Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone! It is our wish that you are able to enjoy your holiday with family and friends and, of course, indulge in some non-school-related reading. Below are a few Christmas selections that warm the heart - the first being a personal favorite of our librarian. Yes, some are many years below the middle school level. But do we ever grow too old for a good Christmas story? I hope not.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

The classic...A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

And some more great books...

The Very First Christmas byPaul L. Maier

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (You really ought to meet the Herdmans)

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

All Books Due by December 17

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All students are asked to return their library books and/or pay their fines by December 17. It is especially important for the books to be returned as this helps cut down on the chance that they become lost over the Christmas break.

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Final Family Night and End of Book Fair

This evening will be our last family night event for this year's book fair. Be sure you stop by for a few minutes and register for some great prizes.

Tomorrow, Thursday, will be the last day of the book fair. If you have seen something you'd like to have be sure to bring in your money. If you wait until Friday it will be too late.

I'd like to thank everyone for supporting our fair this year. A special thanks goes out to Ms. Susie Sloan and Ms. Gail Eller for volunteering to help at our family events.

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Book Fair Family Night TONIGHT

The first of two book fair family nights will be tonight until 6:30ish p.m. Be sure to stop by and shop with us and register for the door prizes while you're here. Our next family night will be this Wednesday evening until 6:30 p.m.

Living Literature Takes Top Prize at State Convention

Congratulations to our school's Junior Beta Club Living Literature team for placing first at state. For this year's contest the team depicted a scene from the The Graveyard Book, the 2009 Newbery winner by Neil Gaiman. Our team will now compete at the national level in June 2010 where they will defend our title, as we have been the national champion the past two years.

Members of the team include...

Clint Watson

(returning member)

Brandon Hudson

(returning member)

EJ Graves

Dustin Duffer

Lauren Calvert

Nathan Crawford

Lexi Leath

Chase Troutt

Bridgett Shaw

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It's Book Fair Time Again

Our 2009 Book Fair will be held Dec. 2 - 9. For your convenience we will be hosting two family nights again this year on Dec. 7 and 9. The library will stay open until 6:30 p.m. on these two evenings.


Each student attending (or represented by a family member attending) will be entered into a drawing for some really great prizes.


There will be lots of great books and items on this year's fair - including New Moon posters, a new New Moon book with the movie tie-in cover, and the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days.

Be sure to mark you calendar for this special event.

Meet Our 7th Grade Library Workers

Chapel Anderson and Scarlet Spears

Meet Our 6th Grade Library Workers

Adrianne Anderson and Bridget Shaw

Books! Books! Books!

We have 117 new books just waiting to be read (and more soon arriving in another shipment). The girls and I are busy processing them in order to have them ready for display and circulation by next week. To see a list of these books just log on to our online catalog and click on visual search. Then click on recent additions.

http://library.sumnerschools.org/opac/westmorelandms/index.htm

Speaking of "the girls"...check back soon to meet our library workers for this year.

Wizard of Oz turns 70

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the release of the beloved movie "The Wizard of Oz". This cinematic classic is based on the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum which was first published in September 1900.

The book has been reprinted countless times and spawned 13 sequels about Dorothy Gale and her friends.

Some people over the years have questioned the motive behind the book alleging that it is allegorical of the economic times in which Baum lived. Baum, however, always maintained he wrote it for the entertainment of children.

Finally, whenever movies are based on books some parts of the story change. Be sure to stop by the library to check out one of our copies of the book and see the differences for yourself.

Thank you, Jessica!

We'd like to thank 7th grader Jessica Gregory for her recent donation to our library. Jessica was kind of enough to present us with a monetary gift and a new ink cartridge (which came to us just in the nick of time).

Literacy Under the Big Top

For those of you with young children or grandchildren...

The Junior Service League of Gallatin is sponsoring a literacy event on Saturday, September 26 9 AM - Noon at the Gallatin Public Library. This event will put children's literacy center-stage and offer preschoolers and elementary-aged kids a chance to experience literature in a circus setting. The carnival atmosphere will include games, face painting, treats, story times, bounce houses, prizes, and more. Admission is free.

Calling All Aspiring Filmmakers

STUDENT CAM 2010

C-Span is sponsoring a Student Documentary Competition for students in grades 6 -12. Students are encouraged to create a short (5-8 minute) documentary which includes C-Span footage on one of the following topics: one of our country's greatest strengths -OR- a challenge the country in facing. The deadline for the contest is January 20, 2010. $50,000 in prizes will be awarded. For complete details visit http://www.studentcam.org/.

Library Donations

Library Donors

We say “thank-you” to students who have made monetary donations to our library.

