Our Mustang family has had a busy first month of school! Although we are currently virtual, we are finding ways to stay connected and engaged. Way to go, Mustangs!

Thank you to all students who submitted a Bright Summer Reader log! Way to go to the following students, who participated by submitting their logs: Pre-K: Natalie and Isette, Kinder: Dylan, Preston, Rosemerrie, and Noah Lee, 1st Grade: Luis, 2nd Grade: Jason and Leilani, 3rd Grade: Emery, Isaac, Brian, Alejandro, and Sienna, 4th Grade: Aria, Ian, Amerie, and Abigail, and 5th Grade: Martin, Karim, and David.

Congratulations to our top readers, who read the most pages in their grade level:

Pre-K: Isette (Teacher: M. Robles)

Kinder: Noah Lee (Teacher: G. Alanis)

1st Grade: Luis (Teacher: S. Arciniega)

2nd Grade: Leilani (Teacher: M. Martinez)

3rd Grade: Sienna (Teacher: A. Alanis)

4th Grade: Abigail (Teacher: M. Garza)

5th Grade: David (Teacher: H. Ramos)

TX Library Standards: 3.2- The school library program supports, supplements, and elevates literacy instruction through research-based strategies and participation in national, state, and local reading initiatives.

We held our first Family Literacy Night of the 2020-2021 school year on October 7, via Facebook. The event included an orientation to online resources and a fun read-aloud!

TX Library Standards: 5.3- The school library program extends library-based learning opportunities for families through community-centered activities.

Congratulations to the following classes for participating the most in our first competition to kick off Accelerated Reader for the new school year!

TX Library Standards: 5.3- The school library program extends library-based learning opportunities for families through community-centered activities.

PSJA ISD Library Services received books from the Molina Foundation and South Texas Literacy Coalition to distribute to students! Books were distributed along with devices and instructional materials.

TX Library Standards: 2.1- The school library program includes a carefully curated collection of current materials in a variety of formats, including curation of open educational resources (OER) that are uniquely suited to support inquiry learning and the needs and interests of all users.

Check out this video of our students celebrating Dot Day!

In October, via Google Classroom, students were provided with books from myON and other activities related to Fire Safety Week and Space Week! These choice boards were created and shared by Carman Elementary librarian, Mrs. Rodriguez. In addition, Mrs. Alvarez created a collection in Epic! to celebrate Star Wars Reads month. Coming up in the week of October 19, we will be celebrating Digital Citizenship, with related books and lessons.

TX Library Standards: 3.1- The library encourages students to read a variety of literature for information and pleasure. The library provides access to physical and virtual collections of high quality, current resources in a variety of formats (print, audio, electronic) and platforms (readable on most devices) which reflect input from stakeholders.

Mrs. Alvarez is sharing resources with our PK-3rd grade classes through Google Classroom. Students are able to access read-aloud videos for the picture book series and the early reader book, along with ways to connect with students reading the same books from around the world! Using Padlet, Flipgrid, and Google Apps, we are connecting through a shared reading experience.

TX Library Standards: 3.4- Library programs encourage collaboration with other types of libraries (e.g. public, academic, governmental, special), information institutions (e.g. museums, institutes, and virtual field trips), and community partners.

Students in 1st-5th grades are taking their Beginning of Year Star Reading assessments through Renaissance. This will allow teachers, parents, and students to know the current reading level, and will help us find great books for each child. The Star Reading will be taken again in the middle and at the end of the year to track progress.

TX Library Standards: 4.1- The library program effectively uses and promotes the use of technology applications and tools across all content areas for discovery, collaboration, critical analysis, creation, and presentation of learning.

TX Library Standards: 4.2- The library program utilizes a variety of engaging technology tools that demonstrate learning in a measurable way.

TX Library Standards: 5.3- The school library program extends library-based learning opportunities for families through community-centered activities.

A virtual author's visit will be held on Wednesday, November 4, at 3:00 p.m. Adrianna Cuevas is the author of The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez, a magical book of fantasy and mystery perfect for 3rd-5th graders. More information will be forthcoming regarding this visit and instructions for attending.

Please mark your calendars! On the evening of November 4, we will hold another Virtual Family Literacy Night with a themed-read-aloud! Get cozy and tune in to enjoy a book with our mystery reader!

TX Library Standards: 5.3- The school library program extends library-based learning opportunities for families through community-centered activities.

For the Battle of the Books, a team of three students will compete to show off their knowledge of five Texas Bluebonnet Award books. If you are interested in joining our Battle of the Bluebonnet Books team, please contact Mrs. Alvarez at rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us.

TX Library Standards: 3.2- The school library program supports, supplements, and elevates literacy instruction through research-based strategies and participation in national, state, and local reading initiatives.

To take AR quizzes, students will visit https://global-zone08.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/239158 and utilize the user name and password provided by their teacher. If you need assistance, please email rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us.

TX Library Standards: 2.1- The school library program includes a carefully curated collection of current materials in a variety of formats, including curation of open educational resources (OER) that are uniquely suited to support inquiry learning and the needs and interests of all users.

TX Library Standards: 3.1- The library encourages students to read a variety of literature for information and pleasure. The library provides access to physical and virtual collections of high quality, current resources in a variety of formats (print, audio, electronic) and platforms (readable on most devices) which reflect input from stakeholders.

Click here to see what Mrs. Alvarez is reading, and what's next on the list! https://app.edu.buncee.com/buncee/5a6e5179409941748e69752b18b3ca4c

Email: rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us
Website: psjaisd.us/ford
Location: 1110 East Polk Avenue, Pharr, TX, USA
Phone: (956) 354-2770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenryFordElementary
Twitter: @librarian_alva