Volunteer Testimony: All the Reasons to Volunteer & Support BookSpring

The testimony below was submitted by a dedicated 13 year old BookSpring volunteer.

 It will warm your heart!

“Hi! I am Lucia, a student at Hill Country Middle School in Austin, Texas. I first became involved with BookSpring in 5th grade, because my mother was the BookSpring (RIF at the time) coordinator at my elementary school. I have been volunteering since then usually by reading and evaluating books to be used by BookSpring. My favorite thing to do when I volunteer is hand out the books to the kids, most of whom have never owned a book before. I am motivated to volunteer at BookSpring because of the knowledge that I am making a positive difference in a child’s life.

I believe that early literacy is important because it helps a child be successful and confident in school, and later on in life. My first memory of reading is curling up by my dad while he read me books before bedtime, such as Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. This is one of my favorite children’s books, because it is a really sweet story. Also, I love the rhyming text and beautiful illustrations of Paris.

 I wish that other people knew how good volunteering at BookSpring makes you feel. Also, everyone who works at BookSpring really cares about what they do and are very supportive and appreciative of their volunteers. I support BookSpring opposed to other groups that work on literacy because I believe that the people at BookSpring are truly dedicated to making a positive impact in children’s lives who may not be fortunate enough to even own one book.

Also, BookSpring has an early intervention approach to literacy. I love reading because my parents began reading to me at a very early age, so I think that having children be exposed to literature early on in life is important. Something that someone might be surprised to learn about me is that there is not a single television in my house. This likely also fuelled my love of reading. When I am not volunteering, I enjoy reading, playing tennis, baking, and playing the flute. If you are considering volunteering at BookSpring, I strongly advise that you do so, because it is a fantastic way to make a difference in our world. Even a small action such as giving a child a book can make a huge impact on their life.

My favorite memory of volunteering was last year at the Día de los Niños event. When I gave a little boy about 8 years old his book, he could not believe that he actually got to keep it. When he finally realized that it really was his very own book, his face lit up, and he left clutching his book to his chest and smiling from ear to ear. It was very sweet. I make time to volunteer at BookSpring because it is a very good cause and an excellent way to help the spread of early literacy. Reading has always been a very important and special part of my life, so I like being able to give another child a chance to experience the joy of books, too. “

Congratulations Linder Elementary on Blue Ribbon Nomination!

http://www.kvue.com/news/Linder-Elementary-Nominated-for-Blue-Ribbon-Award-71869622.html

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=7126

BookSpring wants to congratulate the Linder staff and students for the 2010 Blue Ribbon Nomination!

BookSpring appreciates the hard work and dedication of the Linder staff and community. As the only Austin area school nominated, we know the hard work required to achieve such a recognition.  Thank you for all  you do for kids!

According to TEA, the Blue Ribbon program honors elementary, middle and high schools that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement and have superior academic programs. To be eligible for consideration, a school must have at least 40% of population from disadvantage background and score in top 10% on state assessments.

 

AISD Poverty Rates

“Austin Independent School district has 1040 more students living in poverty in 2008 than the year before.”

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/11/23/15302336_-1.html

Did You Know?

63% of population does not know that poverty is best predictor of whether or not a child will achieve in school.

53% are unawared that nearly one-half of children from low-income communities start first grade up to two year behind their peers.

http://www.readfortherecord.org/site/DocServer/Press_Conference_Press_Release_Final.pdf?docID=3961

Reilly Elementary’s Literacy Night! See the BookSpring difference!

Leah Davies is the Program Manager for BookSpring and shared this story from a Literacy Night- enjoy!

Last night, I volunteered after work at Reilly Elementary’s Literacy Night. We partnered with them by providing the literacy games for their event. The librarian and Parent Support Specialist there are a dynamic duo!

The event was relatively well attended, but I must admit that the highlight of the night for me was while I was working at the “Book-Making,” station! At this station, children get to author and illustrate a book of their own which they then get to keep! Several students jumped right in and began, while most of the students needed a bit of encouragement.

One little girl was very hesitant to engage, but I watched her as she worked and she wrote a NOVEL! She included chapter markers, a very thorough story-line, and beautiful illustrations. When she was finished, I asked her if she would share her story with me. She read me the book, beaming the entire time. When I told her what a wonderful job she had done, she revealed that she couldn’t wait to share her book with her teacher, brother, and mom.

Very sweet – totally warmed my heart and reminded me that the work BookSpring does makes a difference!

BookSpring Participates in Austin’s Promise Neighborhood Meeting

The Promise Neighborhood meeting held today at the Carver Museum was inspirational!  We are delighted to see what the future holds for this opportunity, and with the substantial amount of community support displayed by today’s large turnout, we have no doubt that whatever comes from this gathering of the minds will be wonderful!  The planning committees are working on all kinds of details which include: which neighborhood in Austin will be highlighted in the grant application, strategic planning, and accounting for and responding to stakeholder interest.   Promise Neighborhood will follow the model set by The Harlem Children’s Zone and has many similarities with BookSpring’s Neighborhood of Readers.  Representative Stroma noted that this is a large-scale “cradle to college,” community wide comprehensive pipeline to stop inter-generational poverty.  Several things were highlighted as important parts of what a promise neighborhood would need to include: accountability, continued community input, real-time data and response, early childhood intervention, continued and comprehensive programming, and a small area to initiate this work with.  There were representatives present from: COA, Southwest Key, University of Texas, Texas House of Representatives, AISD Trustees, St. John Community School Alliance, Child Inc, APIE, United Way, Sylvan Learning, Foundation Communities, LifeWorks, as well as many other movers and shakers in the greater Austin area.

