Thank You, Sonntag Community!!

Happy summer, Sonntag Community!

It is with a heavy heart [and a heavy shelf marker...see picture above] that I tell you that I am moving on from Sonntag Elementary this summer. It has been such a privilege and pleasure serving as the Sonntag librarian for the past 7 years. I am so thankful for all who I have taught, worked with, and connected with. I've learned so much from each and every Reader who has walked through the doors of Sonntag Elementary. 

I am not going far. I will be moving north to Prosper ISD as an elementary Library Media Specialist. This blog will continue to serve as my way to get the word out about the love of reading and learning. Even though this blog, my Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram accounts may look different, you will still be able to connect with me there. 

I thank you for all of your love and support throughout the past 7 years. I look forward to seeing how this amazing Sonntag Community grows!! Happy reading!! :o) 

Year-in-Review: Sonntag Stats (2014-2015)

(2014-2015 Edition)

The 5th year in the life of the Sonntag library is now in the books (pun TOTALLY intended)!  The Sonntag Communtity is the reason why this library is so great. It is going to be amazing to watch how this library grows in year 6 and beyond! 

If you are looking for an exciting summer reading program or need to log your minutes for the Sonntag Summer Reading Challenge , click here! Please be sure to check out what has been going on in the library throughout this school year below. We hope you have a wonderful summer. See you in the fall! :o)

Number of Whole Class Visits: 

773

Number of Total Items Circulated (Checkouts & Checkins):

47,500

Number of Items in Collection:

13,579

Library Instruction/Programs/Community Outreach 

*Hosted a "Book Blast" the first week of school to get books in the hands of Sonntag Readers as soon as school began 

*Promoted and maintained the Coyote Reading Club reading program for all Sonntag Readers

*Introduced a new "Birthday Books" library program to the Sonntag Community

*Coordinated the Frisco Public Library's annual Lone Star Storytelling Festival with our 4th graders

*Taught Sonntag Readers and teachers how to use MackinVia (online research tools)

*Celebrated International Dot Day with Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd graders

*Launched the first-ever 4th & 5th grade Library Crew (library helpers)

*Introduced month-long author studies Dr. Seuss (March) & Amy Krouse Rosenthal (April) with all Sonntag Readers (more to come in 2015-2016)

*Collaborated with the librarian at Isbell Elementary to conduct a storytime at a Frisco ISD special program campus

*Coordinated the 2nd annual Battle of the Books!!! 

*Launched the Sonntag Summer Reading Challenge to the Sonntag Community

*Collaborated with the Sonntag technology facilitator to provide technology research opportunities for kinder students 

*Hosted author Janet Tashjian & her illustrator son Jake in April for all Sonntag Readers!

*Hosted the 5th annual Bluebonnet Voting Party for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders

*Participated in the 2014 Texas Library Association's Library Snapshot Day on October 20th

*Coordinated and completed the 5th annual Six Flags Read to Succeed reading program

*Planned & conducted research lessons and materials for 2nd & 5th grade research 

*Promoted the "Book Bucks for Great Behavior" program 

*Supported classroom teachers by connecting them with MackinVia (online research tools)

*Conducted weekly reader's advisory and read-alouds to students

*Promoted the first Sonntag Little Free Library for staff & parents

*Hosted Preschool Storytime with Sonntag's littlest readers! 

*Promoted the 2014-2015 Texas Bluebonnet Award Program with 3-5 grades

*Promoted the 2014-2015 2x2 Reading Program with Preschool-2nd grades

*Introduced and promoted the 2015-2016 2x2 & Texas Bluebonnet Award programs to all students

*Presented a weekly Good Morning Sonntag Book Bits update

*Updated a daily Fact of the Day by Mrs. Mattei fact

*Hosted open checkout every day for all Sonntag students, parents, and staff  

*Coordinated & hosted parent library volunteers

Administrative Activities 

*Planned & hosted a variety of library lessons, library programs, & technology opportunities for all students 

*Collaborated with Frisco Public Library to bring excitement for summer reading programs

*Attended the Plano ISD Library Expo

*Planned and hosted 3 Scholastic BOGO Book Fairs in the fall and spring

*Attended the monthly Sonntag PTA Board meeting as PTA Book Fair Chairperson

*Collaboratively planned with the campus Instructional Coach & Specials team 

*Participated in the 2014 Texas Library Association's Library Snapshot Day on October 20th

*Participated and completed the varies duties and activities that are expected as the Texas Library Association District 5 Chair

*Analyzed the FISD curriculum to provide teachers with digital content to support classroom needs 

*Collaboratively planned with the campus Instructional Coach & Specials team 

*Purchased & added new items to the library collection as well as weeding damaged books out of the collection

*Collaborated with teachers to pull library materials for classroom lessons

*Maintained a blog for staff to discuss Sonntag Staff Book Club books

*Adjusted the library schedule to accommodate classes for various activities and testing

*Contributed to Specials weekly newsletter

*Updated library blog and Twitter (@matteibookbits) account frequently

*Opened new parent accounts

*Hosted new and returning parent library volunteers

Professional Development Activities 

*Attended the Texas Library Association Annual Conference in Austin for the District 5 Business Meeting

*Performed the duties as the Texas Library Association District 5 Chair

*Attended campus and district library meetings

*Read and kept up with new professional library journals & added new materials to future book orders

*Read & kept up with professional, adult, young adult, and children's reads 

On the Horizon...

