Are you striving to do your best?

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." Steve Prefontaine

What is your best? Where are you giving less than your best? Is there anywhere in your life are you sacrificing your gift?

Steve Roland Prefontaine, nicknamed Pre, (January 25, 1951 – May 30, 1975) was an American long distance runner. Prefontaine is considered to be among the greatest and most inspirational runners of the modern era by many of his fans, both during his lifetime and to this day.

Prefontaine helped inspire a running boom in the 1970s along with contemporaries Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. Born and raised in Coos Bay, Oregon, Prefontaine was primarily a long distance runner who once held the American record in the five distance track events from the 2000 meters to the 10,000 meters. Prefontaine had one leg longer than the other (a common condition that does not affect running speed), and due to this he was told to give up on his dream of being the fastest runner on earth. He is known for his extremely aggressive “front-running” racing style and for always believing in giving a full effort. Prefontaine died at the age of 24 in a car accident.

(Source: http://www.nscblog.com/personal-growth/234/)

In some U.S. schools, librarians are no longer saying, ‘Shh!’

In some U.S. schools, librarians are no longer saying, ‘Shh!’

Happy Thanksgiving!

Poem of Thanksgiving (adapted)

I am thankful
For the teenager
Who is complaining about doing dishes
Because it means she is at home,
Not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay
Because it means
I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party
Because it means I have
Been surrounded by friends

For the clothes that fit a little too snug
Because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work
Because it means
I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing,
Windows that need cleaning,
And gutters that need fixing
Because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government
Because it means
We have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot
I find at the far end of the parking lot
Because it means I am capable of walking,
And I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill
Because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church
Who sings off key
Because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing
Because it means
I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles
At the end of the day
Because it means
I am capable of working.

For the alarm that goes off
In the early morning hours
Because it means I am alive.

And finally, for too much e-mail
Because it means
I have friend who is thinking of me.

Poem Kindly sent by Annick Morris

Family Buccaneer Night at the Book Fair

Avast mateys! Many pirates were on deck at last night's book fair. It was a huge success and I wish to thank all those involved. If you were not able to attend, or if you had to leave because the lines were sooooo long, you can purchase through next Wednesday (November 23) from 9:30 - 3:30. We are not open before school because our registers are cleared each afternoon and we cannot open until our registers have money and keys.

On a happier, more efficient note, we are already planning for next year's book fair and how to serve you better. Any suggestions are welcome. For a hint into next year's theme, you'll just have to wait my lords and my ladies....:)

Thanks again,

Captain Wetherell

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein - Book Trailer

One of the books featured in our Scholastic Book Fair. Hope to see you Thursday, Novmeber 17 at 6:30pm for Family Buccaneer Night at the Book Fair...Aarrggghhh!!!

My Favorite "Autumn" Book...

This book is written by Chris Van Allsburg. You would probably recognize his most famous book titled, The Polar Express. He is both the author and illustrator. Most of his books have twists and are very mysterious and strange, such as another book he wrote and illustrated titled, Jumanji. This is the book review of The Widow's Broom taken from http://www.chrisvanallsburg.com/widowsbroom.html

Some of Minna Shaw's neighbors don't trust her clever broom. "It's dangerous," they say. "It's a wicked, wicked thing." Minna disagrees. She appreciates the broom's help around the house. She enjoys its quiet company. It seems perfectly innocent and hard-working to her. But one day two children get a well-deserved thrashing from the broom. For her neighbors, this is proof of the broom's evil spirit. Minna is obliged to give up her dear companion.

Chris Van Allsburg, master of the mysterious, brings this supernatural tale to life with moody and memorable pictures that will haunt readers long after the book's covers are closed.

Not so Scary Stories

Five Little Pumpkins by Iris Van Rynbach
Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
Halloween Bugs: A Trick-Or-Treat Pop-Up by David A. Carter
Halloween Night by Arden Druce
Halloween Puzzles by Helene Hovanec
Halloween Sky Ride by Elizabeth Spurr
Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve by Mary Pope Osborne
I Spy Spooky Night by Jean Marzollo
In the Haunted House by Eve Bunting
Inside a House That Is Haunted: A Rebus Read-Along Story by Alyssa Satin
Capucilli
It's Halloween! by Jack Prelutsky
Jan Pienkowski's Haunted House by Jan Pienkowski
Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies by Mark Kimball Moulton
Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin by Rick Walton
Peek-a-Boooo! by Marie Torres Cimarusti
Pigs Go to Market - Halloween Fun with Math and Shopping by Amy Axelrod
Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming
Pumpkin Hill by Elizabeth Spurr
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Scary, Scary Halloween by Eve Bunting
Shake Dem Halloween Bones! by Mike Reed
Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler
Tell Me a Scary Story by Carl Reiner
Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O'connell
The Bumpy Little Pumpkin by Margery Cuyler

The Legend of Spookley, the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
The Night Before Halloween by Natasha Wing
The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
Trick or Treat Countdown by Patricia Hubbard
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
Bugs That Go Bump in the Night by David A. Carter
Dragon's Halloween by Dav Pilkey

Others include:

Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters by Jane Yolen
The 13 Nights of Halloween by Guy Vasilovich
Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane
Never Kick a Ghost and Other Silly Chillers by Judy Sierra
The House that Drac Built by Judy Sierra
What’s in the Witch’s Kitchen? by Nick Sharratt