Cuero ISD Literacy Lounge

In October, students were captivated by a rich variety of themed activities that skillfully merged learning with the excitement of the season across all library campuses. Fire Prevention Week featured engaging discussions on fire safety, accompanied by creative crafts that highlighted miniature fire trucks. Students eagerly participated in hands-on STEM activities that not only ignited their curiosity but also imparted vital safety knowledge. Initiatives for Bullying Prevention were thoughtfully offered to both parents and students, fostering a supportive and informed community. Families also had the opportunity to enhance their reading skills during an enjoyable Sight Word Bingo night, filled with laughter and valuable learning. At John C. French, an open house transformed into an interactive hub of discovery, where students enthusiastically tackled various STEM challenges. Additional highlights included festive Halloween Bingo, an exhilarating Escape Room challenge, innovative Cricut crafts, an insightful Science Fair, and a cozy movie night featuring Wonka, complete with delicious popcorn and tempting treats. Overall, this splendid blend of seasonal fun, creativity, and educational engagement made for unforgettable memories throughout the month.

John C. French launched Magical Monday with a spirited emphasis on Fire Prevention Week, creating an engaging atmosphere for all attendees. Participants gathered to read an informative book centered around fire safety, fostering awareness and discussion. Following the reading, creativity took center stage as everyone rolled up their sleeves to craft colorful fire trucks, adding a hands-on element to the evening. The night culminated in exciting STEM activities, where attendees utilized iPads and ramps to explore the physics of motion while racing their trucks.

Our next Magical Monday shifted focus to a pressing social issue: Bullying Prevention. The evening featured Mrs. Scott, who took the time to connect with community members, providing valuable insights and answering questions. Parents left the session equipped with effective tips and strategies for addressing bullying. The evening’s festivities wrapped up with an energetic round of Sight Word Bingo, expertly hosted by Krystal Galindo, creating a lively and educational environment for everyone involved. Our last October Magical Monday ended with a festive celebration, perfectly timed with Halloween Fun Night. The school campus transformed into a vibrant hub as it held an Open House, allowing families to explore and enjoy the spaces available for learning. The library became a treasure trove of activities, where visitors delighted in engaging games such as I Spy Halloween and Spider Tic Tac Toe. Participants embraced their creativity with a candy pumpkin STEM build challenge, inspiring collaboration and ingenuity. Additionally, story pumpkins, each representing a beloved book of the students, were beautifully displayed, showcasing the imaginative connections between literature and art. The evening was punctuated by laughter and learning, leaving lasting memories for all who attended.

As the crisp air of autumn enveloped the community, Hunt kicked off the enchanting Magical Monday series with a captivating reading of “The Scarecrow.” The storyteller’s animated voice brought the charming tale to life, fully engaging the audience, which included eager children and attentive parents alike. Following the story, participants were invited to a hands-on activity where they crafted their very own scarecrow magnets. Each child used colorful materials, from felt to googly eyes, to add a personal touch, creating unique keepsakes that were as imaginative as they were delightful. Building on the success of the first gathering, the next Magical Monday promised to be just as engaging. This session featured an interactive storytelling experience around the beloved story “Pumpkin Jack,” which vividly illustrated themes of transformation and the joy of seasonal traditions. Inspired by the tale, children were encouraged to channel their artistic flair, creating vibrant, handcrafted pumpkins. The room buzzed with creativity as little hands painted and decorated their pumpkins, with bright colors and playful designs reflecting their individual personalities. Kathy F. Scott, LMSW joined this installment of Magical Monday. She shared invaluable insights and resources with parents, focusing on ways to enhance their children's learning experiences at home. Her supportive presence added depth to the event, as she fostered discussions about educational strategies and the importance of creative activities in childhood development. To wrap up the month’s celebrations, Magical Monday took a spooky turn with a thrilling Halloween gathering. Families filled the room, their faces alight with excitement and anticipation as they settled in to watch the whimsical film "Wonka." The atmosphere was electric, with laughter and cheers echoing as the film unfolded, capturing the imaginations of young and old alike. Accompanying the movie was a mouthwatering spread of popcorn, which children happily munched on, along with a delectable assortment of Halloween treats. Overall, the Magical Monday events this autumn created a perfect blend of creativity, learning, and festive spirit, leaving families looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Cuero Junior High launched its Magical Monday series with an exciting Halloween-themed event that captivated students and filled the air with festive spirit. Students eagerly gathered to participate in a lively game of Halloween Bingo, where the buzz of anticipation heightened as they competed for an assortment of delightful prizes. Unleashing their creativity, they also gleefully painted their own haunted houses and autumn-themed signs, transforming plain canvases into vibrant works of art. Mrs. Wolf played a pivotal role that day, offering her expertise and guidance on Science Fair projects, providing students with valuable insights that inspired their scientific explorations. As the sun set, the evening buzzed with camaraderie as students engaged in STEM board games, showcasing teamwork and critical thinking skills while exploring intricate designs made with a 3D pen. During the following Magical Monday, the excitement for STEM board games continued, drawing students back for more exploration and collaboration. Once again, Mrs. Wolf was on hand to assist them, lending her knowledge to help refine their Science Fair projects and fostering a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. The students also had the chance to dive into the art of design with Cricut Design Workspace, skillfully crafting unique designs for bags and signs, each personalized to reflect their individual creativity. The grand finale of Magical Monday was a spectacular event, featuring a Title 1 Meeting led by Mrs. Dyer, who shared insightful perspectives that engaged both students and parents. The energetic atmosphere returned as students revisited the beloved Halloween Bingo, laughter and cheers echoing through the halls. They also embarked on an exhilarating Halloween Escape Room challenge, where they had to cleverly utilize their descriptive skills and teamwork to solve clues. With a sense of accomplishment, they successfully navigated the mysteries and made their escape from the library, leaving behind a memorable series of events filled with learning, creativity, and fun.

