This newsletter will bring you information to highlight the experiences our students have in our school library. We will also inform you of learning resources, new books, reading programs, research projects, tech tips, special events, and other news. We hope you find this information useful and value any feedback that you care to share. Enjoy!

Mrs. Reinert begins her eighth year as a teacher-librarian at Wanamaker Elementary. Her favorite part of the position is getting to work with every student and staff member at WE--they are the best! In her free time, she enjoys exercising, traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and of course, reading. She and her husband, Mark, are the parents of 4 grown children--Caitlin (and husband Carl), Austin (and wife Bridget), Alex, and Claire. Watching their granddaughters, Amelia Catherine (3) and Elaine Marie (6 months), grow and change has been the cherry on the sundae!

Mrs. Armstrong starts her ninth year as the part-time library assistant at Wanamaker Elementary. We share her with Indian Hills Elementary where she is also the library assistant. She says the best part of her job is getting to interact with the students. In her free time, she enjoys Jazzercise, watching TV and movies, and spending time with her husband and kids. She and her husband, Jeff, are the parents of three children--Lanee (a junior at K-State), Ellie (a freshman at K-State), and Rylan (a sophomore at WRHS).

Scan the QR code with a mobile device, using an app such as QR Reader, and visit the library's website by clicking on the Wanamaker Elementary link. The website has links to many resources for students, teachers, and families.

The 10th annual Kansas Book Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mabee Library on the campus of Washburn University. The presenting authors will be inside the Mabee Library, and the vendors/entertainment/children's activities/book signings will be set up outside the Library, on the lawn to the north side of the Library.

The presentations on the 18th will be in person as well as livestreamed.

Mrs. Reinert will be a participant in the Book Festival acting as a moderator for a panel discussion with middle-grade novelists Angela Cervantes (Lety Out Loud) and Alexandra Ott (Seekers of the Wild Realm). The theme of the discussion will be the importance of strong female characters in children's fiction.

Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity for a fun free literary experience for the whole family!

The students completing the summer reading program at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library were treated to an ice cream sundae and brownie party last week.

When asked what her favorite book was that she read this summer, 4th grader Aria responded with, "Nancy Drew because I like the different mysteries" while 2nd grader Ainsley replied, "No, David! because it's funny, and I like David Shannon."

The party was a great way to end the week and to celebrate summer reading!

Are your students coming home with reading requirements now that they are back in school? Paper June, an independent bookstore in Topeka owned by an Auburn Washburn family, has a sweet deal to offer as a reading incentive to them!

Readers who complete Paper June's September reading log will earn a FREE bundtlet cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

Happy Reading!

Download your reading log by clicking the link below.

Sept. 10 and 24-- Student Council meetings held in the library at 8:00 a.m.

Sept. 10-- 9/11 survivor Robert Matos will visit with all 6th graders via Skype.

Week of Sept. 13-- Dot Day celebrated in library classes for grades K-2. Feel free to send your child to school dressed in dots on the day of their library class (optional)!

Sept. 17-- Kansas Book Festival presenting author Jane Kurtz will visit with our 4th graders about her career as an author and a founder of the nonprofit Ethiopia Reads.

Sept. 18-- Kansas Book Festival held at the Mabee Library on the campus of Washburn University. (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Oct. 4- Nov. 12-- All 2nd graders will participate in the Global Read Aloud Picture Book Study by connecting with our buddy classes in a variety of ways.