Welcome to the Library

  • Westside student photo

    Westside Elementary Library 

  • Welcome to the Westside Library! Libraries are special places where one can go to explore the world. The inscription over the door at the Library of Thebes (the oldest known library in the world) translates “Libraries are the medicine chest of the soul” or “The house of healing for the soul”. Here at Westside, the library fosters and nurtures student’s love of reading. Early readers are supported with books which help them learn to read and grow in comprehension. As student’s reading abilities mature, they are invited and encouraged to find books of interest to help grow their knowledge or read for pleasure.

     

    The library offers reading reward opportunities each year. Most program goals are measured with Renaissance Reading’s Accelerated Reader (AR) program. Students read the book then take the AR quiz to demonstrate understanding through comprehension.

    • Kindergarten students will complete a checklist of pre reading skills. Students will be rewarded as they master the skills and progress up the ladder. 

    • First grade participates in Principal Braun’s ten point AR club. Once students are reading independently, they begin taking AR tests. Most books at this level are worth ½ point. Points are awarded based on correct answers. When students earn ten points and move up a dot (reading level) they are invited to join the club. This includes running in the weekly AR parade while being cheered on by peers, and they receive a special T-Shirt. 

     

    • Students in second and third grade will participate in a 40 book challenge. This includes reading books in different genres and books of choice. To earn credit, students must pass the AR test. Students who successfully complete the program will be invited to a Bowling for Books field trip at the end of the school year. 

     

    • Bluebonnet Books for grades 3-5. This year, the Bluebonnet books must be from the current 2023-24 Bluebonnet list. Students who read and pass 15 or more Bluebonnet book AR tests will earn their way to the field trip. Students who read at least 5 books get to vote for their favorite book. Students who read at least 10 books will earn an ice cream party. Books must be read and AR quizzes must be passed by February 8, 2024, to earn the movie and picnic field trip in April.   

     

    • Millionaire Club is a program open to students in grades 2-5. The word count is calculated from books read with AR tests. Students who read 1,000,000 words by April 21, 2023 are eligible to attend a special field trip. 

     

    • All students have the opportunity to earn points/word count by reading and taking AR tests. Each quarter, students are given the opportunity to spend their points (first grade) or word count (second, third, fourth and fifth) at the AR store. Kindergarten will be rewarded as they climb the pre reading ladder.

     

    To get credit for AR tests students MUST . . .

    • . . . read the entire book first

    • . . . take the test at school

    • . . . answers questions by themselves

    • . . .  keep the book closed while taking the test

    • . . . only take in the same language as the book was read

     

    Fundraising is an important part of the library program. This helps to grow the collection and replace lost or old well loved books and supports reading incentives. This year library fundraisers include:

    • Fall Scholastic Book Fair September 18-22

    • Spring Scholastic Book Fair February 12-16

    • NEW Read-a-thon October 9-13 

     

    Reading Celebrations will take place throughout the year. Please contact the school if you are interested in being a guest reader during these weeks.

    • November 13-17 Young Readers Week

    • February 26 - March 1 Read Across America

    "Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life."

    Sidney Sheldon