Calcasieu Parish School Board
LIBRARY SERVICES NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2016
Christmas Around the World
We all have our own traditions and activities for the Christmas
season. Let’s take a look at how other countries celebrate. Below
are links to information and activities to learn how other cultures
celebrate.
http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/
http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/christmas-traditions-worldwide
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/Christmas-Around-the-World-Lessons-and-Activities.shtml
Happy Birthday Mr. Dewey!
Melville Louis Kossuth (Melvil) Dewey was born on December 10, 1851 to a poor
family who lived in a small town in upper New York state. Keenly interested in simplified spelling, he shortened his first name to Melvil as a young adult, dropped his
middle names and, for a short time, even spelled his last name as Dui.
Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system when he was 21
and working as a student assistant in the library of Amherst College. His work created a revolution in library science and set in motion a new era of librarianship. Melvil Dewey well deserves the
title of “Father of Modern Librarianship.”
Via https://www.loc.gov/aba/dewey/about-dewey.html
Pearl Harbor Day is December 7th
2016 marks the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. We have over 200
books & resources in our school libraries for you to learn more about this historic event. Go check out
what your school has to offer at http://destiny.cpsb.org
CONGRATULATIONS MARY LANIER
LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR!
“I am most honored to be selected as Calcasieu Parish Librarian of the Year. Being an elementary school
librarian brings me great joy! I love working with
the students, faculty, staff, and administration at T.S.
Cooley Elementary Magnet School and having the
opportunity to provide them with a library environment that supports the curriculum and
enriches their lives with the excitement, adventure,
and love of reading!”
Mrs. Lanier will be recognized at the January School Board
Meeting.
Library Services Staff
Karl Bruchhaus—Superintendent
Tommy Campbell—Chief Academic Officer
Helen Curol, MLIS—Library Consultant
Diane Young—Library Coordinator
Valerie Elliott—Clerk
Cortney Lyon—Paraprofessional
from Helen Curol:
My message is simple this season. Dr. Seuss,
the sage & author, speaks intellectually to all
of us regarding so many of life’s issues. Let’s celebrate Christmas, as well as the other seasonal
holidays by promoting books that carry messages
that are appropriate for all of us (children &
adults). All of us can increase our knowledge
via books - whether it’s about Christmas as the
birth date of Jesus Christ, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or the birth date of Prophet Mohammad.
I consider it a blessing that I have a vigorous
curiosity and hope
that we (as librarians)
work to instill that
trait in all our students. After all, we
are the keepers of the
“information station.”
OAK PARK ELEMENTARY—KAREN LEE
Oak Park Elementary "Bookaneer" Scholastic Book fair - Book Character Day 2016
Special Note: Ms. Lee will be leaving her post at Oak Park Elementary at the start of
the new year to pursue a new adventure in Sugarland, Texas, We wish her the best
on her new endeavor!
WESTLAKE HIGH—KRYSTAL FONTENOT
Many exciting things are happening at Westlake High. First, our students were excited about
the new books that arrived in the library. Second, we honored our veterans by providing them
a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, hash browns,
and coffee. Then the veterans were escorted to the auditorium for a presentation. Go Rams!
MOSS BLUFF MIDDLE—TANYA PORTINAUSE & CINDY WRIGHT
We received a Firestone Grant for our library to purchase
Breakout EDU Boxes. The students had to
break into the boxes...5 locks total. The
box contained a pardon for "Tom Turkey".
Students worked in small groups to break
the code on each lock and save Tom Turkey. All students loved the activity and
can't wait to do the activity again!
KAUFMAN ELEMENTARY—STACY LAVOI
Our Scholastic Book Fair was a success! We raised approximately $1,100 for the library. Third, fourth and fifth graders used videos
and virtual field trips from www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving to learn about what the Pilgrim’s journey on the Mayflower was like, pilgrim life, and the first Thanksgiving feast. We are having an AR contest November 28-December 15th. The student in
each class who has the highest comprehension percentage, will win a poster from the book fair. The three teachers with the highest comprehension percent average for their homeroom will win a digital camera for the classroom. If there is a tie, points will be
considered. We always strive for an 85% or higher!
OAK PARK MIDDLE—MELONY LEMAY
“GATHERING GOOD BOOKS” AT THE LIBRARY FOR FALL
RW VINCENT ELEMENTARY—JENNIE DELINO
Kindergarten students read Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving and made a class book on
where they would hide if they were a turkey on Thanksgiving.
3rd graders are learning about a Thesaurus. They are completing a
Thesaurus Challenge using everything they have learned.
