St. Catherine School Library: The mission of the St. Catherine School library is to develop our students into life-long readers and life-long learners by nurturing a love of books. Also, to ensure that our students become effective users of ideas and information. Our automated library offers the latest in materials, resources and technology. We provide a wide variety of books, videos and magazines. PreK (3) through fourth grade students visit our library on a weekly basis. During this time students have a lesson on informational skills, library use, and literature appreciation. Middle school students are encouraged to visit whenever their schedule allows. The library is open from 8:00 am until 3:30 pm daily for book circulation.
Circulation Policies: Students in grades first through eighth may check out one library book at a time. Books may be renewed on a weekly basis. Each borrower is personally responsible for the materials charged out in his/her name. Lost or severely damaged books will be charged the current replacement cost. Student report cards are held at the end of each quarter until library fines are paid and books are returned.
Reading Programs: The library celebrates and encourages reading through the following programs:
The Accelerated Reader Program: The Accelerated Reader is a curriculum-based assessment tool that provides a summary and analysis of results to enable teachers to monitor both the quantity and quality of reading practice engaged in by their students. It is offered for students in first through eighth grade. Students administer comprehension tests voluntarily themselves, and the system is intended specifically to have strong formative effects on subsequent learning. St. Catherine offers our students the Accelerated Reader Enterprise program which allows our students to have access to thousands of AR titles. Each book is assigned a point value based on the number of words it contains and its reading difficulty. After reading, the student goes to the computer and takes a multiple-choice comprehension test on the book's content. Tests may have 5, 10, or 20 items, depending on the length and difficulty of the book. The computer scores the test, awards the student points based on the results, and keeps a complete record. The Accelerated Reader program is incorporated into the student’s literature grade.
Accelerated Reader book finder Summer Reading Program: St. Catherine School encourages its students to continue to develop their reading skills through our summer reading program. Information is given to each student in May with the requirements for participation. Students meeting these goals are awarded with a special party at the beginning of the school year and receive recognition at our end of the year awards.
Program for Accelerated Language Arts Students (PALS): The Program for Accelerated Language Arts Students is an inquiry based program that gives students many opportunities to interact with thought provoking stories as they develop their reading, writing, oral communication and critical thinking skills. Selection for participation in the PALS program is based upon a student’s reading level, achievement test scores, and teacher recommendation. The program is available to students in third through eighth grade, and second semester second grade students.
Annual Book Fair: St. Catherine hosts an Annual Book Fair. Through this event, students are able to purchase recently published books and teachers are able to add to their classroom libraries. This event is the major fundraiser for our school library and allows us to update our collection.