Haley Cook
Chelsea Robinson
Henry Coulter
Jacob Lesogor

Join Our Birthday Book Club

Parents,

Would you like to recognize a special student in your life and at the same time help build our library’s collection? Yes? Then join our Book Club. For a minimum donation of $15.oo your child’s name will be added to our club.

What are the perks of being a member? In addition to the knowledge that you are benefiting our school with a gift which will last for years your child will also receive…

· Their name on a book plate placed inside a book purchased in their honor
· Their picture taken for/and placed in the Westmoreland Observer, our local newspaper
· A clipping of their feature in the Observer placed for all to see in the library and/or the School News case in the lobby of the school
· A “thank-you” from me during morning announcements and recognition in the school newsletter

For the 2009 – 2010 SY all donations will be used to purchase non-fiction books.

TRAILS Information Literacy Screenings

This first full week of school has been a very busy time in the library as students have been participating in TRAILS...tools for real-time assessment of information literacy skills. By week's end each of our reading classes will have been able to visit the computer lab to take this on-line test (Ms. Goad has had to reschedule classes due to computer glitches on her day to come).

TRAILS tests participants over...

• topic development
• identifying potential sources
• developing, using, and revising search strategies
• evaluating sources and information
• recognizing how to use information responsibly, ethically, and legally

The skills assessed through TRAILS correlate nicely to Tennessee's research standards for middle school language arts.

Accessing your child's test/score...

By Monday, August 17 students (except Ms. Goad's reading classes) will receive a score slip. If you would like to take a look at their test you may do so by visiting the website listed on their score slip and log in using their personal code, which is also listed.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back! We look forward to another great school year here at W.M.S., especially in the library. We already have some new books on display just waiting to be read. For those new to our school, or those just needing a refresher course on how we do things, the following information should be useful.

Guidelines
for
Checking Out a Book


Students may have two books checked out at a time.

Books are issued to students for two weeks. At the end of the two week period a book may be renewed for an additional two weeks. The student must have the book in his or her possession at the time they wish to renew.

There is a ten-cents-per-day fine for overdue books. A 3-day grace period is allowed in which a student may return a late book without penalty.

Students may not check out additional items should they have a book that is overdue or owe a fine in excess of $1.00

Students are financially responsible for the replacement costs of books that are lost and/or damaged to the extent they can no longer be circulated.

Living Literature Team Places First at Nationals...Again!

Congratulations to the members of our Jr. Beta Club Living Literature team for placing first at the National Convention held June 13-16 in Orlando, Florida. Members of the team included Austyn Carter, Ren Creasy, TJ Johnson, Logan Troutt, Morgan Byrd, Clint Watson and Brandon Hudson. Staffulty members assisting in the project included Tim Copeland, David Custer, Rhonda Custer, Susan Raby, and Tyla Creasy.

The team presented a scene from the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

After a first place finish at the state convention our team was invited to compete at the national convention. To be invited to participate at the national level a team must place in the top three at the state level.

This year marks our school's second year as a participant in this competition. Last year our team placed third at the state level and then first at nationals depicting a scene from the book The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.

On a side note...the school was also well represented in other competitions as well. Michael Byrd finished 5th in the national spelling competition, Lexi Leath's wreath captured second place, and our t-shirt and scrapbook took second in their categories, as well. Congratulations to all these deserving students.

2009 Summer Reading Program

5th and 6th grade students are invited to participate in the 2009 Summer Reading Program sponsored by Barnes and Noble Booksellers. Actually, the contest is open to students in grades 1-6, so if you have a younger brother or sister pass the invitation along to them.

To earn a free book you must simply read 8 books between now and the end of August. Keep track of the books you read on a reading record and return it to Barnes and Noble (in Hendersonville) by September 7 for a free book.


Stop by the library and see Ms. Creasy for your reading record and more details.

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program Essay Contest

Summer Reading Kickoff Essay Contest
Open to grades K-6th.

“MY HERO”

For grades K-3rd: Describe your favorite storybook hero. Why is he or she your hero?
(Visual aides/drawings are welcome.)

For grades 4th-6th: In 500 words or more, describe your favorite literary hero. What qualities make him or her a hero, and how to they help him or her succeed in life?

Prizes will be awarded for each grade level.

Entries are due Friday, May 22nd. They may be dropped off at Barnes and Noble, emailed to crm2312@bn.com or sent via fax at 615-264-5683.

Library Books and Fines Now Due

All library books must be turned in and all fines paid prior to Field Day (May 13). Please stop by the library and take care of this as soon as possible. Lists are posted outside the library and the SW office.

8th Grade Battle of the Books Winners

Congratulations to our 8th grade team -

(seated l -r) Jordan Lambert, Ren Creasy, Katie Adcock, (standing) Steven Johnson, and TJ Johnson.

