A few weeks ago State Superintendent Tony Evers awarded the Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin Schools, Libraries and Communities Award to the St. Croix Falls Elementary School Library and the St. Croix Falls Public Library. How cool is that?! Read on for inspiration:
St. Croix Falls
Elementary School Librarian Rita Platt and St. Croix Falls Public Library Youth
Librarian Cole Zrostlik work together as One
Community — Two Libraries to plan
and promote shared family and literacy programs. Joint activities have included
“Pajama After-Hours” nights where teachers and librarians read with children
and families. A “Parent Academy” teaches good reading habits and helps
participants sign up for public library cards at school. The public library
supports the school by leveling books according to school methods and promoting
school services on its website, and the school teaches students to use the MORE
online catalog, promotes public library programming, and works with children to
use public library resources. Both summer reading programs support reading
goals of having over 100 children reading for over 1,000 minutes each. A parent
of four school-age children noted the community benefit of One Community—Two
Libraries. “Our St. Croix Falls children are reading better than ever, thanks
in part, to the wonderful partnership between the school and public libraries.”
“The schools, libraries, and communities receiving rural
awards represent the best of what Wisconsin has to offer,” said State
Superintendent Tony Evers. “The award recipients support and strengthen
community relationships that help keep rural Wisconsin not just surviving, but
thriving into the future. Across Wisconsin, people look to their schools and
libraries with pride,” Evers added. “More than half of the state’s school
districts have 1,000 students or less and those districts face unique
challenges but also offer unique opportunities. These awards recognize the
partnerships that advance opportunities for students in rural districts.”
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Rita and Cole at the capitol with their award |
Labels: collaboration, school librarians