Fantastic Week in Spring Brook's LMC!

It has been a busy couple of weeks in the Spring Brook LMC!



Thanks to the Spring Brook PTA, author and illustrator, Tom Lichtenheld presented his skill to all grades! Kids were wowed by his storytelling ability and art. Students gave suggestions to Mr. Lichtenheld and from those ideas he made a story with illustrations. Some of the illustrator's signed art work will be auctioned off at the Spring Fling.



Last Friday, students enjoyed DROP EVERYTHING and READ Day at Spring Brook where students read to themselves, read with younger or older reading buddies, and enjoyed a rendition of Alice and Wonderland by MVHS students from the Theater Arts class!



3rd grade had a special Skype visit and how to presentation from author, Tom Angleberger. Those students heard about his book, The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda and then made a folded Yoda themselves with step by step directions from the author himself. This was a perfect connection with the classroom learning targets as the grade is focusing on "How To" speeches.



On April 18 and April 25, the Naperville Public library has another Skyping visit, this time with author Sarah Prineas, who wrote The Magic Thief. If you have a 3rd-5th grader who loves fantasy, this opportunity may hook your child into a new series. Check out the attachment for more information.



Education experts confirm what you already know: reading for fun has a profound impact on our children. It not only introduces them to facts, fables, and fun, but it can also increase math scores, develop thinking ability, and improve vocabulary, grammar and punctuation skills. As a means to fundraise and to encourage reading, our school is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair!



Your children came home with flyers showing some of the featured books and will preview the fair and fill out wish lists to take home next Friday. If your family chooses to purchases books, you may visit the fair during open hours, or send cash/check (payable to Spring Brook) to school. Please don't forget to figure in tax (a tax chart goes home with kids on preview day).



Book Fair Purchase Times:

Monday, April 16 9:00-5:30

Tuesday, April 17 9:00-5:30

Wednesday, April 18 9:00-11:00 last chance purchases



A parent and grandparent only shopping time:

Monday, April 16, 11:00-11:30 and 3:00-3:30.

This is a great time to shop for gifts!

Public Library Offerings

Let's keep our kids reading and interested in literature! Check out some of the public library offerings:
For Immediate Release

For more information contact:

Susan Greenwood, 630.961.4100, ext. 2223

sgreenwood@naperville-lib.org



March Program Highlights at the Naperville Public Library

Come to the Naperville Public Library for Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Could we? Should we? Of course we should celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday!! Com to the birthday party and sing "Happy Birthday" to this favorite children's author. You’ll also enjoy stories, songs and a craft.

Program times and dates are Friday, March 2 at 1:00 p.m. at the 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr.; Thursday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave.; and Thursday, March 15 at 11:30 a.m. at the Naper Boulevard Library, 2035 S. Naper Blvd.

Antonio Sacre visits Spring Brook

Naperville READS - Uniting Community Through the Joy of Reading
Each year, residents in the Naperville, Illinois area enthusiastically embrace an exciting reading program. Inaugurated in 2001, Naperville READS is a variation of the “one city, one book” reading programs popular around the country. As a partnership with Anderson’s Bookshop, the Naperville Public Library, Naperville School District 203, and Indian Prairie School District 204, the program seeks to promote the pleasures of reading as a family and community activity.
The theme for 2012 is “Everyone has a story. What’s yours?” The featured children’s author is Antonio Sacre, an internationally known storyteller. Antonio has written several books and plays including The Barking Mouse and A Mango in the Hand, a book of proverbs. Antonio’s presentations reflect his Cuban/American heritage, and he is fluent in both English and Spanish.

This year’s school presentations are targeted to second graders. In addition, the smaller presentations at McCarty, Gombert, and Springbrook will also appeal to ELL students, particularly native Spanish speakers.

A public event featuring Antonio Sacre will be held on Thursday, February 9th at 7:00 pm that will also include storytelling by student groups.

Naperville READS 2012 is delighted to welcome children's author and storyteller, Antonio Sacre as part of our community-wide reading program to Spring Brook. Our 2nd grade classes will be attending his presentation on Friday, February 10th.

