Reading Events:

* * One for Books!!!* *

The PMS Community Relations Committee decided to make One for Books our school's Fall service project, and Mrs. Zell is promoting it in conjunction with the Book Fair. For every dollar we raise, Scholastic will donate a book to a needy child through Toys for Tots, the National Center for Family Literacy, or Kids in Distressed Situations.

Congratulations, Panthers!!

Students and staff at PMS raised $1948 for One for Books!!

That means that over nineteen hundred children will each receive a free book because of us.

And once again, PMS raised more money for One for Books than any other school in Central Texas.

Way to Go!!!

* * Book Fair!!!* *

The 2009 PMS Scare Fair was a huge success! We sold over $8,000 in merchandise, so our profit came to $2,055! A HUGE thank youto the 20 volunteers who provided valuable assistance, especially Melanie Fischer who coordinated volunteers, and Teri Burba, who was our chairperson and also created AWESOME decorations!! See you next year at the fair!!

* *Classroom Activities* *

Mrs. Zell is Booktalking 7 more Lone Star books in all English Language Arts classes. Students are excited about the wonderful titles on this year's list! So far, The Hunger Games is the most popular book inthe PMS Library!

Mrs. Zell has also been introducing the Big 6 Research Method in 6th grade Success classes. The Big 6 is a problem-solving framework, useful both for school projects and everyday life! PISD is promoting its use with all students, from K through 12, because it is such a useful tool.

PMS School Reading Program:

At PMS, the school-wide reading program is based on the Texas Lone Star Books. These 20 books, recommended for students in grades 6 through 8, are selected by librarians across the state. This year, the program is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Texas schools! Please see the Lone Star Summaries link below for descriptions of the 2009-10 Lone Star titles.

All PMS students are strongly encouraged to read one or more of the 2009-10 Lone Star Books. Mrs. Zell goes into all English classes to booktalk these titles several times per year--normally in September, November, and January.

Once a student reads one of the Lone Star books, he/she goes to Mrs. Zell to answer a question about the book. Then the student's name is entered into a database, so prize levels can be tracked. Prizes are awarded to each student who reads 2, 5,10, 15, and all 20 books. At the end of the year, we celebrate all of our top readers. Last year there were five students who read all 20 Lone Star books! Let's see if we can top that number this year!

Library Rules:

1. Show respect for people.
2. Show respect for materials. No GUM!!

* * Fines Policy * *

If a book is lost or damaged beyond repair, a student will be expected to pay for its replacement plus a $2 processing fee.

Students who do not return library books on time are charged fines of 10 cents per item per day. If a student has a fine, or an overdue book that has not been returned, he/she CANNOT

• check out any more books until the fine is paid
• attend a school dance or any other school-sponsored event

Fines may also be assessed if the book is returned damaged. Students are strongly encouraged to check a book for damage before they check it out, so they do not incur a fine for something they didn't do.

Students can check their library fines from any computer. Fines lists are also distributed to all Language Arts teachers at least once a month. Please keep on top of your fines, so you don't lose other privileges!

Helpful Links:

• PMS Online Library Catalog
• Lone Star Book List 2009-10
• Lone Star Summaries
• Bluebonnet Book List, 2009-10
• 2009 Pre-AP Summer Reading List

• Stories and Sequels
• Pflugerville Community Library
• Wells Branch Community Library
• Round Rock Public Library
• Austin Public Library