*Don't forget to participate in the Sonntag Summer Reading Challenge!! 
*New books acquired from all 2014-2015 Scholastic Book Fairs have been processed and added to the shelves
*The library collection locations have gotten a slight makeover. Check back in the fall for a tour of the updated space!
*Frisco ISD Libraries are preparing to launch a new automation system! The way students, staff and parents search for and check out library items is about to be even more awesome! 

Year-in-Review: Sonntag Stats (2013-2014)

(2013-2014 Edition)

Another year has come and gone in the Sonntag Library! Where did the time go?? It's quiet around the library but I'm thrilled to plan ahead for next year! 

If you are looking for a great summer reading program, click here to find out more. Don't forget to check out what has been going on in the library throughout this school year below. We hope you have a wonderful summer! :o)

Number of Whole Class Visits (November - May): 

680

Number of Total Items Circulated (Checkouts & Checkins)

59, 378

Number of Items in Collection

13,347

Library Instruction/Programs/Community Outreach 

Planned and hosted the spring 2014 Scholastic Book Fair

Hosted author/illustrator Melissa Sweet for the entire school!

Hosted the first annual Battle of the Books during the month of May! It was a HIT! 

Hosted Frisco legend Catherine Fowler for the 'History of Frisco' presentation for 3rd graders

Hosted the 4th Annual Bluebonnet Voting Party in January for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders

Collaborated with teachers to pull library materials as well as promoted Mackin Via for a variety of classroom projects 

Hosted the 4th annual "Sonntag Celebrates Children's Book Week" in May

Hosted the 4th annual bookmark contest 

Coached the UIL Spelling team

Promoted a variety of summer reading programs

Promoted the 2013-2014/2014-2015 Texas Bluebonnet Award Program with 3-5 grades

Promoted the 2013-2014/2014-2015 2x2 Reading Program with Preschool-2nd grades

Taught the 5th grade students how to be good digital citizens when finding reliable information

Promoted and facilitated the 4th annual Six Flags Read to Succeed program

Presented a weekly Good Morning Sonntag Book Bits update

Updated the Where in the World Do You Read? board

Maintained student writer & new items displays to promote reading interests 

Updated a daily "Fact of the Day" by Mrs. Mattei fact

Open checkout every day for all Sonntag students, parents, and staff

Planned weekly preschool storytimes with future Sonntag students and families  

Coordinated parent library volunteers

Hosted & promoted the Sonntag Staff Book Club for the 2013-2014 school year in person and online using the Sonntag Staff Book Club blog

Administrative Activities 

Was elected as the Texas Library Association District 5 Co-Chair position

Attended the 2014 Texas Library Association Conference in San Antonio

Planned and hosted the spring 2014 Scholastic Book Fairs

Hosted 4th Annual Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 Showcase on the blog 

Assisted and administered the STAAR test to 4th & 5th grades

Planned library activities throughout the school year

Added new items to the library collection as well as weeding damaged books out of the collection

Collaborated with teachers to pull library materials as well as promoted Mackin Via for a variety of classroom projects 

Maintained the mobile app for the Sonntag Library

Maintained a blog for staff to discuss book club books

Adjusted the library schedule to accommodate classes for various activities 

Contributed to Specials weekly newsletter 

Purchased new library books and materials 

Updated library blog and Twitter (@matteibookbits) account weekly

Opened new parent accounts

Hosted new and returning student and parent library volunteers

Professional Development Activities Attended the 2014 Texas Library Association Conference in San Antonio

Attended campus meetings & PTA Board meetings as the PTA Book Fair Chairperson 

Prepared and administered the STAAR testing 

Read and kept up with new professional library journals & added new materials to future book order

On the Horizon...

More books are on the way using profit acquired from the spring Scholastic Book Fair (Check them out in the fall!)

More technology opportunities will be available to student readers as well as teachers

Student book clubs will return in the fall!

The 2014 fall Scholastic Book Fair will arrive in late October! 

4th grade students will attend the Frisco Public Library Lone Star Storytelling Festival in September

Check out some amazing summer reading programs from around the communities of Frisco & Mckinney! Click here! 

A HUGE shout out the the Sonntag PTA for helping to put almost 150 new books into the Sonntag library collection through the profits from the spring Scholastic Book Fair!! The students, staff, and community will no doubt enjoy these books for years to come!