Hello, Mustangs! We have completed the 4th 6-Weeks of the school year. We had some extreme cold weather and widespread power outages. This year has certainly posed its challenges, but we will get through this together.

Thank you for checking out our newsletter. We had some exciting events during the past 7 weeks, and have more fun activities coming up ahead! As always, please reach out to rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us with any questions!

Ford Elementary School is hosting an online Scholastic Book Fair! Even though we can't be physically together, we can still share in the magic of a book fair. The fair is open from February 15 through February 28. Visit our Book Fair site at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/fordelementary

Books can be purchased online from anywhere and shipped directly to your home! Shipping is free on book orders of at least $25. Check out our site, order some great books, and support our school library with your purchase! Thank you.

These students and classes have been the top users of myON and have been earning points from their AR quizzes! Keep up the great work, Mustangs! Students can track their progress toward their goal by clicking the trophy icon from their AR homepage.

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.

TX Library Standards: 6.4- The school library program activities are evaluated

using data analysis in order to improve student outcomes.

On Wednesday, January 13 at 5:45 p.m., author Eliud George Garcia joined us via Google Meet! He is the author of the book How the Star Got its Twinkle. He read the book to us, invited students to share their wishes and talents, and reminded us all to keep believing in ourselves! Students were engaged, showing off their dance moves, singing voices, and dreams for the future!

Our Public Relations Department created a video to recap our visit with Mr. Garcia. In the video linked below, you will find excerpts from interviews with Mr. Garcia, Mrs. Alvarez, and a 5th grader who attended the visit.

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

To celebrate World Read Aloud Day on February 3, we were able to host author Jennifer Torres for a visit! Ms. Torres joined us virtually from California. She read aloud her first book, Finding the Music, and answered student questions. She discussed the importance of mariachi music in her Mexican American family, and the value of bilingualism. She told us about her other book, Stef Soto, Taco Queen, which was one of the Battle of the Books selections a few years ago. She has more upcoming projects, as well! It was a pleasure to have Ms. Torres visit with us!

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

On Friday, January 29, our Mustang readers competed in the district Battle of the Bluebonnet Books! The students answered questions based on reading five middle grade novels from the Texas Bluebonnet list. The books were Caterpillar Summer, Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster, Nightbooks, Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen, and The Rhino in Right Field. This year's competition took place virtually, using Google Meet. Thank you to our team members: Yadira Solis (Captain), Analy Guajardo, Allisson Aquino, and alternate Karen Sanchez.

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.

Year-round, it is important to read diverse books representing different backgrounds and perspectives. Especially during February, we honor the history and contributions of African Americans as part of Black History Month. On myON, Mrs. Alvarez created and shared a bundle of books to celebrate Black History Month. Check them out when you log in by clicking on Library and then Recommended.

In January, students in 1st-5th grades took the Middle-of-Year Star Reading assessment through Renaissance. The Star test helps us gauge reading growth in English and Spanish, and contributes to AR goal-setting. Students will take the Star assessment again at the end of the year to track growth. Thank you to teachers, students, and families for assistance and cooperation in completing this important assessment.

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.

TX Library Standards: 6.4- The school library program activities are evaluated

using data analysis in order to improve student outcomes.

On January 4th, Mrs. Alvarez had the opportunity to present with Ms. Raquel Perez, librarian from Cesar Chavez Elementary, as part of the inaugural Innovative Skills Seminar for paraprofessionals. Mrs. Alvarez and Ms. Perez presented to a group of 50 instructional aides and computer lab managers about the use of myON. You can watch the recording of the session here: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/261690d1-3c5b-4289-84e5-447dd18e4b94

On Thursday, January 21, Mrs. Alvarez presented as part of the Unmute & Recharge weekly tech training for the district. This series is organized by Ms. Debbie Pingel and Ms. Senyda Elizondo. Mrs. Alvarez shared tips and tricks for using Google Classroom, to an audience of teachers, computer lab managers, and other colleagues interested in becoming certified for Google Level 1. Other presenters shared on Google Sites and Google Drive. Here is the link to the full video recording of the session: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/e8dcc1f1-ee73-4e09-b25b-562e591cdecd

Mrs. Alvarez is honored to have been presented with the Spirit of PSJA Award for Positive Engagement as a Demonstration of Modeling Ethics. Mrs. Alvarez received two Spirit of PSJA awards, one from the Library Services department and one from Ford Elementary School. Thank you!!

TX Library Standards: 6.1- The school library program incorporates leadership activities, best practices, and professional development across campus, district, and professional communities. The program includes opportunities for collaboration among members of the

learning community and opportunities to help learners become independent users and producers of ideas and information.

Do you need assistance with using myON? Mrs. Alvarez recently attended a training on myON and Star assessments, and looks forward to turning around this valuable knowledge to assist our staff and students. In addition, Mrs. Alvarez used Wakelet, an online curation tool, to compile images, screenshots, and screencast videos for teachers, students, and parents. You can access the collection at https://wke.lt/w/s/pCG8pn. If you have any questions, please reach out to rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us.

TX Library Standards: 4.3- The library program actively provides an equitable, diverse, and open collection of digital and print resources, including open educational resources (OER), which support the academic and personal needs of students. Virtual library materials are available

at point of need.

Always feel free to reach out with any questions! I am here to support our students, families, teachers, and staff in any way that I can. Let's continue reading and using our digital literacy skills.

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

Email: rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us
Website: https://www.psjaisd.us/domain/2809
Location: 1110 East Polk Avenue, Pharr, TX, USA
Phone: (956) 354-2770
Facebook: facebook.com/HenryFordElementary
Twitter: @librarian_alva