Library Happenings - May 2017
As we wrap up another year of learning, it's with great enthusiasm we share all the reading that occurs on a daily basis in our libraries. Our seniors are graduating with so many good reads under their belts, and I can share that occurs because of many factors.
For one, we have two beautiful spaces that allow students to find books that are current and to their liking. Students are confident that they can make a suggestion for a title or series and we will do our best to meet that need. Sometimes that happens via our designated budget, but often it is supplemented through memorial donations, grants and outside funding sources. So thank you to all who have contributed with cash donations. The second thing that helps us keep our students reading is the role modeling that happens in your homes and here at school. Our students see that reading is a vital part of becoming a learner. The end goal is that if a student can't figure something out, he or she will be a reader and thus be able to navigate his or her way through the sea of information available and help themselves as they get older.
Secondly, we give students time to read. They are busy, so carving out a few precious reading minutes to read something that is of their choosing hopefully creates a lifelong habit or helps create stamina for reading at length when they are challenged to do this in the future. Parents, as summer comes on, please help your child to find 15 minutes a day to do some pleasure reading. Visit a local library to see what they have to offer, and then keep those books where they are readily available to read. Find structure in your summer days for work first and then the reward of reading time, whether it's alone or with a buddy. Maybe your child has a chore list that they do daily, or you have a large project that they need to accomplish, make reading time a reward for that help. Purchasing a book or taking a trip to the library could become icing on the cake for achieving the goal.
Children learn empathy through reading. They learn about history and how others perceive the world we live in through reading. It definitely shows in how a student writes and comprehends, if they are a reader. Our elementary has again decided to promote summer reading and then reward those that make the commitment with our Back to School Swimming Party for Reading, so look for that information in your year end papers that come home with your K-6 kiddos.
We will be holding our Scholastic Book Fair in conjunction with Little Trojan Relays again this year on Friday, May 12th. Please join us in the elementary library to see the incredible selection and find some challenging reads for the summer. Your purchases help us offer books we might not be able to have otherwise. Thank you ahead of time for stopping in.
Our libraries received very generous donations recently, and I would like to thank the following for their financial gifts: Penny and Paul Herold, Susan and Rich Franzen, and Jody and Joe Steinlage. The family of Clotiel Kuennen is currently making several new book donations in memory of our dear friend and educator so that her love for reading can be shared into the future.
We also received "gently used" book donations from Kathleen Drilling and Dan and Patty Schumacher. I appreciated the call ahead, as sometimes we aren't able to take in books because of the time it takes to process, space on our shelves, the need for the item or the age of the books, but if they are books that are current or can replace copies, we may utilize them in either the library or in the classrooms. Again, thank you for the call ahead.
The STEM items garnered through the McElroy grant and memorial money were a hit this spring. Now some of the items are going home with students so they can spend more time than just a recess or end of the day session. Thank you to parents and 3 - 6th grade students for making sure that all parts are accounted for while they visit your home. We had three groups that made quilts for the Gala. One group will finalize theirs for next year. The kids did a great job and felt tremendous pride in learning what it takes to go from start to finish. Thank you also to those that purchased our creations.
We will once again really miss this group of seniors that are leaving us. They've been incredible helpers and role models in our schools and communities. Along with parents and community members and while students at Turkey Valley, we can share that all of the lessons they've learned throughout their years have helped to shape them into contributing young citizens that we can be really proud of. Good luck, young Trojans. Go do great things!
Have a safe and happy summer. Mrs. Milbrandt
As we wrap up another year of learning, it's with great enthusiasm we share all the reading that occurs on a daily basis in our libraries. Our seniors are graduating with so many good reads under their belts, and I can share that occurs because of many factors.
For one, we have two beautiful spaces that allow students to find books that are current and to their liking. Students are confident that they can make a suggestion for a title or series and we will do our best to meet that need. Sometimes that happens via our designated budget, but often it is supplemented through memorial donations, grants and outside funding sources. So thank you to all who have contributed with cash donations. The second thing that helps us keep our students reading is the role modeling that happens in your homes and here at school. Our students see that reading is a vital part of becoming a learner. The end goal is that if a student can't figure something out, he or she will be a reader and thus be able to navigate his or her way through the sea of information available and help themselves as they get older.
Secondly, we give students time to read. They are busy, so carving out a few precious reading minutes to read something that is of their choosing hopefully creates a lifelong habit or helps create stamina for reading at length when they are challenged to do this in the future. Parents, as summer comes on, please help your child to find 15 minutes a day to do some pleasure reading. Visit a local library to see what they have to offer, and then keep those books where they are readily available to read. Find structure in your summer days for work first and then the reward of reading time, whether it's alone or with a buddy. Maybe your child has a chore list that they do daily, or you have a large project that they need to accomplish, make reading time a reward for that help. Purchasing a book or taking a trip to the library could become icing on the cake for achieving the goal.
Children learn empathy through reading. They learn about history and how others perceive the world we live in through reading. It definitely shows in how a student writes and comprehends, if they are a reader. Our elementary has again decided to promote summer reading and then reward those that make the commitment with our Back to School Swimming Party for Reading, so look for that information in your year end papers that come home with your K-6 kiddos.
We will be holding our Scholastic Book Fair in conjunction with Little Trojan Relays again this year on Friday, May 12th. Please join us in the elementary library to see the incredible selection and find some challenging reads for the summer. Your purchases help us offer books we might not be able to have otherwise. Thank you ahead of time for stopping in.
Our libraries received very generous donations recently, and I would like to thank the following for their financial gifts: Penny and Paul Herold, Susan and Rich Franzen, and Jody and Joe Steinlage. The family of Clotiel Kuennen is currently making several new book donations in memory of our dear friend and educator so that her love for reading can be shared into the future.
We also received "gently used" book donations from Kathleen Drilling and Dan and Patty Schumacher. I appreciated the call ahead, as sometimes we aren't able to take in books because of the time it takes to process, space on our shelves, the need for the item or the age of the books, but if they are books that are current or can replace copies, we may utilize them in either the library or in the classrooms. Again, thank you for the call ahead.
The STEM items garnered through the McElroy grant and memorial money were a hit this spring. Now some of the items are going home with students so they can spend more time than just a recess or end of the day session. Thank you to parents and 3 - 6th grade students for making sure that all parts are accounted for while they visit your home. We had three groups that made quilts for the Gala. One group will finalize theirs for next year. The kids did a great job and felt tremendous pride in learning what it takes to go from start to finish. Thank you also to those that purchased our creations.
We will once again really miss this group of seniors that are leaving us. They've been incredible helpers and role models in our schools and communities. Along with parents and community members and while students at Turkey Valley, we can share that all of the lessons they've learned throughout their years have helped to shape them into contributing young citizens that we can be really proud of. Good luck, young Trojans. Go do great things!
Have a safe and happy summer. Mrs. Milbrandt