Check It Out!

Dear Stinson Community,

And just like that, we've bid farewell to the goblins and ghouls and we're ready to welcome the short but festive month of turkeys, pumpkin pies, and gratitude. I am grateful for everyone's patience and flexibility as our construction finally reaches completion. This month, our main library doors will open once again and we can get back into our regular flow.

November is a short month with a long break, but we have a lot going on in the library! This month our theme is "Nonfiction November," and we also observe Native American Heritage month. Please read through this newsletter to hear about some interesting nonfiction reads you can check out this month, as well as books by Native American authors.

I hope to see you in the library soon!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Stafford

During the month of November, ELA classes will take a deeper dive into the world of nonfiction, how to find the information they are seeking, and all the things we can learn by reading.

In November we observe Native American Heritage Month. Stop by the library to check out a book by a a Native American author with Native American characters.

Our library skill of the month this month is focused around nonfiction. Watch the short tutorial linked on the picture to the left to understand the Dewey numbers and how to locate your favorite nonfiction books on the shelves.

October was a busy month in the library! ELA classes learned about the various genres available in our library catalog, as well as learning their unique "genre personality." Makerspace Club created origami monsters, pumpkins, and ghosts. Book Club students began writing practice questions for Battle of the Books, and Creepy Crayons invaded the library after ALE students read the book by Aaron Reynolds. Some students were able to attend a webinar with the inimitable R.L. Stine, best known as the author of the Goosebumps series. Also, a special shoutout goes to sixth grader Stella Adams, who blew away the competition in our Boggle Challenge with 100 words! Way to go, Stella!

The Library looked very spooky and special as we displayed 23 pumpkins decorated by teachers, as well as ofrendas, skulls, and pumpkins created by our Art classes. Our Creepy Cafe took place on October 30 and was a huge success. Students who submitted a spooky story and/or artwork attended a celebration during lunch and received a copy of the Creepy Cafe Journal. Some students are already planning their spooky story for next year!

Feeling burned out on reading? Try some of these tips. You can always ask your librarian for recommendations. Our library is full of wonderful books, and we also have lots of sources for digital content!

Expressing gratitude is one of the simplest ways to demonstrate caring to other individuals. Research shows that expressing gratitude has the added benefit of raising our happiness levels and making us more productive and healthier, especially if we make gratitude a habit.

What do you think are the benefits of expressing gratitude? Remember, the long-term benefits of expressing gratitude are only felt if we make expressing gratitude a habit. I invite you to participate in one (or several) gratitude habits this month.

• Gratitude Journal: Each day, journal about what you are grateful for over the previous 24 hours, and why you are grateful for that event, person, object, etc.
• 3 Gratitudes: Share three things you are grateful for each day. You can do this at the dinner table each night and make a habit of going around the table and each person sharing three things they are grateful for that day.
• Random Act of Kindness: Each day spend two minutes writing an e-mail, telling someone in person, or making a phone call praising or thanking someone for something they have done (texting not allowed). You may choose a friend, family member, teacher – anyone deserving of your praise or thanks.

All meetings will take place at 8:00 a.m. in the library.

Book Club: November 19

Pokemon Club: November 4, 18

Makerspace Club: November 11

Library Palooza (That Author Thing!) will take place at Brandeis HS on February 27, 2027

10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Check the Library Palooza website for details. Hope to see you there!

Be sure to check out your Library course tile in Schoology! Inside you will find links to all of our monthly promotions & contests, weekly book talks and trailers, as well as information about digital resources, password, and research help!

Laura Stafford, Librarian

Email: Laura.Stafford@nisd.net
Location: 13200 Skyhawk Drive, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: (210) 397-3633 (circulation desk)

(210) 397-3634 (office)