B O O K    F A I R    C O N T E S T                                        
 
Do you read this blog?  Enter to win $10.00 and $5.00 Book Fair gift certificates!

 

Print your name, division and the words "Yes, I do!" on a small piece of paper.  Deposit it in the jar in the Library. 

 Winners will be drawn on Wednesday and Thursday morning and announced at recess.

 

Good luck!

 B O O K    F A I R    S C H E D U L E 

Room 6

Monday, Oct. 15 3:00 - 4:00

Tuesday, Oct. 16 CLOSED

Wednesday, Oct. 17 Lunch (primary students only)
                              2:00 - 6:00

Thursday, Oct. 18      Lunch (intermediate students only)

                                          2:00 - 4:00

 S E P T E M B E R   2 0 1 2                                                                      

Welcome back!  I am so happy to be back at school after a long, wonderful summer.  It is nice to be in a routine once again and to wear my dress-up clothes and heels...

September was a very busy time in the Library!

I returned in August to find a shiny new floor, freshly painted walls and up-dated shelving.  A new wall replaced the folding doors to the computer room and the checkout desk was relocated to create more room.  In the middle of the Library, however, was a massive pile of boxes full of books, supplies and display items...

 

A month later, all the books are finally back on the shelves - what a job!  The next step is to re-label everything to make it easier for the students and monitors. 

 

The back office was gutted and will be finished later this fall. It will be excited to have everything put away!  We are also waiting for another storage cupboard.

 

The students were amazing throughout the upheaval.  They were very patient with the disorder and were quick to offer to help out. They were excited so see all of the changes and improvements.

 L I B R A R Y   R O U T I N E S                                                              

Students are given time each Library block to choose their books.  They are encouraged to choose at least one book at their reading level.  Students then use their library cards to check out their books.

Students are expected to use their Library Manners:

*Quiet hands

*Quiet feet

*Library voices

*Stay on task

*Follow directions
 



 C H E C K   T H I S    O U T                                                                       

Students are asked to please return their books the day before their Library block.  This saves time and makes it much easier for students to check out their new books.  Students are welcome to renew their books and should bring the books back on their Library day to be renewed. 

 

Overdue notices are sent out regularly. Students with overdue or lost books may not check out books.  Please contact me if you have any questions ldelair@sd40.bc.ca

T E R R Y    F O X                                                               

This month, we have focused on Terry Fox.  The students were keen to learn more about this amazing Canadian hero.

 

Terry was born in Winnipeg in 1958 and his family eventually settled in Port Coquitlam.  From an early age, Terry was a determined, tenacious boy who loved sports.  When he was 18, Terry was diagnosed with bone cancer and his right leg was amputated above the knee.

 

Terry was inspired to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.  He began his Marathon of Hope in St. John's on April 12, 1980.  Terry ran 26 miles a day for 143 days but was forced to quit when the cancer returned.  Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the Royal Columbian Hospital, in New Westminster.

 

Terry remains an inspiration not only to Canadians but to people around the world.  The Terry Fox Foundation has raised over 600 millions dollars for cancer research.  This year, our school's goal is raise $436.00 from our Terry Fox run.


 

It is difficult to believe that there are only two weeks left before summer holidays.  This means less than two weeks to pack up all the books in the library to get ready for the Library renovations.  Before boxing up the books, I am weeding through as many as I can which gives me a chance to discard obsolete and damaged copies, to make room for new books and to replace worn favourites.
 L I B R A R Y   B O O K S                             

PLEASE RETURN ALL LIBRARY BOOKS!!! If you are unable to find overdue books, please send the money for lost items to the Library along with your child’s overdue notice.  Students' overdues are carried over to next September. If you have any questions, email me at ldelair@sd40.bc.ca The first class to return (or pay for) all their missing books will win delicious Tim Hortons donuts and a prize for their teacher.  The winning class will be announced at the year end assembly.
 

 C A N A D A                                  

Do you know Canada's longest river?  Do you know Canada's largest and smallest provinces?  Do you know who the first Europeans were to reach Canada?  McBride students are studying Canada and can answer these questions and more! The grade 1 and 2 students have focused on Canadian symbols while the senior students have had a crash course in Canada's history and geography. Here is a video about the War of 1812 that is entertaining and educational... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ety2FEHQgwM

 S C H O L A S T I C   B O O K   F A I R      

Many thanks to all of the students, parents and staff who supported the Book Fair and made it a great success.  Special thanks to our parent volunteers who took time out of their busy lives to help with the Fair.

We had excellent sales (thank you to all of you who waited patiently to purchase Book Fair items) and will be able to buy additional books and supplies for our newly refurbished Library. 

 M O N I T O R S                                                                                                     

Our dedicated Library monitors have provided an invaluable service this year.  These wonderful students gave up their lunch time to help keep the Library organized and tidy.  I really appreciate their hard work and dillegence and will miss them when they move on to Glenbrook.


T H A N K   Y O U                                    

Thank you so much for your support through out the past year.  We are so lucky at Richard McBride to have such a wonderful community of students and parents. Have a safe and relaxing summer and we’ll see you next September.