Let Your Voice Be Heard: Support AISD Library Spending

On behalf of our library partners in AISD schools, BookSpring would like to support library funding in future AISD budget decisions. Please read the letter below and visit www. austinisd.org, click on Strategic Plan,   make comments  like “yes for funding library resources”   They are counting/tabulating responses.

Library Friends,

Now is the time to let the district know what our wants/needs are.  The superintendent spoke last night on the state of the district at LBJ HS.

She’s going to do some amazing things in our district and make sweeping changes! She must do this to bring AISD up to par in the nation.

She is obviously very intrigued and interested in dual language acquisition for all students.   She mention these 3 key agenda items that cover lots of territory:   Budget, facilities, and technology.    She talked about redrawing district lines, possible consolidation of low enrollment schools, more multiple pathways for students to attend high school instead of traditional venues, and many other ideas.   Where does library funding fit into all of this?   WE BETTER SPEAK UP NOW AND HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE OUR SUPPORTERS DO THE SAME.  Just send  this e-mail to your volunteers, PTA presidents and anyone interested.   There is also another budget meeting discussion with the community at Travis HS on Dec. 3, 6:00 p.m.  I know you all are tired and busy in the afternoon, but these meetings are key to what will happen in the next five-ten years.  Go if you can and say we must fund libraries to nurture young readers and prepare students for college.  Another way to voice your feelings:

1.  austinisd.org   website, click on Strategic Plan,   make comments  like “yes for funding library resources”   They are counting/tabulating responses.
2.  e-mail Nicole Conley-Abram, our new CFO  at budget@austinisd.org   or call 414-2323 voicing support for library resource funding as stated in the Strategic Plan.

Please, please stand up and be counted for restoring funding to our school libraries, friends! Take five minutes to e-mail or call.  Dr. Carstarphen asked the audience to do so.  

Sincerely,

 

Jill Stimson, retired AISD librarian

BookClub Update: Success Rate for Parents visiting Austin Public Library!

Lili Cantu, BookSpring BookClub coordinator, is making great strides with the BookClubs being offered by BookSpring at local AISD elementary schools.

BookSpring as been piloting an experimental voucher program with parents at Blanton, Jordan, Dawson and Metz elementary schools.  When parents attend a book club at the school, they receive a voucher to exchange for coupons, t-shirts, booklights,etc. when they visit the local Austin public library. Many parents do not make the local  library part of their routine and unfortunately have never visited their local branch.

Well that is changing…. thanks to BookSpring and Lili!

Of the parents attending, over 65% have visited the library and over 50% have made multiple trips!!!

“Parents have brought library books to class to share with their fellow parents, told us about checking out parenting books for themselves to help with parenting challenges, and told us about getting kicked out of the library because they stayed past closing time!  We are very excited by these results, and hope to continue this partnership next semester and beyond!” Lili Cantu

Contact BookSpring if you or your business is interested in donating prizes and or coupons!

Kudos to Texas Hospital Assoc.! Employees Choose Day of Service vs. Holiday Party

How refreshing!

Employees of Texas Hospital Association are going to forgo their traditional holiday party this year and will spend the day in service to others. BookSpring is honored that THA employees will spend time helping to prepare for the 2010 Read-A-Thon. Your generosity and kindness are very much appreciated!!!

Thank you THA!!

BookSpring challenges others in the Austin area to consider following THA! Volunteer!

Shout Out to Sally Hunter, Highland Park teacher

BookSpring wants to congratulate Sally Hunter, Highland Park teacher, for being the Texas winner of 2009 Gilder Lehrman Institute Preserve AmericaHistory Teacher of the Year Award by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

Sally has also presented the BookSpring Read-A-Thon to Highland Park students since the very first RIF Read-A-Thon  in 2003. Sally encourages students to complete community service, read and help purchase books for low-income children.  BookSpring appreciate s Sally’s continued support!

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/11/16/1116achievements.html

Congratulations Sally!

Is Your School Registered? See the List of Schools Participating in 2010 Read-A-Thon!

Thank you to all the schools that have registered for the 2010 Read-A-Thon!

It’s Not Too Late!

Register Today!

 

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115584609912702626897.000477e3b68bfc1679456&z=11

BookSpring’s 2010 Read-a-Thon

Andrews Elementary Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders   Baranoff Elementary  Barton Creek Elementary  Campbell Elementary  Casis Elementary  Cedar Creek Elementary  Dawson Elementary  Galindo Elementary     Highland Park Elementary  Hill Elementary  Hill Country Middle School  O’Henry Middle School   Houston Elementary    St. Theresa’s Catholic School   WidenElementary   Winn Elementary  Redeemer Lutheran    Menchaca Elementary   Valley View Elementary Rodriguez Elementary Summit Elementary Eanes Elementary         West Ridge Middle School  Zavala Elementary Linder Elmentary Gullett Elementary Bryker Woods Elementary Doss Elementary