Sylvan Learning Rewards Zavala Student for Outstanding Reading!

 

On behalf of BookSpring, Zavala second grader, Natalie Santander, accepted $500 pledge from Sylvan Learning Centers  for her efforts during the 2010 Read-A-Thon.  Representing Sylvan Learning, Mark Strama presented Natalie with the check and a certificate praising Natalie’s accomplishment in reading 500 pages.

In January, during a visit to Zavala  for the Read-A-Thon Kick-Off,  Mr. Strama challenged the students in Mrs. Raspberry’s class to read as many pages as they could during the Read-A-Thon. Taking the challenge a step further, Mr. Strama pledged a DOLLAR per page to BookSpring for the student who read the most pages.

Natalie, listening very carefully, was inspired by the challenge and carefully recorded her reading each and every day for two weeks. At the conclusion of the event, Natalie presented her pledge envelope to the librarian and reminded Mrs. Crosby of the challenge offered by Sylvan Learning Centers.

Natalie accepted her certificate and the $500 check on behalf of BookSpring.   Sylvan’s support and Natalie’s hard work ensure that fellow Zavala classmates will receive brand new books through the Reading Is Fundamental program.

During RIF week offered three times a year, Natalie knows her efforts helped bring the new books provided to her fellow students!

Good job Natalie and thank you Sylvan Learning for helping to instill the love of reading!

Snapshots from BookSpring’s 2010 Reading Frenzy

Click here to see what a great time we had at BookSpring’s 2010 Reading Frenzy.

The 2010 Reading Frenzy on Saturday March 6, 2010 celebrated the 1.5 million pages that Austin children read during the 2010 Read-A-Thon.

Thanks to the McCallum Steel Drum band for entertainment, Sylvan Learning Center and Badgerdog for educational games, and Nate the Great for the awesome, fantastic balloon creations- this guy is amazing!

BookSpring also wants to thank Austin Pizza, Maine Rootbeer and Schmidt’s Kettle Korn and the all the wonderful BookSpring volunteers who spent the day setting up, directing traffic and entertaining all the readers who came out to join us and celebrate!

Children enjoyed visiting with authors, Jacqueline Kelly and Marie Rutkoski inspiring our wonderful readers to create their own masterpieces.

The celebration filled the BookPeople parking lot with face painting, balloon artistry, music and lots of yummy food was a big hit! Student readers signed the Read-A-Thon banner with how many pages they read and visited with authors.

Can’t wait until 2011!!!

Read-A-Thon Results: Bridge Point sets the Bar!

Bridge Point Elementary has set the bar for this year’s 2010 Read-A-Thon!

Students at Bridge Point participated in the 2010 Read-A-Thon early to correspond with their Texas Bluebonnet reading program. 

Students read 237,053 and raised over $16,907.21.  Twenty students at Bridge Point crossed the 2,000 page mark and the top reader will be announced at a school wide assembly- pages and winner to be announced soon!

Bridge Point has participated in the Read-A-Thon for many years beginning with the very first Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Read-A-Thon.  BookSpring is grateful for the generous support we receive each year from the Bridge Point community. Their efforts make a significant impact on  literacy programs in the Austin community through RIF books ownership programs and parental support and training.

Thank you Bridge Point!!!

BTW: We use the honor system to determine top readers but also verify with librarians and class teachers- they know who reads!!!

A personalized engraved Top Reader Trophy is presented to a student at each school to recognize their outstanding accomplishment!

Gullett First Graders Sing for BookSpring! Can Gullett Go for 5?

On Friday, Gullett Elementary held their annual BookSpring Read-A-Thon assembly.  Mrs. Robrien’s first grade class wrote and performed a special song and poem composed just for the Read-A-Thon!

 Everything that is right about our schools was on display in the Gullett cafeteria-  wonderful teachers, a supportive community of parents, books,  singing about community service and helping others.  The children at Gullett simply “get it’ and understanding that they can change  the lives of other children through books!

Please visit the link below to see pictures of Mrs.Robrien’s first grade class- read the words to their poem and watch the video.  It was just darling-

Click here to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTWsu7qg-vI

View Mrs. Robrien’s blog and photos: http://teachingtoucheschildrenforever.blogspot.com/2010/01/bookspring-read-thon-kick-off-assembly.html

Jacqueline Kelly, Guest Author for the Reading Frenzy, Earns Newbery 2010 Honor Distinction

The American Library Association announced the winner and honorees of the 2010 Newbery Medal. A distinction awarded to an author for making a significant contribution to children’s literature.

Jacqueline Kelly, author of  The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, is  a 2010 Newbery Honored Book.  Ms. Kelly will be one of two guest authors at BookSpring’s  Reading Frenzy on March 6, 2010.

BookSpring is honored to have Ms. Kelly’s help in recognizing the top readers during the 2010 BookSpring Read-A-Thon. We look forward to celebrating Ms. Kelly’s award at the Frenzy!

Read more about the Newbery Announcement:

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm

http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/january2010/2010newberycaldecott_pio.cfm

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6202556.The_Evolution_of_Calpurnia_Tate

http://newberryproject.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-newbery-announced.html

Reading Frenzy to Celebrate Read-A-Thon, Community Service and Literacy!

BookSpring’s 2010 Reading Frenzy

March 6, 2010

BookPeople 1-3 pm

Participants are invited to celebrate with BookSpring!

Special authors, McCallum Steel Drum Band,  food, music and fun!

Special guests include Marie Rutkoski, Bluebonnet author of Cabinet of Wonders

Visit BookPeople to read reviews: http://site.booksite.com/3401/showdetail/?isbn=9780374310264

and

Jacqueline Kelly, Bluebonnet author of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

visit BookPeople to read review http://site.booksite.com/3401/showdetail/?isbn=9780805088410

 For more information:

Donna Emery donna.emery@bookspring.org

2010 Read-A-Thon Pledge Envelope: Download Here!

Click and download 2010-RAT-envelope

Read, log pages and collect donations to help put books into the hands of children!

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!

Austin Open 4 Business Conference Promotes BookSpring with Book Drive!

BookSpring Book Drive:  Nov. 10, 2009 at the Austin Open 4 Business Conference to be held at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center.

BookSpring provides new and used books to over 38,000 infants and children through 25 medical clinics and schools  in the Greater Austin area.

Support children’s literacy and donate used books today!

  • Please donate gently used children’s picture and board books
  • Please no textbooks, sensitive subjects, religious or used coloring/activity books
  • Beginning reader chapter books (Level I, II, III)
  • Spanish books welcome!

http://www.austinopen4business.com/

Find the Read-A-Thon on KXAN News and Mix 94.7!!!

Thanks KXAN News and Mix 94.7 for joining the BookSpring Read-A-Thon!

With two of the best, everyone will be talking about BookSpring!

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