Back To School Partnering

Tonight was Back To School Night at Markham Middle School and parents turned out in large numbers. I am very excited about the turnout and the patronage of the Book Fair in the library. After eloquent words from our principal about Markham's commitment to student achievemnet, I was inspired and motivated for yet another day of the Markham Partnership. I am confident that our students will achieve new heights under this partnership and excited about transforming the way our students view themselves and the way others perceive our students.

Visiting Burroughs MS

For the last two days I have been able to work with the Teacher Librarian at John Burroughs Middle School. She invited me over to help with her Scholastic Book Fair that runs Monday 4/28- Friday 5/2. She scheduled classes in 15-20 minute interims. Closed for lunch periods; she allowed teachers to bring full classes of 35-40 students. I was fortunate to learn all the ins and outs of restocking and requesting additional materials from Scholastic. I helped students and parents find books and even bodyguarded the "trinket" section. The "trinket" section is filled with tons of School Supplies; yet they aren't the normal supplies because they are just so cute and the kids love to touch and pocket them. Working the cash register made me relive my Burger King employee days, only without the charbroiled scent. I am so thankful for the experience and really enjoyed my stay at Burroughs, the kids were so adorable and the staff was great! Thanks DJ for allowing me to post these pics!!!

UsBorne Read-A-Thon Reach For the Stars

A fellow Librarian in Hayward lent this wonderful information as an alternative to Scholastic Book Fairs. He found the Scholastic book Fairs were "too much work for too little profit, poor selection of books, and no on-site support". He decided to go with Usborne Books. Usborne's read-a-thon's are called "Reach For the Stars". He says, "It is a very easy program". He found that "Since (his) school serves urban, low income students and their families (his) fund raising goals were to put a variety of interesting books at various levels in my students hands > that they chosen". Here is his plan of action for any TL looking to sponsor a Read-A-Thon:

-Call Usborne books
-Decide on 10 days for read-a-thon and put it on school calendar.
-Get PTA and staff to buy in. Set a fund raising goal.
-Advertise! Try school news letters, library news letters, classroom newletters, posters, banners, PTA meetings, local newspaper, etc.
-Make enough copies of the sponsor sheet, reading log, and parent letter. Stuff into manilla envelope of for each student to participate and pass out on day one. Some students will not fund raise and that's fine - it is a parent's decision. Students do however have to do their daily reading and turn in their reading log at the end of the 10 days. We found that making labels with student name and classroom number was quite helpful to be put on students envelope when they cam back.
-Advertise and cheer lead Daily!
-When the students come to the library teach students to read the Usborne book catalog and make their wish lists. I wrote a lesson plan for elem. students that I will share, just email me. Feel free to modify for middle and high school.
-After the 10 days of reading, student turn in all the paperwork and money; get PTA and/ or teachers to help count and verify money. (write the name of the student on the memo line of any checks in > case of any problems)
-Pull wish lists and use to order books for student and teachers.
-Usborne Books rep places book order and about a week later books arrive, get unpacked /sorted.
-Bags get filled with correct books fall those who raised funds.>
-Students who read but didn't fund raise get a certificate of participation.
-Teachers also get their book bags for the classroom libraries. For more info contact Mr. Walters at Ruus Elem. School Library Hayward, CA arpw@onlinepw.com