Book Letter

Media Center

September 2018

Dear Families,

Your student will be selecting and bringing home books from the Media Center regularly, based on a schedule worked out between his/her classroom teacher and the media specialist.

The children may keep their books for two weeks and may renew them two times. The media book is ‘due’ or may be ‘renewed’ at the time of their next media class. Fourth graders may borrow two books at a time. If your child finishes the book before the next media class, s/he may return the book and choose another to take home. Children who do not return their books on time will not be allowed to check out another book until they bring back the book they have previously borrowed.

The range of our media collection meets the needs of students in grades one through four while also providing books for advanced readers. In order to ensure that the books in our media center conform to district curriculum, DESE standards and provide for recreational reading, media specialists collaborate to choose books by studying professional journals and reading reviews. With limited funds in the library book budget, it is essential that we keep the books in our collection in good condition. Please help your child to set aside a special place at home to keep his/her book so that it will not be lost or damaged by younger children or pets.

We welcome parents to visit the media center at any time to familiarize themselves with our program. The media center will be open during fall parent conferences, please stop by and visit. The Media Program strives to provide a joyful and enriching first library experience while challenging children to become life-long library users. Parents help in this process by encouraging children to choose “just right” books for their reading and interest levels, and those books which reflect family values. In addition, parents can help children by sharing books the children select and by promoting sound library habits. The collection is as diverse as our students and accordingly reflects their different learning styles, ability levels, age levels, social and emotional development levels, and interests. Therefore, not all books will be “just right” books for your child. If your child chooses a book which you feel is not suitable for him/her, he/she may stop by the media center and exchange it for another book at any time.

Parents are responsible for replacing or reimbursing the cost of a book, by check only, if it is lost or damaged. Checks are made out to: Shrewsbury Public Schools.

Thank you for your support.

Promoting the joy and importance of reading,

Pamela Santilli

Elementary Media Specialist

Marjorie Fox

Coolidge Media Aide