Welcome to the Elsie R. Collier Memorial Library.

Orchard Elementary School Library

Elsie R. Collier Memorial Library
 Click here for the Library Media Information Handbook.

 To print any of the items below right click on the object and select view image, then EITHER print from file in the toolbar OR hit control P to print.

Did you hear the weather report? Orchard Elementary had a very "Snowy" Reading Night. That is right. It snowed at 6400 Howell's Ferry Road in Mobile, AL. The children thoroughly enjoyed playing in the snow during our family reading night. Jackets, gloves, and scarves were not required for this snowy night only family members and books, oh, and a snow machine.

The children made a snowman snowflake ornament, decorated a sugar cookie, and warmed up with hot chocolate with marshmallows. It was so wonderful to see our students enjoy reading books with their families.

The parents also received their child(ren)'s STAR Reading reports early. The children were also excited to see their new reading levels for the new year. We thank everyone for making this a very successful family reading night. Please continue to read with your children during this holiday season.

                                                                               Fun in the Snow

      Umm good      Encouraging mom  Enjoying the night  Former student     Learning to love

                                                                             returns to read      books early

Love books,         Making a snowman   Ms. Woods         Look what I made.   Reading is fun.

cookies & hot       ornament                volunteers

chocolate              

                                                   Supportive Dad       Winter Reading

                                                                                Spirit   

Dear Reading Night Team,

I'd like to say a special thank you to Ms. Woods and Ms. Jones for volunteering, Ms. Porter for loaning me the coffee maker, Ms. King for promoting our event to her bus students, and my husband for setting up the snow machine. This event would not have been successful without all of you.

Sincerely,

Ms. Smith

                                                                                                            Mrs. Kristie Smith, LMS

We are looking for volunteers. Let Mrs. Smith know if you can. Please include a contact number, dates, and times that you are able to help. 

You can also see a complete price list by clicking on Forms above.

Schedule will soon be available in the Forms section.

Here's to Our Heroes. Reading Saves the Day!

It's that time again for our fall book fair.  The theme of our fair is "Here's to our heroes. Reading saves the day."   In addition to encouraging reading we also hope to celebrate all of our community heroes.  P.T.O honored our parents who are military service men and women, policemen, firefighters, nurses, doctors, and paramedics by providing their lunch on Parenting Day. Students had the opportunity to ask our local community heroes questions during their lunch. We are so grateful for all the work they do.

Orchard Elementary also enjoyed a visit from our local brave firefighters. They had a great time learning how firefighters put out fires. The children got to see some of the tools & equipment used, including a large ax & powerful saw. The firemen showed them their turn-out gear and discussed what to do in a fire emergency.  Students took a tour around  a rescue truck, ladder truck, and a fire engine (pumper truck). They even got to climb in the fire engine! Our boys and girls really appreciated the opportunity to meet real firefighting heroes, and we thank the City of Mobile Fire Department for coming to our school.

                                                              ladder truck                    pump (engine) truck

We also thank Target volunteers for helping with this event.

Kindergarten, first, and second graders  got to learn about fire safety from Mr. Ken Lansberry from the Mobile Fire Department. He did an educational program on fire safety. Mr. Lansberry brought two special guests, Elmo and the Dragon from the story No Dragons for Tea. Our boys and girls listened very closely to his instruction. The third, fourth, and fifth graders look forward to seeing him in November.

Mr. Lansberry with Dragon and Elmo

Just when we thought our book fair couldn't get any better, Clifford the big red dog showed up to thank all of the boys and girls at Orchard for reading.  He wanted to encourage everyone to continue working toward their 85% accellerated reading goal. 

Visit the Photo Album to see additional pictures.