Cuero ISD Literacy Lounge

Our campus libraries buzzed with excitement as students and families engaged in vibrant activities celebrating Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the beauty of fall. To honor Veterans, students explored the meaning of the holiday through the book What is Veterans Day? and expressed gratitude through patriotic art. Thanksgiving brought festive fun with story readings, handprint turkey crafts, and thankful trees, filling the atmosphere with warmth and creativity. STEM nights sparked curiosity with 3D pens, Sphero robots, and hands-on challenges, while Cricut sessions empowered students to craft personalized items like fall wind chimes and seasonal suncatchers. These meaningful events blended learning, creativity, and community celebration, leaving everyone inspired. Through these diverse and engaging activities, the library blossomed into a sanctuary where imagination and discovery flourished, creating a truly magical experience that made November a month to cherish.

Cuero ISD would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Devon Energy for their generous support of our recent STEM Night at Hunt Elementary. Devon Energy's contributions made the evening truly magical. Their donation of Sphero maps, 3D pens, and Indigos provided interactive tools that captivated students and sparked their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. Additionally, Devon Energy volunteers graciously gave their time and expertise, guiding students through activities and ensuring the event's success. The enthusiasm and engagement from everyone involved underscored the importance of community partnerships in fostering a love for learning and innovation. Cuero ISD is grateful for Devon Energy’s commitment to empowering the next generation of thinkers and problem-solvers.

This month, the John C. French Library transformed into a vibrant hub of activity, as students eagerly immersed themselves in a variety of engaging and enriching experiences that seamlessly combined learning, creativity, and joy. In the cozy reading area, children eagerly gathered to hear the intriguing stories of What is Veteran’s Day? and Thankful!, sparking heartfelt discussions about gratitude and the significance of honoring those who serve in the military. Their eyes lit up with curiosity as they shared personal reflections and insights, deepening their understanding of the themes presented in the books. With the art craft, small, enthusiastic hands were hard at work, crafting colorful patriotic figures that splashed vivid reds, whites, and blues across the table in celebration of Veterans Day. Children also engaged in making delightful turkey crafts, festooned with vibrant feathers and whimsical designs, which added a cheerful and festive flair to the season’s festivities. In the STEM area, an atmosphere of excitement buzzed as students eagerly navigated various challenges on iPads, strategized with engrossing board games, and collaborated to construct impressive structures using an array of Picasso tiles, flexible straws, and interlocking connectors. Their laughter echoed through the library, and a palpable sense of curiosity and camaraderie filled the air, creating a joyful ambiance of discovery and celebration that was infectious to all who entered.

Hunt Library showcased an exciting and vibrant array of activities throughout November, enchanting both students and families. The month began with the heartwarming Thanksgiving story read-aloud, where young listeners were swept away into enchanting tales brimming with themes of gratitude and unity, creating a cozy atmosphere filled with laughter and reflection. Creativity flourished during the enchanting Make and Take Handprint Turkey craft session. Children eagerly dipped their little fingers into bright paints, transforming their handprints into colorful turkeys adorned with flamboyant feathers, crafting cherished keepsakes for their families that would surely be treasured for years to come.

STEM Night with Devon transformed the library into a lively hub of curiosity and innovation. Students engaged in a plethora of thrilling activities, from the intricacies of creating with 3D pens to skillfully programming Sphero robots. They navigated BeeBots across vibrant mazes and tackled exciting building challenges that ignited their teamwork and ingenuity. Additionally, the month fostered strong family engagement through a thoughtful PTO meeting alongside a Parent Education session featuring the insightful Mrs. Scott. This gathering provided valuable tools and insights, empowering the community with knowledge and fostering collective growth. In every corner, Hunt Library truly breathed life into the themes of gratitude and discovery throughout the season, leaving lasting memories and inspiring connections among all who participated.

