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Mustang Library News

Ford Elementary: Back to School, September 2020

MustangLibrary NewsFord Elementary: Back to School, September 2020
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Getting to Know Mrs. Alvarez

Hello! I am so thrilled to join the Mustang family. I can't wait to get to know all of our wonderful faculty, staff, and students. I have been welcomed with such warmth and support from the Mustang community already. I have been teaching in PSJA for twelve years, and am honored to take on the role of the librarian at Henry Ford Elementary School. I live in Pharr with my husband, our daughter, and our cat. Of course, I love reading and I also enjoy nature walks. Literacy, diverse reading material, and digital citizenship are very important to me. I look forward to a fantastic 2020-2021 school year with you! Click here to see my Meet the Librarian presentation! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RPHECH8XH4oPWdGmvbWq-KJi5zygUGTo2PL-zRBZZUw/edit?usp=sharing

Our Mustang Staff is Ready for a Great Year!

PSJA Summer Reads & Bright Summer Reader Logs

Our district librarians created an amazing interactive site, including books, read-alouds, games, craft ideas, and book club meetings. Thank you to all those who participated and to Natalie Alvarez, Ryan Peña and Alessandra Peña, for attending book club meetings. See information below regarding submission of Bright Summer Reader logs.
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Bright Summer Reader logs due Sept. 25!

All students should turn in their Bright Summer Reader logs via email to rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us. The logs should show the books read between May 23 and September 7 only. Top readers will be recognized and awarded with a yard sign, a t-shirt, and books.


If students need a copy of the form, they can access it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZvHH1OPAt9p6F62QbrLR9bDFlokRUZJj/view?usp=sharing


TX Library Standards: 3.2- The school library program supports, supplements, and elevates literacy instruction through research-based strategies and participation in national, state, and local reading initiatives.
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15- October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month! This choice board provides videos in English and Spanish, and links to books on MackinVIA and Epic!




TX Library Standards: 3.1- The library encourages students to read a variety of literature for information and pleasure. The library provides access to physical and virtual collections of high quality, current resources in a variety of formats (print, audio, electronic) and platforms (readable on most devices) which reflect input from stakeholders.

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September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Contact the Pharr Memorial Library to get a library card and to find out about their events and activities: https://hcls.tlcdelivers.com/?config=pharr#section=obrsignup For more information please call: (956) 402-4650.


TX Library Standards: 3.4- Library programs encourage collaboration with other types of libraries (e.g. public, academic, governmental, special), information institutions (e.g. museums, institutes, and virtual field trips), and community partners.

First Day of Virtual School! Kicking off the '20-'21 Year

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Welcome Back, Mustangs!

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Excited to kick off the new year!

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Start off the year on the right foot!

Please check out the PSJA Elementary Reads site! PSJA librarians are updating this site weekly with new books and activities to support the curricula of all subjects and to provide enrichment for all of our students!

Online Resources

While we are conducting virtual learning, students have access to some great resources! We encourage students to use MackinVIA, Epic!, myON, Capstone, and Clever to find books, sites, and activities to support their learning. If students need help logging in, please contact Mrs. Alvarez at rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us.


TX Library Standards: 2.1- The school library program includes a carefully curated collection

of current materials in a variety of formats, including curation of open educational resources (OER) that are uniquely suited to support inquiry learning and the needs and interests of all users.

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Google Certified Educator Level 1

Over the summer, Mrs. Alvarez completed training and successfully passed the Google Certified Educator Level 1 exam. In addition, she became certified for Screencastify, Newsela, Flipgrid, and other platforms. She is excited to share ideas and resources with our Mustang family!


https://app.edu.buncee.com/buncee/03128fd656ba43e4865d1677c7d37761


TX Library Standards: 6.1- The school library program incorporates leadership activities, best practices, and professional development across campus, district, and professional communities. The program includes opportunities for collaboration among members of the learning community and opportunities to help learners become independent users and producers of ideas and information.

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Battle of the Bluebonnet Books 2020-2021

The five titles selected for this year's Battle of the Bluebonnet Books are:

Nightbooks by J.A. White

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn

The Rhino in Right Field by Stacy DeKeyser

Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen by Niki Lenz



https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSKZStnLoqhiR6BOwRVNf3skQtgcur8ymHrt5OJZkt5xQEtNCgcl8m2R2cHD-EokK_5nF3hJccdv6P5/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000


TX Library Standards: 3.2- The school library program supports, supplements, and elevates literacy instruction through research-based strategies and participation in national, state, and local reading initiatives.

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International Dot Day

Each September, we celebrate Dot Day, inspired by the book The Dot, written by Peter H. Reynolds. We can all remember that we are special and different, and can make our marks on the world. Students are encouraged to read The Dot/El punto, and create their own versions of their dots!


https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRy803A3VRAsFqwGFG6cUarMJzMr73Bgg2Jr71lMB0a5Q5URc6ZkvJxGEG5JGdnKX1bLv90QxLXFTwt/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000


TX Library Standards: 2.3- The school library program offers opportunities for learners to explore real world problems by interacting with relevant information in a variety of formats.

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Ms. M. Enriquez's Kinder Class

Ms. Enriquez's kinder class, celebrated Dot Day with Ms. De Los Santos and Mrs. Rachel Alvarez. Students read El punto by Peter H. Reynolds, and each made their own mark!



TX Library Standards: 5.3- The school library program extends library-based learning opportunities for families through community-centered activities.

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Sofia listens to El punto!

Sofia uses Epic! to listen to the audiobook of El punto as part of our Dot Day Celebration! Great job, Sofia!


TX Library Standards: 5.3- The school library program extends library-based learning opportunities for families through community-centered activities.

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Juno participates in Dot Day!

Juno shares some Dot Day artwork and a certificate for celebrating! Way to go, Juno!


TX Library Standards: 5.3- The school library program extends library-based learning opportunities for families through community-centered activities.

Mustang Book Club Interest Form

Students in 3rd-5th grade may visit this link to express interest in joining our Mustang Book Club! We will begin the year by reading and meeting virtually. Please email Mrs. Alvarez at rachel.alvarez@psjaisd.us if you have any questions!


TX Library Standards: 3.1- The library encourages students to read a variety of literature for

information and pleasure. The library provides access to physical and virtual collections of high quality, current resources in a variety of formats (print, audio, electronic) and platforms (readable on most devices) which reflect input from stakeholders.

Mrs. Alvarez is Here for You!

For any teachers or students, Mrs. Alvarez is here to support you! If you would like to schedule a visit during your class time, please fill in the Sheets schedule or the Collaboration Form posted in our Staff Google Classroom. If students are having issues accessing their account or need their password reset, please contact Mrs. Alvarez for assistance. Thank you!
It is such an honor to be recognized as the Tech Integrator of September! I love learning about new tech tools and apps, and assisting teachers, students, and parents get connected, especially during our virtual learning!