In this Newsletter:
  • Message from Jenessa and Monique
  • LM News & Updates
  • Literacy Mentor Holiday Celebration
  • Literacy Mentor Spotlight
  • Literacy Mentor Strategy #1 and #2
  • Neighborhood Prayer Teams
  • Thank You Katey's Kids!
  • Bless Your School
MESSAGE FROM JENESSA AND MONIQUE
Short and sweet . . . 
We have so enjoyed learning from you as we checked in this past quarter. Thankful for your dedication and love to our students!
Leaving you with some inspiring words... 

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.." 
Romans 12:9-12

LITERACY MENTOR NEWS AND UPDATES
UPCOMING DATES:
November 19-23 - Thanksgiving Break for all 
December 17-Jan 4 - Winter Break for FUSD and OCSD
December 24-Jan 7 - Winter Break for CUSD

School Calendars for reference:
Fresno Unified  FUSD Calendar
Clovis Unified  CUSD Calendar
Orange Center School District  OCSD Calendar
LITERACY MENTOR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
You're invited!
Please join us on  Monday, December 3 
at  Fresno Christian Reformed Church  
for lunch ( 11am-1pm ) or dinner ( 5pm-7pm ).

*We will also "unveil" our new LM t-shirts at the celebration!
LITERACY MENTOR SPOTLIGHT
Michelle Cornelius
Check out Michelle rocking the Literacy Mentor kit on Great Day!

Michele - Calvary Worship Center - Centennial Elementary Highlight

Michelle Cornelius is the site lead at Centennial Elementary and Children's Ministry Director for Calvary Worship Center. 
Centennial asked her to share about the Literacy Mentor program when Great Day came to highlight the school! 
Thank you Michelle and Calvary Worship Center for loving on Centennial so well!
LITERACY MENTOR STRATEGY #1
How to Teach Blending Sounds
Shirley Holm, site lead at Ayer Elementary, shared this great blending tip she found online. Click  HERE to watch the video and get free printouts from "The Measured Mom" website. 
This is an especially great tool to help students who are still working on letters and sounds. *Reminder: students should not be sounding out sight words- they should know them "on sight!"
LITERACY MENTOR STRATEGY #2
Let students be creative!
Karla Martinez, Literacy Mentor at Thomas Elementary, lets students come up with their own games! Here, a student helped her lay out all of the cards face down, then he lightly tossed the eraser and whichever card it landed on, he turned over and read! So simple, yet he was having so much FUN!
Feel free to use the materials in the kit to come up with your own ideas. As long as students are reading and engaged, you can't go wrong!
NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER TEAMS
Are you interested in joining or starting a prayer team for your neighborhood?
Contact Kathy McIlhargey 
[email protected]   559-765-6184
THANK YOU KATEY'S KIDS!
 
Katey's Kids, a local charity, graciously donated $4,000 to fund the Literacy Mentor program.
We are so grateful for the support!
BLESS YOUR SCHOOL 
Tis' the Season to Bless!
Here are a few ideas on how to bless your students this holiday season:
Last year's Book Drive at Susan B Anthony Elementary
  • Bring a small surprise for each of your students (eraser, stickers, book, crayons). One mentor even brought in some pinecones from her yard for a Thanksgiving "present." So simple but kids loved it! (Check with your teacher first.)
  • Help your teacher with a classroom holiday celebration. Some teachers may be planning one all alone- see if they need help!
  • Bring your teacher a small gift!
  • Bring some baked goodies for the office and custodial staff- they are an often overlooked, but very integral part of a school's success!
If yo u're feeling extra ambitious...
  • Bring donuts and coffee for the whole staff!
  • Help plan a coat drive (like the one pictured below at Powers-Ginsburg Elementary) book drive, or canned goods drive.


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
Thankful for you all,
  Jenessa &  Monique

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