BARBE HIGH—KAYLA LITTLE & KIM CHOLLEY
Barbe High School students were feeling quite patriotic this month with the Presidential Election and Veteran’s Day! As anticipation grew for 2016 Presidential
Election results, students were busy researching the electoral process. Barbe
students gained a better understanding of this process using the CPSB digital resources in the Library. The Veteran’s Day book display in the Library sparked students’ interest in Veterans and wanting to read about the branches of military.
Preparations for the popular Barbe High’s Veteran’s Day Program also led to the
increased volume of interest in Veteran’s Day.
CYPRESS COVE ELEMENTARY—KRISTI FONTENOT
The library club filled over 50 boxes to donate to the Samaritan's Purse for Operational
Christmas Child. Great job library club.
AR ready Kindergarten students have started testing during the 2nd nine weeks. Way
to go Kindergarten students and teachers!
PRIEN LAKE—SARA WALTERS
Prien Lake Elementary had a “Lights Out In the Library” week.
The kids brought flashlights from home to search for their
books. They read at the tables with their flashlights, then we
had story time on the carpet and the kids shined their lights
on my book as I read to them. It was a lot of fun!
MOSS BLUFF ELEMENTARY—JESSICA DWIGHT & MARGARET PARIS
November was a quick, but exciting, month at the MBE Library. We had our first student to become a member of the Million Words Club and several others that are close
to approaching the goal. Our first student was a 4th grader who has read over
1,450,000 words so far this year. He will receive a t-shirt to wear on school days as
well as some other goodies. We also put up a “Million Dollar Bill” with his picture on
it in front of the library and near his homeroom teacher’s
door.
MOLO MIDDLE—RACHEL SANDERS
Warrior librarian and several teachers celebrated reading with
Molo's annual "Dress as Your Favorite Book Character" day.
Students were excited to see many adults come dressed out of
"character" to promote reading throughout our school. Ms.
Boutte was our overall winner and was presented with a basket of teachers' favorites. This is Ms. Boutte's second win !
Our graphic arts teacher , Mrs. Harless, was inspired after visiting her mother's middle school library in Moss Bluff. She then
came back and created a Read Box in our school library. This
was a huge success as students pulled books from this display on a daily basis. None of us realized how many novels
had actually been made for the big screen.
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY—LAURA MANUEL
Fairview Elementary has been too busy this month. One of the great things that
we are participating in is Operation: Read to Me with the Lake Charles Police. During the month of November, a police officer came in to read the 4th
graders The Wall by Eve Bunting.
JD CLIFTON ELEMENTARY—NICHOLE THIBODEAUX
JD Clifton Elementary Celebrated Book Character Day and our students as
well as staff members and administration fully participated. Our featured
winners are from left to right 3rd place Ms. Johnson as Sam I Am (Green
Eggs and Ham), Mrs. Bell as Dr. McStuffins(The Doc is In), Mr. Guidry 1st
place as Robin Hood (The Adventures of Robin Hood), and Ms. Wilson 2nd
place as Miss Frizzle (The Magic School Bus presents Our Solar System).
Also featured is our First Grade 1st place winner Aniyah, Dr. McStuffins (The
Doc is In).
COLLEGE OAKS ELEMENTARY—JEANETTE WEBRE
On October 28th, Cpl. Shawna Broussard, who is from the Lake Charles Police Department and a member of
the “Read With Me Team,” read Robert the Rose Horse to our first grade students. She also gave the children a tour of her uniform and explained how the different pieces of equipment are used in police work.
On October 27th, College Oaks sponsored a Literacy Fair in which all students from PreK-5th created project
boards featuring their favorite books. Awards were given to the winners at the Picnic with Parents on October 28th. Students and staff were encouraged to dress as favorite book characters.
The annual College Oaks Veterans’ Day program was held on November 10 th. In celebration of
our veterans, our library had a display featuring books about all the branches of the military.
Leadership Day was held on November 17th at College Oaks. Our visitors visited classrooms in
which the students demonstrated how the Seven Habits of The Leader in Me program are infused
into the classroom curriculum and how the digital resources provided by CPSB enhance daily instruction, enrich reading experiences through Myon, and support research.
FRASCH ELEMENTARY—JENI ANDERSON
November was a busy month in the library. Our Fall Scholastic Book Fair was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who shopped.
A special "Thanks!" goes out to all of our volunteers. We couldn't do it without you.
