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‘Book Camp’ graduates young readers
Learning to read is anything but routine for first-graders who begin the school year barely reading or not reading at all.
Reading Recovery is an intensive literacy program offered by Rio Rancho Public Schools to help children facing challenges on the road to reading proficiency. Each year first-graders engage in intensive, one-on-one instruction designed to build and strengthen basic reading skills celebrate their advancements at the annual RRPS Readers Cafés.
The first Readers Café, scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, at Vista Grande Elementary, recognizes students from Cielo Azul, Colinas del Norte, Enchanted Hills, Sandia Vista, and Vista Grande elementary schools. On Thursday, May 2, at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, students from Ernest Stapleton, Maggie Cordova, MLK Jr., Puesta del Sol and Rio Rancho elementary schools will get their turn.
Both events run from 10-11 a.m.
This year’s Readers Cafés theme is “Book Camp,” a wry take-off of “Boot Camp.” since Reading Recovery is in essence a boot camp for struggling readers. Time on task and repeated opportunities on text throughout the year help first-grade students who need extra help pull up their skills to grade level and beyond. They also help promote a love of reading and confidence that students can do well in school.
At the Readers Cafés, participating first-graders bring their favorite books and read stories to both teachers and school and community leaders. The events give the students the opportunity to celebrate a year of hard work exercising the most basic and important of skills.
In addition to getting to read to grownup celebrities, some students also have the opportunity to read to canine celebrities from the Rio Rancho Public Schools’ “Tales of Joy READ” program, which helps students learn to read by practicing their skills with certified therapy dogs and their volunteer owners.
Break activities scheduled here
Esther Bone Memorial Library youth services department will be offering several programs for children this week during spring break (April 8-12).
On Monday at 1 p.m., “Family Story Time” will feature stories, songs and dance. Pre-schoolers who attend the weekly Monday story time will make room for older siblings and elementary-aged children, as well as parents.
Tuesday at 2 p.m. Loren Kahn’s Puppet & Object theatre will present “Floppo,” a hilarious and unforgettable version of the frog prince story. Performed from a walking stage, reminiscent of Renaissance street fairs, “Floppo” is for ages 5 to adult. (The Loren Kahn program has been generously funded by the Friends of the Library of Rio Rancho.)
On Thursday, back-to back events will take place. From 1-3, children ages 9-13 are invited to “Go Game,” featuring Guitar Hero, Mario Kart, Just Dance and Wii sports games. Light snacks will be available.
From 3-4:30, the Knit Clique will meet for its “Treat Party.” Guests will knit, play games and serve their favorite treats to one another. (No peanuts or peanut butter treats, please.)
The programs are free. For more information, call Youth Services (891-5012, ext. 4).
Tea with the wizard
Children grades 3-5 are invited to follow the yellow brick road to a “Wizard of Oz Tea Party” at Esther Bone Memorial Library on Wednesday, May 1, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Books, games, and refreshments are among the fun planned for this all-things-Oz event.
The program is free, but registration is required as space is limited. Registration begins Wednesday, April 17, and may be done in person or by phone (891-5012, ext. 4).
This program has been generously funded by the Friends of the Library of Rio Rancho.
Join this clique
The winter/spring session of Knit Clique for knitters in grades 5 and up will be held at Esther Bone Memorial Library on Thursdays, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., through April 25. Learn some stitches and a few simple techniques. Make new friends. See how cool knitting really is. Hear a great yarn or two. Beginners must bring U.S. size 7 needles, the longer length, and a skein of 4 ply, 3 oz. acrylic yarn.
Experienced knitters are welcome to bring their project and join the group. For more information, call Lori Snyder at 891-5012, ext. 4.
‘Beep and Bop’ back at The Bone
The winter session of Beep and Bop, a fast-paced music and movement program, is underway at Esther Bone Memorial Library.
Beep and Bop is for children ages 1-5 and their parent or caregiver. The program is designed to help with pre-emergent literary skills through dance and musical activities. The winter session will run on Wednesdays through March 27. Participants may begin registering the Monday before each Wednesday program. Registration for the first program in the 10-week series will begin on Monday and continue until the program is full.
This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Rio Rancho. For more information, call Youth Services at 891-5012, ext. 4.
Story time underway
“Story Time with Story Lady and Song Lady,” for children ages 3 through 6, is underway at Esther Bone Memorial Library.
This 30-minute program of stories, songs, poetry, puppets, jokes and finger plays is held on Mondays at 1 p.m. The new session kicked off with stories and songs all about colors.
Three-year-old children must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 4-6 may attend the program alone. Registration is underway. Visit the library or call Youth Services at 891-5012, ext. 4, for more information.
Help schools earn cash
Recently, U.S. Bank launched its innovative social media rewards program, “Rally4Reward$,” in conjunction with the New Mexico Activities Association.
U.S. Bank is encouraging students, parents and community supporters of high schools in New Mexico to enter “Rally4Reward$” and compete for six $2,500 cash awards. The program is an integrated social media and a traditional enter-to-win on-site program to reward NMAA high schools in New Mexico with funds for programs and activities using a social media application from CafeGive.
The program is a joint effort between U.S. Bank and the NMAA. Schools are awarded points when the community participates. One high school in each of NMAA’s six athletic divisions that earns the most points will be rewarded $2,500. Awards are intended to fund any program or activity at the winning schools.
This is the third “Rally4Reward$” program implemented by U.S. Bank. Other participating states included Oregon and Nebraska, bringing the award total to $45,000 to participating schools.
“U.S. Bank has done so much for high school activities here in New Mexico as an NMAA sponsor, and now they are taking this even further with the Rally4Reward$ program,” said Sally Marquez, executive director of the NMAA. “We are excited to partner with U.S. Bank in this endeavor as we know our member schools, and most importantly our students, will directly benefit from the program.” How the program works
To nominate a high school and start earning points, participants need to visit U.S. Bank’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/usbank, and click on the Rally4Reward$ New Mexico tab. Nomination points can be earned both on-line and by printing out the nomination form and visiting any U.S. Bank branch in New Mexico. Existing customers, new customers and visitors are all awarded points for the school they nominated when they visit any U.S. Bank branch in New Mexico and drop off their nomination forms.
Cash rewards of $2,500 each will be given to the six schools earning the most points in the Rally4Reward$ program in the state. Schools in each of NMAA’s categories for athletic programs are eligible, so the competition is between schools of similar size. The program will end April 28.
This is the first scholastic giving program that takes the bank’s support to social media. The program was developed with CareGive and takes advantage of their social marketing platform and web and social media applications designed to help companies engage with fans on a website, or in social media, and to enhance a traditional in store promotion.
