Gearing Up For The Winter Olympics With Nancy Lethcoe

To promote “Passport to Reading: Read Around The World” and the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics, Nancy Lethcoe came to talk with 3rd-6th grade students today in our library.

Ms Lethcoe is an Olympic silver medalist in swimming.  She participated in the 1956 Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia.

Nancy did a wonderful job telling the story of her Olympic experience.  The kids were fascinated and enjoyed asking questions about this very special time in Lethcoe’s life.  Here’s a photo of one student trying on the sweatshirt Ms. Lethcoe received at the 1956 Summer Olympics.

Nancy, thanks so much sharing your time and expertise with students at HHES!

Another Wonderful Donation!

Mo and Steve Radatitch decided to dedicate the children’s versions of “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson to our library in celebration of the “Passport To Reading” incentive reading program we are doing third quarter.  Students are encouraged to read books from all the continents.  I can’t wait to promote these books to our students!  Thanks Mo and Steve!

HHES District Battle of the Books Winning Teams

Meet This Year’s Hermon HHES 3rd/4th District Battle of the Books Teams!

And The Winning Team is Mrs. Anderson’s 4th Grade Team The Dragon’s Blood.

This year’s 5th/6th Grade HHES District Battle Book Teams.

I have to tell you, this was the most exciting battle I’ve ever been a part of over the past 10 years!  Both of these teams knew their books, collaborated well as teams, had great sportsmanship, and had to go into sudden death overtime before the winning team was determined.

Congratulations to Mrs. Guthrie’s Medieval Marbles!

Bill Harley: Story Teller, Musician, Performer Extrodenaire

Bill Harley came to perform at HHES today in our library.  Students from kindergarten through 6th grade were entertained with his lively  combination of stories, music and song.

The library has purchased a few of his CDs, a DVD, and two of his books.  Come check them out!

Elise Sorum Talks About Belgium

To support “Passport To Reading”, the reading incentive program HHES Library is promoting for 3rd quarter,  we’ve tried to invite guest speakers to come talk to 2nd-6th grade students during lunch recess every Tuesday.  Today Elise Sorrum came to the library to share with students through pictures, maps, and story her  study abroad experience in Belgium.  The small group of kids who came enjoyed some unique small group learning about this beautiful country.

“Passport To Reading” is challenging students at HHES to read a wide variety of literature from around the world.  Students have an individual goal of reading one, two, or three books from each continent.  Bronze, silver, and gold metal recognition will be awared depending on how many books are read before spring break in March.  A school-wide challenge is also taking place.  If our school reads 1,000 book and pass at 80% or better on AR quizzes before spring break, The Klondike Kate’s, a local music group, and a few local story tellers will come entertain the HHES students.

Passport To Reading & Winter Olympic Challenge

Students at HHES will have an opportunity to read a variety of literature from around the world  both fiction and nonfiction, as well as learn about the 2010 Winter Olympics duirng library classes in January and February.

If you come to visit the HHES Library during the next several weeks you would find a variety of suitcases packed with books each sitting by a continental map.  Students will be encouraged to read up to three books from each continent and keep track of those books they successfully get an 80% or better on an AR quiz in their personal passport.

There will be some individual incentive prizes as well as a school-wide incentive.  If HHES students successfully read 1,000 books by the wrap up of the Winter Olympics they will be entertained by local story tellers, musicians and popcorn prepared by our very own PTA.

We’ll keep you posted on our progress.

Additional Star Wars Books @ HHES Library Thanks To Donation!

We are lucky to have so many individuals willing to donate poplular books to our library!  Thanks to Seth and his family for supplying these like-new Star Wars books. We’re already have a difficult time keeping them on the shelves!

Battle Book Participants Gearing Up For District Battles In January!

December found 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students coming to the library once a week during their lunch recess to practice battle questions with other students interested in taking part in this year’s district and state battles. Thanks to Natasha Latta, one of the parents willing to be a battle coach this year!

Two more parents willing to give the gift of time to promote the love of reading in our school.  Thanks Deanna Cox and Katey Connell.

The kids are having fun challenging each other on names of this years authors and titles and seeing how many questions they can answer correctly.

Sarah Carter Back To Teach Kids Avalanche Safety Tips

Once again Sarah Carter of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center came to HHES Library to share up-to-date information on avalanche condition awareness using Utube video and excellent hands on demonstrations to clarify important safety facts.

In these photos Sarah is demonstrating extreme avalanche conditions using potato chips and books.  The layer of chips on the base demonstrates a layer of old snow whose jagged crystals have been worn off.  Top that layer with lots of heavy wet snow, similar to the record-breaking  snow fall in December, creates prime avalanche conditions.

Once again, Carter’s presentation kept students interested and focused. Thanks Sarah for sharing your knowledge with the students at Valdez City Schools.

The HHES Kingdom’s Swim Party Was A Splashing Success!

Twenty very dedicated 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders celebrated their battle of the books reading challenge at the fall swimming party.  Students that read at least 7 battle books and received at least 80% on AR quizzes were invited to the annual event.

Thanks to Kristen Hayes, Wendy Balowski, Deanna Cox, and Bill Bryson for helping out!

Deanna Cox, one of our great parent volunteers!