Check It Out!
MTRSD Elementary Libraries March 2024
News from the BSE Library!
Reminders
Mark your calendars for the book fair! March 18-22.
Check out our new library website for curriculum info, news, links, and more.
Some have asked…and YES, students may access SORA (online reading app) at home. Simply download the app, search for our school, and have your student log in using their school email. This can be a great way for families to borrow ebooks and listen to audiobooks at home or on the go. Click HERE for step-by-step instructions.
February Recap
We honored Black History Month with some informative and joyful books about black musicians, including biographies of Trombone Shorty, Charlie Parker, and Aretha Franklin. In addition to reading about their lives, we also enjoyed listening to their music - we got to dance our way through transitions when it came to Trombone Shorty’s tunes!
Younger grades discussed the idea of stories being both ‘windows’ and ‘mirrors’. When students choose books to take home these days, I’m asking them to just start noticing if they gravitate more towards books in which they see themselves (mirrors) or books that allow them a glimpse into another world (windows). Both are important, and it’s my job as the librarian to make sure that our book collection reflects our community, but also lets us learn about those who are different from us!
What’s Happening in March?
While March may feel like a long, dreary month for some, the BSE library is bustling with activities and special events!
The Book Fair is coming! Please mark your calendars for the week of March 18-22. Students will visit the fair during regular library visits, but the fair will also be open to the community on Thursday, March 21 from 1pm-7pm, and on Friday, March 22 from 1pm-4pm. Proceeds from the fair go directly towards purchasing new books for our students - thanks in advance for your support! Additionally, we are looking for a few more volunteers to assist during class visits. Please reach out to me (lwhitsett@mtrsd.org) if you can help out.
Robots are back! School libraries throughout the district have been sharing the sets of Bee-Bots and Spheros (yes, those are robots!) between our buildings. Here at BSE, all classes, K-6, are learning important computer science concepts and having fun using these exciting tools. For example, in our introductory week, 2nd and 3rd graders were exploring basic functions of the Bee-Bot by programming simple dance moves. 6th graders, on the other hand, were practicing connecting, aiming, and driving Spheros around our library space. Check out the photos of students in action!
Sanderson Library Update
MARCH is National Literacy Month! This March, students at Sanderson will take part in a variety of activities designed to build more energy and excitement around reading.
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS - Battle of the Books is back, and this year’s theme is fairy tales, folk tales, myths, and legends (aka the 398.2s!). Last week we kicked it off with two fractured fairy tales: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems and Hansel and Gretel by Bethel Wollvin. The student body voted for Hansel and Gretel! I won’t give it away, but the ending has quite the twist. Check out the 2024 Battle of the Books lineup below.
SCHOOLWIDE BINGO CHALLENGE - All month, students can play ‘bingo’ by completing five reading challenges in a row, and prizes will be awarded for each bingo.
AUTHOR VISIT - Sanderson is excited to host a local author this month! On March 26th, Pre-K - 3rd grade students will enjoy a visit from Ashfield author Prudence Marsh, who will share her new book, Pippa and the Lost Paintings. It is a beautiful book and we look forward to having her at Sanderson!
GUEST READERS - This month, each class will host a guest reader from Ashfield or Plainfield. Guest readers will talk to students about their role in the community and read a favorite book aloud.
BOOK FAIR - Mark your calendars! This year’s book fair will take place from March 18 - 22, and will be open late during Caregiver Conferences on the 21st and 22nd. Everyone is invited to come and support this important fundraiser for the library.
News from the Colrain Central School Library!
There are so many things going on in the library! Here are some highlights:
Special books are on display for maple sugaring season and Women’s History Month
Two book challenges are happening
Students are doing special projects
A community survey
An author visit and the book fair are coming soon!
Discover New Books Reading Challenge for K - 2
After learning about different sections of the library, the fifth graders picked books to put on display for younger students. These books come from the library’s categories B, C, G, H, and I. These sections include books about machines, science, art, making stuff, and ourselves/people. Younger students can pick books recommended by the fifth graders and get raffle tickets if they read or look through these books. The challenge goes until after April Vacation.
Cover-to-Cover Reading Challenge for 3-6
Older students who choose to participate in this challenge need to read a complete chapter book (shorter fiction) or novel (longer fiction) to earn a raffle ticket. This challenge is intended to get students browsing and reading from the X and W sections of the library. Hopefully the students will find new books to fall in love with! This reading challenge also goes through April Vacation.
Author Visit: Astrid Sheckles on 3/20
Local author Astird Sheckles will present to grades K - 3 on March 20th. Astrid’s books are full of color, details and adventure. A sheet went home this week for families that would like to order her books. This visit was made possible with funds from the Rural Schools Collaborative grant.
The Book Fair during Caregiver Conferences
Stay tuned for detailed information next week about the book fair. We have a new vendor and a new format this year. It will be exciting to get more books into kids' hands (adults, too. This company also sends a selection of books for adults).
Local events!
Upcoming Events at Buckland Public Library!
LGBTQ Friendly Playgroup All ages, unstructured time together 1st and 3rd Saturdays monthly 10-11 a.m.
Word Play Writing Group Tuesdays 10:30 – 12:30 Free, but registration required. Call 413-625-9412
Crafternoons Every Tuesday 4:30-6:30 Self directed time with other children and caretakers to use the crafts in the Community Room.
Free Puzzles Every 4th Saturday, all day
Ashfield's Belding Public Library
Mini Mecha Building with Bryant
Saturday March 30 from 11A.M. to 12:30P.M.
For ages 5 and up. Mecha are giant robots from Japanese science fiction stories! Build a mini model mecha to take home with you. Kits provided. Register by phone (413-628-4414) or email (bmlashfield@gmail.com).
We've added a pass to the Norman Rockwell Museum to our Museum Pass collection!
This pass admits 2 patrons at a discounted rate of $10 each. Children 18 and under are always admitted free.
Upcoming Events at the Colrain Public Library!
Ms. Betty's March Craft
Link here: https://youtu.be/0UfSJhU9g34