Thursday, November 18, 2021 Volume 16 Issue 10
A Message From Our Teacher-Librarian, Michael Zetterberg
Hello, TM Families!
Our library program is off to a great start this year. Having students back in our library space has brought me (and them) so much joy after so much waiting. We made the virtual lessons and curbside library pickup work for us, but there’s no substitute for being together in the library as a whole reading community. It reminds me how much I love being your school librarian.
I’m Michael Zetterberg. My roles at Thurgood Marshall this year are Teacher-Librarian, Reading Specialist, and Educational Technologist. I’m originally from Lakewood, WA and went to undergrad here in Seattle. I moved to Los Angeles for grad school, and that’s where I started my teaching career. I taught 1st grade and 3rd grade for 7 years down in LA. When I moved back up to Seattle, I was hired by Katie May to teach 4th grade here at Thurgood Marshall. Then, three years ago I received my librarian certification and took over for our retiring librarian. I love my work as an elementary school librarian, and I hope to continue this work for years to come.
Library Books
I surveyed students about the kinds of books they would like to see in our library, and with the help of Donors Choose, I was able to purchase most of the books on our students’ wish lists. We got tons of engaging titles requested by students, and now the library is buzzing with eager readers hugging books they’re excited to read. In addition, our Friends of Thurgood Marshall parent group has agreed to fund a subscription to the Junior Library Guild, which will send us more new titles every month. And I’ve also received many great book donations from families in our community. Thank you for all the ways you are supporting our library!
Library Lessons
In our library lessons, students have brainstormed ways to build a lasting reading community at our school, including ways to recommend good books to each other. Students are writing book reviews, designing bookmarks, and planning videos and slideshows all about books. We’ve begun using our district devices as learning tools, including exploring digital reading resources, and we’ve started learning about how to be good digital citizens. Students are motivated to use technology, and I have a lot of engaging educational resources for them to explore and use. Remember to charge those devices!
Global Reading Challenge
The Global Reading Challenge is an annual reading incentive program hosted by the Seattle Public Library for 4th and 5th graders enrolled in Seattle Public Schools. Students form teams and read selected books, then take part in a trivia competition. The books span a range of reading levels and topics, and they all offer important global perspectives. It begins early November and ends late February.
Here are the titles we will be reading this year:
Encourage your 4th or 5th grader to read these books and enter the team trivia competition! They can use Library Link with their SPS student ID number to check out e-books and e-audio.
Thank you for all your support in maintaining a strong library program at Thurgood Marshall. Our students (and me) are lucky to have you!
Michael Zetterberg
Teacher-Librarian
COVID-19 Vaccine News!
Last Wednesday, Thurgood Marshall had a school-based clinic and we were able to give out a total of 150 vaccinations. Near the end of our school clinic, we received an additional 15 doses left from another school clinic and so vaccinated nearly 165 of our students!
Still more Pupdogs, as well as SPS students from around our area, were vaccinated last Saturday! A big thank you to all of our vaccine clinic volunteers! We could not have done it without you and I’m hopeful you’ll be back to help on December 1.
If your child was vaccinated on Wednesday, Nov. 10 mark your calendar for their 2nd dose on Wednesday, December 1 from 2-5 PM.
If your child was vaccinated on Saturday, Nov. 13 they will receive their 2nd dose on Saturday, December 3 between 9 AM and 1 PM.
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® Sensory-Friendly Performance
On December 21, at 2:00PM, the Pacific Northwest Ballet will present an inclusive, sensory-friendly performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. This performance will feature a supportive and welcoming environment so children and adults affected by autism or with other sensory needs can enjoy the shared experience of live ballet with their friends and family. Modified lighting and sound levels, fidgets, entry/exit privileges, trained staff, allowance of devices, and a quiet room will be offered at this matinee.
