One for the Record Books
November 2026
District Librarian Meeting @ Lloyd and Dolly Bentsen Elementary
by Nicole H. Cruz
On October 2nd the district librarians met at Lloyd and Dolly Bensten Elementary for the professional development. Two of the elementary librarians were celebrating their birthdays. Wally Trevino, O Garza Elementary, and Thanya Montemayor Lopez, R. Hinojosa Elementary, posed for a birthday photo at one of the many balloon arches made especially for the librarians by the Bentsen SPTSO officers. The red carpet was rolled out for the librarians. They enjoyed refreshments, gift bags, and even a fuzzy book blanket. Much appreciation to Mr. Rodriguez and his incredible parent volunteers and campus secretary for making our meeting truly memorable.
Jensen Library Happenings: Guest Reader, Costume Contest and Coloring Contest
by Albert Ramos
Jensen Elementary Library Celebrated Winnie the Pooh and Literacy with Superintendent Dr. Howard. Dr. Howard read a favorite Winnie the Pooh book to our eager readers! Students and staff celebrated the month of October with a Costume Day. Students also participated in a coloring contest!
Hispanic Heritage Month
by Oneida Aleman
At the RDM Library, we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a special read-aloud of Paletero Man enhanced by @Novel_Effect! Students enjoyed learning about our culture, traditions, and the importance of community through this wonderful story.
To make the celebration even sweeter, we ended the event with delicious paletas for everyone! It was a wonderful opportunity to share, learn, and celebrate the rich traditions that are part of who we are.
Spooktacular Pumpkin Contest at Donna Wernecke Elementary
by Monica Arguelles
The Spooktacular Pumpkin Contest was a huge success, with more than 90 creatively decorated pumpkins submitted by DWE families! Pumpkins were transformed into favorite and popular book characters, including Paddington Bear, Pete the Cat, Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Jory John’s beloved characters, the Bad Seed and the Smart Cookie. The creativity and imagination on display were truly amazing! Best of all, students had a wonderful time working alongside family and friends, bringing their favorite literary characters to life through creativity, teamwork, and lots of Spooktacular fun!
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrated @ Shimotsu Library
by Alma Paredes
Our Shimotsu library celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a sweet pairing— stories and ice pops! Students enjoyed reading "Paletero Man" by Lucky Diaz and cooling off with ice pops as we celebrated Hispanic culture through the joy of reading. What a delicious way to bring books to life!
Celebrating 100 Years of Winnie-the-Pooh with a Special Guest Reader!
by Wally Trevino
A Hundred Years of Friendship, Adventure, and the Magic of Reading!
This year marks a very special milestone as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh, the beloved children’s character created by author A. A. Milne in 1926. For a century, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood have captured the hearts of readers with their timeless stories of friendship, kindness, and adventure.
To commemorate this special literary anniversary, our second-grade students received a wonderful treat as Dr. Howard, Superintendent of Sharyland Independent School District, joined them for a special read-aloud celebration!
During his visit, Dr. Howard shared the joy of storytelling with our young readers, helping bring the magic of Winnie-the-Pooh to life. This memorable experience highlighted the importance of literacy, imagination, and developing a lifelong love of reading.
Having our district superintendent participate in this celebration reminded students that reading is not only an essential skill but also an adventure that can be enjoyed at any age.
A special thank-you to Dr. Howard for taking time out of his busy schedule to inspire our second graders and celebrate this remarkable milestone in children’s literature.
Just like Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, we are reminded that the best adventures often begin with friendship, imagination, and a good book!
Happy 100th Birthday, Winnie-the-Pooh! Here’s to another century of inspiring young readers, one story at a time!
Sharyland High School South Texas Bookmark Participants Recognized
by Nicole H. Cruz
Sharyland High School had 30 students enter the STBF Bookmark Contest. Students took time to reflect on the theme Pages to Possibilities and carefully craft a bookmark that represented it. Student designs were inspired by personal experiences and history. Art teachers Juan Saenz, Raul Perez, and Andria Alvarez made the opportunity available in collaboration with librarian Nicole Cruz. Kudos to all of these students for leaning into this artistic endeavor. Students were recognized with a sweet treat and a certificate signed by their teacher.
It Takes a Village
by Nicole H. Cruz
"It takes a village to raise a child." This well-known proverb means that in order to raise a child-many people come together. This proverb applies to public education. Every student is supported behind the scenes by dedicated staff in all departments. At the October 2nd district librarian meeting, many of the behind the scenes "experts" volunteered to present at the meeting. We are grateful to Tisha Dahlberg, Sergio Esquivel, Rocio Landin, and Jesus Salazar for bringing updates to us from technology, public relations, and the business office. Thanks to all the villagers who work each and every day to ensure student achievement and success.