Antonio Sacre visits Spring Brook

Naperville READS 2012 is delighted to welcome children's author and storyteller, Antonio Sacre as part of our community-wide reading program. Our 2nd grade classes will be attending his presentation on Friday, February 10th.

Hugo Party at the Public Library

Come explore the world of Hugo Cabret at the Naperville Public Library
It’s a great book and a great movie. Now the Naperville Public Library is holding a great celebration of the world of Hugo Cabret. Kids in grades three to six are invited to “Explore the World of Hugo Cabret” party on Saturday, Dec. 10. The parties are at the Naper Boulevard Library, 2035 S. Naper Blvd., and the 95th St. Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr. Both parties will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

A Hugo party coordinator, Carla Eisley, Children’s Services staff member at Naper Boulevard Library assures students in grades three to six, “Even if you’ve never heard of Hugo, join in our party and meet him! No need to register, just come!” At the party, she explains, “you’ll create 2 crafts based on the book, play “automaton” games, sketch a portrait, and build a mousetrap.” Participants will also have a chance to win a gift certificate to the movies. These prizes are funded from Library gifts and donations.

For more information about this and other children’s programs, visit our website, www.naperville-lib.org or call one of the Children’s Services departments, the general number is 630-961-4100, and the extensions are: Nichols Library, ext. 6128; Naper Boulevard Library, ext. 2208; and 95th Street Library, ext. 4961. If you need accessibility information, call Lisa West 630-961-4100, ext. 2231.

Spring Brook Secretary Honored

Our wonderful Spring Brook secretary, Donna Lanoue, has just been noted in the Daily Herald today for her ability to set the welcoming mood at Naperville’s Springbrook Elementary School with her infectious smile and good cheer.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111129/news/711299859/

We are all thankful you are here.

Congratulations Mrs. Lanoue!

Public Library Reading Incentive

Our Wolves Reading Incentive just ended, but the Public Library's winter reading incentive just started!

This year’s Winter Reading Program combines reading and activities for families to enjoy together. FAMILIES with children (infant – grade 5) and one adult may participate and earn fun prizes. Families should have one person who has a Naperville Public Library card or is a reciprocal borrower. Prizes for families may include Chicago Wolves merchandise. Completed logs must be returned by February 29, 2012 to earn a prize.
There will be drawings for Chicago Wolves hockey tickets. After the final week, there will be a grand prize raffle. Each returned log will automatically be entered in the raffles.
Be sure to bring in your library card and sign up starting Thursday, December 1, 2011!
This program is sponsored by the Chicago Wolves Hockey Team’s READ TO SUCCEED program, Panda Express, Seven Bridges Ice Arena, Lou Malnati’s, Black Finn, Hollywood Palms, Nancy’s Pizza, and Chipolte Restaurant.

Welcome Back Students!

We are so excited to start a fresh year with all of you in the LMC. We welcome our newest member of the Spring Brook Staff, Ms. Tippin as our new LMC Assistant. We are glad to have you here!

3rd and 4th graders are thrilled to hear the Blue Stem booktalks and now are checking them out like crazy. READ ON!

Honoring Poetry Month

In Honor of Poetry Month, I have been promoting my love of poetry to our students in the Spring Brook LMC.

Poetry is a genre for all! I have been introducing poets and poems with the younger students and poetry performance with the older students.

We use the phrase “if you have a poetry emergency, try 811” to help the students remember the Dewey number for poetry.

Venture over to our award winning public library and allow your child to choose some poetry books that interest him or her and try out these poetry tips at home:

 Try Repeat Reading
 Trade off reading different parts of the poem
 Add actions/gestures to the poem
 Read with Expression
 Use silly or fun voices
 Talk about how poems are similar or different
 Try poems for 2 voices and read them as a readers theater
 If appropriate, read the poem as the child dances or acts out the poem
 If the poem has a strong rhythm, have the child clap or snap along with the beat
 Give the child crayons or markers to draw what he or she sees while listening to the poem
 Try writing a poem (remember, it doesn’t have to rhyme)

-Ms. H
Spring Brook LMC Director

Book Fair is Here!

