LIBRARY NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2025
Embedded Files
Indigenous land acknowledgement
Indigenous land acknowledgement
Éy swáyel
Strathcona Elementary School's library and those who use it are proud to live, work, play and read on the Stó:lō unceded traditional territory of the Pilalt tribe.
My journey towards reconciliation involves broadening my own knowledge and understanding of the Halq'emeylem language, incorporating local Stó:lō stories into library time, introducing traditional language to students, and elevating the visibility and accessibility of indigenous books in the library collection.
teacher-librarianship PHILOSoPHY
teacher-librarianship PHILOSoPHY
My educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the Constructivist Learning Theory, believing that students build knowledge through experiences and reflection. I also attempt to foster a growth mindset and nurture curiosity when I am designing library programming. I prioritize hands-on learning experiences, allowing children to explore, discover, and construct their own understanding.
I embrace a “freedom to read” attitude, encouraging students to explore a diverse range of books that ignite their passion for reading, rather than limiting choice based on reading ability. This approach helps cultivate a genuine love for reading and lifelong learning.
Our library is a place where students can discover books that reflect their own experiences and open windows to new perspectives. Strathcona's school library is committed to offering a collection representing diverse perspectives, that includes voices from all backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences, ensuring that every student can find something that resonates with them. This exposure nurtures empathy, understanding, and a global outlook.
Finally, I envision our Library Learning Commons as a vibrant hub of creativity, play, storytelling, and innovation - a space where students feel empowered to explore ideas, collaborate with peers, and develop critical thinking skills. By providing a rich, diverse, and inclusive environment, I aim to inspire learners to become confident, independent thinkers who are well-equipped to navigate an ever-changing world.
APRIL SPOTLIGHTS
This section highlights important events, social justice moments, and cultural celebrations, ensuring they are recognized and appreciated.
EARTH DAY
🌎 Celebrate Earth Day – April 22nd! 🌿
Earth Day is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate our planet and take small steps toward a healthier environment. This year, let's work together to make a difference! Here are four simple ways families can help at home:
1. Reduce waste by using reusable water bottles and lunch containers.
2. Save energy by turning off lights and electronics when not in use.
3. Conserve water by taking shorter showers and fixing leaks.
4. Choose eco-friendly transportation by walking, biking, or carpooling when possible.
Every small change adds up to a big impact! Visit the library for books and activities to learn more about caring for our Earth. 🌱📚
Picture book knockout
Picture book knockout
Many Thanks
Many Thanks
To the Rotary Club of Chilliwack for sponsoring our Picture Book Knock Out for the 2024 - 2025 season!
Picture Book Knockout Returns! 📚 🏆
Are you ready to rumble... with reading?! 📚🏀
We’re thrilled to kick off our 2nd annual school-wide event that’s going to get everyone talking about books — it’s the Strathcona Picture Book Knockout!
Just like March Madness in basketball, we’ve created a bracket of 16 amazing picture books — each one chosen by your awesome teachers and classes because they think it could be the Picture Book Champion of 2024-2025!
Here’s how it works:
Each class will read the books in head-to-head matchups. After reading, every student gets to vote individually for their favourite book in that round. The winning book moves on to the next round — and we’ll keep going until we crown our ultimate Picture Book Champion before summer break!
We are also inviting the families of the students at Strathcona to read and vote on their favourite from the comfort of their own home.
Will your favourite book go all the way? 🏆
Make your vote count and help us celebrate the power of stories, imagination, and fun!
Let the knockout begin! Happy reading, Strathcona!"
This year's event will start on Monday, April 28th, and conclude during the last week of May, so stay tuned for details.
The PAC, on behalf of parents, chose 'Smelly Socks' by Robert Munsch.
LIBRARY INFORMATION
LIBRARY INFORMATION
EDUCATIONAL PEDAGOGY PERSPECTIVES
EDUCATIONAL PEDAGOGY PERSPECTIVES
The Educational Pedagogical Perspectives section of the newsletter offers a diverse range of viewpoints on education, schools, and learning. It will offer insights from experts in the field, including teachers, researchers, and policymakers. The section aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding education and to encourage critical thinking about the future of learning.
This month, I'd like to share a podcast from the Screen Deep podcast titled,
Harmful Social Media Algorithms and Children with Imran Ahmed.
On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, about the hidden dangers of social media algorithms, the risks youth face on various popular platforms, and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in digital spaces.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How quickly social media algorithms deliver harmful content to children, such as pro-eating disorder and drug content.
