Details, details, details...

Actual School planning issues:

• From start to finish: I had four different principals before it was all over.
  
• I made the hotel reservation months ahead of time.
  
• Regarding airport pick up, it was easier for Mr. Crutcher to rent a car as he needed to be at another location in Northern VA the next day.
  
• Food: breakfast was provided at the hotel. We had a pizza party during the visit, and then he hit the road. He was a very easy house guest!
  
• Special stuff: Easy: all he needed was a microphone for the gym.
  
• Mr. Crutcher spoke to half of the school during one morning block and the other half during an afternoon block.
  
• During the other two blocks he graciously met with classes that showed an interest in spending time with him, including the reading class from the middle school. Students were required to have read a book by the author and to have a question in mind to ask.
  
• Students who entered the “Lunch with Crutcher” contest by writing about their favorite book or what intellectual freedom meant to them were invited to the pizza party. At this time, students had a chance to have their book signed as well.
• We gave him his quilt at this time and then mailed it back to his home so he did not have to stuff it in a suitcase!
  
• Wrote an introduction for the principal to read before the assemblies.
  
• Microphone: be sure it all works!
  
• Invitations: invite anyone that helped make the day possible: Moore Educational Trust Fund members, teachers, public library staff, school board, newspapers, superintendent and school board employees, librarians from school within the county, school librarians in the surrounding area, parents, and community members.
  
• Keep a three ring binder: low tech but very necessary!
  
• Money: keep all receipts for the grant and keep track of where you are financially (the final bill was much lower than I had expected because the flight and car rental fees were split with the other schools he was visiting).
  
• Remind your staff: over and over and over: keep everyone on top of things so that they know what the schedule will be and what the goals are.
  
• Gym: be sure this is not a problem with gym classes and other events.
  
• Washington Post: The reporter wanted to interview athletes that had read some of the Crutcher books. I had to make a list and contact these students as well as set up a time when they could come to the library to talk to the reporter.
  
• Morning Show: We have a “book of the day” on our morning televised school announcements. Prior to the event all of the Crutcher books were showcased.
  
• Library display: All of the titles were showcased on a colorful library display.
  Biography etc. I shared the author’s biography and additional information with all of the staff.