Prairie Area Reading Council
Spring 2019 Newsletter
From the Desk of the President
Dear Members,
Welcome to spring! I hope you’re taking a few moments to do a little spring cleaning as I am--what are some strategies/activities you’ve implemented after hearing about them at the Fall Conference? What are you using that you learned at a program or event? How have you implemented a practice you heard about over a webinar? What’s an idea you can bring to life with the help of a PARC colleague? Let’s take advantage of the cycle of renewal Mother Nature’s giving us and use it to breathe some new life into our practice!
Spring cleaning your bookshelves? Stop by one of PARC’s Little Free Libraries and make a donation! (Meadowview Elementary/2525 Mitchell Dr./Woodridge)
Preparing that spring break/summer reading list? The Illinois Reads Book List is the only resource you need!
We are so excited to welcome Sarah Weeks to Meadowview Elementary School in Woodridge next month (tentatively 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). Have you registered yet? A PD hour will be awarded, so make sure you have your IEIN and register here! by April 9! Register yourself and then spread the word! Students and families are invited, too-at no cost. Click on the flier below to register students and families from your community. PARC is pleased to offer this great opportunity!
There are still several Wired Wednesday Webinars left in the school year. Take advantage of them! It’s the best PD in pajamas around! Check them out!
PARC elections will be held soon. Please be sure to look for the ballot the week of April 1. We have many opportunities for you to become involved! From serving on the exec. board to serving on a committee, we always welcome new faces and helping hands. (Make no mistake, though, we appreciate the legacy of service many have--and continue--to give. :) )
Hoping to see you in April if I don’t see you in a bookstore or library before then. Thanks for all you do to support and leadership to all who promote and teach lifelong literacy!
My best,
Jen :)
2018-2019 Board Members
President: Jennifer Burisek writingteach313@yahoo.com
President Elect: Sheila Ruh sheilaruh@yahoo.com
Vice President: Laura Bass lapanco@gmail.com
Recording Secretary: Laura Kelly lkreads@gmail.com
Treasurer: Melissa Love lovem@woodridge68.org
Membership: Sherry Sejnost sej7@comcast.net
Corresponding Secretary: Nicole deVerdier nicoledeverdier@gmail.com
Illinois Reads Book Review- Jennifer Burisek
Illinois Reads Books: More Than a Story
Whether you’re looking for your next great read or a student has asked you for a recommendation, Illinois Reads Books are the best place to go! The books on the list (Birth-Adult) have been selected for the author’s or illustrator’s ties to Illinois. Because of that tie, readers may be able to experience an author visit, a Twitter chat, or a visit to where the book takes place.
Looking for a great book for those 3rd-5th graders in your life? Check out what these students had to say about Allan Woodrow’s Field Tripped!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSOsNQ9Cntg
Thinking about summer reading recommendations for the 6th-8th graders in your life? Try The First Rule of Punk. Author Celia Perez masterfully combines storytelling, art, and the search for identity in this difficult-to-put-down novel. A great read for anyone, but our students and friends who identify with two cultures and don’t quite feel as if they always ‘fit’ are sure to appreciate Malu’s journey. If you’re giving it as a gift, a set of Worry Dolls from our International Projects/Handicrafts from Guatemala would be a lovely addition.
Pictured below: IRC Public Relations and Publicity Committee Chair and PARC Member Sherry Sejnost scored a 'photo opp' with author Celia Perez at the Illinois Reads Book Festival in Waukegan on March 16.
IL Reads Field Trip: From Woodridge to Waukegan
Meadowview School students had a great day at IL READS on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Twenty-seven students attended the event! Thank you to Prairie Area Reading Council for the $100 grant to purchase books. Each student received a book that they were able to have signed by the author. Thanks to Meadowview's Media Specialist and PARC's Treasurer, Melissa Love, for making this opportunity available to students!
An autograph from Tom Watson!
Ready to Roll!
A student poses with Earth Verse author Sally M. Walker
Such a great experience!
Bonding over books!
An Out-of-This-World Good Time!
New Members
Welcome to Prairie Area!
Our Newest and Renewed Members:
November
Mary Klepper
Kathleen Sweeney
Sheila Tucker
Alice Wegloski
December
Laura Johnson
Amy Potts-Ostrowski
Michelle Shiles
Tamera Swinford-Potts
Roberta Wallerstedt
January
Julie Anell
Jennifer Cox
Diane Discipio
Mark Hodges
Kristin Kolodziej
Meghan Kunder
Donna McCash
Laura Pincus
Brian Sprang
Lynda Wagner
February
Caroline Knoff
Catherine Rose
Websites for Teachers
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org
Free to use, this website offers excellent standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more for grades pre-k through high school.
Browse hundreds of TED-Ed animations - short, award-winning videos that will spark the curiosity of your learners. You'll also find thousands of other video-based lessons organized by the subjects you teach. Add interactive questions, discussion topics and more to your favorite TED-Ed Animations, TED talks or any video on YouTube. Easily share lessons with your students and track the results.
Prairie Area Reading Council
Email: prairieareareadingcouncil@gmail.com
Website: http://www.illinoisreadingcouncil.org/localcouncils/prairiearea.html
Phone: 630-515-9946
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Prairie-Area-Reading-Council-139017136125003/
Twitter: @prairiearea