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