Oh my goodness, what a busy Spring!  I can not believe how fast the last two months have gone by...We finished our gerbil unit at the end of April and spent May studying May Day and the history of New Westminster. I am impressed with how much the students have learned about their community.

 S T A F F    L U N C H                                    

I would like to thank our wonderful parents for the delicious lunch.  What an amazing feast!  It took us two days to finish and it was worth every calorie.  It was very kind of you to take time from your busy lives to spoil us.

 B O O K   F A I R                                       

We are hosting our second Scholastic Book Fair from June 5 to June 7 in the Community Room. This is a great fund raiser for the Libary. You are invited to come by and have a look! 

Tuesday, June 5    

8:30 am - 10:00 am & 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Wednesday, June 6  

8:30 am – 10:00 am & 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Thursday, June 7   

8:30 am – 10:00 am & 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, June 5 is Surf's Up, McBride Day.  Students are encouraged to wear their beachiest, Hawaiian, tacky tourist outfits to launch the Aloha Book Fair.

 J U N E                                                                            

All library books are due back June 7.  This gives us a chance to collect all of the year's overdues and go through the stacks for any missing books. If you are unable to find your child's books, please pay for them.  If these books turn up, please return them to the library for a refund.

 M A Y    D A Y                                                                                                       

I am impressed with how much our students have learned about their city and its culture this month. Each grade focused on a particular aspect of May Day and its connection to New Westminster history and the curriculum.

The tradition of May Day which began in 1870, serves to remind us of the value of our community, the value of our past and the value of our children. It is a time to gather together to celebrate all that is good in life and to acknowledge all that we have accomplished and endured.

May Day is a unique opportunity for all the students of NewWestminster to share a common purpose and experience and to take their place in history. Our students have such a sense of pride when they work together with their classmates to perfect the dance steps and perform in front of the crowds at Queen's Park Stadium. Many thanks to our teachers who do such a wonderful job teaching the dances!

Our district website now has a May Day section. Please check it out! http://district.sd40.bc.ca/may-day/about

Congratulations to Division Three who won a pizza lunch from Pizza Hut in the May Day Free Lunch Contest!

 A U T H O R S '    V I S I T                                                                                  

In April, Richard McBride was fortunate to be choosen by the BC Book Prizes to receive two authors' visits. On Thursday, May 3, we two BC authors visit our school.  The Kindergatens and grade ones were entertained by Robert Heidbreder, author of "Shake Awakes". A former kindergarten teacher, Bob had the kids up and dancing around.   Caitlyn Vernon, author of "Nowhere Else on Earth: Standing Tall for the Great Bear Rainforest," gave an amazing slideshow as she discussed her book with the grade fours and fives in the library. 

Caitlyn mentioned a story about a bear walking into a Subway in Kitimat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBiboVzi2VI as an example of the effects of human encroachment on animal habitat.  She also taught us that barnacles feed with their feet!

Through the Adopt-a-Library Programme, Richard McBride Elementary was adopted by Thrifty Foods.   Thrifty Foods donated $500 worth of 2012 BC Book Prize finalist books to our library. Many thanks to the manager Ray Mattison for the generous donation!

 H A P P Y   S P R I N G                                                                        

It is finally Spring! I hope that you all enjoyed your Spring Break.  My family and I were lucky enough to spend our holiday in Cancun with the iguanas and pelicans. It is great to be back in the library; I am impressed with how well the students have settled down after their vacation and gotten back to work.

 D E W E Y                                                                                                              

We have a guest in the Library! Her name is Dewey and she is a Mongolian gerbil. This week and next we are studying gerbils. Student are learning how these rodents have adapted to living in their harsh desert environment.

Gerbils are social and inquisitive animals so Dewey is very entertaining addition to the Library!

 S T.   P A T R I C K ' S   D A Y                                                          

On Wednesday, Mar. 14, Richard McBride was a sea of green as we celebrared St. Patrick's Day.  During an inpromptu assembly, I gave a short powerpoint presentation on the history of St. Patrick. 

Did you know the Patrick was born Maewyn Succat in Roman Britian?  At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and forced into slavery in Ireland.  Maewyn remained captive for six years before escaping.  He followed his calling to France, changed his name to Patrick and become a priest.  He eventually returned to Ireland to convert the country to Christianity.  Legend has it that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland.

 

 R E D  B O O K  B L U E   B O O K,   C H E C K   O U T   A   N E W   B O O K

We just received two boxes of new books from Scholastic Books!  We upgraded our selection of Robert Munsch books, purchased the Fly Guy series and added to the Dear Dumb Diaries novel series.  Hockey fans will be excited about the new editions in their section.   

Rabbit and Bear Paws are a new First Nations series of books in the library. This series is set in 1750’s colonized North America and features the comical adventures of two brothers, Rabbit and Bear Paws. Using Traditional Native Teachings and humour, the stories are based on THE SEVEN FIRES PROPHECIES and THE SEVEN GRANDFATHERS.

