Back Elementary School Library
January 2024 Recap & February 2024 Activities
GEF Grants - Library Books
We won two grants for the school library! We are excited to grow the English nonfiction section for all grades and the Spanish section for our bilingual students.
Bluebonnet Books - Voting - January
From August to January, students in grades 3-5 are encouraged to read at least 5 books on the Bluebonnet Books list before voting on their favorite in January. Students in grades 3-5 that read at least 5 Bluebonnet Books voted for their favorite book. Student votes have been entered into the district and state. The state winner will announced in the coming weeks.
Library Helpers
Mrs. Ross has a class reward system for her students. One of the incentives is helping in the library. We love visits from our library helpers!
Library Services - By the Numbers
Library Visitors
How many students and staff members has the library helped so far this year?
Library Checkouts
How many library books have circulated with students and staff members so far this year?
Renaissance myON
How many minutes have students read on myON so far this year?
Renaissance myON - Top Readers January
Congratulations to our Bulldog Stars for shining bright! The Top Readers for January are:
- 5th grade - Damond Smith
- 4th grade - David Rodriguez
3rd grade - Matthew Esparza
- 2nd grade - Noah Moss
- 1st grade - Jacob Soto
- Kinder - Jacob Medina
Students and teachers have access to Renaissance myON with their GISD credentials through ReadyHub and through Clever. If you need help logging in to myON, reach out to the school librarian. Renaissance myON has ebooks, audiobooks, and news. Parents can create a free account for their family or community members. To register for a free account, visit https://garland.renaissance.com and register with the online form.
World Read Aloud Day - February 1
Black History Month - Reading Challenge - February
We are having a Reading Challenge on Renaissance myON. The Reading Challenge is for the entire month of February during Black History Month. The top 2 readers in each grade band PK-2 and 3-5 will be entered into a district drawing for a prize.
Reading with Rodney - February 20
Visit the Reading with Rodney Mobile Library during our Parent/Teacher Conference Night. The Reading with Rodney Mobile Library travels throughout GISD, and families can check out books from the bus and return them to any GISD library. The Reading with Rodney Mobile Library will be at Back Elementary School on February 20th from 4pm to 7pm.
Texas 2x2 Reading List
The Texas 2x2 Reading List is recommended for children age 2 to grade 2. During library time for grades PK-2, we are reading Texas 2x2 books every week. Students can color the books on the coloring sheet as we read them. Students can keep the coloring sheet at home or at school.
Braums Book Buddy
Braum’s Book Buddy is a reading incentive program for students in grades 1-5. Each student can earn up to 6 treats from Braum's per school year by reading! To participate, teachers distribute Book Buddy booklets to students and then monitor book reading by placing a Book Buddy sticker in the student booklets for each book read. When a student has read 6 books and has earned 6 stickers, the teacher rewards the student with a coupon for a free treat from Braum’s. Families can redeem Book Buddy coupons at Braum's.
Public Libraries
Meet the librarian
Name: Nancy Fuentes
Title: School Librarian, Teacher Librarian
School: Back Elementary School
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Southern Methodist University and Master of Science in Library Science from the University of North Texas
Certifications: Bilingual Generalist EC-6, School Library EC-12
Email: nfuente@garlandisd.net
Website: garlandisdschools.net/back/academics/library
Phone: 972-475-1884
Twitter: @LibFuentes