One for the Record Books
May 2018
Shimotsu Texas Youth Creators Awards Winners
by Zulema S. Bewley
Three students from Harry Shimotsu Elementary have the distinct honor of being finalists at the 2018 Texas Youth Creators Awards. This amateur media competition is sponsored by groups within the Texas Library Association and open to school-aged Texas residents. The students are Lucas, 3rd place in Color Photography, 3-5 division; Cameron, 2nd place in Coding Games, 6-8 division; and, Guillermo, 1st place in Coding Games, 6-8 division. Congratulations to these young creators!
Bentsen Students Celebrate Read Across America
by Jose Guerrero
Bentsen students celebrated Read Across America and Dr. Seuss Birthday by dressing up and doing classroom activities. One of the most exciting parts of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss is having administrators from the district come and read to Bentsen students. This year Mr. Paz and Mrs. Gongora came and read Dr. Seuss stories to Bentsen students. Students were very excited and took the importance of reading from these events. A big thanks to these two administrators.SNJH Welcomes 6th Graders
SHS and SA3 Students Awarded Scholarships for Book Club Participation
by Nicole H. Cruz
Congratulations to SA3 students Emily Garza and Jessica Boetcher. They are both receiving a $250 scholarship for their active membership in the BCM Club. (Books Comics Movies)Both young ladies will graduate on May 11th with their Associate Degrees from STC in Interdisciplinary Studies. They will be attending UTRGV in the fall. BCM Club President Adrian Ortega will be receiving a $500 scholarship. Adrian is a graduating Sharyland High School Student. He will be attending UTSA this fall and majoring in Chemistry. Nicole Cruz, SHS and SA3 Librarian, is the BCM Club Sponsor.
School Librarian Day
by Janie B. Flores
Students surprised PHS Librarian Janie B. Flores with an Olympic Gold Pretzel Medal Ribbon to wear for Librarian’s Day.
The PHS Library is proud to have such wonderful assistants working together as Team Pioneer!
Book Character Day + Twitter = Author Connections
by Wenndy Pray
Jessie Jensen Readers Celebrate with a Trip to the Main Event
These photos are the Diamondback Readers. They were rewarded with a field trip to The Main Event. They had a great time! Thanks to the campus administrators for supporting this field trip.
RHE Receives $2000 For Books
by Elizabeth Moreno
The Wonderful Company donated $2,000.00 for library books to Ruben Hinojosa Elementary. Students presented Mr. Antonio Cazares from The Wonderful Company with a thank you card signed by all students.JHS Library Easter Escape Room
by Monica Silva
The Easter Escape Room took students on a secret mission around the library! Students decoded fun and interesting trivia facts about Easter. It allowed students to walk around the library breaking codes. Students were sent on a secret mission to help Mera win the Jelly Belly flavor contest. The codes included ciphers, Morse code, cryptograms, and a final 4 digit code based on the decoders/clues. Students enjoyed this activity and it inspired them to use critical thinking skills.
RD Martinez Goes Hawaiian for Final Family Reading Night
Wernecke Librarian Promotes Library Resources with Prize Raffle
by Patricia Ramos
Mrs. Ramos, librarian at Wernecke, conducted a contest for teachers in order to promote the district databases and other resources available through the Mackin Via site. Mrs. Ramos created a survey on Google forms that asked teachers to fill out a few questions about their experience exploring the resources. She then placed them in a raffle once their form was received. Two winners were selected and were given Whataburger gift cards.
Texas Youth Creators Award Recipients
by Nicole H. Cruz
Congratulations to the 23 students from SHS and SA3 who participated and placed in this year's Texas Youth Creators Awards. Five different categories were represented with individual, team, and group projects. Those winning categories included: Black & White Photography, Color Photography, Multimedia Presentations, Digital Music Composition, and Video Recording. Students were encouraged to participate and entries were submitted by libarian, Nicole H. Cruz.Rapid Review by Darvin Koenig, SNJH Librarian
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
The polio vaccine, cloning, and gene mapping are just three of the things scientists and doctors have been able to develop from the cells of a little known poor black tobacco farmer. Henrietta died in 1951, but her cells live on even today. This is the story of Henrietta Lacks, her cells, and all they have accomplished. Along the way you will encounter racism, unethical medical practices, and a daughter’s never-ending quest to find out what happened to her mother.
