Cuero ISD Literacy Lounge

Throughout the summer, students at Camp Invention at Hunt, 3D Print Camp, Arts & Craft Camp, and Cricut and Sublimation indulged in a wide array of enriching activities. A diverse range of STEM activities awaited students from 2nd grade up to seniors, providing them with the opportunity to further develop their skills. Second and fifth graders delved into activities that included deconstructing a robot and immersing themselves in an Escape Room experience. Meanwhile, students in Junior High and High School were able to bring their 3D creations to life. In the realm of Arts & Crafts, students unleashed their creativity by crafting their own unique artwork and designs. Furthermore, during the Cricut and Sublimation sessions, students skillfully crafted their own personalized signs and bags while also showcasing their design talents by creating a cup in Canva.

During Camp Invention, students had a great time creating airplanes, making diamond art, participating in Operation Hydrodrop, and working on the Let's Glow project. In the Operation Hydrodrop activity, students reverse-engineered a robot to create a mobile lab; in the Let's Glow session, students assembled glow boxes to explore the reflection of light.

The students kicked off Week 2 of Camp Invention with two new projects: "In the Game" and "Prototyping Studio". In "In the Game", students explored the intersection of athletics, design, invention, and business by examining the design features and specialized materials of various sports balls and creating their own ball by the end of the week. In "Prototyping Studio", students explored the ultimate place to invent and bring their new ideas to life. They also worked on various STEM projects like Osmo and Word Art, creating special messages for Father's Day.

During Camp Invention, students had an amazing time engaging in a wide range of exciting and enriching activities that offered them a chance to explore their creativity and problem-solving skills. They delved into various projects, such as creating model airplanes, crafting intricate diamond art, participating in the challenging Operation Hydrodrop, and working on the fascinating Let's Glow project. In Operation Hydrodrop, students were tasked with reverse-engineering a robot to construct a fully functional mobile lab, providing them with a hands-on experience in engineering and technology. Meanwhile, in the Let's Glow session, they eagerly assembled glow boxes to investigate the properties of light reflection, fostering their interest in science and experimentation.

As Week 2 of Camp Invention unfolded, the students dove into two new captivating projects: "In the Game" and "Prototyping Studio", each designed to spur their creativity and innovation. In "In the Game", students delved into the intricate realm of sports, design, and entrepreneurship. They meticulously examined the design features and materials of various sports balls, ultimately culminating in the creation of their very own unique ball by the week's end. In "Prototyping Studio", they were immersed in the exciting world of inventing and bringing their ideas to life. Additionally, they worked on engaging STEM projects such as Osmo and Word Art, where they had the opportunity to create and design special messages in honor of Father's Day, further showcasing their ingenuity and artistic talents.

The 3D printing workshop was an unforgettable experience! The students immersed themselves in the world of creativity, bringing their wildest ideas to life using the advanced technology of the 3D printer. Guided by the "3D Printing and Maker Lab for Kids" book, they delved into the realm of design, crafting unique phone holders, a pasta spoon, a whistle, and even an artificial coral reef. Harnessing the power of TinkerCad, the students explored a plethora of ready-made designs, from fierce dragons to slithering snakes, broadening their horizons in the realm of 3D printing.

In addition to their 3D printing adventures, the students indulged in painting elaborate designs on canvases, creating dazzling diamond art, and crafting exquisite bracelets. The workshop also provided the perfect backdrop for students to lose themselves in captivating new books, diving into imaginative worlds right within the pages.

The students at Cuero High School had an amazing time during a week-long arts and crafts event held in the school library. They started by channeling their inner Picasso as they painted both pre-designed canvases and original masterpieces. Using balloons, they got crafty by creating one-of-a-kind button bowls and crafting dazzling diamond art stickers to adorn their planters, which they planted with various species of seeds. They also delved into the world of string art, using vibrant strings to create mesmerizing designs and painting their own succulent planters with beautiful patterns. On top of that, they tried their hand at using nail polish to decorate their own coffee mugs. But it didn't stop there! The students dove into STEM kits, constructing everything from ferris wheels and windmill houses to merry-go-rounds, starlights, and fiber optic lamps. It was an unforgettable week filled with creativity and hands-on learning.

During Cricut & Sublimation Week, students had an incredible time exploring their artistic abilities. They immersed themselves in the world of personalized design, customizing everything from signs to water bottles using the cutting-edge Cricut Space. Moreover, they honed their skills in creating fashionable bags and zipper pouches, crafting designs that were truly one-of-a-kind. In addition to that, they also gained proficiency in using a program called Canva. They learned how to expertly navigate the program, import images, and infuse their designs with their own unique flair. Embracing technology, they refined their measuring and design capabilities, utilizing Chromebooks and iPads to meticulously craft their designs on Cricut Space and Canva.

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the latest addition to our library's arsenal of tech resources: Zspace! This cutting-edge platform offers an exceptional blend of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences, enabling users to immerse themselves in interactive 3D simulations. During our summer camp, participants had the opportunity to utilize TinkerCad to transform their 3D designs into physical objects, showcasing the power of this innovative technology.

Zspace caters to a wide audience, including students, educators, and lifelong learners, by providing a diverse range of applications spanning various subjects such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), art, and history. In our ongoing commitment to offer enriching experiences, every library campus will be furnished with a Zspace, allowing everyone to engage and explore the endless possibilities it offers.

We started the month of June with our first park outing! We had fun with bubble art and enjoyed some cool popsicles, which made a collection of wearable colors! Our program activities for the month included making Father's Day Flower Crafts, creating Glitter Motion Bottles, and enjoying Parachute Play! Parents and children joined in various activities like story time, singing songs, dancing, and hands-on sensory crafts. The children enjoyed playing together and finding a way to stay cool in the summer heat.

We will have two more classes in July before taking a break to accommodate upcoming training schedules, conferences, and preparation for the new school year. Classes will resume on Wednesday, September 4th.

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.

Several different community outreach efforts were undertaken to promote literacy and education. The distribution of books, book markers, and the provision of an opportunity to sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library are effective ways to inculcate a love for reading and learning among students. Such initiatives can have a positive impact on the overall development of children and their academic progress.

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 1,790 books were distributed during the month of June for children and their families to start or add to their very own personal library!

Book counts are as follows:

• Medical Clinics Mobile Book Stations : 468 books
• Summer Camp: 417 books
• Community Outreach: 114 books
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program (children ages 0-4): 354 books
• Early Learning Program (children ages 0-3): 446 books

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

Katy Botello ~ Literacy Coach

Charlene Murphree, M.Ed. ~ Literacy Coach Assistant

Stephanie Sanders ~ John C. French Library Manager

Bonnie Garza ~ Hunt 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