Books capture the imagination

The single most important thing we do in life is read. At the recent Books Along the Teche Literary Festival someone asked the accomplished writer what he can suggests for people who desire to become a better writer. 

“There are five things I can tell you, Read. Read. Read. Read. Read. Then you write,” Ernest Gaines said. 

Without the skills to communicate through the written word, job applications, checking accounts, legal matters, choosing a favorite dish from a menu, following instructions for any number of tasks including Facebook and other social media, books for pleasure and newspapers would be impossible. And, without a concentrated effort to keep children, especially in elementary levels, engaged in reading during the summer months, they can “slide” before the new school year begins. 

“The effect of literacy during the summer on reading skills and starting school? It bridges the gap,” said Amy Bernard, children’s librarian at The Iberia Parish Library. “To succeed in school and life, children and young adults need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. Summer Reading Club reminds kids that reading is for fun — as well as for learning.”

Bernard’s favorite bookmark from iReadProgram.org says it all. On one side The Summer Reading Facts list the reasons why summer reading is important. The front with graphics illustrates, “Children who don’t read during the summer can lose up to two months of learning by the time they return to school in the fall.” Also, “Children who participate in Summer Reading Programs and read a minimum of six books over the summer, score higher in reading and math when they return to school.”

Bookmark Winners

Each year to kick off the summer reading program, students are invited to create a bookmark with the new theme for the program. Friends of the Library, Sir Speedy and The Daily Iberian are sponsors and 2018 celebrates the 20th year of the program, “Reading Takes You Everywhere.” Depicting the reading challenge for the summer was open to preschool through grade six and prizes are awarded by age category. 

Judges this year included Margaret Melancon, Darnelle Delcambre, Ron Cutrera and Vicky Branton. Criteria for selecting the first, second, third place and honorable mention included originality, design and work that reflects the Summer Reading theme.  

The task of selecting the winners is never easy, but the first round of elimination is always to see who followed directions. Once the favorites of each judge has been pulled, then the discussions start justifying a decision to include, eliminate or which order for prizes. Usually by the end of the culling out process, the clear winner is evident.

This year’s winners include the following students.

PRESCHOOL — 1st-Nyko Pellerin, 5-years-old, Magnolia Elementary. 2nd-Halo Arthur, 5-years-old from Magnolia Elementary. 3rd-Samuel Cestia, 5-years-old from Creative Learning Center. Honorable Mention-Alexis Landry, 5-years-old from Magnolia Elementary.

GRADES K and 1 — 1st-Jaidyn Matt, 7-years-old first grader at North Lewis Elementary. 2nd-Mila Ayers, 6-years-old kindergartner from Delcambre Elementary. 3rd-Estelle Lamberte, 5-years-old kindergartner from Center Street Elementary. Honorable Mention-Griffin Valls, 6-years-old kindergartner from St. Edward School.

GRADES 2 and 3 — 1st-Aven Jacob Hoffpauir, 9-years-old third grader from Jefferson Island Elementary. 2nd-Luke Cavagnaro, third grade from St. Edward School. 3rd-Trey Longman, 8-years-old third grader from Cainview Elementary. Honorable Mention-Hayden Duplantis, 8-years-old second grader from Delcambre Elementary. 

GRADES 4, 5 and 6 — 1st-Conner Bonin, 11-years-old sixth-grader from Dodson Street Elementary. 2nd-Malloree Tassin, 11-years-old fifth-grader from Caneview Elementary. 3rd-Amie Boutte, 11-years-old fifth-grader from North Lewis Elementary. Honorable Mention-Lillian Nicholson, 11-years-old fifth-grader from Highland Baptist Christian School. 

“There were near 500 entries this year,” said Bernard. “I’d like to congratulate all of the participants for being involved with reading and literacy. Reading prevents summer sliding.”

When asked what to say to children who don’t want to read, former elementary school teacher now children’s librarian, was quick to answer.

“They just haven’t found the right book yet,” she said. “Maybe lay off the TV, revisit a book that is your favorite from when you were a kid, and (parents) read yourself. Modeling good reading behavior.” 

Change in Summer Workshops

Iberia Parish Library will hold it’s Annual Summer Workshop Program starting June 1 thru July 13 at the Main Library, 445 E. Main St. The workshop program is completely free and open to ages 5-17 with a wide range of events, activities and field trips to take part in. 

Parents, children and volunteers who have been a part of the Iberia Parish Summer Workshops know the variety of fun things slated for ages 5 to 17. In the past, many of the workshops have filled up so quickly, newcomers to the programs or grandparents with unexpected visitors from out of town were out consideration for participating.

New this year, registration, which is required for each of the workshops, will be held only one week prior to the event. With vacation schedules, summer tutoring and summer sports are no longer a long term consideration. Keep a list of your workshop choices and the registration dates, then jump in as the opportunity arises. No need for last minute cancellations. 

Booklets are now available at all branches of the Iberia Parish Library. Cross reference the activities for your family fun and mark the calendar for registration. The dates are as follows.

Registration May 21 at 9 a.m. for  Week 1 Workshops May 28 to June 2, and Week 2 Workshops June 4 to June 9.

Registration June 4 at 9 a.m. for Week 3 Workshops June 11 to June 16.

Registration June 11 at 9 a.m. for Week 4 Workshops June 18 to June 23. 

Registration June 18 at 9 a.m. for Week 5 Workshops June 25 to June 30. 

Registration July 2 at 9 a.m. for Week 6 Workshops July 9 to July 14.

There are two ways to register, in person at the Main Library or on the library website calendar. Go directly to Iberia.evanced.info/signup to find your favorite activity. No fees are involved, ever, thanks to the generous support of the New Iberia Optimist Club, Cox Communications, Community First Bank, Konriko Rice Mill and the Friends of the Library. 

“We’re doing it week by week, if one week ahead you decide to attend, sign up,” said Bernard. “We’re just trying this for the first time. We’ll see what will happen. Hopefully it will run smoothly.”

Bernard said they expect to see results with no more wondering if a child will get into the workshop they really want. Confirmation is given the moment registration is completed. No registration by phone. Registration will only be accepted online or in-person. Space is limited for each workshop so make sure to register as soon as it begins for each session.

Reading As A Family

As a fourth grade teacher, Bernard said she was all about testing, teaching toward the test, proofreading, formatting, but now she is a full advocate of reading to complete the gap between summer and school.

Throughout the school year, the Accelerated Reading program inspires children and they love achieving reading goals and winning prizes. The library is a component of the program.

“I think AR is the secret to Iberia Parish School System’s success. They pretest them, find out what level they are and have incentives. Each school is different.”

The summer reading program also has rewards at the end of the program — or as soon as the child has completed the challenge.

“I never knew how much reading became affected until I became a teacher and librarian. The kids that don’t read, and the ones that do read. There is a gap. The good news is we can fix all of that by modeling good reading behavior. It’s just a few 20 minute sessions. Ten hours of reading in the summer, bring that log back and receive a goodie bag of prizes.”