One for the Record Books
February 2017
Sharyland ISD Librarian Selected to Serve on the Texas Bluebonnet Selection Committee
S. Zulema Bewley, Harry B. Shimotsu Elementary Librarian, received notification last week from Ling Hwey Jeng, Ph.D. 2017-2018 President of the Texas Library Association that she had been selected among a field of applicants to serve a three-year term on the Texas Bluebonnet Selection Committee. Her term will begin immediately following the Texas Library Association Conference in April of this year.
The Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) reading program was established in 1979 to encourage Texas children to read more books, explore a variety of current books, develop powers of discrimination, and identify their favorite books. The Texas Bluebonnet Awards Selection Committee is responsible for the selection of the books on each year's master list.
When asked about this new challenge Zulema Bewley said, “I am honored to be selected to participate in this prestigious committee. I have a passion for children’s literature and am delighted to be part of the process that encourages children to read diverse, quality books.”
SISD Technology Tuesday Parent Session
Sharyland ISD Librarian Awarded Two Scholarships from Sam Houston State University
Mrs. Pray aspires to become a leader in the field of Library Science. "I am truly blessed," says Mrs. Pray, "and feel proud to belong to a profession that is rapidly evolving." Mrs. Pray has had the opportunity to implement practices learned at SHSU to improve her school library in many different ways. "I am also honored to be surrounded by great professionals who have made a powerful impression on me."
Rapid Review by Darvin Koenig, SNJH Librarian
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
What if you could not stop yourself from counting by odd numbers? What if you had to perform a ritual just to get into the front door of your house? This is the life of Adam Spencer Ross who has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. With this major check mark against him Adam doubts he will ever fall in love, but then he meets Robyn Plummer and his life starts to change. Author Teresa Toten has written a story that will give hope to those who suffer from OCD, and will increase understanding and compassion among those of us who do not.
Jessie Jensen Library
Lloyd & Dolly Bentsen Elementary Library Lesson
First-grade students are very excited to read a variety of books. During this library lesson, students review the differences and similarities between fiction and non-fiction books. To complete the activity, students create their own non-fiction book on bats. Students are very proud of their completed books. They also enjoy sharing the book with each other. According to Bentsen Librarian Jose Guerrero, "This activity promotes the love of reading both fiction and non-fiction books."
Author Joe Hayes Visits Donna Wernecke Elementary
School Librarian and BCM Club Send Care Package to former SHS Student
Pioneer Voracious Readers
Twenty-six Voracious Readers were rewarded Tuesday with a group photo and a goodie bag. Teachers were asked to submit names of students who they constantly remind to “put your library book away!” within a 24-hour period. As a bonus, six lucky Voracious Readers were randomly selected to hear author Victoria Lopez at SHS on Valentine’s Day! Mrs. Janie B. Flores, librarian, works to reward reading at Pioneer High School.
Texas Bluebonnet Award Voting Party
Shimotsu students had a TBA Voting Party. Students in the Read Blue Club held this event on the last Friday in January. These students read at least 5 books from the TBA master list and voted for their favorite book.
Big Foot, Boy Scouts, and Camping-Team up for Scholastic Book Fair @ Shary Elementary
Joe Hayes Entertains and Signs Books
New Bilingual Books @ SNJH
The Recent Immigrant students at North Junior High School enjoyed viewing the brand new Bilingual Books. Special thanks goes to Elizabeth Gongora, the ESL/Bilingual Coordinator for providing the funds.
Fun and Exciting Times at our RD Martinez Elementary Library!
February has been a fun and exciting month for our students at the library.
We dressed up as 100-year-old “smarties” to celebrate 100 Days of School.
6th Grade enjoys completing puzzles at the library as we start our first ever, Rattlers Puzzle Club. Puzzles have been donated by our principal, Mrs. Viera.
Ms. Z. Garza, our librarian, was selected by the technology department to attend the TCEA convention in Austin. It was an amazing conference to promote technology in education.
O. Garza Spring Book Fair and Family Night
O. Garza celebrated reading with our Spring Book Fair and Family Night. Our spring book fair ran from Thursday, February 9th through Friday, February 17th. During the week, students were introduced to books available in our fair including the nonfiction book Pink is for Blobfish by Jess Keating and the picture book Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey. O. Garza also hosted a Family Literacy Night on Thursday, February 16th. Parents and students were able to work on their AR testing and visit our book fair.
B. L. Gray Library’s mascot gets a name!
Earlier this month, B. L. Gray’s library adopted a Siamese fighting fish, commonly known as a betta. The betta sparked conversation about fish, algae, water temperature, wildlife, and the importance of a name. Mrs. Pray, B. L. Gray librarian, created a contest to spark creativity and collaboration among the students. Over 50 names were submitted, and B. L. Gray library aides decided which 12 names would make the final ballot. Voting took place via Remind using Google Forms. Eighth grader Maria Torres’s “Panchito” beat out 2nd place “Harambe” and third place “Mike Wasowski”. Here she is with Panchito and her prize!
Shot to the Heart-Cupid Style with STEM
Twenty-one SHS and SA3 Students were recognized for entering the Texas Youth Creator Awards
Listening Skill Are Developed At the Library
New Red Benches @ Shimotsu Elementary
Three Shimotsu Kindergarten students hold u some of the new books. These books were purchased with funds from the PreK grant. They are sitting on one of two new red waiting benches that Mrs. Bewley ordered for the library.
BL Gray Curriculum Leaders
PHS hosts Special Olympics Basketball Tournament
“I think everyone should volunteer for Special Olympics because if you give an athlete one minute of your time, they’ll give you their heart.” By Dustin Plunkett
Clarissa was my student at Cavazos Elementary many years ago. It was a sweet reunion meeting her again this past weekend at the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament hosted at Pioneer High School.
RD Martinez Elementary Celebrates Friendship Week, World Read Aloud Day and STEM Week!
During the week of February 13-17, students celebrated Friendship Week at the library. Students enjoyed a read aloud story on World Read Aloud Day, February 16. Ms. Garza read the famous Old Lady series with a Valentine’s Day twist, “There was an Old Lady who swallowed a rose!”
STEM week was celebrated in the library with collaboration between Ms. Garza, librarian, and Mrs. Misage, lead teacher. The students enjoyed hands-on activities to promote STEM.
Retired Elementary Principals Provides Books for Students and Author Visits School
Margarita Gonzalez former Sharyland elementary principal hosted a story time and book donations for students from K-2nd grade on Valentines Day, February 14th. Wernecke kinder and 1st-grade students enjoyed a visit from author Iona Cordero on February 21st. She read to the students from one of her books entitled “Me and My Baby Brother Michael.”
Nicole H. Cruz, SISD Lead Librarian
Email: ncruz@sharylandisd.org
Location: 1216 North Shary Road, Mission, TX, United States
Phone: 956-580-5300