ON-GOING PARTNERSHIP - TARGET

Today concluded our "Pleasure Reading" month (see March 2nd post). Just as we did exactly one month ago, the whole school joined together on the field to read for pleasure. This time, Target volunteers joined us to read with the kids. We appreciate this continuing partnership with Target and their support in helping our students learn the value (and fun) of reading!

Right on TARGET!

Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2009, sixteen volunteers from four local Target Stores came to help Mrs. Read pack up the library. It was amazing how much work they completed in the four short hours they were here.

All bookcases were been emptied. Thousands of books were boxed and boxes were labeled so make restocking the shelves easier.

Volunteers moved labeled boxes out to the storage shed for safe keeping until they return on October 14 to begin unpacking!

Computers were disconnected and moved into to classrooms so students can still have access while the removation is taking place.

Students loved seeing the Target Volunteers in their RED shirts! Several classes wrote thank you notes to the volunteers. Students are very excited about the makeover - especially now that they see the work beginning!

Thank you Target Volunteers for your role in making our Library Makeover possible.

Getting Ready for Library Makeover

Work will soon begin on our Library Makeover!! Last week, the contractors and painters came out and to take final measurements. A storage shed and dumpster have been delivered.

Mrs. Read is busy checking out textbooks to students, overseeing Accelerated Reader tests and quizzes, checking our library books, setting up the "Mobile Library" for when the library will be under construction, and packing up the library! She is an amazing at multitasking.

The plans for the renovation have changed slightly. We will no longer be connecting Room 4 with the Library (red tape and not enough time to engineer plans and have them approved to meet California's earthquake requirements). Room 4 will remain a separate room and we will have the computer lab located there! It will also house our teacher resource library and textbooks. New paint, carpet, furniture, books is still happening in both areas!

Amidst boxes and piles, Mrs. Read is continuing to check out books to 1st-6th grade students this week. As each class visits the library, they each get to pack one box of books!

Next week (September 8-11) the remaining item of library and computer lab will be packed up and put in the storage bin. About 20-25 Target volunteers will be coming on Wednesday the 9th to help! Then on September 14th, the construction/makeover begins!!!

Because Mrs. Read knows that it is imporant for all students to have library books, even while the library is closed, she has created a BookMobile. The BookMobile (rolling carts of books) will visit classrooms the weeks the library will be under construction.

Stay posted for more Library Makeover updates!

Victoria's Library Makeover Project

As many of you know, last March Victoria was selected as the recipient of a Library Makeover provided by the non-profit Heart of America Foundation and Target Stores. The makeover includes new paint, carpet, furniture, technology, art work, and thousands of books.

Today, the designers sent me a "design deck" of their plans for our library. Mrs. Read and I will conference with the designers and project managers, as well as other key RSUD people on Thursday to review the plans!

The plan expands the library to include Room 4. The library will now be the entire wing of three classrooms. As you see from the drawing above, the computer lab will remain where it is, but will have the addition of a new Promethan Board. There will also be new tables and chairs for students to use while they complete research or other work - including two "cafe" style tables.

Mrs. Read will finally have a reading area with plenty of room for students to sit while she reads to them. This area will be complete with a colorful carpet and bean bag chairs!

Here is a sample of the color scheme and furniture. Our new Library will be bright and cheery! I can't wait to see the finished project!

The library makeover will be largely volunteer-driven. Professional contractors will complete tasks such as painting and other cosmetic changes to the library. Then, on October 16th, more than 200 volunteers from Heart of America and Target will complete the finishing touches. They will assemble the furniture, shelve books, and complete light cleaning and landscaping projects. Families and school staff will be invited to participate in the event, which will culminate with a library re-opening ceremony, to be held on the same day. As part of the festivities, each child will receive seven books to add to his or her own home library.

The School Library Makeover project is a partnership between Target and the Heart of America Foundation, which has worked for the past decade to give children the tools they need to read, succeed and make a difference. More information about the program is available online at: www.heartofamerica.org/READesign.htm.