Focus on TUSD - May 2007

Schumaker Students Win Bookmans' Reading Challenge
Schumaker Elementary School students didn't hold back when they found out May 9 that they'd read enough books to earn $5,000 for their school.

Representatives of Bookmans Entertainment Exchange presented an over-sized check in the lunchroom to a cheering, clapping audience of students sitting on the floor. The schoolchildren had good reason to be excited. In three months, they read more than 13,000 books, averaging 12 books for each 331 students, to win the Bookmans' Reading Challenge.
They beat out 24 other TUSD schools for the grand prize.

Librarian Becky Riveras nudged them along, even giving readers free popcorn the last month for every eight books they read. "It was one last push," she said. "That motivated them and got them excited."

Maria Patterson, who is the principal supervisor for Schumaker, said at the ceremony that the library is the heart of the school. "Kids will read for school and for enjoyment," she said. "Reading transports you to a different world. I'm so proud of you."

And Bob Schlesinger, the Bookmans owner, sporting one of his trademark hats, told the students, "You kids rock. You are the future of this country and the future of the world. You'll find in books what you need to succeed."

A dozen teachers and students earned special recognition. Six classroom teachers each received a $50 gift certificate and six students each received a $20 gift certificate. Every Schumaker student collected a $10 gift certificate.

And Schlesinger also gave Principal Julie Laird a hat just like the one he was wearing.
Laird said the school library needs to be updated and has not had funding to do that, particularly when it doesn't qualify for desegregation money or Title I funds. She said the award money would be used to purchase head sets for the nine computers in the library and for library books. Students were urged to suggest additions.

Fourth-grader Kevin Hopwood, the recipient of a $20 gift certificate, said he'll ask the librarian to order more sports books because they're his favorite. "That's a lot of money for our school," he commented.

Riveras said she made sure students knew that they would reap the reward of reading if they could buy books with the prize money. "They were interested in doing this for the library," she said.

She taught at Schumaker for over 20 years before receiving her library endorsement and becoming the part-time librarian at both Schumaker and Duffy elementary schools for a year.

Other TUSD schools participating in the contest were Anna Henry, Blenman, Booth-Fickett Magnet, C.E. Rose, Carrillo Intermediate Magnet, Collier, Corbett, Cragin, Drachman Primary Magnet, Fruchthendler, Hollinger, Jefferson Park, John B. Wright, Lineweaver, Lynn/Urquides, Miller, Robins, Safford, Sam Hughes, Soleng Tom, Van Buskirk, Van Horne, Warren and Whitmore. They represent about 11,502 students in 535 classrooms.

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

All photos in the May issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations.

The deadline to submit material for the June Focus is Friday, June 8. The Focus will be published Monday, June 18. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the Focus Online Submission Form.