Hello, ARE Jaguars!

 Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year!  

We are excited to "Experience the Magic of Learning at Austin Road Elementary! As we all know, reading is magical!                                

So, take a look at eBooks and the Book Taco Reading Program to use anytime! 

I want to encourage all of our students to read for at least twenty minutes each day. Henry County Schools is focused on reading and writing at every grade level. While summer gave us an opportunity to relax and enjoy the sunshine, we want our students to learn that reading is not only magical but relaxing.

We have ebooks available through Sora, the student reading app, which provides free 24/7 access to ebooks and audiobooks. Learn more about Sora and its perks for you and our students here: https://meet.soraapp.com/. What better way to engage a student’s mind than through reading?

Starting May 5- August 20, 2021, the Sora Sweet Reads program will offer a collection of Juvenile and Young Adult titles that will be prominently displayed in Sora for quick and easy unlimited access. You can explore the title offerings and learn more about the program here: https://resources.overdrive.com/sora-sweet-reads/.

You can access ebooks through the SORA app from your Launchpad/Classlink. if you need a tutorial, check out this link:https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/2220.htm  You can also click on the Overdrive tab at the left of this page.

There are also links to video Read Alouds on the Online Read Alouds tab to the left of this page. There are also ebooks on Epic! The app is also on the launchpad. If you would like to use my class code, it is SAE0100.

Exciting news! We now have the Book Taco app that tracks reading time, students can also take quizzes, create book talk videos, and book reviews right in the app. Students complete tasks to earn game tokens to play right in the Book Taco app! Click the links and access the login page. The username for Book Taco is the student's six-digit ID number and the password is the first initial, last initial (they must be capital letters), six-digit birthdate the same as all other app logins. If you need help with this, just contact the media center or teacher. Click here for a Book Taco demo! Book Taco is accessible at school and at home.

Attention: Rising 4th and 5th Graders the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl books for 2021-2022 have been announced! Remember this is the ultimate Book Club where you can showcase your love of reading and competition! Start reading these award winning books and get ready to join the HRRB Team! Copies are available on SORA and in the media center.

The 2021-2022 Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Book List:

1. When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
2. Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
3. Show Me a Sign by Ann Claire LeZott
4. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Jane Marks
5. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
6. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park  
7. Mananaland by Pam Munoz Ryan 
8. A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat 
9. Brave Like that by Lindsey Stoddard  
10. Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson

Great News! Henry County Public Library System is open for curbside service. The Fairview Branch is open Monday and Thursday from 12:00 to 8:00 pm and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, you may call 678-432-5353 or visit http://henrylibraries.org. Some resources are still available online with your library card.  For the complete list, follow the link below. http://henrylibraries.org/online-resources/  You can also get a digital library card online at getacard@henrylibraries.org so you can have all the digital public library resources on your devices.  Need tutorial help? Check out the Henry County Public Library website https://lhh.tutor.com/?ProgramGUID=8bd8a6b2-90d4-4290-bf95-da1580098187.

Please check out the tabs to the left that offer lots of other free resources. If you need more help, please contact me at 770-389-6556 or email me at renee.jackson@henry.k12.ga.us.

The HCS Technology Department created this site: http://bit.ly/hcsremotelearning which includes a collection of resources to help support teachers, students, and parents plan for continued remote learning.

Also, check out the Learn to Code tab on the left of this website. It will take you to lots of places you can practice coding whether you are a beginner or advanced coder.  You can have hours of fun coding while you are learning and practicing a career skill! The Free Distance Learning tab has lots of resources for learning and fun.

See you soon!

Renée Jackson, M.Ed

Renee Jackson