Library

Meet our Librarian, Kelly Shelton

Mrs. Shelton is very thankful to be the librarian at Hillside Academy in Garland ISD. She has over 25 years of teaching experience. She attended Eastern University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She taught in Howard County, Maryland for 10 years. Then she moved to Texas. She taught for 8 years in Texas. She earned her master's degree in library science from Texas A&M Commerce. She is proud to be a librarian. She thinks it is the best job in the school!

"I love helping students learn and to see them excited to read is wonderful! It is going to be a great year in the library!" says an excited Mrs. Shelton.

Excited first grade reader with a book they just checked out of the Hillside library

Students are excited to check out books from the library this year!

Students may request a book or put a book on hold.

Library Guidelines

Listen to the librarian.
Inquire (ask) if you need help.
Be respectful of others.
Read and talk quietly.
Always walk. Never run.
Return books to their proper places.
Your manners are appreciated.

Collaboration Corner

The library is now on a flexible schedule, which allows teachers to collaboratively plan a lesson with the librarian. This builds instructional partnerships as well as providing students more time for research, inquiry, and technology time. Data from more than 34 statewide studies suggest that students tend to earn better standardized test scores in schools that have strong library programs.

Scholastic. (2016). School libraries work! A compendium of research supporting the effectiveness of school libraries. www.scholastic.com/slw2016

Why collaborate?

No other educator receives as much training in selection, evaluation and integration of educational resources than a school librarian! Certified school librarians are an invaluable resources for classroom teachers to enhance their classroom instruction.

By collaborating, classroom teachers and the school librarian can create complex lessons that integrate classroom curriculum with information literacy and technology skills that prepare students for success after elementary school.

Book Fair

Scholastic Book Fair

The library has 2 book fairs every year, one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester. The Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.

All Book Fair proceeds go to our school. Previous book fairs have helped our school purchase:

Makerspace items
Author visits
New books for the library
PebbleGo

Checkout Procedures

All students check out by the 2nd week of school, after reviewing book care and self-checkout procedures.

Every student has the opportunity to visit the library weekly with their class. Students are encouraged to return to the library as needed throughout the week to return and get new books based on their individual needs.

Students may visit the library as needed during open checkout to exchange books.

Fines are not charged for overdue books. If a book is lost or damaged, a fine to replace the book aaybe charged. Thank you for taking care of our books.

Little Free Library the book house

Library Activities

Hour of Code

Read Across America

Hillside Academy celebrates Read Across America during March with fun activities and events for students. Wearing funny hats, green t-shirts or crazy hair are a few fun activities for students and staffs. Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.

eBooks

The library now has eBooks that students can read on a computer or tablet device. Access to an eBook is easy. Follow these directions:

Login to the Hillside library catalog:
User Name: Enter your student ID number (no “s")
Password: gisd
Click: Catalog
Click: Follett Shelf (located on left navigation tool bar)
Search or Browse By: Author, Subject and Genre
Click: on book for information.
Click: Checkout
Click: Return Early if you finish the book before it is due.

Students also have access to ebooks on MYON and EPIC. Enjoy!

Texas Bluebonnet Club

Students in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades are encouraged to be a part of the Texas Bluebonnet Club. To participate in the Bluebonnet club, students will read at least 5 of the nominees and complete an online form. The book response must be completed in order to earn credit for that book. You can read them all, but you only have to complete 5 book responses. All responses are due by January.

Finished reading one of the 2022-2023 Bluebonnet books?You must have read and completed 5 of these to vote and be in the Texas Bluebonnet Club.

Learning at home

Students are able to use GISD resources for at home learning and fun by using the GISD Ready Hub. myON is a personalized digital library that gives students access to more than 7,000 digital books. Here are the directions to read myON at home.

PebbleGo is a non-fiction resource that students love. They can learn about animals, health, social studes or science. Mrs. Shelton, our school librarian, was able to purchase a subscription to PebbleGo for the 2023-24 school year using our book fair profits. Here are the directions to login to PebbleGo at home.

Library catalogs

Find books, ebooks, and other resources by visiting your school's library catalog. If you need help with any of these resources, please contact your school librarian.

Online instructional resources

Online Instructional Resources are available to all students, teachers, parents, and administrators from any district or non-district computer.

Quicklinks

Quicklinks

Hillside Academy for Excellence

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