Wanamaker Library Newsletter
October 2025
5th Graders Connect With a 9/11 Survivor
You could have heard a pin drop. The Wanamaker 5th graders gathered in the library the morning of Friday, Sept. 12, and had the privilege of connecting with 9/11 Twin Towers survivor, Robert Matos.
Mr. Matos, who lives in New Jersey, graciously shared his experiences of that fateful day with a generation who hadn't yet been born when the attacks happened.
While it was a tragic, very sad day, with the loss of many lives (including many of his co-workers and friends), Mr. Matos stressed that many good things also came out of his experience like gratitude for family, friends, and for life itself. It taught him that it was the nonmaterial things of his life that mattered the most.
He ended by emphasizing that he doesn't harbor anger or resentment, but instead feels that we can all work together for a better tomorrow.
The students were completely engaged in the presentation and asked thoughtful, mature questions.
Mrs. Fewell, 5th grade social studies teacher, had this to say about Mr. Matos's presentation, "Our skype with Mr. Matos gave our students a powerful opportunity to connect with a primary source and gain a firsthand perspective on a pivotal event in our nation's history. Many thanks to Mrs. Reinert for arranging this meaningful experience."
Thank you, Mr. Matos, for making a difference in our students' lives!
The students wrote heartfelt Thank You letters to Mr. Matos to show their appreciation of him sharing this experience with them.
In addition to connecting with Mr. Matos, we read aloud I Survived the 9/11 Attacks by Lauren Tarshis in our library classes. With both of these experiences, the students now have a clearer picture of the tragedy of 9/11 and its effects on our country and its people.
Kristin shares an example of a revised page from one of her manuscripts. Revisions are hard work and take lots of patience!
The students sing Happy Birthday to author Kristin Gray. We were honored to get to celebrate with her!
Tim Bascom, Director of the Kansas Book Festival, attended Kristin's WE presentation.
Second grader Charlie asks our buddy class a question about where they are located.
Mrs. Bush's class poses in front of our map after guessing the location of their buddy class!
A bulletin board displaying pictures of the Global Read Aloud featured author/illustrator Oge Mora and her works, along with images of our mystery skypes is located in the hallway outside of the library.
Flynn, an alum of WE, plays the violin in the youth symphony as part of the day's entertainment.
What a treat to run into Adriana and her dad at the Festival!
Nathaniel tried his hand at some of the STEM acitivies in the children's tent.
WE staff members Mrs. Carlton and Mrs. Holmes report having a great time attending some of the Festival's literary sessions.
Josh holds his autographed copy of Buffalo Fluffalo after attending author Bess Kalb's session. Kalb and Buffalo Fluffalo was the winner of the 2025 Bill Martin, Jr. Award.
Mrs. Reinert loved working with and learning from long-admired authors Lesa Cline-Ransome and Susan Lynn Myers while moderating their session on "New Settler Stories for New Readers."
