Tag Archives: School Media Specialist

A Visit to the Avon Elementary School Library

Angie and I were invited to visit the Avon Elementary School library, where we were in the capable hands of Cathy Studer and Gayle. They showed us around their very nice library, in between helping their young patrons and teachers in technology distress. (A busy library’s work is never done!) Teaching a class in the computer lab behind the library was Dana Dingmann, and swamped with busy kids working on assorted projects. Dana also helps in the library, and works on devices for the school.

book-tasting-display
looks good enough to eat!

When you walk in the door you immediately see this great display. It changes monthly, and this month they are focused on food and books. This theme carries over to other displays in the library.

tablets-and-crayons
important library supplies

Check out the really cute basket of crayons! This food-themed strategy for putting out crayons for patron is on all the work tables in the library. The library is also available for backup for the school’s technology needs. They have a laptop cart with 30 laptops, and iPad cart with 30 devices, and another cart of 30 Chromebooks. Each classroom works on a 2:1 ratio of tech tools – Chromebooks and iPads – to student. Cathy and Gayle are available to work with everyone to be sure the tech is effective in teaching and learning. And there was a copy of a Magic Tree House series book – one of my favorites! Continue reading A Visit to the Avon Elementary School Library

Overdrive.com opportunity

overdrivelogonew
eBooks!

CMLE Elementary School Libraries in a Title 1 school:

Here is some potentially interesting information from Overdrive.com on eBook donations! Below is a press release they have issued. You may be receiving this directly from them; but to be sure no one is overlooked, we are copying it here for you. There is an application to fill out (linked below). If you have questions, you can contact Overdrive; if you need some assistance with the form, or want to talk about ideas contact us at CMLE Headquarters and we can help! (We are available to assist with any grant applications!)

See if this is right for you and your school. We will share other offers and grant opportunities periodically on this site; and we put all the grants we find on our Grants and Awards calendar. Check it every so often to see if there are opportunities for you to get money and/or awards! CMLE Headquarters is always available to help you with the applications, or to help you think through the process of applying.

Here are the FAQs for the program:

Who can apply for this program?

Any adult who works in a Title 1 (or Title 1 eligible) school can apply.  You must apply for each school individually.

What happens after I submit my application?

OverDrive will review your application and contact you if your school is selected to receive one year of free K5 Quickstart access.

What grade levels is this intended for?

The K5 Quickstart program is intended for schools serving students in Grades K through 8.

What will this cost my school?

Nothing! There are no purchase or future commitments required to receive your one year of free K5 Quickstart access. Continue reading Overdrive.com opportunity

Back-to-school programming from across the country

NCPD packs school supplies
Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/m9zdxj9, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Can you believe it’s that time again? School is back! With all the planning and preparation that goes into a school year, you may be looking for some additional inspiration for activities.

This article from the School Library Journal features 26 ideas from innovative library folk all over the country, preparing to start the school year off right. The topics featured are Reading, Tech, Passive and Participatory Programming, ELL Environments, and Research Support. See below for a few of the ideas featured in the article:

  • In order to get his students engaged in election season, media specialist Travis Jonker in Michigan will have his students read a children’s book and then vote to elect their favorite character.
  • School Librarian IdaMae Craddock in Virginia wants to take her Makerspace activities to the next step, by allowing her students to figure out ways to create and experiment without use of the kits’ instructions.
  •  To help teens cope with stress and learn different ways to relax, Texas librarian Maggie Knapp will feature activities that are not technology based, like coloring books and puzzles.
  • The reading buddies program started by librarian Alla Umanskaya in New York gives ELL students an opportunity to develop their English skills while keeping their native language abilities. Middle school and elementary students read together in both English and their families’ native languages.
  • A new program that Oregon School Corps librarian Jacqui Partch helped introduce is aimed at helping middle and high school educators teach their students about digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and password safety.

Even if you don’t incorporate any of the ideas from the article, it’s fun to hear about what is happening in school libraries and media centers around the country!

 

We've Learned: Job opening

LightbulbWe’ve Learned… is designed to keep our readers informed about news concerning personnel in CMLE libraries/media centers. Please keep us informed of any “happenings” regarding staff members in your area so that we can include them in the next write-up! Happenings can include: changes in staffing, job openings, awards, honors… you get the idea! Updates can be sent to admin@cmle.org

Holdingford Public Schools
Independent School District #738
P.O. Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
Personnel Vacancy
June 13, 2016

POSTING: Technology Integration—Media Specialist—Gifted & Talented Instructor
1.0 FTE beginning the 2016-2017 school year.

JOB DUTIES:
Works cooperatively and collaboratively with Building Administrators, District Technology Director, IT staff, media staff, clerical staff, and others to provide outstanding technology integration support to staff and students.

1. Inspire and participate in the development and implementation of a shared vision for the comprehensive integration of technology to promote excellence and support transformational change throughout the instructional environment.
2. Assist teachers in embedding technology into instruction for assessing student learning, differentiating instruction, and providing rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning experiences for all students.
3. Create and support effective digital age learning environments to maximize the learning of all students.
4. Conduct needs assessments, develop technology-related professional learning programs, and evaluate the impact on instructional practice and student learning.
5. Model and promote digital citizenship.
6. Support and promote literacy.
7. Manage media center budget.
8. Supervise media center staff, volunteers and student workers.
9. Provide Instruction in Elementary Gifted & Talented Program.
10. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must hold a valid Minnesota teaching license.
• Demonstrated experience supporting teachers and students in effective use of instructional technology.
• Experience managing a School Media Center preferred.
• Experience working with gifted students preferred.

Application Deadline: June 29
Submit letter of application and resume to:
Chris Swenson
Holdingford Public School
PO Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
FMLA regulations require all employers to post the updated FMLA notice.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Committed to Workforce Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Holdingford Public Schools, District 738 does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to youth group

How St. Paul got its media specialists back!

signWhat if we saw hundreds of hand-drawn, red lettered signs in neighborhoods that said…Our kids deserve school librarians? St. Paul parents worked hand-in-hand across the St. Paul Federation of Teachers this year as they collectively bargained for a new contract which included getting back the school media specialists who had pretty much disappeared through budget cuts. In fact, each remaining media specialist was left trying to serve about 4,000 students! Read the full, feel-good story, a model to consider in districts where media centers are no longer staffed by licensed media specialists.

Teacher Contract Campaign Puts Student Learning Front and Center

CMLE continues to report on this issue and offer solutions and strategies for affecting positive change in Central Minnesota schools. Share your thoughts or other ideas in comments!

Other recent CMLE posts on this subject:

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/n546fen, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0