Library and Computers
Accelerated Reader
Renaissance Learning says that Accelerated Reader (AR) is the world's most popular reading management software. It provides teachers with an easy and effective way to monitor guided reading practice.  It gets students excited about books because it focuses attention on reading books carefully which improves critical thinking skills and builds a love of reading.  Using (AR) you can continuously guide students to appropriate books within their zone of proximal development (ZPD).  Our librarian loves the program because it challenges the students without frustrating them.
St. Rene Goupil School

Pastor Rev. Thomas Kasputis
Principal Mrs. Paula Calvert
6340 South New England Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60638
Phone: 773-586-4414
Fax: 773-586-3747
E-Mail: Schoolnotes.com
2010- 2011 School Year
Mrs. Petersen Computer Class K- 8th
Mrs. Bianchi
Library Class K- 8th
Mrs. Bianchi / Mrs. Petersen
Accelerated Reading Program 1st - 8th
Grades 1- 8 have Accelerated Reader in the library.  It aids in increasing vocabulary and comprehension. Students read books available to them in the library and then take a multiple-choice quiz to test their understanding of the reading material.
St. Rene School Library

Many parents remember a library as a quiet place to take out books. Today, our school library is so much more. It is a place to study and learn about our world. We have different themes each month and the students work on activities related to these themes. We do author studies and novel studies.

The Accelerated Reading program is based in the library. Students have time to explore the library after they complete their work.  They can choose a book, work on accelerated reading, listen to an audio book, or do a puzzle or play a game that is associated with a specific book.

Our school library gives students the opportunity to experience books on many different levels.
Library Class
Computer Class

Along with the Microsoft Office programs that we use, the students also work with a variety of programs to help them add to the skills learned in the classrooms.

All programs are educational.

The primary grades (Kind. through 2nd.) In Computer Class, our students utilize language, math and spelling programs in grades K through grade 2 to enhance the skills and knowledge provided in the classrooms. Writing programs are introduced to l st and 2nd Grades and mouse dexterity and keyboard knowledge are also practiced with the Kindergarten class.

Our intermediate grades (3rd through 5th ) Keyboarding and word processing programs such as Microsoft Word are integral for the intermediate grades course of study.
Computer terminology and use of graphics programs are also taught over the school year while integrating this knowledge into special projects that they work on during the course of the school year.

In Junior High (6th through 8th grades), The Junior High course syllabus includes working with Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, Publisher, PowerPoint and Excel.

Our 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students also publish a school newspaper as an extracurricular activity.

Star Reading and Star Math are also part of the computer class curriculum for grades 2 through 8.
Star Math as now been expanded to include 1st grade.  These students take their first Star Math test after the holidays and another at year end.
Update: this past month, students in grades 2 through 8 took both Star Reading and Star Math, while the students in grade 1 took a Star Math test.  These online tests assist the teachers in determining a student's comprehension in these subjects. Their strengths and weaknesses are identified and enable the teachers to provide additional assistance in the areas which are needed.

St. Rene is proud of the computer instruction and programs which we can provide for our students.
Computer Class
Accelerated Reader
Library News

The week before Thanksgiving, St. Rene's Mothers' Club hosted the Scholastic Book Fair. It was a great opportunity for our students to view the latest books by their favorite authors.  Some students shopped while others made out a wish list. Our students look forward to this event every year. Special thanks to St. Rene's Mothers' Club for sponsoring the book fair and to
all our other library "angels" who consistently donate to our library each year - Mr. Smith and his daughter, Mrs. Healy, Mrs. Rapp, Fr. Tom Kasputis, and students who donate their own "almost-new" books.

Our new Accelerated Reader Program - Enterprise is thriving this year. Students have not only been taking quizzes on books from St. Rene's library, but also on books from home, the public library, and bookstores. Junior high especially likes the opportunity to have more of a variety of reading material for their AR quizzes. Students earn points from quizzes taken on these books. A seventh grade student is leading the point club with 363 points. They also get a chance each month to vote on their favorite books. Reading is an adventure!!!
SchoolNotes Library
SchoolNotes Computer
Our New Books from Donations.