Welcome back! Mrs. Oakley and I are excited for a new year in the Library Learning Commons! With bunches of new books, we can't wait to help you find your new favorites! The Makerspace will be open soon (look for a new schedule soon!) and we will have a wish list at sneak a peek and posted on the blog. We are excited to see everyone after a fun summer (and hope you remembered to read lots of great books! (We did!!))

Here's to a great year!
​Mrs. Adams

​Dear Parent or Guardian,
The Cobb County School District is pleased to announce a summer digital literacy learning opportunity through Learning A-Z and Headsprout for all currently enrolled Kindergarten, first, and second grade students. Headsprout, is an engaging, self-paced phonics and comprehension program that can be accessed via mobile device, iPad, or computer. Access Headsprout on mobile devices by downloading the Clever application from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Apps or if using a computer, log in via www.clever.com.
For a brief Headsprout tutorial, visit this website: http://tinyurl.com/yb53goog


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STEP 1: Go to the portal: https://clever:com/in/cobb
 
STEP 2: Enter your school name
 
Step 3: Enter your login credentials
Username: Your student ID (lunch number)
Password: Your student ID (lunch number)
 
Step 4: You will be prompted to change your user name and password. DO NOT change it. Enter the student ID (lunch number) again for both the user name and password.
 
STEP 5: Click on: Learning A-Z
 
If you need login support contact Ellen Novis at Ellen.novis@cobbk12.org or at (770) 426-3552
For technology support, contact Learning A-Z Customer Care at (866) 889-3729 from Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 4 p.m. MST (Mountain Standard Time). 

The Summer Reading Challenge begins May 24th and ends July 31st.The Cobb County School District is partnering again with Cobb and Smyrna Public Libraries for our Summer Reading Challenge! This year we challenge all students to read and log at least 1,500 minutes using Biblionasium. All K-8 students already have Biblionasium accounts and can log in with their student number and school computer password.  Before contacting your local library or CCSD’s customer care line, please read the Parent FAQs below.
Reading throughout the summer for at least 20 minutes a day helps students maintain learning gains made in school and starts the upcoming new school year off right. These resources can help:
CCSD Library Media Education: Visit www.cobbsummerreading.com for reading resources, ebooks, reading suggestions, and links to learning resources, such as the Cobb Digital Library.
Cobb and Smyrna Public Libraries: Visit www.cobbcat.org/srp for more information about summer reading programming and this year’s theme of “Libraries Rock!” Students can attend summer reading events and win prizes. Be sure to mark your calendars for the Summer Reading Kickoff on June 2nd at the Switzer branch in Marietta!
Biblionasium: All K-8 students Cobb students have direct access to log minutes at www.biblionasium.com/summerreading. Use your student number and school computer password to log in. If prompted, enter the state of Georgia and your school.
For help with your username and password, please call CCSD Customer Care:
770-514-2500
Mon.–Thurs. 7:30am to 5pm
May 29th – July 27th

​2018 FAQ for Parents  

 How does my student log minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge?
Visit www.biblionasium.com/summerreading and choose the middle box for the Cobb County School District; students login using student number and the password used to log into the computer at school.  If prompted, enter the state of Georgia and your school.
Important: FIRST, add books to your Biblionasium bookshelf and THEN, log minutes in the reading log.
What do I do if my student forgot his/her username or password?
Call the Cobb County School District Customer Care Center at 770-514-2500. Hours are Monday – Thursday, 7 am – 5:30 pm, from May 29th through July 27th.
When does the CCSD Summer Reading Challenge 2018 begin and end?
The Summer Reading Challenge begins May 24th, the first day of summer break, and ends July 31st, the last day of summer break.
Where can I find additional resources for summer reading?
In addition to your local school’s website, many resources are located at www.cobbsummerreading.com. Additionally, the Cobb County School District has partnered with Cobb County Public Libraries, Smyrna Public Library, and Marietta City Schools to support a county-wide reading challenge for students of 1,500 minutes.
My student is a rising 6th grader or rising 9th grader. How does that impact the Summer Reading Challenge?
When logging into Biblionasium, students may be prompted to choose their school. Rising students should choose their previous school throughout the summer.

McClure Middle School is doing their own summer reading challenge.  Click on the button to the right to see the information.
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Why should students participate in a Summer Reading Program?
Research shows that many children experience what is often called “summer slide,” when students are exposed to fewer educational opportunities and, as a result, lose some of the gains made in school during the year. By actively participating in a summer reading program, studies show that students often maintain or improve their reading abilities throughout the summer.*
Why is the challenge for students to read 1,500 minutes?
Studies show that reading 20 or more minutes a day prevents summer learning loss. If students read approximately 20 minutes a day during summer break, they will reach 1,500 minutes.*
How does the CCSD Summer Reading Program encourage students to read? 
Biblionasium is a subscription website that K-8 CCSD students have access to all year, starting with the ‘17-’18 school year. Students can use Biblionasium to keep track of books they’ve read and create a list of books they want to read. Log your minutes to see how much you’re reading this summer!
What should we do if we have difficulty accessing the internet? 
Students may write their minutes on a paper log that contains the following information: student’s name, date, minutes read, title of book. Please bring your reading log to your school library media specialist at the beginning of the school year.
Is there a suggested book list?
A key factor in cultivating lifelong reading is being able to choose what to read, so students are free to read books they choose. For book suggestions, please stop by your local public library or check out the links above. There are also suggestions in Biblionasium. *Note: Some schools and/or classes do have required reading. Please verify with your local school.

Click above to check out the CCSD Summer reading page with suggested reading lists and other interesting information about the importance of reading for everyone!!
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Click above to access the Scholastic Read for the World Record website where you can log your reading minutes and access badges and other fun stuff!  Login information will be coming home with your report cards.  If you have questions (or problems), your Cobb County Public Library can help or you can e-mail Mrs. Adams at ellen.adams1@cobbk12.org

Have a fantastic summer and keep on reading!!
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Welcome back to another new school year! Mrs. Bogale and I are looking forward to seeing what great books you will read this year! We have a few more weeks for summer reading so keep on putting in those minutes. So far, Bullard Bulldogs have read over 181,000 minutes! Wow that's a lot of books!  Right now, we are in 8th place in Cobb County and minutes are counted until Sept. 3 so keep on reading!

You'll notice some changes in the Media Center this year. The reading area is even bigger this year! Cobb County has added quite a few e-books to our collection and our blue cart of new books is just about to overflow! We are also waiting on a few more books to come in so there's lots to choose from!

Media Center orientations started this week and students are already checking out.  Kindergarten can check out 1 book, grades 1 through 5 can check out 2 books or magazines plus 1 e-book (for a total of 3).  All books are checked out for 2 weeks. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail me at ellen.adams1@cobbk12.org.  We also welcome parent volunteers if you have some extra time. The only requirement is to know your ABC's!!

Thanks for your support of our Bullard Media Center!