One for the Record Books
December 2023
Sharyland ISD Librarians @ National Butterfly Center
by Nicole H. Cruz
The October 6th meeting was held at the National Butterfly Center. Librarians enjoyed 3 guest speakers. Marianna Trevino Wright, Veronica Whitacre, and Dr. Ida Garza spoke about their roles leading important non-profit agencies in the Rio Grande Valley.
Board Game Party
by Thanya Montemayor
RHE students that met their AR goals in the second reporting period were invited to play all kinds of board games in the cafeteria. Some students brought their own and some students borrowed games from the library. A lot of staff stopped by to play as well. Even the principal, Mrs. Rios, joined a rousing game of Monopoly!
Combination Family Reading Night and Book Fair
by Albert Ramos
Jensen Elementary students attended a Scholastic Book Fair/ Reading Night! Students that read and AR tested on 3 books received a free book and bookmark.
STC Dual Enrollment Library Summit
by Nicole H. Cruz
On October 19th, Nicole Cruz, Librarian for SA3 and SHS attended the Fall 2023 STC Library Summit. The program addressed the needs of dual enrollment students to have extended access to the school library. The STC library staff shared important online resources, tutoring opportunities, and the on campus library services. It was a day well spent with fellow high school librarians who have similar roles in their school districts.
Ozobots Dia de los Muertos at RD Martinez Elementary
by Oneida Aleman
The students were able to create their family tree, with branches for each family member, and draw or leave a gift on the branches for those who have passed on. The students' challenge is to use the right codes to have Ozobot reach every branch it needs to. The students were able to place pictures at the Dia de los Muertos altar and enjoy coding with their peers. It was such a great way for the students to learn about how in many homes people set up ofrendas, or altars, to the departed. These are decked with lighted candles, special food, and whatever the dead enjoyed when they were alive.
The Art of Tying a Tie
by Elizabeth Moreno
For November’s Student Lunch and Learn in the library, all Pioneer High School students were invited to master the art of tying a tie. The expert instructors were our very own Business Professionals of America student leaders. Students watched BPA’s demonstration and then received one on one instruction to master this skill. Students were also treated to Frito Pie as a light snack while they participated in this event. Ms.Julie Carranza,PHS principal, Mrs. Casey Bickerton, assistant principal, and Mrs. Elizabeth Moreno, lbrarian, were attentive learners on this day as they also tried to master the perfect knot. All students had a great time and more importantly, they are taking a valuable skill with them into their bright futures.
Two Sentence Horror Story Writing Contest
by Denise Cirlos
B. L. Gray held its first annual Two Sentence Horror Story Writing Contest. The goal was to encourage creative expression and improve scholars writing skills. The contest sparked excitement as students crafted short, impactful horror tales. The winners earned a voucher to buy books at the Scholastic Book Fair.
Character Pumpkin Contest at JHS by M. Silva
by Monica Silva
Our JHS Annual Character Pumpkin Contest was a great success. Students were encouraged to decorate a pumpkin inspired by one of their favorite book characters. All character pumpkins were creative masterpieces.
Author Visit
by Jose Guerrero
Bentsen Elementary students had an author visit this past month. Mrs. Cordero presented her safety books to our students and brought a special guest. Her books were very informative and gave smart advice on what to do during emergency situations. Students were very excited to meet the author and police officer and even got a first look at the patrol vehicle.
Top Fundraisers
by Patricia Ramos
Wernecke Elementary hosted a Rocky Mt. Chocolate Factory fundraiser and were able to raise $4,200 dollars for the library. Thanks to everyone and congratulations to our top 3 sellers!
Shimotsu Book Fair Fun
by Alma Paredes
Students and their families had a chance to enjoy our Scholastic Book-fair Night at Harry Shimotsu Elementary! We had a fantastic turnout and a successful fundraiser. 📚
HOSA Blood Drive Held at Penny Payte McLeaish LRC
by Nicole H. Cruz
Sharyland High School HOSA under the guidance of Yolanda Pate held at Blood Drive on October 24th at the library. Students, staff, teachers, and even the librarian donated blood to save lives.
PHS Health Science Students Learn Canva
by Elizabeth Moreno
Mrs. Moreno, Pioneer High School librarian partnered with Mrs. Jodie Fleischmann to introduce her Health Science classes to Canva, a graphic design platform. The students ranged from beginners to intermediate users and came away from the lesson with the know how to create a flyer and a presentation. Students also learned how Canva is incorporating AI to assist in creating projects. Mrs. Fleischmann then invited administrators and Mrs. Moreno to the classroom to view the student presentations. Fantastic collaboration happening at PHS and the students benefit as they take these new skills with them into the workforce.
Library Ambassadors at RD Martinez Elementary
by Oneida Aleman
This year at RD Martinez we have four great library ambassadors who have learned how to shelve read, shelve books, and assist students when they are looking for a book. The students work together and are always eager to learn more about the library. It is great to see them learn about customer service and organization skills. As a librarian, it fills my heart to see our students help keep our library clean and organized at all times.
"Parading" into Thanksgiving
by Monica Silva
Since 1924, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade has marched through the streets in New York City. Students at JHS learned about the history behind this family-oriented parade. We read Balloons Over Broadway, the story of the the puppeteer Tony Sarg, who inspired the helium balloons that are the trademark of the Macy's Parade. Next, students had fun creating their own parade by using stop motion animation. We ended the lesson by watching clips of past Macy's Thanksgiving Parades.
Book Fair Time!
by Thanya Montemayor
Students at Ruben Hinojosa Elementary had a great time shopping at the Scholastic Book Fair the first week of November! They picked up their favorite books and trinkets and made it the biggest Book Fair to date!
South Texas Book Festival Bookmark Finalists
by Nicole H. Cruz
We are super proud of our art students. They entered the South Texas Book Festival Bookmark Contest. Their teacher Raul Perez encouraged them to participate. He had 60 students participate. More than 900 entries were received from students in 3 grade categories from across the Rio Grande Valley.
The students were recognized on Saturday, October 28th at a special ceremony at the Teen Department of the McAllen Public Library. Their designs were given to participants as bookmarks and created into beautiful banners on display at the book festival.
Reading Like Champions
by Patricia Ramos
Wernecke students have been working hard on their yearly AR goals and are doing amazing! Congrats to our first VIP readers for accomplishing this goal so early in the year!
Family Literacy Night and Book Giveaway
by Denise Cirlos
B. L. Gray hosted a Family Literacy Night on October 18th. Scholars were able to participate in games and activities. Everyone walked away with a free book and prizes! A big thank you goes out to our theatre arts scholars for their excellent "Guess the Book" re-enactments!
Nonfiction Reading-Grant for SA3
by Nicole H. Cruz
Isaac Pietrzak, SA3 Dual Enrollment History Teacher, and Nicole Cruz, SA3 Librarian, partnered to write and submit a Sharyland ISD Education Foundation grant. They requested 35 copies of the book adapted for young readers -Killers of the Flower Moon: the Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. Students have checked out their books, started reading, and met for discussion.