#SaxonsRead: April 2025 Newsletter

April is Arab American Heritage Month, a time to honor the deep history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans in the United States. For generations, Arab Americans have shaped our communities through creativity, resilience, and innovation.

From the poetry of Kahlil Gibran, whose words on love and identity continue to resonate, to the activism of Linda Sarsour, who has fought for justice and equality, Arab Americans have left a lasting impact. Scientists like Elias Zerhouni have advanced medical research, while chefs and artists bring the beauty of Arab culture to the world. Their stories are a testament to perseverance and pride, woven into the larger American experience.

This month, we invite you to explore Arab American history and voices. Stop by the library to learn more and celebrate this rich and inspiring heritage!

Also in April... 

The U.S. and the North High Library also recognize April as

Autism Acceptance Month and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Click here for a selection of books on these important topics. For more, visit the library!

Finally, April is National Poetry Month! Celebrate with a novel written in verse or and check out the 811 section of the library for more traditional poetry. Just for fun, create some magnetic poetry online!

Listen to a Book and Conquer the World

Ever wish you could read without actually having to sit down and, you know…turn pages? Good news: audiobooks exist, and they’re basically the ultimate life hack.

You can listen while doing other things, which means you get to feel productive! Click here for 10 things you can do while listening to an audiobook--and feel like a genius in the process. Never used our digital reading app, Sora to borrow an audiobook? Check out a tutorial here!

Monday Fun Days!

The library is a purpose-driven space, where you go specifically to quietly read, study, or relax, offering a rare opportunity to focus during busy times like break and lunch.

It’s also a place to build community. Whether you're working on a group project or discussing books, we encourage collaboration and connection. To celebrate this, we’ve introduced Monday Fun Days! Every Monday the library is open, we’ll have a new lunchtime activity for you and your friends to enjoy. Upcoming Fun Days:

4/7: Spring break!

4/14: Board & card games, including Sushi Go, Jenga, Connect 4, Uno, mancala, chess, and more!

4/21: Pin-back button making. There will be some color designs ready to go and some in black and white that you can color yourself. There will also be blank templates for you to create your own button designs. If you'd like to make a digital design in advance, print it, and bring it with you, then you can make a copy of this Canva template and use it to create your masterpiece!

4/28: Fuse bead art. Make fun designs to use as magnets, keychains, or backpack tags.

Please be aware that:

• Your school ID may be required to check out supplies or materials. Make sure you have it with you on Mondays--and every day!

• Ms. Masters and Mrs. Clarkson will still be expecting your usual excellent library behavior: low voices, four students to a table, appropriate use of the library's space and supplies, etc.

• Because supplies are finite, we will be limiting library attendance more than usual on Monday Fun Days. If you aren't interested in participating in the day's activity, please consider finding someplace else to hang out for lunch so those who are interested can get in!

Return Your Books!

The week we return from spring break, Celebration of the Arts kicks off North's end-of-year festivities. If you still owe the library books or fees from the 23/24 school year or before, you won't be able to purchase tickets to many of these exciting events--or even pick up your yearbook.

Please review your library record and start to take care of this task now, before you miss out on any of the fun!

Library Closures

The end of the year is a mess in the library. We apologize in advance for all the days we have to ask you to hang out somewhere else :-(

• Wednesday, 4/2-Friday 4/4: The library will be completely closed all day. Tutoring will happen after school as usual on Wednesday and Thursday.

• Monday, 4/14-Friday, 4/25: The library will be partially closed on and off as the visual and performing arts department sets up for Celebration of the Arts. We'll pretty definitely be open for printing and book checkout, but there will be at least a few lunchtimes when things are getting moved around that you won't be able to come in and hang out. During some of this time, after-school tutoring will be moved to K1, so please watch for updates.

• Monday 5/5-Friday 5/16: The library will mostly be closed during this time due to AP testing. If signs say "closed," please do not come in. You can void the test of every person in the room if you enter. That means a lot of angry Saxons!

For service when the library is closed, please visit the textbook window. And remember that the College & Career Center (K1) has computers and a printer for your use. Please talk to Mrs. McKelvey for her schedule.

We sometimes have to close the library unexpectedly and without notice, which we realize is inconvenient, but is also unavoidable. Whenever the library is closed, there will be a sign in front of the doors saying so. Please do not walk by this sign and enter the library when it's closed.