We were so very fortunate to have Arkansas author, David M. Sargent, Jr. come do a  program for us on Friday, February 3.  With Mr. Sargent were his dogs, Tatum, Emma, Daphne, and Spike, which are the stars of the children's books he writes!  Not only did he entertain the students, but he also encouraged them in reading and writing!!  The book signing held in the library following the program was a special treat as well!

Click here to search the HCA Library Catalog and AR listing online:
To use AR look up:

• Under Library Search in the Catalog, click the drop down box next to "Reading Programs".
  
• Select "Accelerated Reader".
  
• You will be able to type in criteria for reading level and book point value to search.

Monday - Friday:
Open before school at 7:30

9:05 - 9:55  LVS Class (2nd hour)
11:55 - 12:20  Middle School
(12:20 - 12:50  Closed for lunch)
12:50 - 1:15  High School
Open after school until 3:30

Tuesday:
8:15 - 8:45   PreK (Blazek)
11:05 - 11:35   4th Grade (Sifford)

Wednesday:
8:15 - 8:45   K (Shaw)
10:15 - 10:45   3rd Grade  (Oakman)
1:20 - 1:50   1st Grade  (Ayrapetyan)

Thursday:
11:05 - 11:35   5th Grade  (Woodward)
1:20 - 1:50   2nd Grade  (Solice)

Students may come for open check-out any time there is not a scheduled class!  
:-)

Library Times:
The library is open Monday through Friday of each week.  Elementary classes are scheduled weekly for their  library time.  Students may also come to the library to return and/or check out books and to take AR quizzes whenever there isn’t a scheduled class as long as they have a pass from their classroom teacher. 

Middle School and High School students have access to the library before school at 7:30 a.m., during morning break and their lunch periods, and after school until 3:30.


Check Out Rules:
Grades Pre-K, K, and 1st graders are allowed to check out one (1) book per week.  Elementary students, grades 2-5, may check out two (2) books for a period of one (1) week.  No past due fines will be charged to elementary students; however, other books may not be checked out until the current one/s have been returned.

Middle/High school students, grades 6-12, may check out two (2) books for a period of two (2) weeks.  The book/s may also be renewed for another two weeks. 

*****A fine of twenty-five (25) cents will be charged for each school day (that the library is open) that a book is past due.  Also, two “grace” days are given before fines actually start.  Due dates are stamped in every book checked out.  Special bookmarks are available on which students can write the due date.  Near the end of each six weeks, reminder slips are given to those students who have overdue books and/or fines.  Students must return or renew books and pay any fines by report card day; if not, report cards are held.

Replacement costs will be charged for books returned damaged and for lost books.

Calcasieu Parish Public Libraries:
To help those who would like to check out additional AR books from the public library, an AR binder with Hamilton’s quiz list has been placed in four local branches (Central, Sulphur, Westlake, and Moss Bluff).

The public library’s online catalog, or OPAC, has been bookmarked under Favorites on the library computers.  Middle school and high school students are encouraged to have a library card.  This is SO helpful when books are needed for reading assignments, research, and projects.  Reserves can then be placed by entering one’s library card number and PIN.  (If your child has a library card but doesn’t know the PIN number, visit the library and that information can be added or updated.)

Questions???
Contact Ms. Coleman at scoleman@hcawarriors.org

ACCELERATED READER / STAR READING 

As part of your child’s reading, we will be using Accelerated Reader (AR) 
and STAR Reading (STAR).  The emphasis is on comprehension, with the goal being a score of 85% or better. Reading on the correct level is of great 
importance!!  To determine what level of books is best for your child, each 
student will take STAR Reading, which is a 25-item multiple choice test 
which determines the reading range for your child. This reading range is also 
used to determine what the point goals should be for each six weeks. 
** NOTE - The reading range relates to the vocabulary level, not grade 
level. ** 

Individual AR point goals are set for students. An AR Goal-Setting 
Chart is used for this. A realistic time suggested for Reading Daily Practice 
is 20 minutes. The AR chart gives the suggested points per week based on 
the reading range. To determine the number of points for the AR goal for the 
six weeks, the weekly points goal is multiplied by the number of weeks in 
the marking period. 

For AR, the student takes a quiz after reading a book. 
There are two AR grades given each six weeks, one for the points 
earned (quantity of reading) and another for comprehension (quality of 
reading). Each six weeks, students who reach their AR goal and have 80% 
comprehension or better are recognized. 

Students select their AR books from the HCA library and from the teachers’ 
classroom libraries. Your child’s AR books may also be personally owned 
books or from the public libraries. However, it is important to check 
whether or not we have the AR quiz in our quiz list. Students may come to 
the Hamilton library to check on a title’s being AR, or parents may email me 
at scoleman@hcawarriors.org. As funds allow, new AR quizzes are 
purchased to add to our AR reading list. 

Hopefully this explains how AR and STAR Reading work together to help 
your child become a stronger reader. The students are always so excited as 
they read and experience success! The goal is that their reading growth will 
be maximized!! 

Sincerely, 
Sharon Coleman / Librarian