Dear Stinson Community,

It's hard to believe February is already here! It may be the shortest month, but February is packed with with exciting library events!

We're celebrating Black History Month with a virtual tour of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, books by acclaimed African American authors, and curated collections highlighting influential figures and their legacies. Don't miss our "Who Am I?" contest for a chance to win a prize!

Feeling the love? February is the perfect time to rediscover your love of reading!

And for all NISD students, February brings the highly anticipated Library Palooza, our annual Young Adult author conference. This year's lineup is truly extraordinary!

Read on for all the details.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Stafford

Library Palooza (That Author Thing!) will take place at Brandeis HS on February 22, 2025 , 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. This year's authors include: Steve Sheinkin, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Lamar Giles, Isabel Ibañez, Kara Thomas, Lynn Painter, and Jen Wang. Teachers can sign up to volunteer and receive teacher choice credit!

While you're waiting, browse our collection of books by these authors so you can read them before you meet them!

Bring cash for concessions, books, and other items for sale. Hope to see you there!

Click the picture below for all the details.

January was an exciting month in the library. ELA classes reviewed library procedures, explored our Historical Fiction collection, created Reading Resolutions, and began a monthly reading calendar to track all the books they read in 2025.

Emerging Bilingual students explored poetry stations including haiku, magnetic poetry, blackout poetry, and creating and recording a fruit and vegetable rap! ALE students read The Adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend, and created their own imaginary friends with Play Doh. We finished out the month with Flight Camp. Our future Skyhawks worked together to fold and fly paper airplanes, and used problem solving skills to improve upon their designs. I can't wait to work with these students next year when they enter sixth grade!

Why do we observe Black History Month in February? Historians say there's a simple answer: Black History Month is in February because it coincides with the birthdays of two important figures in the abolitionist movement: President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Black History Month is a period dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history, highlighting their significant role in shaping the nation and society at large; it serves as a time to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of Black people and to raise awareness about systemic racism that still exists today. Click the picture at the left to learn more.

How familiar are you with the influential historical figures celebrated during Black History month? Put your research skills to the test and answer these questions about some of the historical figures we celebrate during this month.

All entries are due by February 21. Each entry with all the correct answers will receive a prize! Click the picture on the right to participate in the contest!

Every February we celebrate the central role of African Americans in the United States. Learn more about the hardships and achievements of Black Americans by taking a virtual tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Click the picture to the left to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Presidents' Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. While originally established to celebrate George Washington, it is now a day where we honor all US presidents. Celebrate this day by learning some interesting facts about some of our presidents!

Stinson ELA classes have been studying poetry in class. Here is a poetry choice board to explore more poetry activities.

We have two themes in February. Click the picture above for this month's featured Romance books, then click the picture below to peruse our Black History Month Collection.

The library is still collecting plastic bottle caps of all sizes and colors! Please rinse your used bottle caps and bring them to the library. They will be up-cycled for a collaborative art project.

Please make a note of library club meeting dates for the month. All meetings will take place at 8:00 a.m. in the library. Check your Schoology group and the Clubs bulletin board for the latest information.

New members are welcome to attend! Please see Mrs. Stafford if you are interested in joining one or more of these clubs.

Book Club: Feb. 13 & 27

Coding Club: Feb. 5

Makerspace Club: Feb. 12

Be sure to check out your Library course tile in Schoology! Inside you will find links to all of our monthly promotions & contests, weekly book talks and trailers, as well as information about digital resources, password, and research help!

Laura Stafford, Librarian

Email: Laura.Stafford@nisd.net
Location: 13200 Skyhawk Drive, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: (210) 397-3633 (circulation desk)

(210) 397-3634 (office)