Round Rock Reads - Summer Reading Initiative

Jollyville students are pledging to spend time reading this summer! Reading impacts all areas of achievement; lifelong readers are lifelong learners. Avoid the “summer slide” and help your child maintain or advance his or her reading skills over the next few months.

Many area libraries offer summer reading programs to keep children engaged and excited about books. Here are two libraries that provide free library cards for all RRISD students:

The Austin Public Library: http://library.austintexas.gov/youth-project/srp

Sign up for the summer reading program online or in person. Students set an individual reading goal for the summer.  Meet that goal and get a free book from the Austin Public Library!

The Round Rock Public Library: http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/library/

Students who read 20 minutes a day receive prizes for reading 20, 30, 40, and 50 days this summer! There are also special prizes for students who go beyond the 20 minutes of reading a day.

Also, don’t forget about the wonderful online resources provided by our school district.  Look for usernames and passwords to these resources in your child’s Thursday folder. Many of these resources include books that can be read online, magazine articles, educational games, and much, much more! Just click on "Research Resources" on the right of this page to see all of the online sources we have available!

Science Fair Help in the Library

Science Fair is under way! One of the components of each science fair project is background research. Students must research their topic and cite the sources they used in their research. All 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders have spent time in the library getting familiar with our online research resources and reviewing how to cite a variety of sources.

Our online research resources may be accessed from home through the library web page. Usernames and passwords are needed for home access - check your science fair packet for this information.  4th and 5th graders also have this information on the inside cover of their school agendas.

The library is usually open from 7:20 am - 3:10 pm each day for student use.  Here are some additional times the library will be available to students and their families for science fair support:

Tuesday, December 11 and Tuesday, January 15: 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Thursday January 10 and Thursday January 15: 7:20 - 3:30 pm

Come to the library during any of these times to find print resources, use the computers, and get assistance with online resources.

Bluebonnet Library Night - Thursday, Nov. 29

All 3rd, 4th and 5th graders are invited to attend our 3rd Bluebonnet Library Night!  it will be held this Thursday night from 6-7 pm at England Elementary.  Students from Jollyville, Forest North, Sommer and England are invited.  This Library Night celebrates the book Postcards From Camp and will feature a camp song singalong and camp themed snacks. We hope to see you there!

Texas Book Festival!

The Texas Book Festival is this weekend! It will be held on the state capitol grounds on Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28. This is a free event that will include storytelling, author presentations, live music, and more!  All authors at the festival will have book signing times as well. You do have to purchase the books at the festival in order to have them signed.

Please visit the festival web site for a complete schedule and additional information:

http://www.texasbookfestival.org/

Jazz in the Library!

All 3rd, 4th and 5th graders are invited to enjoy Library Night at Jollyville Elementary on Thursday, October 18, from 6-7pm. We will celebrate the book Play, Louis, Play and hear live jazz performed by Phil Borerro, a professional trumpet player.  Students from England, Sommer, and Forest North are also invited.

Bluebonnet Party - Under the Mambo Moon

All 3rd, 4th and 5th graders are invited to a Bluebonnet Party on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Sommer Elementary.  We will be celebrating the book Under the Mambo Moon. The event is from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Sommer Library and will feature Ballet Folklorico dancers.

This event is part of a series that celebrates four different Bluebonnet nominees at four partnering school libraries: Sommer, England, Forest North, and Jollyville. I hope to see you there!

Mrs. Carter

Special Reading Spot Photo Contest ends Aug. 31!

Grab your digital camera, a favorite book, and capture a special reading spot or pose to enter. Students might be found reading near an important landmark, in a tree, or any place their imagination takes them. In the photos, students should be visibly reading a favorite book. The 10 most creative pictures will win, and these photos will be enlarged for display in the library and shared on the morning news. All participants will receive an award, even if the image is not chosen for display in the library.

Contest rules:

 - The school-wide contest runs from NOW until August 31, 2012. Late entries are not accepted.

 - Participating students must turn in a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 photo print of their entry along with a participation form.  Note: Use the highest resolution your camera will allow. Participation forms are available in the library or on the library web site.

 - Entries will be voted on by staff and the ten winners will then need to provide a digital version of their image so that we can enlarge it for display in the library.  Winners need to provide digital images to Mrs. Carter at christine_carter@roundrockisd.org. 

Please note that camera-phone photos do not have a high enough resolution to print in an enlarged size.