One for the Record Books
September 2019
Jessie Jensen New Reading Specialist Jenny Gonzalez Wins Whataburger Gift Card
by Nicole Cruz
Mr. Ramos assisted his new coworker with a contest. He helped her complete a Google Form on getting to know your school librarian. She was awarded a gift card to Whataburger from District Lead Librarian Nicole Cruz. It is awesome for librarians and teachers to collaborate to bring resources and student achievement together.Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee
S. Zulema Bewley attended the Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee fall meeting this past weekend in Arlington, Texas. The purpose of the meeting was to select the next 20 books that will be on the 2020-2021 TBA Master List. Pictured are members of the TBA Selection Committee 2017-2020 along with committee director Jacqui Bridges-Sheppherd. Pictured left to right: Lori Laguna, Zulema Bewley, Jacqui Bridges-Sheppherd, Lauren Nalepa, and Veronica McKay.
O. Garza Library Gets an Upgrade
by Samantha Silva
Students and staff at O. Garza where happy to see some big changes to the library. The overall layout of the shelves were changed support an open concept learning space in the library. The English picture books, chapter books and novels, and Spanish chapter books and picture books sections were rearranged to facilitate an open area in the front of the library. Mr. Koenig, the North Jr. High librarian, donated posters and frames to decorate the walls. Ms. Rodriguez, O. Garza’s principal, also purchased new window screens for the outer windows the library. All the windows now feature a genre, that genres definition, and several books that fit that genre. Big thank you to Mr. Marco Vasquez who donated many hours of his time towards rearranging the books so that the library was ready for classes this school year.
Career Day at Hinojosa Elementary
By: Thanya Montemayor
The students had a blast learning from the Sharyland High School CTE students that came to present for Career Day in the library. Students learned about classes offered in SHS that are related to nutrition, architecture, information technology, public safety, health science, communication, business, and education. Thank you to those high school students that came to share.
Librarian Presents to SPTSO Parents on MackinVIA
By Darvin Koenig
Sharyland North SPTSO had their first meeting where they planned GREAT events for this school year! North Librarian, Mr. Koenig, presented on MackinVIA, which is the number one source for our students to use when doing research.Constitution and Citizenship Day Learning and Fun
Librarian Nicole Cruz partnered with Social Studies Dept. Chair Robert Barbosa to bring Constitution and Citizenship Day to life at the library. Students visited the library and answered a challenge question using the MackinVIA resources. Students had their hands stamped with the Peace sign after verifying their answer with Lady Liberty. For extra credit students could take a selfie or group photo with the librarian and post to their Twitter account.
QR Code Library Project @ Wernecke Elementary
by Patricia Ramos
Mrs. Ramos attended the Spring Extravaganza in May and learned about making books available to kids via QR codes. She has worked on AR leveled binders to check-out to classrooms so that they are able to access the books using their iPads and other devices in the classroom. She is very excited about offering this resource to her students and hopes to add many more of these binders to her collection.
Library Ambassador Program Highlight
By Wenndy Pray
I was absolutely thrilled to share the B. L. Gray Jr. High Library Ambassador Program via a Lunch & Learn webinar for the Texas Association of School Librarians on Wednesday, September 11. It was a great success! B. L. Gray scholars are learning about the values of effective customer service skills and enriching the library program by practicing them. I will share about the many different ways students are engaging at this year's Region One Fall Media Conference on Friday, October 11; I encourage librarians across Region One to attend.
JHS Student Library Goals Using Flipgrid
by Monica Silva
Students used Flipgrid to set their 2019-2020 library goals. Flipgird motivates students to communicate effectively and benefits them by allowing them to see and listen to each other's responses. At the end of this school, students will self assess and reflect by going back to view their recordings and identify whether they met their goal or what they can do different to accomplish it the following school year. Scan the QR code to view the videos.
Diamondback Reader @ Jensen Elementary
Daniel Espinosa is a stand-out 6th grade student. He was the first student this year to have read and AR tested on a million words. Way to go Diamondback Reader!
RD Martinez Bright Rattler Readers
RD Martinez Elementary celebrates Bright Rattler Readers for completing their summer reading. Students were recognized with a medal, and they got to enjoy a picnic with their families. We are very proud of our students.
SA3 Librarian Attends TLA Annual Assembly
TLA Annual Assembly is a gathering of library leaders, reading committee members, and TLA officers to craft the annual conference, pass resolutions and address bylaws of the Texas Library Association. This summer both Nicole Cruz, SA3 and SHS librarian, and Zulema Bewley, Shimotsu librarian, attended this event. They are pictured here with former TLA President Walter Betts.
PHS Book Club
by Elizabeth Moreno
The Pioneer High School Book Club held their first meeting on September 6, 2019. Students viewed book presentations and voted on their first read. Both the students and Mrs. Moreno, the librarian, are super excited about reading, “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart.
