Cuero ISD Literacy Lounge

On the inaugural Monday of the year, the students eagerly anticipated the commencement of Magical Monday, an event that spanned all four campuses. The day was brimming with a diverse array of activities, encompassing literature, culture, creativity, and STEM. Throughout the month students recieved an enthralling read-aloud session, followed by hands-on crafts that included crafting flags, creating papel picado, Mexican sundials, and painting animal canvases. Furthermore, students had the chance to engage in captivating STEM activities, such as immersing themselves in virtual reality with ZSpace, undertaking LEGO projects, and experimenting with 3D printing. Magical Monday events also featured a vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, showcasing Mexican culture through various activities. In addition to fostering creativity and learning, these events also facilitated a stronger bond between the school and the community through informative parent meetings and sessions, enriching the overall educational experience.

During the first Magical Monday event, John C French led a captivating Read-Aloud session of "Remembering 911." The students actively participated in discussions about the event and then engaged in creating heartfelt flags and towers. The evening was filled with exploration of various STEM activities available in the library, offering an immersive experience with iPads, Osmos, 3D printing, and Zspace exploration. The following Monday, the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month unfolded with a delightful reading of "Pepe & The Parade." The students enthusiastically crafted papel picado and proudly displayed the vibrant banner in the library. They also enjoyed playing Loteria and delved into engaging STEM activities featuring gears and puzzles. To welcome the fall season, the students delved into the delightful story "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves" and enthusiastically created leaf rub art using a myriad of colors. The month concluded with an array of engaging STEM activities involving LEGO and IO blocks.

On the first Magical Monday, Hunt school began the day with a captivating Read-Aloud session of "Never Forget 9/11: Love Always Wins" to honor American pride. This was followed by an engaging Eagle crafting activity, allowing students to express their creativity. Additionally, students had the chance to immerse themselves in the world of LEGO through various hands-on centers. The school also organized a meeting to enlighten the community about the Cuero ISD Gifted & Talented Program, providing valuable information to interested members.

The next Magical Monday was a vibrant celebration of Mexican Heritage. Students participated in the creation of a Mexican sundial and enjoyed a heartwarming reading of "My Papi Has A Motorcycle", which brought the rich Mexican culture to life. To round off the month of September, the last Magical Monday featured an array of fall-themed crafts and enlightening readings of "What is Fall Equinox" and "It’s Fall". Furthermore, the library hosted a Title 1 Meeting and a Parent Teachers club meeting, fostering a strong connection between the school and parents.

On a beautiful Monday morning, Cuero Junior High School kicked off the new school year with an unforgettable ice cream social to joyously welcome back students. The event featured a wide range of fun and interactive activities, including bingo, various board games, and engaging STEM projects. In addition to the festivities, parents were briefed on the Bark Alert system, which serves as a valuable tool for keeping them informed about any potentially concerning online activities on school-issued devices. In the following week, students were treated to experiencing first-hand the innovative ZSpace, the ultimate virtual reality learning experience, a cutting-edge resource in the school library that promises to enhance their learning experience. As the highly anticipated Science Fair begins, Mrs. Wolf generously extended her support and guidance to students working on their projects, ensuring that they had the assistance they needed to succeed. As September drew to a close, students took part in a creative session where they had the opportunity to express themselves through art. They painted beautifully designed animal canvas paintings and even crafted their own personalized bookmarks, adding a touch of creativity to their academic journey.

Cuero High School started off Magical Monday with an exciting Back-to-Library Bash. The students enjoyed a fun-filled evening of activities, including engaging bingo games, an ice cream party, and spirited board game competitions. They also had the opportunity to explore an array of captivating book giveaways, adding exciting new reads to their collections. The following Monday, the school commemorated Mexican Heritage Month with an immersive event that celebrated the richness of Mexican culture. Students delighted in playing Lotteria Bingo, honed their artistic skills by crafting intricate tissue flowers, and immersed themselves in the vibrant world of Frida Kahlo through detailed coloring activities. They also tested their knowledge with challenging crossword puzzles that highlighted the cultural significance of the month. As the month drew to a close, students were introduced to an innovative library resource known as zSpace, which transported them into captivating virtual reality experiences, expanding their learning in new and exciting ways. Additionally, they had the chance to unleash their creativity through diamond art, engage in lively board game sessions, and partake in more book giveaways, further enriching their reading experiences.

This month, classes resumed and it was wonderful to see familiar faces as well as new families. We started by celebrating Grandparents Day by making photo keepsakes of the children. Other activities included rotating through sensory stations to practice fine motor skills, and creating framed painted art. Our color focus was green and we practiced counting to four. As part of our program, children and families played and learned in the library through role play, games, and storytelling. Additionally, a brand new collection of books is available for families to add to their at-home libraries.

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 engaged with our community at Market Days, the Grandparents Breakfast at Hunt & French, and the Suicide Prevention Walk Community Event. It was a pleasure to connect with our local community members and raise awareness about the significance of early childhood reading.

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 2,550 books were distributed during the month of September 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 : 387 Books
• Magical Mondays: 176 books
• Community Outreach Books: 452 books
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program (children ages 0-4): 340 Books
• Early Learning Program (children ages 0-3): 372 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