There are a couple of upcoming events that I'd like to mention. First, and very important, October is National Bullying Prevention Month. For more information on this project, please visit the website of PACER, which created the event in 2006. At the library during October classes will hear stories about kindness, inclusion, and standing up for others. This week these themes will be the focus for grades DK/TK, 1, 2, and 4; in future weeks the topic will be featured in other grades, with most grades focusing on bullying prevention for two of our four October weeks. 

This week the kindergarteners will hear Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book, by Alexander Stadler--this is the first week that kindergarten will be checking out library books, so they are very excited about that! Grade 3 is focusing on the moon, in legends and nonfiction. Grade 5 will be working with a print version of the World Book Encyclopedia.

The other community event that may interest you is the County of Los Angeles Public Library's bookmark contest. All classes will hear about it and be offered an entry form. Entries can be turned in at the school office or Pennekamp library until October 26, and at the public library one day later--until October 27. Please visit the public library's website for more information or a PDF of the entry form. All entries must be in blue or black ink only! Winner are honored before the city council, receive a prize, and have their bookmark design duplicated and distributed in the public library for the coming year! This year's theme is "It Came from a Book."

Have you noticed how nice the library shelves are looking? We can thank the many students in grades 3, 4, and 5 who have "adopted" a shelf to maintain for this school year! Students make sure that their shelves are clean, that books are standing tall but not too tight, and that books are aligned with the front edge of the shelf. Every week students can earn a shiny star for their name tag by taking care of their shelf. Great job, students, and thanks!

Library readalouds for grades K, 1, 2, and 3 this week focus on fall, which began Saturday, September 22; distinguishing fiction from nonfiction; and finding nonfiction books in the library. DK/TK is reviewing colors and shapes. Grade 4 is building a vocabulary of "literary response" terms through discussion of The Cello of Mr. O, by Jane Cutler. Grade 5 will be hearing a Native American legend, to support their in-class work on Native American cultures as well as literary genres.

Calling all artists, readers, and library lovers--it's time for the Los Angeles County Public Library's annual bookmark contest! Entry forms are available in the public library as well as the Pennekamp Library, and can also be downloaded and printed from the public library's website. Entries are due at Pennekamp by October 26, or you can turn them in at the public library until the next day, October 27. This year's theme is "It Came from a Book!" The winning designs are made into bookmarks and distributed at public libraries throughout the coming year. Winners are honored at a city council meeting, win a prize "grab bag," and receive 50 copies of their bookmark to give to family and friends.

This Thursday, September 26, the 5th-grade book club is meeting in the library at lunch recess. Students, please come ready to discuss this month's selection: Aliens on Vacation, by Clete Barrett Smith. New members and interested observers are welcome to attend.

The library is in full swing this week with all classes attending except those affected by the Monday holiday. The Weekly Readalouds page shows what each grade is hearing and doing. 

The only reschedule this week is that of Ms. Batavick's class, which will come on Thursday from 10:50 to 11:20. 

Right now any classes are hearing books themed on trees and the coming of autumn. The autumnal equinox is this Saturday, September 22. I just saw the first pumpkins of the season at Trader Joe's, so that marks the official change of season for me! Grade 2 is in the midst of a two-week examination of fiction and nonfiction. Grade 4's discussion of The Cello of Mr. O, by Jane Cutler, will continue next week, as we are introducing all the elements used in the literary response method through this intense and complex story.

This Saturday, September 15, is Coastal Cleanup Day! Come down to one of our local beaches to help beautify the coastline and protect the marine environment by picking up trash. Bring your own reusable bucket and garden gloves, and be sure to have a hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, and water to drink (preferably in a reusable bottle). The hours are 9 a.m. to noon, this Saturday! For more information, click on this link to Heal the Bay.

Thanks to all the Pennekamp parents (and grandparents!) who have stepped up to volunteer in the library this year! The orientation last Friday was well attended, and I think everyone who was there is ready to go! If you were not able to attend that event, please contact me so we can find a time for me to train you before you begin assisting with a class visit. All classes now have a sufficient number of volunteers, so thanks again, everyone!

This week all classes visit the library at their regularly scheduled times except those affected by the minimum day on Thursday, September 13.

The library is open every school day from 8:15 until 3:00. The library is closed on weekends and all school holidays. Feel free to visit the library during open hours except during the lunch period and during class visits. 

The first meeting of the book club for grade 5 was boisterous but fun. The next meeting will be Thursday, September 27. All interested students should come prepared for a discussion of Aliens on Vacation, by Clete Barrett Smith. New members are always welcome.

The library is gradually building up to the usual class visit schedule. This week a handful of classes is visiting--Schneck/Vanderpool and Vavao, both kindergarten; and all the 5th-grade classes. With kindergarten this week, we will reading aloud, looking at book covers and spine labels, and demonstrating the use of our shelf-marker paintsticks. Grade five will review library rules and use of the catalog, but we'll leave plenty of time for the students to choose books for their assigned book reports.

Also this week the first meeting of the book club for grade 5 will take place. It will be Thursday, September 6, in the library at lunch recess. All students are invited! The book club for grade 4 will start soon, too.

On Friday, from 8:30 to 10:00 in the library, there will be a mandatory orientation for parent volunteers. Returning volunteers will have a chance to proof the roster, meet the new volunteers, and learn about a few changes at the library. New volunteers need to learn how to shelve and how to use our circulation program before they begin assisting with class visits. In case make-up trainings are needed next week, volunteers will not begin their weekly duties until the following week--the week of September 17 (which begins on September 18, because Monday is a  holiday that week). May I say again how grateful I am for the excellent and essential help provided by the library volunteers--thank you so much!