Dedham Elementary School Libraries Bustling with Activity in February

This month, Dedham Elementary School Libraries have been bustling with activity, including several reading events and activities.Thanks to a generous grant from the Dedham Education Foundation, students in all elementary schools have been participating in a Mock Caldecott unit. The Caldecott award is given each year by the American Library Association to the most distinguished picture book of the year. Students will read and evaluate a total of five books and then will decide which book they would choose to give the Caldecott award.

Students at each of the elementary schools also participated in the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) bookmark contest. This contest is held every year so that students can show their enthusiasm for their school library and to promote reading. The theme for this year’s bookmark was: Look What I Discovered at my School Library. The winning bookmarks from each school were then sent on to the statewide contest which will be held during the MSLA’s annual conference in March. The following students were selected as winners in their respective schools and will represent Dedham. From Avery: Zoya Alam, Jack Glynn, Jada Gourdet, Nina Miller, Melody Lustgarten, Kailey McMahon-Walker; from Greenlodge: Ava O’Donnell, Stella McDermott, Quinn Power, Leila Smadi; at Oakdale; Dakota O’Sullivan, Ella Hanley, Priscilla Pouliot, Luke Wilkinson, Olivia Hanley; and at Riverdale: Emma Lu, Patrick Carroll, Fatema Alnajafe, Maeve Keogh, Abigail LeGendre, Isabel Solarzano, Molly Kelly, Kaleigh Kennedy, Madison Morrissey.

Elementary school students are reading and enhancing their school libraries with two unique programs this month. Students in all elementary schools are reading to earn free tickets to Six Flags. Students must read for a total of 6 hours to earn their ticket in the “Read to Succeed” program.

The Greenlodge Celebration Books program earned $50.00 in donations for the Greenlodge Library Media Center. The program allows the community to contribute to the library’s budget for new books by dedicating a book to honor a loved one. The Greenlodge Library Media Committee sent out Valentine’s Day cards notifying and thanking loved ones of the dedication. If you are interested in contributing to this program for a special person or occasion in your life please contact mtannetta@dedham.k12.ma.us for information or visit the Greenlodge Library Media Center Facebook page.

February has been an exciting month of reading celebrations, with many more events and activities planned in the upcoming months.