giles (principal) – kimberly.giles@ocsb.ca

DECEMBER, 2015 – ST. BERNARD ELEMENTARY – Richard Chaplinky (principal) – richard.chaplinsky@ocsb.ca

**NOVEMBER, 2015 – ST. PHILIP ELEMENTARY (**NOTE: KIDS MENTAL HEALTH PRESENTATION) – Lori-Ann Richards (vice-principal) lori-ann.richards@ocsb.ca / Sean Hadskis (teacher) sean.hadskis@ocsb.ca  [8 COPIES OF SALLY SOLD!]

NOVEMBER, 2015 – ST. GEORGE ELEMENTARY – Tim Slack (principal) – tim.slack@ocsb.ca

NOVEMBER, 2015 – ST. CLARE – Lise Powell (principal) lise.powell@ocsb.ca

OCTOBER, 2015 – ST. ROSE OF LIMA – Joan Barry (principal) – joan.barry@ocsb.ca

MAY, 2015 – ST. ANTHONY ELEMENTARY – Paul McGuire (principal) – paul.mcguire@ocsb.ca

MAY, 2015 – OUR LADY OF VICTORY – Elaine Phinney (principal) – elaine.phinney@ocsb.ca

MAY, 2015 – ST. GABRIEL ELEMENTARY – Jane Hill (principal) – jane.hill@ocsb.ca

APRIL, 2015 – ST. EMILY ELEMENTARY – Susan Greenman (teacher librarian) – susan.greenman@ocsb.ca

APRIL, 2015 – CORPUS CHRISTI ELEMENTARY – Joanne Kennedy (acting principal) – joanne.kennedy@ocsb.ca

APRIL, 2015 – ST. LEONARD ELEMENTARY – Cathy Faux (principal) – cathy .faux@ocsb.ca

MARCH, 2015 – OUR LADY OF FATIMA – Mike Keeler (principal) – michael.keeler@ocsb.ca

MARCH, 2015 – McMASTER ELEMENTARY – Jennifer Grant (principal) – jennifer.grant@ocsb.ca

MARCH, 2015 – ST. MICHAEL FITZROY ELEMENTARY – Justin Nolan (Acting Principal) – justin.nolan@ocsb.ca

MARCH, 2015 – HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY – Aileen Kromrey (Resource teacher) – aileen.kromrey@ocsb.ca

JANUARY, 2015 – DR. F.J. McDONALD ELEMENTARY – Mary Murphy-Semenchuk (principal) – mary.murphy-semenchuk@ocsb.ca /  Line Joyal-Culbertson (Teacher) – line.joyal-culbertson@ocsb.ca / Julie Seguin (Teacher) – julie.seguin@ocsb.ca

JANUARY, 2015 – ST. JOHN PAUL II – Sean Crookshank (principal) – sean.crookshank@ocsb.ca

NOVEMBER, 2014 – GUARDIAN ANGELS ELEMENTARY – Chris Gauthier (Teacher) – chris.gauthier@ocsb.ca

OCTOBER, 2014 – MONSIGNOR PAUL BAXTER ELEMENTARY – Ann Louise Revells (Principal) – ann.louise.revells@ocsb.ca /  Sean Haughian (Teacher) – sean.haughian@ocsb.ca

MAY, 2014 – ST. PATRICK’S ELEMENTARY – Shannon Oxley (Teacher) –  shannon.oxley@ocsb.ca

EXCITING NEWS FOR “BOOK CLUB” LOVERS!

Over the last year, my book has been read by 3 different book clubs.  They have had the opportunity to read my story, review it, and share their opinions with others in their club.  Feedback on my book has been amazing so far, and book clubs have had the opportunity to meet with the author (ME!) following their read, to share their feedback and ask questions.  Thus far, this has been very successful.  The third book club is currently reading and I will be meeting with them in March.  If your book club is interested in reading my story, you can contact me through the contact page under “Contact Chris”.  I look forward to hearing from you!  Oh, and there’s a discount on my books as well!  Happy reading!

REFERENCES: 

Janice Barclay (Ottawa Catholic School Board).  She can be reached at janice.barclay@ocsb.ca

Angie Reshitnyk (Ottawa Catholic School Board).  She can be reached at angie.reshitnyk@ocsb.ca