Spring Brook is hosting our spring Book Fair this week. Students will preview the fair on Monday, April 11 and students will have the opportunity to purchase books on Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13 and in the morning of Thursday, April 14 during their assigned time.


Book Fair Shopping Times:

Tuesday April 12: 9:00 -5:30
Parents Only 11:00-11:30 and 3:00-3:30
Wednesday, April 13 9:00-5:30
Thursday, April 14 9:00-11 a.m.

Your children came home with flyers showing some of the featured books and will preview the fair and fill out wish lists to take home. If your family chooses to purchases books, you may visit the fair during open hours, or send cash/check (payable to Spring Brook) to school. Please don't forget to figure in tax (a tax chart goes home with kids on preview day).

On Tuesday, April 12 we have a parents only shopping from 11:00-11:30 and 3:00-3:30. Parents are able to shop at anytime during the above times, but please remember to check in at the office first.

This year we are also promoting our online bookfair at www.scholastic.com/schoolbookfairs. Once you go to the above website, you can choose our school and purchase books for your children or for teachers using the teacher wishlists. Some of the books available at the book fair are also available online.

Mother Daughter Book Group

Anderson's Bookshop has a Mother Daughter Book Group at April 16 at 2pm at the Downers Grove store to discuss the book The Alchemyst. Read the book together and then come and share your thoughts. New members are welcome. RSVP by calling: (630) 963-2665.

Congratulations to Dave Alessia!

Congratulations to Dave Alessia, for winning the Kendall Honors Award for the Educator of the Year Award!

Dave Alessia instills the values of citizenship, honor, patriotism, and volunteerism onto his students and the rest of the staff members at Spring Brook Elementary. As a fourth grade teacher for 8 years, Alessia is a positive role model for students and staff inside and outside school. In class, Alessia goes above and beyond to ensure all students feel success and personal pride in their own work. It is noted by many fellow staff members every year that his classes display amazing citizenship towards each other. He creates this environment by valuing every member of his class by providing differentiated learning and social activities so that every student feels accomplished leaving fourth grade. He can always be found spending extra time planning and collaborating with teammates for an activity that meets the needs of his 27+ students. Alessia continually involves his class in team building activities that promote teamwork, citizenship, positive attitudes and higher order thinking skills. As leader of the student council for many years, he taught students the importance of volunteering and patriotism through their fundraisers. He led the school and student council by promoting and sharing the importance of collecting and fundraising for the armed forces in Treats for Troops, writing and recording personalized books for orphans in Africa, collecting books for local women's shelters, and impacting many other organizations like the Humane Society, Spring Brook PTA, Humanitarian Service Project and Loaves and Fishes. He gives countless hours of his free time to volunteer with students at the local assisted living center, Spring Meadows, not to mention the numerous hours he gives to organize and coordinate all of the planning it takes to pull off successful fundraisers. Dave volunteers whenever he can with school-related activities including the school dances, PTA events like Winter Wonderland, pottery events and fundraisers. When a student is in a play or has an extracurricular event and asks him to attend, he does so without hesitation, making the child feel like a superstar. It is evident that Alessia leaves a lasting impression with his students because his previous students are always knocking at his door to return for a visit. Dave is someone any colleague can reach out to for ideas and enthusiasm in lesson planning and team building. Dave Alessia is an inspiration to both children and adults alike!

Respectfully Submitted by:
-Kim Dolan, Interventionist
-Natalie Hoyle, LMC Director

Do you or your child own an iPod, iTouch, Nook,, or computing device? Do you want to be able to use that device for more than just fun and games – maybe to READ? Do you want to learn how to download a book to listen to or read? Do you want to access eBooks for free just with a public library card?
Spring Brook School’s Library Media Center (LMC) invites you to hear our local public librarians explain how to access electronic books, audio books, and other electronic resources. They will also teach us how to access databases for research and to learn languages. Once you learn how to access these resources, you can do it right from your home computer.