B.L. Gray Librarian Featured in State Publications
by Wenndy Pray
The Texas Association of School Librarians and the Texas Library Association featured B. L. Gray librarian Wenndy Pray's article titled, "Reflections Of A First Year Librarian" in their web and journal publications. “Our editorial focus is on innovative practices for school, public, special, and academic libraries; however, we also want to connect with our readers by sharing personal stories from library professionals," shares Wendy Woodland, TLA Director of Advocacy & Communications. "I was drawn to [this] article because it did such a wonderful job of describing the experience of a first-year librarian." The article was featured in the 2018 Texas Library Journal Spring Edition and on the TASL Talks blog on January 16, 2018. Mrs. Pray was also featured as TLA's April member of the month. "I'm incredibly honored to have accomplished my first publication," shares Mrs. Pray, "I look forward to the excellent things to come."
Hope & Healing Poetry Contest
by Janie B. Flores
SISD Librarians and PHS Staff selected their favorites from the “Hope & Healing” Poetry Contest entries. Poetry winners are (top left to right):
Gerardo Castillo, Roman Benavidez, Natalie Obin, Jaqueline Leal and Stephanie Mendoza. Congratulations, Poets!
Shimotsu Library Assistance
by Zulema S. Bewley
Anthony Limon, principal at Harry Shimotsu Elementary, is a strong advocate of the library. It is not uncommon to see him shelving books. Mrs. Bewley is so grateful for his help and encouragement in all library endeavors. Last week Mrs. Munoz, assistant principal, also joined in the fun. "It is a pleasure to work with administrators who value and support the work that I do." --Mrs. Bewley
JHS Library Uses 3D Pens
by Monica Silva
JHS library was awarded a grant for 3D Doodler pens. We used the 3D pens to stimulate creativity in students. Each student designed an object that reminded them of their favorite book to give concrete shape to their idea. These types of activities inspire students to pursue STEM interests and to pursue a passion in art. Students had a fun learning dynamic in the library.
RHE Hosts Lip Sync Battle
by Elizabeth Moreno
On April 27, 2018 Ruben Hinojosa Elementary students who met their AR goal were invited to attend or perform in the Lip Sync Battle. First, Second and Third place trophies were awarded in two categories; teacher performances and student performances and everyone enjoyed the show.RD Martinez Rewards Readers with Trip to the Main Event
Donna Wernecke Students Wear AR Shirts
by Patricia Ramos
Readers are leaders! 125 students at Wernecke took a photo to celebrate their successful year as AR stars! They received their AR shirts after meeting their designated AR point goal. Way to go students!
Outspoken Poetry Contestants' Words Take Shape
by Wenndy Pray
B. L. Gray scholar explored the concept of concrete poetry for this year's Outspoken Poetry contest. The idea was inspired by seventh grade library aide Gala Reynoso. Concrete poetry is when the words of a poem take the shape of the poem's topic. Over 50 poets submitted their work. Seventh grade students Naylah Jobe and Maxine Ygoña took first and second place. Their poems and artwork are amazing! They enjoyed a choice of an assortment of gifts. Great job, girls!
David Garcia Memorial Library Sponsors Hope & Healing Art Project Contest
by Janie B. Flores
Almost 30 PHS Staff Members were asked to judge the final contest sponsored by the David Garcia Memorial Library. Staff will judge 19 “Hope & Healing” art projects categorized as Drawings, Paintings and Sculptures. As librarians, it’s important to promote art, literacy and media in times when many of these creative outlets are being cut from the instructional day.
Besides a sense of pride and validation, students gain confidence in entering their creative works in competitions.
SISD Lead Librarian Co-Moderator for #txlchat
by Nicole H. Cruz
Nicole H. Cruz, SHS and SA3 Librarian, is now a co-moderator for the nationally acclaimed weekly Twitter chat #txlchat. The TXLchat provides a forum for Texas school librarians (but not limited to Texas librarians) to create, collaborate, share educational resources, and foster continuous professional growth. Mrs. Cruz submitted an application and was informed in February that she was selected to join the moderator team. Her first opportunity to lead a chat will be this Tuesday, May 22nd at 8 pm CST.O. Garza Centennial Readers
by Samantha Silva
O. Garza celebrates our Centennial Readers for the 2017-2018 school year. These students earned 100 or more points throughout the year. This year one student, Maritza Mejia, earned over 600 points for the school year, and read over 4 million words. We are so proud of our students and their accomplishments in reading over this past school year.