Battle of the Books 7th Grade Winners

Congratulations to our 7th grade team -

(Seated l -r) Morgan Byrd and Clint Watson and

(standing l - r) Ryan Whiticker and Michael Byrd.

Battle of the Books 6th Grade Winners

Congratulations to our 6th grade team - (l-r) Katie Young, Jessica Gregory, Abbey Hinton, Luke Pridgen, and Lauren Calvert.

Battle of the Books 5th Grade Winners

Congratulations to our 5th grade team. Seated (l-r) Chelsea Rose and McKenzie Tuttle. Standing (l-r) Caden McCormick, Nate Centers, and Zeke Tatum.

Battle of the Books TOMORROW!!!

Don't forget...We will begin our 2009 Battle of the Books tomorrow. Below is the schedule for each battle. Parents are invited to attend.

6th Grade
Tuesday, May 5
9:50-10:40
(we’ll break for lunch and resume at the time below – if needed)
11:15 – 12:00

7th Grade
Tuesday, May 5
7:50 – 9:50

8th Grade
Tuesday, May 5
12:15 – 2:15

5th Grade
Wednesday, May 6
8:00 - completed

All Library Books Due Wednesday, May 6

All library books checked out to students are due in no later than Wednesday, May 6. No books will be checked out after this date. All library fines should be paid prior to field day (May 13). Remember - students who owe any money to the school are not allowed to participate in field day activities until all debts are paid.

And the winner is...

7th grade student Kristin Clark is our winner in the name-as-many-movies-as-you-can-with-library-scenes contest. Kristin turned in a list of 45 movies which feature library scenes and received a large canvas tote, full of books and other treats, as a prize.

National Library Week

April 12 - 18 is National Library Week. To celebrate, we're sponsoring a little contest. Over the weekend students that wish to participate are being asked to write a list of as many movies featuring library scenes as they can. On a sheet of paper they should write the title of the movie along with a line or two describing the scene in which a library is featured. For instance, National Treasure features a scene in which Ben and Riley visit the Library of Congress to find books on the Declaration of Independence. These lists should be returned to Ms. Creasy in the library at some point on Monday, April 20. The student(s) with the longest list will win a nice bag of prizes.

Click on the link below and choose scene 10 to see the scene from National Treasure.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808408025/video

Monthly Reminder of Fines and Overdues

Please be sure to check the lists (posted in both the north wing and south wing of the building) to see if you owe a fine or have out an overdue book. If so, please take care of this as soon as possible. Remember...you are financially responsible for your library books. If a book is lost or damaged to an extent it can no longer be shelved you will be charged the replacement value. Overdue books accrue at the rate of .10 cents per day after a 3-day grace period.

Calling All Wimpy Kids...

Are you a fan of Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid series of books? Do you often think your life resembles that of main character Greg Heffley's? Well, here's your chance to put all your experience to work. 20th Century Fox is turning Diary of a Wimpy Kid into a movie and they're seeking a bright, precocious, and appealing young actor to play the lead role. If you've always dreamed of breaking into the movies this may just be your lucky day. In addition to traditional auditions online auditions are being considered. Go to http://www.iamthewimpykid.com/ for all the details.

As If You Could Forget...

No doubt many girl fanpires here at WMS will be headed out tomorrow to buy their very own copy of Twilight. The DVD version based on the uber-poplular Stephenie Meyer novel goes on sale Saturday, March 21. But with some stores in our area staying open late and selling the movie beginning at midnight many 'tweens, teens, and, yes, even teachers will not have to wait even that long to get their Twilight fix. My own daughter currently has plans that include a late night trip down the road.

Some participating stores hosting events of which I'm aware include Walmart (naturally), Hot Topic (in the mall), and Borders Books (West End - Nashville).

Of course, if you've not read the books and want to see what the hullabaloo is all about you need to look no further than our library. Stop by and we'll be glad to check one of the books out to you.

Twilight

New Moon

Eclipse

Breaking Dawn

Read Across America!

Today marks the 105th birthday of Theodore Geisel, known more affectionately as Dr. Seuss. Each year the National Education Association (NEA) sponsors Read Across America to coincide with his birthday. According to the NEA website, "Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2".

I had the honor of visiting the elementary school in town (where I served as librarian for several years) today to read to Mrs. Tiffany Mapp's third grade class. I also bumped into Mrs. Gail Eller, another former librarian, on her way to read to a class, too.

I shared Bad Day at Riverbend and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, both books by Chris Van Allsburg, with the students. Van Allsburg is an award winning author/illustrator. He has won the Caldecott Medal twice, once for Jumangi and again for The Polar Express.