The November holidays provided us with many opportunities for learning. In recognition of
Election Day, we made a commitment to "Elect to Read." Fourth and fifth graders practiced
using various information resources while researching Veterans Day. Second and third grade
students learned about Sarah Hale, the woman who saved Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was
also the theme for Kindergarten and first grade. Pilgrims, Native Americans, turkeys, and
Thanksgiving booklets entertained everyone.
ARNETT MIDDLE—SHELLY ELLENDER
Arnett Library and Student Council constructed a Veteran’s Wall and hosted a Veteran’s Day Breakfast on November 10th.
Four students have read a million words during the first nine weeks. They received
their Million Word Club shirts.
VINCENT SETTLEMENT ELEMENTARY—KATIE STONE
Book Fair: Our Scholastic Book Fair was held the first week in November. Thanks to the help and cooperation of our PTO, teachers, and administrators it was extremely successful! Students and families enjoyed an
evening shopping event on Tuesday, November 1st. It was great to see so many students excited about reading! The funds raised will go toward purchasing new books, technology, and supplies for the library.
MSU Rowdy’s Readers: The first segment of McNeese’s Rowdy’s Readers program ended in early November.
We had 44 students participate in the program. Two of our students earned top honors in the program by
reading the most pages of any participant in their grade level. Bella and Tripp will receive special recognition
at a Spring MSU softball game!
New Books: Our first round of new books has arrived from our Parish book order. Students were very eager
to check out the new titles. Jake Maddox, Elephant and
Piggie, and Big Nate are just some of the titles that students could not wait to get their hands on. Nonfiction
books are very popular as well!
BARBE ELEMENTARY—CHRISTINE NICHOLSON
The month of November has sped by in “warp speed”! Students continue to read myON on the
computers as time permits and upper grades complete their library lessons on the library
Blackboard site. We are having a book fair through December 2nd. Students are very excited
to be able to buy books to begin or enlarge their home libraries.
SAM HOUSTON HIGH—SARA JOLIE & VICKI BARTO
Students are enjoying the Bronco Library this holiday season. We have “decked
the halls” and tuned in to festive holiday music. Christmas themed relaxation
color sheets and jigsaw puzzles are available to students before/after school
and during their lunch periods.
Our Christmas themed book displays have been a hit with faculty and students.
WESTERN HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY—MARGARET ARRANT
Western Heights students have been working towards a goal of 25 AR points. The first 9 weeks we only had 5 students meet that
goal. Each student got to choose a box of candy and was treated to Lunch in the Library. They all had a great time! So far the 2nd
9 weeks we’ve had one 3rd grader, three 4th graders, and seven 5th graders reach their 25 point goals, some are even at 50 points. I
can’t wait to see how many students complete 25 point sheets during the 2 nd 9 weeks period.
T.S COOLEY ELEMENTARY—MARY LANIER
Sixteen students from different grade levels gave book talks during morning assembly the week prior to the book fair to get the students excited about the Scholastic
Book Fair coming to T.S. Cooley! Art teacher, Erin Canik, taught art lessons the weeks prior
to the fair based on the pirate theme and the students' artwork decorated the book fair.
Various events were enjoyed by the students and families during the "Bookaneer"
Scholastic Book Fair the week of October 30 - November 4 including a Family Event Day
featuring the "How to Be a Pirate" play starring the two second grade classes. The play was
directed by the librarian and French teacher, Kayla Weber. The annual "My Favorite Book
Character" costume contest, and the opportunity to take pictures with the pirates and their
pirate ship from the Buckaneer Krewe were two other events enjoyed during the Family
Event Day. Other activities were the well attended Donuts for Dad/Grandpa Day and the
"Invite Someone Grand" lunches held during the week.
Our grand sales total was $ 17,314.23 - the most financially successful fair in the
past 12 years! The school earned $ 1,089.88 in Scholastic Dollars that will be spent on reference books such as dictionaries, almanacs, and atlases. Our cash profit was $ 3,775.19.
The students and teachers are currently making "wish lists" of new books for Mrs. Lanier
to purchase for the library!
Our community outreach project was very successful! We will deliver 38 Scholastic library books and 8 Scholastic dictionaries that were purchased during the book fair to
the Tanglewood Elementary School library in Baton Rouge in January 2017 when they
move into their new school.
The most important "result" of the book fair was all the fun, excitement, and
good times the families shared during the week as they spent time together experiencing the love of books!
LEBLEU SETTLEMENT ELEMENTARY—RENEE LELEUX
Our Library Club has been very busy this fall. We have been collecting money/books for
the flood victims in Lafayette. We were able to buy over $400 of books for their school.
We also had a Thanksgiving Feast, enjoying delicious
foods brought by all of our club members.