Stanwood High School Library Newsletter
February 2024 in the SHS Library
Ms. Byrum, Librarian
There are TWO National Poetry Contests going on NOW. One is with the Young American Poetry Digest in which you could have your poetry published in a book. The second contest is through The America Library of Poetry and it is their 28th Annual Contest with the multiple prizes to win, such as a new laptop, tablet, wireless headphones, or a $25 Amazon gift card. Grand prize is $500.00. See below for details on both!
SHS Students: Your school has been chosen to take part in a national poetry contest!!
Join us in showcasing student poetry in the 30th edition of the
YOUNG AMERICAN POETRY DIGEST
We want kids excited about writing! Although all forms of poetry are encouraged, we highlight "haiku" poetry! A panel of educators will review the poetry submitted and select poems to be published that they feel are well written based on the child's age and grade! See below for poetry guidelines or stop by the SHS Library to ask your librarian for details! The ten schools submitting the most poems accepted for publication will receive a $100 award! For ALL GRADES K-12. Poems will be judged based on overall quality of the poem in light of the student's age and grade level. Criteria: Creativity, Age-appropriate language, Structure, Sensory/Figurative images, and Poetic techniques.
DEADLINE to Submit: March 15, 2024
Students: Want to have your poetry published in a book? Submit a poem to the national poetry contest for the Young American Poetry Digest! Details here → ➡
Poetry Submission Requirements:
We feature haiku poetry but all forms of poetry are welcome
Poems must be 80 words or less
Handwritten or typed
Unlimited submissions from each teacher/school
Multiple submissions per student are allowed but please limit to one page of poetry
Submit poetry online at: YoungPoets.org, or mail to:
Expressive Education
P.O. Box 189
Horseshoe Bend, ID 83629
Visit the website: www.youngpoets.org
Haiku is a three-line poem that follows a 5-7-5 syllable format: Example below:
Haiku by Jessica Barnes, Age 6
Looking at the waves
Dolphins play in blue waters
Sandy, peaceful beach
28th Annual National Student Poetry Contest
The America Library of Poetry
$500 Grade Prize and many other prizes will be awarded!
Details below:
Official Rules the the 28th Annual National Student Poetry Contest:
Poem must be no more than 20 lines! (any subject)
Any style except concrete & blackout provided the content is school appropriate.
Scan the QR code and click “enter contest online”
Entries must be made online or mailed by April 30, 2024.
Visit the Website: www.libraryofpoetry.com
See Ms. Byrum in the SHS Library for more details! Visit the website for full details on guidelines.
Scan the QR code above to enter
Last month, students participated in a "Book Tasting" Event in the SHS Library at Starbooks Reading Cafe. Students really enjoyed this experience and discovered some great reads!
Details below:
What is a Book Tasting? Students are introduced to books that they would never look at on their own. It is a way to expose students to different genres and showcase a new variety of books. As librarians and teachers, one of the best feelings in the world is seeing a reluctant reader find that book that really grabs them. Hopefully this will lead to them being lifelong readers. All students who participated in the English classes really enjoyed this event!
Relax with a good book!
Reminder High School Students:
We are having a bookmark contest for all grades 9-12. Prizes will be awarded! The theme will reflect National Library Week’s “Ready, Set, Library.” Bookmarks judged on originality, design, and reproducibility. Stop by the SHS Library to get a form and bookmark template! Deadline to enter is March 31, 2024.
Warm up to a good book!
Important Literacy Dates in February
4 – Take Your Child to the Library Day
5-11 – Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week
7 – Charles Dickens’s birthday
12 – Judy Blume’s birthday
14 – International Book Giving Day
14 – Library Lover’s Day
19 – Amy Tan’s birthday
19-25 – Freedom to Read Week in Canada
26 – Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Warm up to a good book!
In February, let’s celebrate the books we love
February 7th – Safer Internet Day – Teach and review internet safety.
February 17th – Random Acts of Kindness Day – Books about friendship and kindness are a great fit.
February 26th – Tell a Fairy Tale Day – Bring out all the fairy tales!
All About Love – Display any books about family and friendship (or for older students, relationships!)
How to put a book on HOLD in the SHS Library (step-by-step)
International Book Giving Day, celebrated every year on February 14, is a day to do exactly what the day says — give books.
This special holiday is celebrated by book lovers all over the world. It is a day to share your love of books with someone — especially children — who might not have access to as many books as you do. It’s not a coincidence that International Book Giving Day falls on the same day as Valentine’s Day — it is a day of love after all. International Book Giving Day is about two things — a love of books and a love for fellow human beings.
National Read In The Bathtub Day is a yearly observance on February 9. Reading a book in a warm bath guarantees a calm feeling of relief as the literature therapeutically works its magic. You don’t have to worry about what noises are out there or any disturbances while you’re in the bath. You just get to focus on what you’re reading for as long as you want. The relaxation and scented bath would grant you an unforgettable experience!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN STEINBECK
John Steinbeck (born February 27, 1902, Salinas, California, U.S.—died December 20, 1968, New York, New York) American novelist, best known for The Grapes of Wrath (1939), which summed up the bitterness of the Great Depression decade and aroused widespread sympathy for the plight of migratory farmworkers. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature for 1962.
Happy Birthday John Steinbeck!