Check It Out!
Stinson MS Library October 2025 Newsletter
Dear Stinson Community,
It has been such an exciting start to the new school year! I have truly been enjoying seeing the seventh and eighth graders I've known for a year or two, and meeting our new sixth grade Skyhawks/Magnet students! You seem like a bunch of Good Eggs and Smart Cookies, and I'm so glad you're here!
During the first few weeks of school, every ELA class visited the library for orientation and checked out their first books of the 2026-27 school year. Since the first day of school, 1,638 books have been checked out! Remember, students may check out up to THREE books and they are due in THREE weeks. Keep on reading!!
Thanks, Skyhawks, for visiting the library and helping us kick off the year with a successful start! Check out some of the amazing things we have in store. I hope to see you in the library this month!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Stafford
Please click the button below to view what is currently scheduled in the library. All classes/meetings/events are subject to change. Teachers and staff, please bookmark this link and check back often for updates, and email me if you would like to schedule a class or event.
Creepy Cafe
Creepy Cafe is becoming one of Stinson's favorite traditions. Skyhawk authors may submit a short story, poem, or artwork to be published in our annual Creepy Cafe Magazine. Students whose work is chosen for publication will be invited to attend the Creepy Cafe in the library on Friday, October 30. It's time to start thinking about your contribution! Click the button for all the rules and information!
The Survivor Tree
This Callery Pear tree is known as The Survivor Tree. It was found badly damaged in the rubble of Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks, then cared for by New York City Parks workers until it recovered. In 2010, it was returned to the World Trade Center site, where it now stands as a living symbol of survival, resilience, and rebirth.
This month, we reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Our campus will have a schoolwide project surrounding the book This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth.
To learn more about the events of 9/11 and the 25th Anniversary, click the picture below for a link to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
All Stinson patrons, including faculty, staff, and students, have access to COMICS PLUS. To access Comics Plus, simply click on the icon in your portal. If you do not have the icon in your portal, please let me know!
With Comics Plus readers have unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from popular publishers like ABDO, Andrews McMeel, BOOM! Studios, Capstone, Dark Horse, Europe Comics, Fantagraphics, Humanoids, Image Comics, Kodansha, Lerner, Manga Classics, Papercutz, Tokyopop, TOON Books, UDON Entertainment, Yen Press, and dozens more.
No holds, wait lists, or monthly borrowing limits!
If you are a student who loves to read, Book Club is the place for you! Students who participate in Book Club have the opportunity to test their book knowledge against other Book Club members, and maybe even go on to represent Stinson Middle School at the Third Annual Northside Battle of the Books to be held in March.
Makerspace Club will allow you to have fun imagining, designing, and creating, on your own or with friends. We will experiment with different challenges including origami, making with recycled objects, using play dough and clay, seasonal crafts, LEGO, Strawbees, 3D pens, Perler beads, and more! We will have a different activity each time.
Pokemon Club is brand new this year. This is a student-led club with Ms. Stafford and Ms. Torres serving as advisors. Students will be able to play the Pokemon card game, create Pokemon crafts, and discuss all things Pokemon.
Save the Date for Library Palooza!
Library Palooza (That Author Thing!) will take place at Brandeis HS on February 27, 2027,
10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. This year's authors include: Elise Bryant, Candace Fleming, Stephanie Garber, April Henry, Kazu Kibuishi, Axie Oh, and R.L. Toalson!
Check the Library Palooza website for details!
Boggle
Have you ever played Boggle? The objective is to find as many words as possible from a random grid of lettered dice. Find words of 3 or more letters. You cannot use the same letter more than once per word. No proper nouns are allowed. For example, using the letters below, the word TAKE is acceptable, but the name KATIE is not. (School inappropriate words are also not accepted and may disqualify your response. If you're not sure about a word, DO NOT include it!)
Our September Challenge: Create a list with as many words as possible using the letters below. You may submit this Google Form to Ms. Stafford OR turn in a typed/written list (legible please!). Make sure to include your name, grade, and ID number. Please turn in your list of words no later than Friday, Sept. 25. I will count your words and award prizes for First, Second, and Third place students as well as First, Second, and Third place staff! Happy word hunting!
Digital Resources
Passwords
Sora App
Sora is an amazing resource that allows you to read eBooks or listen to audiobooks anytime and anywhere. You can access Sora through your NISD portal, or on the Sora app. Click the picture to learn all about Sora!
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Stinson Middle School Library
Laura Stafford, Librarian
Email: Laura.Stafford@nisd.net
Location: 13200 Skyhawk Drive, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: (210) 397-3633
X (Twitter): @NISDStinsonLib