Please join us for a very informative session on Tuesday, March 22 from 2:15 to 3:30 in Spring Brook’s LMC. It may be helpful for you to bring your computing device with you.

The parking lot is closed from 3:30-3:45, so if you need to leave prior to 3:45, it may be best to park on the street.

We hope you’ll join us!

-Miss H

Congratulations 2011 Young Author Reps

CONGRATULATIONS YOUNG AUTHORS!

Spring Brook is excited to participate in the Young Authors’ Program again this year. This program is intended to generate interest in, appreciate, and recognize children’s writing. One student’s work will be selected to represent Spring Brook Elementary School at the Young Authors’ conference in May.

The work must be an original story, essay, play, concept book or collection of poems completed by the child. The submitted entry could be a current completed Writing Workshop piece. The written work may be hand written or typed. Writing may be illustrated, but illustrations, photographs or computer generated drawings are not required. Students will be given time in class this week to begin the Writing Process and will be asked to finish the rough draft, revising, editing, and final copy at home.

Students created their manuscripts and the following students have been chosen to represent the grade levels.

Congratulations to:
1st Grade Representative: Loralei
2nd Grade Representative: Sean
3rd Grade Representative: Ila
4th Grade Representative: Angela
5th Grade Representative: Ethan

Spring Brook’s Representative at the state level will be Ethan---congratulations!

A special thank you to the Naperville Public Library for providing a welcoming place for a reception for the grade level representatives.

Family Literacy Night-January 27th

Attention all Spring Brook Families -

The Spring Brook PTA and staff will be presenting Family Literacy Night next Thursday, January 27th from 6:45 to 8:00 pm. All Spring Brook parents and students are invited to attend. See the attached flyer for more information. We hope to see you there!S

ara Buresh- 4th Grade Teacher
Natalie Hoyle-LMC Director

Young Authors Program

Dear Parents and Guardians,

You will hear all about the Young Authors Program from your student's teacher after break, but I just wanted to give you some sneak peek information. Spring Brook is excited to participate in the Young Authors Program again this year. This program is intended to generate interest in, appreciation of, and recognition for children’s writing. One student’s work will be selected to represent Spring Brook Elementary School at the Young Authors’ conference in May.

The work must be an original story, essay, play, concept book or collection of poems completed by the child. The submitted entry could be a current completed writing workshop piece. The written work may be hand written or typed. Writing may be illustrated, but illustrations, photographs or computer generated drawings are not required. Students may be given time in class this week to begin the writing process, but will be asked to finish the rough draft, revising, editing, and final copy at home. Spring Brook students, grades 1st-5th, have an opportunity to write a creative piece and enter it into the Young Authors’ Program. All pieces will be due back in early February. Please check with your child's teacher for specifics.

Guidelines:
• They must be written in the students' own words
• No group projects will be allowed
• There needs to be a substantial cover and the pages need to be secured
• Illustrations are optional
• First and last names, along with your child’s class should be clearly visible on the cover

Rubric for Evaluation:
• Reflection of the authoring process
• Interest to the reader• Impact to the senses
• Overall quality of the writing
• General appearance of the book

Sincerely, Miss Hoyle
Library Media Center Director
Spring Brook

Chill Out with a Good Book!

The Naperville Public Library's Winter Reading Program is here!

From December 13-January 30 children aged 3 to 5th grade can keep track of the time they spend reading or listening and earn fun prices. The library will have drawings for the Chicago Wolves hockey tickets for participants who turn in their reading logs. There will also be fun prizes from Aurelio's Pizza, Choo Choo Johnny's, Odyssey Fun World and more!

So in this COLD season, let's encourage our kiddos to curl up with a good book!

-Miss Hoyle

LMC NEWS

Thank you to the PTA for allowing me to present at the November PTA meeting. I appreciated the attentiveness of the audience!