Ms. Tanisha, thank you for the invitation to be a guest reader. And thank you, Mrs. Mapp's class, for being such good listeners. Your bookmarks are on their way!

Mythology Bee Winners

The library held the 2009 Percy Jackson Mythology Bee on Friday, February 27. The contest was sponsored by Disney-Hyperion Books and Rick Riordan, author of the popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series.

All students in grades 6 – 8 were invited to participate by taking a qualifying pretest over basic mythology facts. The top twenty-five scoring students advanced to the actual contest held in the library.

After four rounds of questions the top ten students advanced to the final round. The overall winners were 1st place – Cole Borders, 2nd place – Michael Byrd, and 3rd place – Ethan Jones. In addition to the winners, those placing in the top ten were Abbie Hinton, Morgan Byrd, PJ Loftis, McKensey Ogletree, Alex Thompson, Alex Kemper, and Jake Ramsey.

Each of the 25 students received a pin for their efforts. The winners received certificates. Cole, for placing first, received a medal and entry into a drawing for other prizes, including a trip to Greece.

A special thanks to Mrs. Susie Sloan for her scorekeeping skills. Her help was greatly needed and appreciated.

Nashville Sounds Reading Club

WHAT IS IT?

A reading incentive program for students sponsored by our library and the Nashville Sounds Baseball Organization.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Students must read two books over the course of the next few weeks and complete a one page, hand-written summary of each. The books must be at least 100 pages in length. Students are rewarded with prizes for this effort.

WHAT ARE THE DATES FOR THE PROGRAM?

Book summaries must be returned to Mrs. Creasy in the library no later than Thursday, April 2.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

A free ticket to the Friday, May 1 Sounds game.

A free meal at Fazoli's

A free meal at the Rainforest Cafe

A free meal at Wendy's

A free book from Barnes and Noble

(Those student on a Battle of the Books team must also complete two summaries to earn the prizes.)

Mythology Bee To Be Held February 27

Mythology Bee Participants

6th Grade
Lauren Calvert
Abbey Hinton
Chris Jones

Alex Kemper

7th Grade
Allison Brown
Michael Byrd
Morgan Byrd
Loren Carter
Ethan Jones
Sara Keen
Tyler Law
Kelsey Satterfield
Fallon Wetzel

Ryan Whiticker

8th grade
Brandon Bandy
Cole Borders
Justin Kittrell
Julian Lamkin
PJ Loftis
McKensey Ogletree
Jake Ramsey
Garrett Reipold
Alex Thompson
Issac Wix
Justin Woods

ALTERNATES:
Rachael Herschberger
Taylor Montgomery

Mythology Bee To Be Held

A first for WMS, our students will be able to participate in a mythology bee. The Percy Jackson Mythology Bee is being coordinated by the library and sponsored by Hyperion Books, publisher of the Percy Jackson book series. The contest will be held in February.

Interested students in grades 6 - 9 have taken a short written quiz over basic mythology. The nine highest scoring entries from each grade will become actual participants in the bee. If a particular grade(s) doesn't produce at least nine entries the other grade(s) will be allowed more participants.

2009 "Battle of the Books" Book Lists

5th Grade
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
Sign of the Beaver – Elizabeth George Speare
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler -E.L. Konigsburg

Among the Hidden - Margaret Peterson Haddix
Sounder – William H. Armstrong
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane – Kate DiCamillo
Elijah of Buxton – Christopher Paul Curtis
Number the Stars – Lois Lowry
Frindle – Andrew Clement
The Whipping Boy - Fleischman, Sid

6th Grade
The Tale of Despereaux – Kate DiCamillo
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
Summer of the Swans – Betsy Byars
Island of the Blue Dolphins – Scott O’Dell
A Single Shard – Linda Sue Park
Bridge to Terabithia – Katherine Paterson
Rules – Cynthia Lord
The Dollhouse Murders – Betty Ren Wright
Love, Ruby Lavender – Deborah Wiles



7th Grade
Tuck Everlasting – Natalie Babbitt
The Teacher’s Funeral – Richard Peck
Each Little Bird That Sings – Deborah Wiles
Hoot – Carl Hiaasen
Al Capone Does My Shirts – Gennifer Choldenko
Holes – Louis Sachar
Ella Enchanted – Gail Carson Levine
The Giver – Lois Lowry
Tangerine – Bloor
The Wednesday Wars – Gary Schmidt

8th Grade
The Midwife’s Apprentice – Karen Cushman
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
New Moon – Stephenie Meyer
Airborn – Kenneth Oppel
Heat – Mike Lupica
Here Lies the Librarian – Richard Peck
Jacob Have I Loved – Katherine Paterson
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: Pox Party – M.T. Anderson

The City of Ember - Jeanne Duprau
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas – John Boyne