Cuero High School's Magical Monday launched with an infectious wave of school spirit, as students eagerly gathered to craft their very own homecoming mum or garter. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and members of the High School Anchor Club and the National Honor Society were on hand to lend a helping hand to the enthusiastic crowd of community members. The library transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity, filled with colorful decorations, laughter, and a palpable sense of team pride. The subsequent Magical Monday took a spooky turn, featuring Halloween Scratch Art Masks that invited participants to unleash their creativity. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and anticipation as students listened to readings of eerie storybooks that sent delightful shivers down their spines. The final Magical Monday was a festive Halloween Party, where participants enjoyed an array of delights—decorating cookies that sparkled with colorful icing and engaging in a variety of thrilling Halloween crafts. The sense of community was further strengthened with a fun book giveaway, ensuring everyone left with a new story to cherish. Additionally, representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield joined the festivities, offering valuable wellness resources to support local Cuero employees. The event was a perfect blend of creativity, community, and care, making it a memorable highlight for all involved.

October came and went, but we truly enjoyed our Wednesday classes. The daily activities in our interactive library are the main attraction, featuring role-play centers, puzzles and games, play-doh and Lego stations, and of course, our friends! We created paper bug puppet monsters, watercolor paintings, and frame-worthy artwork.

We had a special visit from the Cuero Fire Department, which delivered a presentation on fire prevention and safety. The children were a captivated audience, in awe of the big red truck! We also celebrated Halloween with pumpkin painting and sweet treats. This month, our focus color was blue, and our focus shape was a star. Wonderful memories were made as we played and learned together.

Cuero ISD is committed to promoting literacy and a love for reading among all members of the community. As part of this effort, the district offered free books to families visiting the Cuero Medical Clinic and Parkside Family Clinic. The initiative was a great success, and families were thrilled to have access to a wide range of age-appropriate books. The bookshelves in the waiting rooms were stocked with a variety of books ranging from 0 to pre-K level, providing families with plenty of options to choose from. The district also offered families the opportunity to register for the Imagination Library and sign up for information about the Cuero ISD Early Learning Program.

This month, we connected with our community by participating in several events, including Market Days, the CIS Painting Pumpkins & Movie Night, French Open House, HEB, our local Cuero football games, and Trunk or Treat at the Cuero Courthouse. It was a fun-filled month brimming with a variety of activities.

Overall, the book distribution program was a great success, and we are proud to be able to provide free resources to families in our community. Over 3,390 books were distributed during the month of October for children and their families to start or add to their very own personal library!

Book counts are as follows:

• Cuero ISD PK-5th Grade Students: 783 Books
  
• Cuero ISD Emergent Bilingual PK-5: 45 Books
• Medical Clinics Mobile Book Stations : 386 Books
• Magical Mondays: 362 books
• Community Outreach Books: 973 books
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program (children ages 0-4): 325 Books
• Early Learning Program (children ages 0-3): 524 Books

Ruby Rodriguez, M.Ed. ~ Director of Special Programs

Katy Botello ~ Literacy Coach

Deanna Guajardo~ Literacy Coach Aide

Charlene Murphree, M.Ed. ~ Literacy Coach Assistant

Stephanie Sanders ~ John C. French Library Manager

Bonnie Garza ~ Hunt Library Manager

Jessie Salazar ~ Junior High Library Manager

Marie Galloway ~ High School Library Manager

Website: cueroisd.org
Location: 960 East Broadway Street, Cuero, TX, USA
Phone: 361-275-1900
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cueroisd