Clearing the Spring 2010
I’m going out to clean the pasture spring;
I’ll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):
I shan’t be gone long.—You come too.
--Robert Frost
NEW JERSEY TEACHERS: Join us for Clearing the Spring—poetry exploration groups that meet for three weeks, are led by Dodge Poets and offered to New Jersey teachers from all grade levels throughout the state.
Clearing the Spring is based on the first three sessions of the popular six-week series, Clearing the Spring, Tending the Fountain, which the Dodge Poetry Program has offered since 1992. Sessions focus on the offering and sharing of poems in a non-judgmental, open and safe atmosphere. Participants are allowed once again to immerse themselves in the pure 
pleasure of reading and listening to poetry.
Perhaps you have received our Clearing the Spring, Tending the Fountain invitations before, or have heard from colleagues about their experiences, but simply couldn’t fit the six weekly sessions into your schedule. Or perhaps you joined us last year for our one-session model, Giving Voice, and are interested in a deeper immersion in the experience.
Clearing the Spring offers the perfect opportunity for you to sample the Clearing the Spring, Tending the Fountain experience hundreds of New Jersey teachers have found deeply rewarding. Read what 2010 participants had to say about their experience.
Offered free to New Jersey teachers, Clearing the Spring sessions meet once a week for three weeks, for two-and-a-half hours. Sessions are conveniently located in almost every county in the state, on a variety of weeknights and Saturday mornings during the spring. View map of site locations.
Writing is not a requirement for participation.
Professional Development Hours
Earn up to 13 professional development hours with participation in the Common Gathering on Saturday, May 8, which brings participants from all 18 sites together for a day-long event. (In April, participants will receive an invitation to register for the Common Gathering).
Attendance
Groups are intimate, usually with no more than twelve participants, and seats are in demand. If you register and then discover you cannot attend, please notify us at poetryprogram@grdodge.org, to make space available for other participants.
Application Procedure
- On-line registration begins March 1.
- With intimate groups of 12 or less, sessions will fill quickly, and registration closes on March 19, so register early!
- Applications must include current school affiliation.
- Applications which include a second site choice increase the odds of being registered.
- Go to Reg-On-Line to register for Clearing the Spring 2010.
- A modest registration fee of $10 will help us defray the cost of the on-line registration service.
Registration Criteria
- Highest priority will be given to first-time applicants.
- All other applicants will be prioritized by registration date.
- Notification of registration status will be mailed by March 29.
Click on the map to enlarge.
Please write to us at poetryprogram@grdodge.org
should you have any questions.
