AGORA - Great Books Legacy

The Great Books Legacy Drive
Leave a Legacy, One Great Book at a Time!

The community at Calgary Classical Academy loves books—and instilling a lifelong love of reading in our students is a goal we can all get behind. Our students study the great books which help them inhabit diverse perspectives, become historically and culturally literate, and think deeply about life’s most fundamental questions.

We want our students to reach for meaningful, high-quality literature and the school strives to keep their library shelves full of inspiring stories that spark imagination and learning. As a community, we can support the library by helping to fill those shelves through the Great Books Legacy Drive.

How does the Great Books Legacy Drive work?

As a parent, you have the opportunity to not only support your child building the habit of reading consistently, but also to reward their commitment by donating a book to our library on their behalf. You can also ask people in your life if they'd like to sponsor a book on behalf of your child. All books donated by your child are honoured by having their name recorded in the front and they can soon see 'their' book on the shelves of the CCA Bridgeland library.

Thank you again for your generous support—and congratulations to all of our students participating in the Great Books Legacy Drive! We are so proud of their dedication and all the minutes they’ve spent reading.

Scroll for step-by-step instructions and be sure to look through our FAQs at the bottom.

From Bookmarks to Filling Bookshelves — Students Make It Happen!

Important Links | ✨View the wish list and sign up for the title you want to donate ✨ | 💳 Find prices and purchase links for the wish list books on this Google Document 💳

1. It begins with a bookmark

Your child will receive a bookmark from their teacher designed to help record their reading minutes. One side will have an illustration of books that they can colour one-by-one as they read the assigned minutes as recorded on the back by their teacher.

There is no daily limit to how many minutes they read, other than what you set as a parent.

2. Fill out the sponsor line

Your child needs a sponsor to buy a book on their behalf. They can ask a parent, family member, or a neighbor. They can even ask multiple people to donate books. You may even choose to encourage your child to also sponsor a book with their own money or by donating a book from their own bookshelf (more about that later).

3. Record their reading

You monitor your child's progress and as they complete the required reading minutes they can colour in a book on the bookmark.

For example: if the bookmark says each book is worth 20 mins of reading, if your child reads for 40 mins they can colour in two books.

Below: A grade one student was spotted at home after he independently set a timer and began reading so he could begin his bookmark.

4. Identify a book to donate

Celebrate with them as they complete their bookmark! It's almost time for them to bring a book to school which will soon be on the shelves of the library!

As they finish reading, you officially sign off on the back of their bookmark and then identify a book to donate on their behalf.

5. Find a book to donate

This is the exciting part! It's time to sign up for the book you want to donate. Our librarian has organzied a wish list of titles she's actively looking for. Note: There are two steps to fulfilling a wish list book request from her list, details are next.

TIP: You can sign up for a specific title at any time if you anticipate being able to donate a book once your child completes their bookmark.

6. Two steps for Wish List links

Step 1. Visit ✨the Sign Up Genius link✨ to browse the titles on our wish list. TIP: Link can be used on mobile devices, but is easier to view on a tablet or computer.

Not sure where to buy these titles?

Step 2. You can view this Google Document for access to links to purchase and prices for each title. There is a wide variety of options available, with prices ranging from $9 (for single titles) to $120 (for complete box sets). The average price for a book is $21.

Books can be purchased from Amazon or Classical Education Books—or you may source them from another preferred retailer. (Note: if you place an order from Classical Education Books before midnight May 2, you can get $2 shipping to the school with the code Bridgehead25. (Scroll down the FAQ section for full details on using the coupon with your order.)

7. Sign up for a title

Did you find a title you want to donate? On the Sign Up Genius form please complete the sign up to officially reserve the title. This helps us keep track of donations and avoid duplicates.

Would your child like to donate more than one book? That’s wonderful! You’re welcome to sign up and purchase additional books to donate in their honour.

Note: If you have an alternative title you think would be a great fit fit for our library, please email our librarian Ms. Chen who can approve your title!

8. Source used or buy new

Once you have signed up for a title, there are several options for sourcing the book.

Buying new: Hardcover is the preferred format where available

Sourcing pre-loved books: You may already own a copy of a requested title in excellent condition and in that case you can simply donate it on your child's behalf. No need to buy anything! Your edition might be different than the one on the Google Document, but as long as it's comparable edition it is welcomed. Hardvcover is preferred where available.

You may also be able to find a comparable pre-loved edition in excellent condition (we love a good thrifting session!) and those are more than welcome as well! Just be sure to sign your name beside the title on the Sign Up form.

9. The book is brought to CCA

Put your child's completed bookmark in the book and have them drop it off at the CCA Library!

