TRAER – On Friday, Sept. 13, students at North Tama Community School District celebrated the 15th anniversary of International Dot Day as has become school tradition. The global celebration was founded 15 years ago by the late Terry Shay who taught K-12 Music at North Tama for 33 years prior to his retirement.

“International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book “The Dot” on September 15, 2009,” the official website for the international event states. “[The book chronicles] the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to ‘make her mark.’ What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe.”

Both the elementary grades and K-12 Art students at North Tama participated in the inspirational celebration this year. Thank you to kindergarten teacher Anne Turner for contributing the Dot Day photos!

International Dot Day is celebrated annually worldwide on or about Sept. 15 in recognition of the fact Reynolds’ book was first published on Sept. 15, 2003.