Over the last few months, I have enjoyed teaming with the classroom teachers to rev up kids for the new Illinois state book award for 3-5 graders called the Blue Stem Award. In a joint effort, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers and I “booktalked” the new books with such glee that the students are flocking to check them out. While this article is being written, 3rd graders have learned about the K-3rd Monarch State Book Award and soon K, 1st, and 2nd graders will have their turn to enjoy the “booktalks” as well. Our “booktalks” and interactive displays have created a book frenzy here in the LMC. However, our book supply does not always keep up with our student demand. I like to remind parents that although we do have multiple copies of Illinois state award nominee books (Monarch (K-3), Blue Stem (3-5), and Rebecca Caudill (4-8)) here, titles are also available at Anderson’s Bookshop http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/ and the Naperville public library http://springbrook.ipsd.org/.

This is the Blue Stem Award interactive softball display. After students finish reading one of the nominees, they put a softball in the jar of the book they have read.

This is the Blue Stem Award interactive softball display. After students finish reading one of the nominees, they put a softball in the jar of the book they have read.

Thank you to the generosity of Spring Brook parents and staff with their support of our book fair. Our book fair made around $3,000 that goes back directly to our students. We really appreciate the teachers and LMC volunteers who worked at our fall book fair. Your involvement helped our book fair to run smoothly. Last year we used book fair money to purchase items including, multiple copies of Blue Stem Award nominee books, Monarch Award nominee books, and Rebecca Caudill nominee books. Keeping 21st century skills in mine, we purchased a digital camera and 15 microphones for tech projects (such as PhotoStory3 that incorporate voice). We also purchased print materials including student magazines, multi-leveled non-fiction books which support our curriculum, and low level books for K and 1st grade emerging readers for our new Early Readers section.

These are some of the LMC's new books for our new Early Reader section (ER) for K and 1st graders who are emerging readers.

Please continue to stay connected to Spring Brook by visiting: http://springbrook.ipsd.org/ and check out the LMC tab!

Fall Book Fair-Week of Oct. 18

During the week of October 18, Spring Brook is hosting our fall Book Fair. Students will preview the fair on Monday, October 18 and students will have the opportunity to purchase books on Tuesday, October 19 and Wednesday, October 20 and in the morning of Thursday, October 21 during their assigned time.

Book Fair Shopping Times:
Tuesday Oct. 19: 9:00 -5:30
Parents Only 11:00-11:30 and 3:00-3:30
Wednesday, Oct. 20 9:00-5:30
Thursday, Oct. 21 9:00-11 a.m.

Your student came home with flyers showing some of the featured books and will preview the fair and fill out wish lists to take home. If your family chooses to purchases books, you may visit the fair during open hours, or send cash/check (payable to Spring Brook) to school. Please don't forget to figure in tax (a tax chart goes home with kids on preview day).On Tuesday, October 19 we have a parents only shopping from 11:00-11:30 and 3:00-3:30. Parents are able to shop at anytime during the above times, but please remember to check in at the office first.

Naperville Public Library Blue Stem Award Presentation

Naperville Public Library
Naperville’s Neighborhood of Knowledge
FRIENDS, FACTS AND FUN WITH THE BLUESTEM AWARD NOMINEES
Bring a friend and join us to have fun with the books on the NEW Bluestem Award Nominee list. This is the first year for this new award in the State of Illinois developed especially for children in grades 3, 4, and 5. The list of books is available in the Library and on our website. You don’t need to read the books before you come. We’ll read, play games, and make a craft, too! For children in grades 3 – 5. No registration required.
*Note: This is one program repeated at each building.
Nichols Library
Children’s Storyroom
Monday, September 27
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Room Limit: 50
Naper Blvd. Library
Program Room
Tuesday, November 9
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Room Limit: 50
95th Street Library
Children’s Program Room
Thursday, October 7
4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Room Limit: 50
4 sites to serve you
NICHOLS LIBRARY 200 W JEFFERSON AVE.
NAPER BLVD. LIBRARY 2035 S. NAPER BLVD.
95TH STREET LIBRARY 3015 CEDAR GLADE DR.
VIRTUAL LIBRARY www.naperville-lib.info
1.630.961.4100