Wednesday, January 30, 2019

What Have I Been Up To?

During the summer, I transferred to a new school.  I became focused on getting to know the students and staff of Loch Raven Technical Academy (LRTA).  From joining various committees to creating a library survey, I sought to build a rapport with members of the school community and get their insights regarding the library program at LRTA.  Based on the conversations, suggestions, opinions and needs, I developed a three year plan.

The first year, I have been focused on collection development and collaborative efforts. We are in the process of adding more e-books to the library collection, as well as providing more titles that reflect diversity.  Thanks to a grant we received from Capstone in December, we were able to add more interactive e-books to our collection.  The e-book titles include topics that are covered in various content areas, such as mythology, the solar system, historical events and math concepts in the real world.
She was sooooo excited to check-out this book.

Based on the student input, we have also added a YALIT section of popular titles.  Due to the age suggestions for many of the YALIT titles, students have to get a parental permission slip signed to read the books in the collection.  The section is in demand.  Titles such as Dear, Martin, The Hate U Give and To All the Boys I Loved Before are popular check-outs. Next year, these titles will be in the YALIT section of our genrefied fiction area. More information regarding the genrefication of the library (fiction section only) will be shared next year.😉



BCPL representatives check out books to the students.

This year, THE LITLC (the new name for our school library) has partnered with a public library in our area. Thanks to the collaboration, members of the Loch Raven Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library have visited the school to discuss online resources available to students and staff, as well as to team-up on PROJLIT book club meetings.  By having the BCPL as a resource, our school community has gained knowledge of the extra resources (books, databases, etc.) available to BCPS.
With the help of BCPL representative, PROJLIT members create zines.



Students enjoyed the chance to be creative.

Our first PROJLIT focus was realistic fiction. Students had a chance to pick from a variety of titles.


The video below is just a snippet of some of the activities in the library during the first two quarters of the school year. 

I look forward to creating more memories with my new family at Loch Raven Technical Academy.
They were in the holiday spirit. :-)

Mrs. Johnson, our principal and advocate.

One of the first parents I met in the school, Ms. Sellers has been supportive from the beginning.

We took a group of students to see the Broadway musical, Once on this Island. One of the many pictures we took during our field trip. 

I'm the advisor for The Coding Club. Here are some of The Coding Club members.

A few of the helping hands in the library.

Me and Mr. Beal, the STAT teacher for LRTA.

Three of LRTA's Angels. 

Some of the members of The Lunch Bunch Crew. I don't know what I would do without them.

Smiling faces. Keen collaborators.

During our first week back, the faculty was happily surprised by an icee truck in front of our school building.

The frozen treats brought a smile to our faces.

You can't help but be giddy when you get a free, frozen treat on a hot summer's day. This was the start of a beautiful friendship.

An avid reader, Ms. Garner is excited about the new books to our collection.

Lunch Bunch members help me select books for The LITLC.

These are just two of the faces that keep me smiling everyday.

No comments:

Post a Comment