Flat Stanley Visits Genesee Community College

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GCC president, Dr. Stuart Steiner with Karin Kovach-Allen and Flat Stanley

BATAVIA, NY (03/29/2010)(readMedia)-- Jet-setting, world traveling, Flat Stanley has recently visited with Genesee Community College president, Dr. Stuart Steiner. Part of a national writing program for elementary students, the Flat Stanley Project was brought to Genesee by Dr. Karin Kovach-Allen, dean of Human Communications and Behavior at the College. Karin was sent Flat Stanley by her niece, second grade student, Abryanna from Port St. Lucie Renaissance Charter School in Florida.

In 1995, Dale Hubert, a third grade teacher in London, Ontario, Canada, began the Flat Stanley Project. He invited other teachers to take part by hosting flat visitors and to encourage their students to write their own Flat Stanley journals. Students' written work goes to other places by conventional mail or e-mail. Students make paper Flat Stanleys and begin a journal with him for a few days. Then Flat Stanley and the journal are sent to various locations where the hosts treat Flat Stanley as a guest and complete the journal. Flat Stanley and the journal are then returned to the original sender. Students can plot his travels on maps and share the contents of the journal. Often, a Flat Stanley returns with a pin, postcard or photographs from his visit.

Dr. Kovach-Allen will also be taking Flat Stanley to Niagara Falls while he is in town visiting. She will compose a journal about his activities during his stay in Western, NY, and return him, along with the journal entries back to her niece when his travels are complete.

"It was so kind of Dr. Steiner to support this elementary reading and writing project," Karin Kovach-Allen said. "The College community understands the importance of instilling good writing habits at a young age. Plus, what other Flat Stanley has had the opportunity to meet with a college president!"

Flat Stanley has traveled around the globe visiting with various dignitaries, celebrities, politicians and athletes. For more information on the Flat Stanley project or to view all of his world travels, visit www.FlatStanleyProject.com . For further details please contact Karin Kovach-Allen at 585-343-0055 ext 6298.

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