We’re All in this Together: “Connecting the Dots” This International Dot Day

International Dot Day is almost here, and we’re looking forward to the festivities! Though Dot Day may look different for many this year, we’re keeping the spirit of this important holiday alive with a remote celebration encouraging everyone to #MakeYourMark no matter where you are in the world.

This global celebration of creativity, courage, and compassion began in 2009 when creative educator Terry Shay introduced his students to FableVision founder and award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’ The Dot, a book celebrating self-discovery and letting your creativity bloom. Since then, Dot Day has been a way for millions of people around the world to connect, collaborate, and celebrate each year.

The theme for this year is “Connecting the Dots!” to show that even when we’re physically apart, “we’re all in this together.” This year is also particularly special because Dot Day 2020 will be held in honor of longtime Dot Connector and Dot Day champion Bill Norris. This year’s remote celebration, “Dots for Light,” will be dedicated to Bill, celebrating the mark he made around the world with his love and creativity. 

In his honor, everyone is invited to join in on the “Dots for Light” activity, which will not only allow families and friends to be connected during these unprecedented times, but also honor the memory of Bill and the light he brought to the world.

Click the image above to download the Instagram template.

Click the image above to download the full page template PDF.

Here’s how you join in:

• 1. Download a template above and create your dot (digital or on the printed sheet).

• 2. Upload a photo or the digital dot to a social media platform. Be sure to tag @dotclubconnect on Twitter, @internationdotday on Instagram, or their Facebook.

• 3. To add your mark to the Dot Day grid, please use the hashtag #InternationalDotDay and #DotsforLight.

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 Are you ready to celebrate International Dot Day 2020? 

To learn more about this year’s Dot Day celebrations and the history of Dot Day, visit the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning, and Creativity’s blog and register at The Dot Club.

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And don’t miss Skype in the Classroom and Candlewick Press’ virtual Dot Day celebration! Join for a live event and Q&A with Peter.

Event details:
September 16 at 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT)

Click here to join.

The Bill Norris Memorial Scholarship Fund

The FableVision family suffered a devastating loss last month when FableVisionary and longtime “Dot Connector” Bill Norris passed away suddenly. The outpouring of love and memories that FableVision and Bill’s family and friends have received from around the world truly shows the deep and enduring impact Bill had on everyone he met and connected with.

Bill joined FableVision after 22 years as an elementary and middle school teacher, Title I director, and district leader in Watertown, Massachusetts, and senior project director at MCET. He held a degree in elementary education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, two advanced degrees from Lesley University in curriculum design and administration, and a certificate in organizational development from Bentley College. 

As the Senior Project Director at MCET/Mass Interaction and the JASON Foundation for Education, Bill helped bring to life the award-winning FableVision and Research Institute for Learning and Development-created BrainCogs software to support struggling and mainstream learners. At FableVision and the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity, he spent another two decades championing creativity, literacy, and purposeful learning, as well as helping advance the mission of nurturing every learner’s full potential. With his support and tireless efforts, International Dot Day—his favorite day of the year and a global celebration of creativity and courage to make one’s mark—has reached nearly 17 million teachers, librarians, and students in 185 countries. This year Dot Day will be dedicated to Bill, celebrating the mark he made around the world with his love, creativity, and thoughtfulness.

To honor Bill’s memory, The Reynolds Center has established a scholarship fund in his name. Bill believed that everyone deserved the opportunity to reach their full potential, especially those struggling along their journey. Donate now to help continue Bill’s legacy.