@Behlau Library

October was a SPOOK-tacular month in the library!

Our younger readers had a gourd-geous time exploring the pumpkin life cycle and discovering the different names, colors, shapes, and varieties of pumpkins! Meanwhile, our upper-grade students became official GLOW Agents, investigating legendary creatures through mysterious clues and challenges. Using their skills in inferencing, main idea, context clues, and collaboration, students worked together to uncover the identity of the mysterious creature lurking through the Behlau hallways! It was a month filled with spooky mysteries, teamwork, and lots of learning fun!

Our Kinder and 1st grade students have started receiving their special Book Baby Diaper Bags, and they are absolutely loving them! 💕 Just look at those happy faces! Our little readers are excited to keep their book babies safe and snug as they travel between school and home. We're building responsible readers, one book baby at a time!

🎈 1st Annual Balloons Over Behlau Parade! 🎈

Get ready for a balloon-tastic celebration! On Friday, November 20th, Behlau Elementary will host our very first Balloons Over Behlau Parade to kick off Thanksgiving break! 🦃

This month in the library, students will explore the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade through the book Balloons Over Broadway, while learning about science, creativity, and engineering!

🎈 We invite every student to bring a balloon of their choice! Balloons can be helium-filled or blown up and can be any shape, size, animal, or occasion!

Let's fill Behlau with color, creativity, and Thanksgiving cheer! 🍂🎉

September was full of learning, exploring, and growing in the library! Students continued building their library skills while learning how to care for books, become great listeners, and make the most of all the wonderful resources our library has to offer. We are off to a great start!

Our younger students became expert “book babysitters” this month! They learned how to carefully carry, tuck away, and care for their “book babies” so they stay safe and happy. They also practiced using their whole bodies to be great listeners when someone is speaking: eyes watching, ears listening, hands still, and bodies ready to learn!

We had a very special Mystery Reader visit the library! Jessica Palomares, Interim Superintendent, stopped by to read to some of our 3rd and 4th graders. And the best part? She read my newest published book, The Three Cochinitas on the Mission Trail! 🐷📖 What a fun surprise for our readers!

Choose a favorite book character and transform a paper gift bag into that character! Get creative using paper, paint, felt, yarn, fabric, or other craft supplies you have at home. Be sure to include student name, grade and teacher's name on your bag. Most importantly, have fun creating your one-of-a-kind Book Character Trick-or-Treat Bag!

Drop off your completed bag at the library anytime during October so we can display it for everyone to enjoy! All bags will be returned to students no later than October 30th, just in time for trick-or-treating!

Can you believe it’s time to start another amazing school year? I hope you had a fun, relaxing summer and are ready for a year filled with books, adventures, creativity, and LOTS of reading!

I am SO excited to be back for another year as your Behlau Librarian! This year, we’re taking our love of reading to the next level with a special Library Trading Card Adventure!

Just like collecting your favorite cards, students will have opportunities throughout the year to read, collect, discover, and earn their very own library trading cards featuring the amazing readers and teachers of Behlau. The more you read, the more you can collect!

My goal is to make our library a place where students can discover new worlds, find books they love, share their ideas, and become confident readers and writers. I can't wait to see what adventures this school year brings!

This newsletter will be your monthly guide to everything happening in the library—from new books and reading challenges to special events, activities, and surprises. Things may change along the way, but one thing is certain: we're going to have a POKÉMON-sized year of reading fun!

So grab your backpack, sharpen your pencils, and get ready...

GOTTA READ ’EM ALL!

With excitement,
Veronica Martinez
Your Behlau Librarian
AKA The Book Mama ❤️

Contact Me

Please reach out anytime if I can help you or your students!

Mrs. Veronica Martinez
School Librarian
📞 210-398-1033
📧 veronica.martinez@nisd.net

Behlau Library Website- CLICK HERE

Library Hours
The library is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 2:45 PM, unless otherwise noted on the library calendar or posted on the library door.

Book Exchange
Students may exchange their books daily before or during the school day.

Parent Visits
Parents are welcome to visit the library from 7:30–7:45 AM with a FAST PASS only. Parents may check out up to 10 books at a time, which are due in 14 days.

Overdue & Damaged Books

Students will receive two reminders if books are overdue. After that, a bill will be issued for overdue or damaged books.

Please help by reminding students to return their library books on time.

Library Schedule
We will continue with our FIXED/FLEX A & B schedule. This means:

• Library classes will be held every two weeks for lessons and book checkouts.

• Students may exchange books daily, before school and during school hours.

• Schedules may shift based on coverage or other duties.

Important Notes

• Teachers should remind students and parents of their library day.

• Library lessons will be TEKS-aligned to support classroom instruction and will also incorporate ALA standards, including how to research effectively and find reliable sources.

Checkout Policy

• Pre-K, Kinder & 1st Grade: 1 book at a time. Books will be kept in the classroom unless the teacher requests that they go home.

• 2nd–5th Grade: 2 books at a time.

• Teachers: Unlimited books, checked out for up to 30 days.

• Parents: 5 books at a time (checked out under the student’s account).

Due Dates

• All books are due back every 2 weeks (or sooner).

• Students may exchange books daily, before or during the school day.

• Notices will be sent for overdue (after two reminders) or damaged items.

• Payments must be made through My School Bucks only.

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