Off the Shelf - News from Fort River Library

Congratulation to Ms. Ludington on her upcoming retirement! She will be dearly missed by all students and staff in the library. Over her 20 year career at Fort River she has helped many thousands of children find books that they LOVE. Here is a recent update that she posted in the June Principal Newsletter:

Dear Families and students,

For those of you who don’t know, this is my last year at Fort River. Being the Fort River Librarian has been the best job I could have ever imagined for myself. The Fort River administrators and my colleagues throughout the building have ALWAYS been superior professionals to work with and wonderful, interesting individuals to know.  It has been so rewarding to teach so many children over my 20 years at Fort River. Watching students grow as readers AND as individuals, has certainly been a highlight of my career!

Please take a look at the link for the MCBA Mashup booklist for summer reading suggestions. Many of the librarians find great books for our own reading off of these lists.

This list of books was created for Amherst and Union 28 students by the school librarians. It’s based on the state MCBA list with some modifications.

2018 MCBA Mash Up List

https://padlet.com/lobenstineh/8p3ofmgcm3r2

This padlet was created by Heather Lobenstein, the librarian at Shutesbury Elementary School.

Happy Summer, Happy Reading,

Fran Ludington, Librarian

ludingtf@arps.org

~SAVE THE DATE ~ Title 1 Family Literacy Night on March 23rd at 6:00 pm

An update from our Reading Interventionists:

                                                             

With winter assessments behind us, new literacy groups are set and running. Groups are working on skills such as decoding, comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary. This time is giving students extra literacy instruction during the school day to help improve overall reading skills. Many students may be coming home with books bags again from the intervention teacher. Please ask students about the books they are reading and maybe even ask them to read to a family member!

 ~SAVE THE DATE ~

 Title 1 Family Literacy Night

 March 23rd

 6:00 - 7:00

 ** More information to follow **

There are more ways to read now than ever with so much technology! Foster an interest in reading by introducing some digital reading using a computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Check out some of these free online resources for reading!

http://www.starfall.com

http://speakaboos.com

http://storylineonline.net

Author Event on May 7 at the Odyssey Book Shop

An invitation from local author Anna Alter:

Sprout Street Neighbors Community Art Show and Raffle

Calling all kids in Western Mass who love to read and draw! Join me and The Odyssey Bookshop for a celebration of community and the Sprout Street Neighbors books. We're inviting children from all over Western Mass to make artwork inspired by their community, which we'll show at the store during Children's Book Week. One student will win a school visit from me for their classroom!

The details: Our show will be on May 7th from 2:00-4:00. All children's art will be on display, snacks will be served, and I'll be there to read and draw with the kids. Come join us to celebrate this wonderful community we're part of!

To participate: Just follow the DIRECTIONS and send in kid's artwork with the APPLICATION. The Odyssey is offering DISCOUNT COUPONS if you buy the books for the project, feel free to download those as well. Happy drawing!

Questions? Feel free to email me or Niki Marion at the Odyssey.

February Jones Library Programming

Check out all of the incredible family programming available at our local library. There truly is something for everyone. Great ideas for Winter Break and EVERYTHING IS FREE!!! Visit http://www.joneslibrary.org for more details.




Sing With Your Baby
Tuesday Mornings 10:30 am-11:30 am in the Woodbury Room
February 2nd, 9th, 16th (snow day make-up session 23rd) 

Wendy Plummer sings with babies and toddlers and their caregivers during this special winter session of Sing With Your Baby. The program features a sing along as well as time for children to play with musical instruments.

Morning Preschool Storytime
Thursday Mornings 10:30 am- 11:00 am in the Kids’ Room
February 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

Stories, songs, and fingerplays for preschool age children and their caregivers.

Afternoon Preschool Storytime
Tuesday Afternoons 2:00 pm- 2:45 pm in the Kids’ Room
February 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd

This interactive preschool storytime is open to all kids from birth to age 5-- but especially designed for kids who attend morning programs or school sessions. Come hear stories, sing songs, learn rhymes, and do a simple craft.

Valentines Craft (Ages 0-5)
February 11th 11:00am-12:00pm in the Crafts Room
Drop by the library with your little cupids to make simple Valentine crafts. All materials will be provided. 

Valentines Craft (Ages 6-10)
February 11th 4:00pm-5:00pm
in the Crafts Room
Roses are red, violets are blue,
We love crafts and sending mail, too!
Drop by the library to make some Valentines. All materials will be provided

Jones Library Makerspace
Saturday Afternoons 2:00pm- 3:30pm in the Woodbury Room
February 13th and 27th 

Join us for our ongoing Makespace (do-it-yourself spaces where people can gather to create, invent, and learn). We will have creative tools and equipment from 3D Printing and Little BitsTM to modeling clay and craft supplies. For ages 8-12.
Please pre-register for one session in the Kids’ Room or at 413-259-3091/ kids@joneslibrary.org

Lego Club
February 20th 3:00pm- 4:30pm in the Woodbury Room
Legos will be provided! Challenges will be declared! For ages 6 - 10.

After School Book Group(Grades 3-5)
February 25th 4:00-5:00 in the Kids Bio Room 
This month we will be reading and discussing The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB by Adam Shaughnessy. For Grades 3-5.
Please pre-register in the Kids’ Room or at 413-259-3091/ kids@joneslibrary.org

Children’s Music Series * The Nields
February 27th 10:30am-11:30am in the Woodbury Room
We kick off our annual free concert series with a visit from local favorite singing duo, The Nields!

HELP CELEBRATE DR SEUSS’ BIRTHDAY beginning Monday 2/29

Save the date!!! 

Dr. Suess' Birthday will be celebrated each day during our week of fun festivities - details below. Each day has a theme! 

Bring in your Dr. Seuss Posters anytime

2/29 Monday: Fox in Socks Day (any socks you have)

3/1 Tuesday: I am Not Going to Get Up Today (PJs)

3/2 Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (crazy hair & clothes)

3/2 Wednesday Night from 6:30-8pm: Dr Seuss’ Birthday Party!  

3/3 Thursday: Crazy Hat Day

3/4 Friday: Hooray for Diffendoofer Day (TBA)    

We need volunteers to help with Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party on Wednesday evening, March 2 (decorations, face paint, games, set up or clean up) 

please contact  Deborah_christakos@yahoo.com  

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