The Festival of Literary Diversity Festival events designed for students in grades 9-12
The Festival of Literary Diversity features a series of events specifically designed for high school students, accompanied by an Educator Guide which includes pre- and post-event activities designed by fellow educator.
All events designed for school groups will be presented live on our virtual platform May 2-4, 2023 at 10:00am and 12:30pm ET. Events on Thursday, May 4 will be live-streamed from the Rose Theatre. In-person tickets are available for these two events through The Rose Theatre Box Office.
All virtual and live-streamed events will be made available for on-demand viewing on the festival platform within 12-hours of their live presentation. On-demand events will be available to watch and re-watch until June 7, 2023.
While the School Group events are specifically designed for classroom viewing and discussion, teachers are welcome to watch other events in the classroom.
A virtual pass can be purchased for $20 and allows teachers to access the entire virtual festival for use in their classrooms starting May 1. Teachers will also receive a Student Access Login (SAL) which allows virtual and in-person students to view events on their own devices – including through our new festival app — until the platform closes on June 7.
This year, the festival will also host two hybrid events to allow local educators and school groups to join us in-person at the Rose Theatre in Brampton as we livestream events on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 10am and 12:30 ET. Authors will be available following the event for book-signings.
Teachers who wish to bring their class the festival for our in-person school group events on Thursday, May 4 can call the Rose Theatre box office as of March 8 to reserve a spot. Educators can book by phone (905 874 2844 Ext. 62803 or 62804) or they can email boxoffice@brampton.ca.
10 AM ET | INTERVIEW | The Writer’s Life with Zoulfa Katouh (Grade 9-12)
In this Writer’s Life series event Syrian author Zoulfa Katouh discusses her writing process and routine as Kids Coordinator Ardo Omer digs into the journey of writing her debut best-selling young adult novel, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow.
12:30 PM ET | PANEL | Telling Truths (Grade 9-12)
Writing nonfiction can be tricky, especially for emerging writers. In this panel for young people, three memoir writers discuss how they turned their real life stories into a memoir. How do you share those difficult moments? How do you write truthfully without betraying friends and family?
10:00AM ET | PANEL | WRITING COMPELLING CHARACTERS WITH DANIEL ALEMAN
Great characters are a critical part of great stories. In this workshop for young people, young adult author Daniel Aleman explores tips and techniques for creating incredible characters.
12:30PM ET | PANEL | COMPLICATED FAMILIES
Families are messy — which makes them perfect subject matter for great stories and story-telling. In this panel discussion designed for school groups and readers and writers of young adult fiction, three authors discuss the family dynamics in their most recent novels and the process for creating and cultivating believable relatives and relationships.
Thursday, May 4, 2023 – IN-PERSON + VIRTUAL
10:00AM ET | PANEL | GREAT ESCAPES AND EXPECTATIONS (Grades 9-12)
Being a teen can be tough. From managing the weight of expectations to dealing with big topics and world issues, it can feel like life is too big and too much to handle. In this panel designed just for students, four young adult authors discusses the ways reading and writing can be a tool for escape and entertainment, as well as a powerful tool to tackle everyday issues.
12:30PM ET | PRESENTATION | THE SPOKEN WORD SHOWCASE (Grades 9-12)
In our annual teen spoken word showcase, three poets take the mic and present incredible poetry. Hosted by poetry curator The Wild Woman, this event is geared towards high school students.
School Group events at the Festival of Literary Diversity are ideally suited for students grade 9-12 due to mature themes and subject matter. School group events in November, for the FOLD Kids Book Fest will be tailored to elementary, middle grade, and secondary students.
An educator can register for a virtual pass starting March 23, which will give them access to all of the virtual events from April 30 – May 7. If your board has purchased a board pass, you’ll receive a code to register for a virtual pass. You’ll have the option to add in-person tickets at check out.
Educators in the following school boards should check their message board and reach out to a representative for their School Board Code: Durham District School Board, Halton District School Board, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Peel District School Board, York Catholic District School Board.
Educators registering for a virtual pass will be given the option to create a STUDENT ACCESS LOGIN (SAL) to provide students with access to the platform as well. Student Access Logins allow students to login on their own devices with a generic account that’s connected to their educators. SALs limit a student’s reach on the platform for safety and security reasons.
If you’re planning to show the events in class, you will not need an SAL, but when you register as an educator who will be showing the events in class, one will automatically be created for you. SALs are helpful if a student is away or if they are planning to watch events on their own device.
You can login to the platform by going to our website or by visiting fold2022.vfairs.com. We recommend logging into the platform on the website or though the vFairs app as soon as you register. You’ll be prompted to create a password using your email. Please do this for your SAL as well so that you can share the code and the password with any student who needs it. On the day of an event, login and head to the Auditorium. Click on the screen and click “Play” on any completed or pre-recorded event.
The virtual festival takes place on an innovative, customized virtual platform called vFairs. All virtual events take place in the platform using Zoom. Events can also be viewed on the vFairs mobile app.
The FOLD is taking every precaution to keep all guests safe. SAL’s give students restricted access on the platform. They will never appear on video. While they can pose questions in Zoom, they cannot participate in the chat or on the leaderboard. All questions will be monitored by a designated FOLD team member. Any concerns with student use will result in the suspension of that code and a follow up with the teacher associated with the account.
Our Virtual Safe Space Policy will be posted on the platform and shared with teachers prior to the event. In the unfortunate event that inappropriate behaviour does occur, FOLD staff will act swiftly, in consultation with the teacher and school board.
We recommend logging in to the platform 10 mins before the event. The event will go live roughly 5 mins before start time to give people time to enter Zoom. But you can test out your sound quality by trying out any of the previously recorded events. If tech issues arise, contact tech support via the email address at the top of the screen, through the chat, or through the Info Desk.
All FOLD events will be made available virtually within 12 hours of being presented live. All videos will be available until June 7.
All passes and SALs provide full access to all virtual events. In-person event passes and specialty tickets must be purchased separately.
Other than our in-person school group events at the Rose, access to individual events is not available. However, festival passes are set at a reasonable rate, providing access to more than 25 incredible literary events. We’re confident that educators we be able to find a number of events for you and/or your class to enjoy.
To access other live events or to use the platform, teachers and students would need to purchase a FOLD 2021 pass. Patron passes are available for those in financial need.
As of March 21, the Peel District School Board and Durham District School Board purchased passes for all of their educators. Please contact your board representative and/or check your board message board to see if there are any updates. Email us if you have any questions.
Register for the tickets you MIGHT need and adjust your ticket amount once you know your class numbers. If the block of tickets are claimed and you need more tickets later, we will not be able to add more tickets, but if you adjust your tickets later, it’s possible that someone else may be able to use your leftovers.
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