During the vibrant month of November, the Cuero Junior High Library transformed into a bustling hub of creativity and innovation, alive with its enchanting Magical Monday events. The aroma of fresh paint and polished wood filled the air as students proudly displayed their artistic talents. The charming wooden fall houses, lovingly decorated by eager hands, stood as unique masterpieces celebrating the beauty and warmth of the season. Students also had the opportunity to create sparkling diamond art coasters, each piece a dazzling reflection of their imagination. Additionally, they received one-on-one help with the highly anticipated Science Fair, where budding young scientists showcased their captivating experiments, each one sparking curiosity and inspiring awe among peers and visitors alike.

One of the highlights of the month was the special Cricut Night, which brought families together in a joyous and festive atmosphere. Participants gathered around tables adorned with colorful materials, eagerly designing thoughtful Christmas gifts and personalized treasures while gaining hands-on experience with new crafting techniques and learning how to use Cricut Design Space. Laughter and excitement filled the room as they exchanged ideas and inspirations, making it a night to remember. Adding a playful yet educational twist to the activities, STEM Board Games encouraged students to engage in critical thinking and collaboration. The library buzzed with energy as friends and classmates gathered around tables, strategizing their next moves and celebrating each other’s successes. Through these diverse and engaging activities, the library blossomed into a sanctuary where imagination and discovery flourished, creating a truly magical experience that made November a month to cherish.

In November, the Cuero High School Library burst into a vibrant tapestry of creativity and gratitude with its enchanting Magical Monday events. Students were warmly welcomed into a space filled with the essence of autumn, where they engaged in crafting exquisite fall suncatchers. These artistic creations sparkled as they captured the golden sunlight, casting playful, colorful reflections that transformed the library into a bright and inviting haven. The Make Your Own Thankful Tree activity provided a heartfelt opportunity for students to pause and reflect on their blessings. Participants adorned paper trees with beautifully handwritten notes of gratitude, each note a personal touch that added depth and warmth to the atmosphere. Their thoughtful expressions danced across the branches, creating a visual testament to the spirit of thankfulness. As the library's walls came alive with the students’ creativity, meticulously designed Thanksgiving posters added a festive flair, showcasing themes of family, friendship, and gratitude. The artwork celebrated the traditions of the season, bringing a cheerful ambiance that wrapped around every book and corner.

Students also indulged their artistic flair with fall canvas painting, where they employed rich, warm hues reminiscent of the changing leaves. Each canvas reflected their unique visions of autumn, beautifully capturing the essence of the season through vibrant designs and thoughtful imagery.

To deepen their celebration, the students immersed themselves in the world of books, exploring stories that celebrated fall traditions and the warmth of Thanksgiving. Through the pages, they fostered a deeper understanding of community and appreciation, connecting with the values that bind us. The library transformed into an artistic sanctuary, alive with laughter and creativity, where reflection, artistry, and the joyous spirit of the season flourished together.

November was a short and sweet month well spent in our Early Learning Program, filled with play and learning. We enjoyed various craft activities, including wooden pumpkin coloring, creating handprint turkey keepsakes, and making adorable little turkey hats for our tiny gobblers! Storytime was festive and fun, featuring books like “Where Is Baby’s Turkey?” and “’Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving,” which added colorful new titles to our collections at home. Our local daycares also enjoyed these stories during our weekly visits! In addition, through Cuero ISD's Child Find Services, we were able to offer free vision and hearing screenings to our participants; it was a successful collaboration. Throughout the month, we focused on the color red and practiced counting to four. We welcomed new families while cherishing the returning familiar faces, and we look forward to building new friendships.

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 strengthened our community connections through a series of meaningful events. We cheered on our local Cuero football teams, partnered with Devon Energy to host an engaging STEM Night, and shared the joy of reading by offering free books at John C. French and Hunt Elementary Thankgiving lunch. We wrapped up the month with a festive evening at the downtown Christmas tree lighting, celebrating the holiday season together.

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 3,110 books were distributed during the month of November 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: 791 Books
  
• Cuero ISD Emergent Bilingual PK-5: 47 Books
• Medical Clinics Mobile Book Stations : 186 Books
• Magical Mondays: 270 books
• Community Outreach Books: 1075 books
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program (children ages 0-4): 362 Books
• Early Learning Program (children ages 0-3): 383 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