Why platforms are aware of this issue—but choose not to do anything about it.
The need for transparency into social media algorithms to keep children safe from harmful content.
What kind of advocacy is needed to drive stronger protections—and how recent advancements in European policies may provide a model.
The STAR framework for social media reform: Safety by design, Transparency, Accountability and Economic Responsibility.
New BOOKS
New BOOKS
A small sample of new books added to the collection this month. See the full collection here.
COMMUNITY LITERACY EVENTS
COMMUNITY LITERACY EVENTS
Below is a list of local upcoming literacy events.
MATILDA - THE MUSICAL
The Chilliwack Players Guild is excited to bring Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical to the HUB Stage this spring!
Matilda The Musical is a Tony Award-winning masterpiece that celebrates childhood anarchy, imagination, and the inspiring story of a girl dreaming of a better life. With a book by Dennis Kelly and songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!
Get tickets here - https://www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca/ccc-event/matilda-the-musical/2025-04-24/
Design a sticker! Find a creative way to show us your love of fandoms mixed with our love of books! For inspiration, a design could feature Spider-Man reading a book upside down or Thor’s hammer on a pile of books.
Design a sticker! Find a creative way to show us your love of fandoms mixed with our love of books! For inspiration, a design could feature Spider-Man reading a book upside down or Thor’s hammer on a pile of books.
ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK FEEDBACK
ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK FEEDBACK
Thank you to all those who filled out the feedback survey. The data we gather from your response helps us plan for future school-wide reading events.
Last month, we sent home a parent feedback survey about families' experiences with One School, One Book. As an incentive to complete it, students' names were entered into a draw to win one of five books.
The 5 winners are...
Owen H - Ms. Roseboom/Ms. Aboderin
Zola - Mrs. Cross
Keira - Ms. Halko
Ellie - Mr. Ball
Ryan - Mrs. Marochi / Aboderin
THE SCHOOL LIBRARY IS FOR GROWN UPS TOO
Besides serving as an invaluable resource for students, the school library extends its welcoming doors to adults as well. Should you intend to frequent the library, I can create an account for you, much like the process at a public library. Our library has an excellent selection of chapter books suitable for family read-alouds, as well as a diverse assortment of picture books perfect for nightly bedtime stories with your children.
When does my child visit the library?
When does my child visit the library?
KIDS Podcast Spotlight
KIDS Podcast Spotlight
The Dream Big Podcast is a family-friendly podcast inspiring kids (and adults!) to pursue their passions in life and take action to make their dreams a reality. Your hosts Eva Karpman (currently 9-years-old in the 4th grade) interviews world-class performers who do what they love and live their dreams each and every day. Learn more at DreamBigPodcast.com It's time to DREAM BIG!
View other podcast recommendations here
FAMILY READ ALOUD SELECTION
FAMILY READ ALOUD SELECTION
Beneath
(written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld)
Type: Picture Book
Grades: all ages
Pages: 40
Published: 2023
Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn't want to talk about it. After some persuading, though, they agree to go for a hike with Grandpa. Throughout their forest walk, they see many different things: big, strong trees with networks of roots growing underneath, still water with schools of fish swimming below, and an expectant bird with eggs nestled under her. It’s when the pair pass fellow hikers that Finn realizes that people, just like the elements of nature, are more than they appear. Grandpa explains that sometimes beneath a person who seems like they won't understand what you’re feeling, is someone feeling the exact same way.
This sweet and tender picture book celebrates our similarities, differences, and that there's always more under the surface of what we can see.
TOOL/APP OF THE MONTH
BOOK DONATIONS
The school library will gladly take any children's books you would like to donate only if they are in excellent used condition.
Feeling philanthropic? The school library would love to receive any hardcover book on this list.
The Book Man, our very own family-run locally-owned used bookstore in downtown Chilliwack, would be more than happy to help you purchase books on this list. You can find their contact information here.
If the Book Man cannot find a copy then you can find it on the school library's Amazon Wish List
POSITIVITY - INSPIRATION - JOY - INQUIRY - INFORMATION
There’s an oft-repeated question, a conversational game of sorts, that asks, “If you could go back in time and change one thing in the history of the world, what would you change?” We sometimes forget that one thing can be done right now to positively impact the future.
Shake Your Silk-Maker: The Dance of the Peacock Spider
When a peacock spider dances, how do we know that it’s a really, really good dancer? From their colourful, iridescent body displays, to their wide variety of dance moves, to the different rhythms that they “sing” while courting, can we decode the unique complexity of their communications?
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