Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools May/June 2018 | Page 21

Classroom libraries help provide equity and instill love of reading in all UCPS elementary schools Last school year, received anywhere Union County Public from 3,500 to 7,100 Schools (UCPS) launched books, based on the Literacy for U, a size of their school districtwide framework and the number of that addresses third through fifth instructional practices, grade teachers. access to literature The classroom across all schools and libraries were stocked training in word study based on teacher and phonics. requests and included Now, a major part various genres as of the plan has been well as a wide range completed: classroom of diverse books libraries are now and varied reading available in every third collections. through fifth grade class, “As a district, the which means every classroom libraries single elementary school allow us to support classroom in the district the individual teacher, now has a fully stocked, and not just the school quality classroom library. or grade level,” Dr. The classroom libraries Jones said. will ultimately help to The classroom ensure all elementary libraries will not students in the district only support literacy Classroom libraries are now available in every third through fifth grade class, which means every single elementary school classroom in the district now has a fully have access to quality instruction, Dr. Jones literature and resources. stocked, quality classroom library. The classroom libraries will ultimately help to added. They will also ensure all elementary students in the district have access to quality literature and “We initially began help students learn resources. with implementing more more about books and books in kindergarten through second grade classroom libraries, provide a central location in the classroom for students to talk and we progressed this year to adding classroom libraries in about and interact with books as well as provide opportunities for grades three through five,” said UCPS Assistant Superintendent independent reading and curricular extensions. of Teaching and Learning Dr. John Jones. “The classroom libraries Walter Bickett Elementary fourth grade teacher Donnett address the Focused Five efforts of the literacy plan, which Moncrief said she was ecstatic when her books arrived. include read aloud, guided reading, independent reading, word “With the new classroom libraries, my students are going to study and responsive writing. The final goal of the plan is that by be more interested in wanting to read. There are so many genres 2020, a minimum of 90 percent of all students will demonstrate that it will broaden their horizons and they’ll read more than the proficiency in readi ng as measured by Read to Achieve.” limited books that we had before,” she said. “There are also many Through the Board of Education’s approval of $715,000, as books on the same topic so it’s good for research as well. My many as 173,755 books were recently delivered to every third, students are really enjoying digging deeper into these books, and fourth and fifth grade class in the district. Elementary schools we are so grateful for them.” School Nutrition Program For many students, summer is a time to relax and have fun with family and friends. However, for some families, it’s also time when their students lose access to the healthy and nutritious school lunches they receive during the school year. This year, UCPS School Nutrition Services will continue to offer free nutritional meals throughout the summer for children 0 to 18 years old. The meals will be served at Walter Bickett Elementary (830 N MLK Jr. Blvd., Monroe) from noon to 1 p.m. every Monday through Thursday beginning Monday, June 11 and ending on Thursday, Aug. 9. Meals will not be served during the week of July 4. For additional information, please contact [email protected] or call 704-296-3000. Parent Teacher Magazine • May/June 2018 • 19