Friday, May 24, 2013

Mayor's Summer Reading Program



Dear Parents/Guardians:

                Summer is almost here and I just want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of your child continuing to read during the summer months.  The Dallas Public Library has a wonderful program to encourage everyone in your family to read, read, read!  It is called the Mayor’s Summer Reading Program and it gives weekly prizes and incentives from June 15-August 10.   Registration for this program has already opened and students at Titche have already been given the opportunity to sign up.  I just wanted to take a moment to clarify and explain a few things so that you are on board for a great summer of reading!

1.        You do not have to have a library card at the DPL to participate and everyone between the ages of 0-adult can participate!

2.       The Dallas Public Library is doing online registration this year and has asked the schools to assist.  Many students at Titche have already been registered so you do not need to re-register them if they have returned the yellow form to me and received a prize. 

3.       The website to log-in or sign-up is http://dallaslibrarysr.evanced.info/

4.       Students will use their school ID number  as the username and the password will be ‘titche’

5.       Make sure you click the appropriate age group tab at the upper left hand corner of the screen before signing up or logging in. 

6.       Students will log their hours online or go into their local branch to report hours each week during the summer.  Students ages 0-6 must read/listen to at least 3 hours and students ages 7-12 must read at least 5 hours.  Teenagers and adults can participate too! 

7.      Go to the library every week to receive a prize, even if you don’t have a library card!  There are really great prizes including circus tickets, Rangers tickets, restaurant coupons, free books, and more! 

If you are not sure if your child already registered with me or you have any questions about this program, give me a call at 972-794-2120 and I will be glad to help you.  I hope everyone in your family will take advantage of this awesome, easy, and free program this summer! 

Happy Reading! 




                                                                                                                

Friday, May 17, 2013

Real Live Author Visit

Today 3rd graders had the privilege to meet a real live author in the Titche library!  Carol Liu, author of Arlene on the Scene and Arlene, the Rebel Queen came to share her book and the joy of writing with us. 

These books grew out of one moment, a moment of connection between two friends. Carol Liu and Marybeth Caldarone locked eyes that day, years ago, and decided: there should be a book.  There should be a book about a kid with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Shark–what??  It’s a weird name, a difficult disease. Marybeth and her daughter, Grace, have it. It’s not that rare, but too many have never heard of it. Marybeth and Carol decided that would have to change.

So they got to writing, and out popped Arlene. Yes, onto the scene. And she’s been making waves ever since.

Carol decided to take the show on the road, and one student at a time, explain why she wrote the book, why she believes in the message contained within its pages, and why we all need to get together to change the future for kids like Grace Caldarone, the inspiration and reason this whole thing happened.

The whole point of the book was to shout out to the world what it’s like to live with CMT, but it turned into a story about growing up different. Which means simply growing up, because what Arlene realizes is that we’re all different, and differences are beautiful. Carol Liu is not only an author, she’s also a clinical social worker with decades of experience working with young people on the very social issues explored in this book: developing a positive self-image, appreciating differences, and negotiating peer relationships.


Carol's presentation was outstanding as she addressed differences, disability, empathy, activism, and the writing process all in one entertaining session.  We appreciate her coming to visit free of charge and providing our students with such a great experience! 





Wednesday, May 8, 2013

5th Six Weeks- MVOB Book Giveaway Day

I am so excited to report that Titche Tigers turned in their best numbers of the year for the My Very Own Book program for the 5th Six Weeks!  We got to give away 393 books on Monday!  We had several classes achieve 100% participation including Mr. Olligan, Ms. McFadden, Ms. Vidal, Ms. Mendez, Ms. Snipes, Ms. Urton, Ms. Henson, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Chacin, Mr. Nava, Mr. Rodriguez, and Ms. Torres!  You all also read 284,902 minutes collectively for the grading period!  








Great job Titche readers!!!