9th Annual Poetry Night at Shimotsu Elementary
by Zulema S. Bewley
On May 1, Harry Shimotsu Elementary celebrated its 9th Annual Poetry Night, an event sponsored and coordinated by Mrs. Bewley. A crowd of about 200 attendees got to enjoy a night of poetry where students (and some staff members) read or recited some well-known poems or poems that they wrote themselves. Some students participated in a poetry challenge while others won prizes after completing a scavenger hunt.
JHS Read Across America Week
by Monica Silva
Students at John H. Shary celebrated Read Across America Week by participating in daily Dr. Seuss activities that promoted reading. At the end of the week, they dressed up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character and participated in a school-wide parade. Each day a different Dr. Seuss story was read. Students enjoyed the wacky, fun-filled week.
RHE Celebrates Read Across America
by Elizabeth Moreno
Parents and community members were invited to read to the students of RHE during Read Across America Week. Students enjoyed the various stories and visits from all the special guests.Gold Medal Readers at Lloyd & Dolly Bentsen Elementary
This year Bentsen Elementary had over 60 students meeting Gold Medal Readers status. Students will be treated to a luncheon at Cheddar's and tour at Barnes and Noble. Student work were very motivated in reaching their reading goal. Bentsen Elementary is very proud of all our Gold Medal Readers.
Future Illustrators of Donna Wernecke Elementary
by Patricia Ramos
Wernecke students participated in a Book Cover contest during Read Across America Week. The students were told to create a new book cover for any of their favorite books. Ten entries were selected and will be on display in the library until next year's contest.
Sharyland ISD Librarian Zulema Bewley Involved with TLA Conference Session
by Zulema S. Bewley
The Texas Library Association Annual Conference was held in Dallas this year. During one of the sessions, Mrs. Bewley assisted author Donna Janell Bowman during the signing of Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness, a book on the current Texas Bluebonnet Award master list.
PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) Club takes message to elementary campuses
by Janie B. Flores
PHS PAWS for Education Groups will present Basic Pet Care to 4th and 5th Grades from Jensen and O.Garza Elementary Schools on Tuesday, May 22nd. The students are excited to teach the students what they have learned about dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles and small rodents.
Math in the Library
by Wenndy Pray
Former B. L. Gray Jr. High Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Nancy Basaldua uses the library to enable her students to think "outside the box." Every six weeks, Mrs. Basaldua creates activities so her students can learn math concepts in a more practical way. Students have used the library to apply what they've learned in class. "The library is a excellent learning space for students;" shares Mrs. Basaldua, "students are able to measure, collaborate, and engage in kinesthetic learning." Mrs. Pray, B. L. Gray Librarian says, "I'm excited to finally get math into the library! It's one of the subjects I'm constantly learning about to accommodate students with more progressive approaches in the library."
JHS Platinum Record Readers
by Monica Silva
We are delighted that sixty-six students reached their goal to become Platinum Readers for the 2017-2018 school year. Each student read over 1,000,000 words. Students were awarded with a field trip to Main Event, received a shirt, and drawstring bag for their dedication to reading. We hope they continue to strive for reading excellence.
RHE Meets Box Top Goal
by Elizabeth Moreno
Ruben Hinojosa Elementary met their Box Tops goal for 2017-2018 and finished second out of two hundred and twenty schools in the area! Fantastic!Millennial Readers @ O. Garza Elementary
by Samantha Silva
O. Garza celebrates the Millennial Readers of the 2017-2018 school year. We are proud of our 17 students who achieved reading 1 million words or more this past school year. This year we have a few Millennials who achieved over 2 million words read throughout the year, and one student who read over 4 million words for the year! We are so proud of our students and their accomplishments in reading.
PAYBACK-College Finance Game
by Nicole H. Cruz
Rebecca Guillen won a $500 scholarship from Next Gen Personal Finance by playing a game on her phone and writing an essay about her experiences. Rebecca is a Sharyland High School senior. Her school librarian learned about this honor and wrote a press release about it. Here is the link to the game. https://www.timeforpayback.com/Dr. Seuss Celebration @ Donna Wernecke Elementary
by Patricia Ramos
The Dr. Seuss themed Reading Night at Wernecke was a success! Students enjoyed Seuss story-time, taking pictures with the Cat in the Hat and also enjoyed receiving a free book. Overall, it was a very enjoyable, fun-filled evening. We look forward to next year's event!
Nicole H. Cruz, SISD Lead Librarian
Email: ncruz@sharylandisd.org
Website: https://shs.sharylandisd.org/library
Location: 1216 North Shary Road, Mission, TX, USA
Phone: 956-580-5300
Twitter: @Cruz23Mac