10. Student name is recorded

Your donated book will be catalogued, wrapped for protection, and added to our library with your child’s name proudly inscribed inside.

11. Book is embossed

In honour of their participation in the Great Books Legacy Drive, your child's book will also have the event logo embossed inside.

12. Celebrate with your child!

Thank you for directly supporting the library! ✨Please remind your child that each book is a lasting contribution to our collection and they are sharing the joy of reading with generations of students to come.✨

Note: The library accepts donations of books all year long. If you have a box of books you think are suitable, you can always drop them off at the school. Or you can email our librarian and ask if you have questions. If the CCA Bridgeland library can't use your donation they will be offered to the CCA Currie library or donated to a charity.

Important Links | ✨View the wish list and sign up for the title you want to donate ✨ | 💳 Find prices and purchase links for the wish list books on this Google Document 💳

Frequently Asked Questions

Who sets the value for the reading minutes?

We have asked each classroom teacher to determine what the time value should be. The amount is left for them to determine at their discretion and they may set it by grade or age, or even on a child by child basis. If you have more than one student, their times may be different. We want every child to experience success. If you have concerns or questions as to time requirement please ask your child's teacher for clarification on the amount of minutes.

Is there a limit to how much time our children can read per day?

We haven't set a daily limit, that's up to parents to determine. We don't want students to feel discouraged if they miss a day or two and feel they can't catch up.

What if my child finishes their bookmark, can they keep reading?

Absolutely! You can encourage them to ask their teacher for another bookmark and they can complete as many as they'd like.

Why are you asking parents to buy books for the library? Why not just collect money or sell items to raise funds?

We want to help our library purchase books and direct donations quite simply allow for the most impact. We recognize that parents are busy and they have many demands on their time and resources. Asking for donations of books allows families the opportunity to directly support the school and giving their child the opportunity to participate in an event without a large financial investment.

The wish list is structured to allow parents (and others) the opportunity to choose what they can afford, and allow them to source used books as well. It's a win-win for families and the library!

I found a book I want to sign up for and order from Classical Education Books. How do I use the coupon code before MAY 2?

Online Ordering Process from Classical Education Books: https://classicaleducationbooks.ca

In the cart, use the coupon code ✨Bridgehead25✨ to give you $2 shipping to the school. The use of the code also gives the school credit they can spend on books for the library.
⁠Billing Information: use your name and address (that matches your credit card)
Shipping Cost: Choose 'School Bookfair Pickup' for $2
Note: If you use the coupon code of Bridgehead25, your books will automatically be shipped to the school for pick up. Alternatively, you can put the school's address as the ship to different address and your child's name to simplify your order being sorted.
⁠⁠Choose “Ship to Different Address”
⁠Shipping Name: please use your child’s name
⁠Shipping Address: please use the school’s address (listed below)
Company Name: CCA Bridgeland
Shipping Address: 231 6 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3Y1

Orders using the coupon Bridgehead25 must be placed online by midnight, Friday, May 2 to take advantage of the $2 shipping to the school.

Who is organizing the Great Books Legacy Drive?

The event is being organized by School Council in partnership with administration, our school's librarian Lu Chen (Ms. Chen) and with support from the Library Committee of parent volunteers who will be helping catelogue, wrap and protect donated books so the kids can view them on the library's shelves.

Do you accept donations all year long? Why have a book drive?

We are always looking for books to add to our collection! We've have parents source boxes of books and drop them off. We always welcome donations, but there are some books that rarely show up used.

The Great Books Legacy Drive helps us draw attention to the needs of the library to source specific books. The book drive allows gives the students a unique opportunity to develop a sense of ownership of the library books and the joy of giving back to their community.

What other needs does the library have? Can I donate something other than books?

Yes! Thank you for your interest and support. The library has many needs including new book shelves, laminating supplies, and benches. You can see a list of non-book items at the bottom of this page. Feel free to reach out to our librarian if you'd like to purchase one or more of these items. We appreciate your support.

Who do I contact with questions?

If you have a question about the suitability of a book you'd like to donate that is not on our wishlist, please contact our school's librarian Lu Chen: Lu.Chen@classicalacademy.ca
If you have questions that are not answered on this landing page and you'd like more information, please contact Jenn at School Council: SchoolCouncil.Bridgeland@classicalacademy.ca
If you need another bookmark: please ask your child's teacher for another copy

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Did you see these books? These would be great additions to the Wish List.

Our librarian pulled some books from the recent Classical Eduation Books book fair and said any one of these would be execellent additions to the library. Perhaps you'd consider buying a copy to donate? You can reach out to her to confirm: Lu.Chen@classicalacademy.ca