Bentsen Elementary Literacy Night
Bentsen Elementary had a great turn out on its first literacy night. McAllen Public Library was present issuing out free library cards. Students were very excited on getting their first library card. Parents greatly appreciated the opportunity to visit the library and get information about Accelerated Reader program. It was a great evening for Bentsen and the love of reading.
Shimotsu Library New Comfortable Reading Area
First-grade students reading books while enjoying one of the new comfortable seating areas at Shimotsu Library.
Webpage Updates Made Possible by Sharyland ISD Tech Department
by Samantha Silva
Mr. Alfredo Mendoza, Instructional Software Specialist, and Mr. Sergio Esquivel, Webmaster, spent Monday, September 9th assisting O. Garza teachers. Teachers were able to receive one-on-one help in updating their faculty web page during their conference time. Big thank you to Mr. Mendoza and Mr. Esquivel who were knowledgeable and helpful in navigating webpage updates.
International Dot Day
By: Thanya Montemayor
Ruben Hinojosa Elementary students celebrated creativity, courage, and collaboration the week of September 9-13th in preparation of International Dot Day on September 15th. Students listened to a read aloud about the book, engaged in discussions about trying hard and being brave, and then completed a mini art gallery they got to take home.
Rapid Review by Darvin Koenig, SNJH Librarian
Rapid Review
After ZERO by Christina Collins
Elise keeps a notebook where she makes a tally of all the words she says throughout the day, not that she utters many. Eventually, she stops talking altogether. Is she just shy? Is she scared of saying something that will embarrass her or hurt others? Has she always been this way? After Zero will introduce you to a rare condition called Selective Mutism; it is inspired by the authors own struggle.
Wernecke Elementary Appreciates Parent Volunteers
by Patricia Ramos
Mrs. Lisa Garza, (left) Donna Wernecke Community Liaison, works with librarian Mrs. Ramos to secure volunteers for all of the upcoming 2019-2020 library projects and activities. Mrs. Ramos is extremely grateful for her support. Securing parent volunteers and community partners are crucial to running a smooth library program. Mrs. Garza has done an amazing job assisting Mrs. Ramos. Pictured from left to right are Mrs. Garza (liaison), Mrs. Cantu (parent volunteer), and Mrs. Ramos (librarian).
SHS Chromebook Student Checkout
SHS library assistant Debbie Garza helps Angelina Rodriguez check out a Chromebook. Students are able to check out a Chromebook for one week circulation periods throughout the school year. Students must return a signed parent permission slip first. This is a new option for students this school year. Ms. Rosario Palacios, ELA teacher, was the recommending teacher on the form.
JHS Book Smarties
by Monica Silva
JHS promoted reading during Meet the Teacher Night with the theme "Students Who Read Become Smarties." Each student who came by the library to meet the librarian, received a free book with a Smartie candy. As students walked around the library, they were able to listen to stories by scanning the QR codes using their devices. At JHS, we want to inspire our students to read and instill the love of reading.
Students were taught the importance on taking care of our library resources. They were taught that not only are books part of library resources, but the electronic devices, coding robots, STEM, and makerspace materials are too. Students participated in a scoot game with scenario based stories that made them think of the do's and don'ts of caring for the variety of resources we have to offer. Students were able to get up from their seats and moving around the library with a fun, but meaningful purpose.Marketing Your Library
By Wenndy Pray
This year marked a great huge perk for the B. L. Gray Library. We got our own bulletin board! I create a layout that provides information about Battle of the Books, a Tech Tip of the Month, the campus librarian, and an awesome Library Ambassador Spotlight. The students are learning about technology, competitions, and about who serves them in the library. Students and parents enjoy it tremendously; it’s decorative and functional!
6th Grade Diamondback Reader on a Roll -Jessie Jensen Elementary
Juliette Fernandez is a student with a passion for reading. She is our 2nd student this year to reach a million words read through the Accelerated Reader Program. We are certain that Juliette will continue to read and succeed.
International Dot Day at RD Martinez
RD Martinez Elementary celebrates International Dot Day by "Making a Mark." Students and their families were invited to participate in decorating a dot. The project was based on the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.
SA3 Students Receive Instruction @ the Library
SA3 freshmen received an orientation lesson at the library on the 3rd week of school. Students learned about library hours, expectations, staff members, and how to access $32,000 worth of online resources through MackinVIA from school and home.
PHS Teacher Website Contest
by Elizabeth Moreno
Mrs. Moreno, the librarian at Pioneer High School, encouraged all teachers to update their website for the 2019-2020 school year. The teachers were then entered in a drawing to win a giant basket of goodies. The winner of the basket was Mr. Aaron Alvarado.
Nicole H. Cruz, SISD Lead Librarian
Email: ncruz@sharylandisd.org
Website: https://www.sharylandisd.org/departments/library_services
Location: 1216 North Shary Road, Mission, TX, USA
Phone: 956-580-5300
Twitter: @Cruz23Mac