Library Log

Where in the world is Mrs. Jablonski?  In the LIBRARY, that's where.  I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I have been hanging out with the kids, and hanging out with the books.  (A quick note for all you 3rd-5th graders...the website that I promised you is http://library.pps.k12.or.us)  (Check out our new and improved web catalog from the comfort of your own home to find out if we have a book in our collection and whether or not it is available.  Make sure you choose Forest Park in the drop down box.  We will keep working on this in library!)

Fellow Readers…What a month this has been.  I am so thrilled to see the students back at school.  It seems as though all of our hard work paid off last year because we were able to jump right in without skipping a beat. 

The library grew over the summer by over 150 books.  When I returned to work in late August the first thing on my to-do list was unpack a large order that was placed in June.  The new books went up on display and I have been happily checking them out to students all week.  New fiction, biographies, nonfiction, graphic novels, and everybody books were included in the order.  All of the new Caldecott Medal winners, Newberry Medal winners, Young Readers Choice Award books and Oregon Battle of the Books titles have been added to our collection.  Yea!!  In addition, many titles that our teachers use as resources for their writing curriculum, for example personal narrative, have also been added!

I hope to see many of you at Back-To-School Night.  I will be in the library with the doors wide open and the lights on.  Please feel free to drop by with your families as you tour the school.  The kids can show you around.  If things look a bit disheveled, it is only because the students have been so busy in the library this week.

Kindergarten Families…Welcome.  What a great group!  I have been getting to know all of our new kindergarten students in Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Huntley and Mrs. Podichetty’s classes. It is such an adventure to discover new things through their eyes. The Kindergarten students will begin checking books out next week and bringing them home or back to their classroom to share. 
Each week, your student will visit the library with their class for 35 minutes. During that time we will read, discuss, illustrate, investigate, learn how our library is organized and learn how to locate what we are looking for. We will have a focus on our favorite authors and illustrators and I will share some great books. It is my goal that your child gets a strong introduction to the library- and develops a love of reading and a love of books. We have also been discussing how to care for our books and keep them in circulation for a long time. The kids really understand the care needed- please reinforce this at home. I would also appreciate your help in developing the responsibility to return their book each week- so they are able to check out a new book. Our Kindergarten students check out one book at a time.

 New Families to Forest Park with students in grades 1-5:

You all are doing great.  All new students have buddied up with a veteran Forest Park student during check out time this week.  The veteran guide has stayed with your new student through the check-out process and it has gone very smoothly. 

-       First through fifth graders checked out their first books this week.  Please touch base with your students.  Did they leave their books at school for reading time in class, or bring them home to read and share?  And please help me make sure they are choosing things appropriate to their reading level until I get to know everyone.

-       Students are able to check out two books at a time

-       Students keep track of their class’s library day and return their books to school

-       Books are overdue after two weeks and a reminder notice will be sent through email.  The notices are generated through Portland Public Schools main office and are meant to be a reminder and do not need a reply. 

-       Please email me or stop in anytime.  mjablons@pps.k12.or.us

 

What are we reading at my house?

The Grown-ups are reading:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan (amazing new children's young adult book)

 

 The kids are reading:

 Alvin Ho  by Lenore Look

 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

 Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look

 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

 Best wishes.