April is one month away from Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is designated on May 1st of each year. On this day, people all over the nation honor and remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and those who survived the atrocities of that time period.
It's been quite a busy month, so busy that we didn't have time to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday, but not to worry, we celebrated this week anyway as a way to honor his contribution to all readers. We made Green Eggs and Ham placemats and decorated our library tables in a restaurant setting. Our upper grade level volunteers waited on the lower grade level students. Students picked their favorite books from the menu and enjoyed having the book read to them. Overall, our Reading Restaurant rocked!
March 20th marks the first day of Spring for the 2011 year. This season, which is from March 20th - July 20th, is a time when we start to see more rain, blooming flowers, budding trees, and loads of insects. Animals also have their young in the Spring because there is an abundance of food to feed on for energy. Students got a chance to learn about the Spring Season via Brainpopjr video. Afterwards, they worked on a Spring activity. A reminder went out this week to inform them of our 2nd Reading is Fundamental (RIF) book distribution coming up next week. Books to Read: Tales of Spring Break by Ann Warren Smith
When Spring Comes by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
Como Sabes Que Es Primavera? by Allan Fowler
The flowers are in bloom this spring and all of our valley schools are on break for the week.
We opened our Library doors to an amazing 1950's theme book fair this Spring the day after students' TAKS test. There were daily drawings, and at the end of the week, we celebrated our half-point by having a 1950's dressup contest, where students and staff dressed up in their 1950's attire, and the winners received three free items of their choice! The choice was very difficult to make for the judges (the Librarian and Assistant did not participate in the voting, by the way). Our book fair was open during Open House night, which crowded the building with family members eager to purchase items for their children. In the end, our school library made more in profit than we've had in this campus during the past three years, which is a record! We look forward to having many more events like this one to bring the school community together. All profits will go towards the school's AR Reading Goal party that is coming up on May 5th. A big "Thank You" to everyone who helped out and made this possible for our students.
Our yearly Charro Day festivities are right around the corner this February. Students will learn about the rich cultural history that our city celebrates.All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to come dressed in their Charro Day attire.
Born to lift community spirits during difficult times, the Charro Days Fiesta arrives in 2011 with the same dedication to bi-national friendship and respect for traditions that first captivated Brownsville 74 years ago.It was in 1937, during the Great Depression, that local business leaders decided to create an antidote to the gloom that engulfed Brownsville and the rest of the country. They wanted to celebrate what made their community unique: It’s location on the border with Mexico, and the rich cultural heritage that comes with that interesting address.
From the very first celebration, Brownsville residents and visitors dressed in the traditional costumes of Mexico and honored the Mexican cowboys -- the Charros -- who were heroes of the borderlands.
Horse-drawn, hand-made floats processed through downtown Brownsville in those early years, with marching bands from Mexico, soldiers from old Fort Brown and children from area schools dressed as charros and chinas.
Elegant costume balls, popular street parties and fireworks – all launched with a joyful yell, the traditional “Grito’’ – were popular back then and contribute to lively Charro Days celebrations today.
Carlos Bañales, executive director of the festival, says Charro Days survives because it preserves the past while never forgetting to involve a new generation. As always, Brownsville school kids have a starring role each year, with their own special Children’s Parade.
“The importance of Charro Days goes back to 1937 when it was organized,” says Banales. “It was to unite two countries, to bring them together. We like to remember our roots and we like for people who come to Charro Days as visitors to know about our rich cultural heritage.”
Over the years, Brownsville’s sister city of Matamoros has always been a key participant. In years gone by, international bridges were thrown open during Charro Days, allowing family and friends to share the festivities. Even today, ties between the sister cities are celebrated each year with events and parties.
The Mr. Amigo Association became a part of Charro Days in 1967, honoring a Mexican citizen who contributes to friendly bi-national relations. Sombrero Fest, a three-day Washington Park street party with popular rock, country and Tejano performers, was added in 1986.
Organizers already are looking ahead to a milestone year to come. For the 75th anniversary of Charro Days next year, they want people to sift through their family photo albums and pull out those pictures of grandfather riding in the Charro Days parade, or grandmother in her colorful lace and embroidery. They want to hear the stories of how the community came together in the past, and continues to celebrate together today.“We’re already starting to gather ideas for the 75th anniversary,” said Ken Lieck Charro Days president.“We’re definitely going to turn it up a notch. We’re looking at having some big entertainments, maybe some other changes……We’d love to hear suggestions from the community! “We want to make the 75th anniversary one that people will always remember.”
taken from the official Charro Days Blog: http://www.charrodaysfiesta.com/history.htm
It is Valentine's Day across the nation, and what a better way to celebrate it today by understanding the one thing we see all over Valentine cards, candy, and other gifts - the heart!
This is the week before Valentine's Day, and we're planning a sweet surprise for our teachers, but shhhh, don't spoil the surprise! Teachers won't find out until next week when our volunteer students go out and deliver their classes' Valentine grams. Students stamped heart-shaped finger prints using their pinkies. Afterwards, they signed their names and framed it. Students also had a lesson about Valentine's Day traditions along with the functions of the heart activity. Valentine's Day Games & Heart Activities:
Born on January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who stood up for all people who were treated unjustly. His call in life, to defend and protect the rights of all individuals, not with the use of force, rather, with silence, dignity, and honor.
When 10-year-old Amelia Mary Earhart saw her first plane at a state fair, she was not impressed. "It was a thing of rusty wire and wood and looked not at all interesting," she said. It wasn't until Earhart attended a stunt-slying exhibition, almost a decade later, that she became seriously interested in aviation. A pilot spotted Earhart and her friend, who were watching from an isolated clearing, and dove at them. "I am sure he said to himself, 'Watch me make them scamper,'" she said. Earhart, who felt a mixture of fear and pleasure, stood her ground. As the plane swooped by, something inside her awakened. "I did not understand it at the time," she said, "but I believe that little red airplane said something to me as it swished by."
