Happy Thanksgiving! Our newest incentive this year, our Book Return Certificate Program has been quite a success with the students! The majority of students have been demonstrating responsibility by returning their library books on time. As a result, a record number of students were able to borrow an extra book at the end of Oct. We have just started awarding Nov. gold stars this week, so many students will once again be able to take home an extra book or magazine. Thank you to the families who donated funds to the library during the Book Fair. I was able to purchase some very popular titles, especially, The Wimpy Kid series! Thank you to the PTO for their generous donation of Book Fair vouchers! Part of the certificate funds have been used for new rainbow beanbags for the Storytelling Nook! And thank you to Mrs. Comerford for her gift of a New York Yankees beanbag, just in time for the World Series! Needless to say, the students are thrilled! Our newest addition to the Media Center is a small display case which was inaugurated with a baseball exhibit featuring Mrs. Illions bobbleheads. Although they mostly represented the Mets, other staff members began offering Yankees memorabilia such as a mini bat from Mrs. Bulla, a box of Derek Jeter cereal and collectible baseball cards from Mrs. Comerford, and an official Yankees World Series ticket from Ms. Suominen! For balance, I added an official World Series Phillies t-shirt and of course, a few books and magazines! Thank you for all the families who have donated gently used books for our used book sale in March as part of our Read Across America Celebration. Funds support an Arleth Cares cause such as the Giving Garden and the playground in the past. If you wish to send in a donation, please make sure that the books are clean (no writing inside) and not torn. Books should also be appropriate for children in grades K-3. Thank you to everyone who sends in their used printer cartridges, toners and cell phones. The money generated by this program helps fund extra supplies and activities for the students. Sincerely, Mrs. Gunter