Stories, Art, and Remembrance at Pioneer High School Library
by Nancy P. Garza
Pioneer High School Librarian Mrs. N. Garza welcomed Spanish classes to the library for Día de
los Muertos activities that connected literature, culture, and creativity. Students listened to
Rosita y Conchita before creating their own Día de los Muertos stained glass artwork.
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition celebrated on November 1 and 2 to honor and
remember loved ones who have passed away. Families share memories and create ofrendas,
or altars, with photographs, favorite foods, and meaningful objects that celebrate their loved
ones’ lives. The tradition emphasizes family connections and keeping memories alive across
generations.
Rosita y Conchita brings these themes to life through the story of Conchita preparing an altar in
remembrance of her sister, Rosita. Told in English and Spanish, the story offers a heartfelt
connection to the holiday’s traditions and the enduring love between family members.
Following the reading, students created colorful stained glass artwork to decorate Día de los
Muertos ofrendas and altars. Their creations added a personal, artistic touch to spaces
dedicated to honoring loved ones. By combining storytelling with a hands-on activity, Mrs. Garza
provided an opportunity for students to connect their Spanish classroom learning with artistic
expression and cultural appreciation
A Spoonful of Frogs Activity
by Thanya Montemayor
RHE Kinder students were hopping out of their chairs and chasing unruly frogs around the library! Librarian, Thanya Montemayor, read the book A Spoonful of Frogs about a witch preparing her favorite meal, Frog Soup. Unfortunately for her appetite, the frogs refused to comply! The frogs escape to the local pond and the witch is left having to improvise! The students loved helping their frogs escape the witch by jumping them into their crayon box pond. Many laughs were had and the competition was fierce! In the end, many frogs were rescued and lots of fun was had!
Knights & Novels Wednesdays
by Josie Saldaña
Wednesdays are for strategy, stories, and a little peace and quiet! The library is exclusively open to Chess Club and Book Club members on Wednesdays for a special midweek opportunity to unwind, recharge, and enjoy their favorite activities. Members can challenge a friend to a game of chess, dive into a great book, or simply enjoy some peaceful reading time. Whether they’re planning their next chess move or turning the next page, Knights & Novels Wednesdays are all about relaxing, connecting, and exercising the mind!
Bentsen Library in the Fall
by Jose Guerrero
The Bentsen Elementary Character Parade and Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest brought families, students, and staff together to celebrate creativity, imagination, and the joy of reading. Students dressed as their favorite book characters and transformed pumpkins into fun, creative literary characters. These activities encouraged family participation, promoted literacy, and reminded everyone that reading brings stories and characters to life. It was a wonderful celebration of school spirit, family involvement, and our shared love of reading!
Exciting Changes in the JHS Library!
by Monica Silva
Exciting things are happening in the JHS Library as we begin introducing dynamic shelving! We started with our graphic novel section, creating a more inviting, organized, and student-friendly space that makes browsing and discovering books even more fun. Our goal is to make books more visible and accessible while encouraging students to explore new titles. We can't wait to continue transforming the other sections of our library and creating a space that inspires a love of reading!
Region One Fall Media Fair
Seven Sharyland ISD Librarians attended the Region One Fall Media Fair Touchdowns and Transformations. Librarians had the opportunity to attend four breakout sessions of their choice. Topics on a variety of themes were available from BrainPOP, Creative Library Programming, Integrating Digital Learning, Policy in Practice Texas Collection Development, News O Matic Essentials, and more. Each librarian will share his or her favorite takeaway at the next district librarian meeting on Nov 6.
At RDM, Reading Is Always Celebrated!
by Oneida Aleman
Our top readers for the 1st reporting period were recognized with a special celebration in the library! Students enjoyed delicious donuts and had the chance to spin the prize wheel for some awesome rewards.
We are so proud of these dedicated readers who continue to make reading a priority. At RDM, reading doesn't stop when the bell rings. It's a habit, an adventure, and a pathway to success!
We also celebrated all of our students who successfully met their reading challenges. These students enjoyed a fun-filled time in the library playing board games, creating colorful dot art, and working together on a giant Demco StickTogether® mosaic.
Thank you to all of our readers for making the library a place where learning and fun go hand in hand. Keep turning those pages, RDM readers!
Family Reading Night at Donna Wernecke Elementary
by Monica Arguelles
DWE hosted its very first Family Reading Night, bringing families together to celebrate the joy of reading! Parents learned about the new Book Taco program and how students can read books and participate to add words to their reading count. A special guest from the McAllen Public Library also joined us, sharing fun games and information about upcoming library programs and activities for families. Best of all, it was heartwarming to see families enjoying a good book, sharing stories, and making wonderful memories together. What a fantastic evening celebrating reading and family time at DWE!