When purchasing books,  I consider reading levels, students' interested and requests and teachers' units and requests.  I replace aging favourites, add to existing series and look for new and exciting books.  I also add some of my favourites such as Dr. Xargle's Earth Hounds by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross which still makes me laugh out loud!

Contest Week

 F E B R U A R Y    B I R T H D A Y S      

This month, we are celebrating Judy Blume, Mo Willems and Norman Bridwell's birthdays!  These popular authors are featured on the hall bulletin board and their books are on display in the Book Nook.

Students are invited to enter the Birthday contest.  On a small piece of paper, print your full name and division, then name a Birthday author and one of their characters. Put your entry in the contest jar in the Library. 

Good Luck!

BOOK RETURNS                                                       

Just a reminder that students are asked to return their Library books the day before their Library blocks.  This gives me a chance to check in the books before their class so that I have more time to  help students with their book selections.

Students with overdue books are not able to take out books until their overdues are returned. Please check for overdue notices at the end of the week.  Please let the Library know if you believe that the books have been returned.

Students are expected to pay for lost books before they can take out more books.  If a book has been paid for and is returnded, the money will be refunded.

 P A N D A S                                                                                                         

This week, we will focus on panda conservation and scientists attempts to rescue this reclusive bear from extinction. 

According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park

• Significant resources flowing into China each year are earmarked for habitat conservation
• A logging ban in place since 1998 protects most panda habitat from commercial operations
• The Chinese are aggressively fostering the reforestation of marginal agricultural land, thereby creating panda habitat
• Scientists have made notable progress in captive breeding

We will also test our artistic skills by learning to draw pandas so expect some great pictures for the fridge!

Have a great week and keep on reading!

 T H I S   W E E K                                                                                                   

Last week, while I was away nursing a nasty cold and sinus infection,  the Library elves came in and mounted the Smartboard and projector!!  The Library looks huge and we no longer have a "no-go zone".  Although three sections were cleared of books to accommodate the Smartboard, only two were needed so we ended up with more shelf space as well.

The Library has been rearranged to take advantage of the increased space. The early primary books are now in a  larger wooden bookcase and the easy chapter books section has expanded.  Students also have more elbow room at their tables.

The next step is to put up signage so that everything is easier to find.

 T H E   C A T   I S   B A C K...                                                                              

The order from ULS has arrived and Mrs. Edgar is prepping the new GARFIELD books for the Library.  These books, along with the new Calvin and Hobbes books, are a welcomed addition to our very popular comic section!  Comics are one of the few items that are limited to one per student. 

More cat books! The new series of Warrior novels will also be on the shelves soon.  These popular books by Erin Hunter follow the adventures of four Clans of wild cats in their forest homes. http://www.warriorcats.com/warriorshell.html 

 C H I N E S E   N E W   Y E A R                         

For the last two weeks, the students have learned about some of the ancient traditions of the Lunar New Year.  We watched video of the amazing Lion Dance and heard the story Sam's Lucky Money.  This year, Year of the Dragon, is considered the luckiest year in the Chinese Zodiac. The dragon is the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac. I was born in the Year of the Tiger which means I am suppose to be daring, adventurous, generous and reckless...Find out if your zodiac is more accurate!

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac

 P A N D A S                                                                                                         

Did you know that giant pandas are carnivores that feed almost exclusively on bamboo?  Pandas are an endangered species that live in the remote Himilayan mountains in China.  We are studying these unique bears for the next two weeks with a focus on the factors that have contributed to their declining population.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!                                           

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/pPetlafjDhiss3wa


 B O O K S   T H I S   C H R I S T M A S                                
In my family, we always give books as gifts.  Sometimes these books have been regifted or preread by the giver. In fact, one birthday, my mom told me I could have my present just as soon as she finished reading it! 

Every Christmas Eve, my children receive pyjamas and books.  My son who is going through a non-reading phase and hasn't read last year's book yet, received a Bathroom Reader and the latest edition of the Darwin Awards.  Annabel who is not much of a recreational reader, sped through Twilight last summer and is now working through the Hunger Games.  I gave her the second book, Catching Fire and a cook book.  My Dad's gift was the Sister Brothers and my mom got a dog training book for her new puppy, Daisy.  I received Julian Barnes's latest novel, The Sense of an Ending, and I bought Jerry the Chuck Davis book, Vancouver.

 H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R !                                                                          

After two weeks of holidays, I was impressed how easily the students settled back into their Library routines.  We had a great first week back!

Many thanks to the Library Monitors who packed up the Christams decorations and put away all of the holiday books.  The school is lucky to have such dedicated helpers who are willing to give up their free time to keep the Library tidy and well organized.

The Monitors are also helping rearrange the Library to accommodate the new mounted Smartboard we are expecting this Spring. Moving the books gives me a chance to weed out the old, damaged and obsolete copies and uncover hidden treasures.

Mrs. Edgar is busy prepping the new books for the Library.  Some of the books we bought with our Scholastic credits include two new easy chapter books series, Flat Stanley and Black Lagoon Adventures.  We are also adding more of our popular Scooby Do, Spongebob and Pokemon books as well as filling students' requests for more Katie Kazoo, Big Nick and Lego books.