Library Resources Professional Development Led by Nicole Cruz Librarian for SHS and SA3
by Nicole H. Cruz
On Friday, October 30th, SHS and SA3 faculty and staff attended professional development. The first part was led by campus Nurse Valerie Morales. She shared important clinic information, health information, proper techniques on responding to seizures, and how to "Stop the Bleed." The second part of the session was led by librarian Nicole Cruz. Mrs. Cruz shared student, parent, and teacher login access to MackinVIA. She shared the many tools that are available to students via Gale Test Prep. She gave step by step instructions on how to access The Monitor for FREE Monday-Friday. And finally she introduced staff to SWANK K12 Streaming. She gave examples of how teachers can find content for their curriculum, how to bookmark clips and use them as bell ringers or exit tickets, and how to select grade level appropriate movies and documentaries.
A Little Pooh, a Lot of Kindness at the PHS Library
by Nancy P. Garza
Pioneer High School Librarian Mrs. N. Garza brought the warmth of the Hundred Acre Wood to the library with a celebration of Winnie the Pooh’s 100th anniversary. Combining reading, creativity, and acts of kindness, the event encouraged students to discover how stories can inspire meaningful connections. Students listened to a story about friendship and kindness, exploring how small gestures can make a difference in someone’s day. They then brought those themes to life by creating buttons and bookmarks and delivering sweet treats to their teachers to brighten their day. Through this celebration, Mrs. Garza promoted literacy beyond the pages of a book, giving students an opportunity to put the story’s message into action. The activities connected the joy of reading with creativity and generosity, spreading a little Hundred Acre Wood kindness throughout Pioneer High School.
Positive Postcard Praise for SHS and SA3 students
by Nicole H. Cruz
SA3 and SHS students have received snail mail from librarian Nicole Cruz. Students engaged in a variety of library lessons who volunteer, add to discussion, or share receive a positive postcard in the mail. They are instructed to bring the postcard to the library for a prize. This year so far postcards have been mailed to more than 30 students. Students enjoy getting real mail that highlights positive reflections from their librarian.
Creepy Carrots Come to Life in the Garza Library!
by Wally Trevino
Our library students recently enjoyed reading Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds and participating in a fun, hands-on sequencing activity!
After listening to the spooky and entertaining story, students put their reading comprehension skills to work by identifying key events and arranging them in the correct order. Through this creative project, students practiced recognizing the beginning, middle, and end of the story while strengthening their sequencing, critical thinking, and storytelling skills.
This engaging activity brought literature to life while encouraging students to explore their creativity and develop a deeper understanding of story structure.
Learning is always an adventure in the library, especially when creepy carrots are involved!
Creative Professional Development
by Thanya Montemayor
I attended two outstanding professional development opportunities that centered around channeling our creativity into our profession. Region One Library Services had a series of two sessions involving how to use the Cricut machine to improve our libraries and our programming. We were able to create products during the session that we could bring back to school and the knowledge to create more if needed. I would recommend these sessions to all librarians!
Pumpkin Art Inspired by Yayoi Kusama!
by Monica Silva
Our JHS students explored the colorful world of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama! During this fun library lesson, students enjoyed reading Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn't Sorry by Fausto Gilberti. After learning about her unique artistic style and love of polka dots, students created their own dot-inspired pumpkins filled with bright colors and playful patterns. It was a wonderful way to combine reading, art, and creativity in the library!
A Day of Reading, Inspiration, and Discovery!
by Alma Paredes
A Day of Reading, Inspiration, and Discovery!
Some of our Shimotsu students took the opportunity to visit the South Texas International Book Festival, where they celebrated their love of reading and explored the wonderful world of books!
Students enjoyed discovering new stories, meeting authors, and experiencing the excitement of a community-wide celebration of literacy.
Events like these inspire our young readers to explore new interests, spark their imaginations, and discover that there is always another great book waiting to be read!
We are proud of our students for representing Shimotsu Elementary and embracing their love of reading! See you at the next one!
Our New LEGO Wall & STEM Corner
by Josie Saldaña
Our library recently welcomed a new LEGO Wall and STEM Corner, and students have been excited to jump in and start creating! From building with LEGOs to exploring STEM kits and experimenting with different materials, students are discovering fun ways to learn through hands-on activities. The positive reception has been wonderful to see as students use their creativity, problem-solving skills, and imagination to bring their ideas to life. We can’t wait to see what they build next!
"One for the Record Books" was recognized by the Texas Library Association for a PR Branding Iron Award in 2016. Submit photos and stories by the deadline each month to be included in "One for the Record Books." Please make sure any students are not on the "Do Not Photograph List" before submitting their photos for publication.