Using The LITLC Ensures Every Student Succeeds

Adventures in the LC: Weekly Summary (Part One)

Taking a moment to highlight the positives associated with our virtual library program.

Very excited!!

Thanks to the partnerships with teachers in three grade levels, Loch Raven Academy Technical was recognized as a Common Sense School. Collaborations occurred in a variety of content areas: Health, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies.

Welcome to The LITLC Virtual Library

Public Comment: Continued Financial Support for School Librarians & Scho...

For BCPS Students: Accessing Your BCPL Resources

Books We Love Competition (2020)

What a Difference a Week Makes

Last week, we were closing schools in my district for what seemed like a two-week break.  Language Arts and Reading teachers were given a schedule to come to the library to have their students check out books.  Teachers and students helped me assist students and provide suggestions. Last Friday, over 500 books were checked out at our school.  I ended the day with sore feet and a happy heart. I had been able to see many students. At the time, my only concern was getting a few more supplies and soaking my feet.

Today, my concerns have grown. With each news conference and news segment, I grow concerned.  From disbelief to anger, to sadness. For a workaholic like me, I guess these are stages of grieving.  A week ago, I had ideas of things I would get done during the "break."  I had ideas about doing workouts and catching up on sleep and following-up on phone calls.  Today, I vacillate between pragmatism and defeatism. I guess that's normal for this pandemic we are facing. The world hasn't faced such an issue in its history.  During a time of "self-distancing" and talks of quarantines, I think my concerns are valid.

Today, I began to think of what I can do to help lessen the moments of defeatism.  I came up with a few things.  I don't think these are novel ideas but they may help others. Here it goes.

1.  I'm going to create a schedule for myself. I'm a WORKaholic. As such, I need something productive to do.  Whether it's creating resources for a virtual community of educators, sharing ideas with coworkers, sharing resources with friends. I'm going to create something, do something every day.

2.  I'm going to do something for others.  During a time of isolation, that may be difficult.  Two things came to mind.  I already mentioned doing things for the educational community but the call for DIY masks and blood drives are two areas where I can also assist. Even if the DIY masks are just for me, it should help lessen (see CDC suggestions) airborne pathogens spread just from breathing, speaking, etc. 

3.  I'm going to exercise.  It might be yoga, a walk or an IG group that listens to music from a DJ during a live session.  Whatever I do, I have to exercise and get an endorphin release that will help my mood.

4.  Communicate.  I'm not a talker.  It was after I chatted with my mom yesterday, that I saw how much it helped with my mood. The feelings of fear and worries that I held in for a few days lessened once I spoke about my concerns.  We may be physically isolated but we don't have to isolate our entire spirits and beings. Talking and communicating is going to be key for me and for others.

5. I'm going to pray and read my scripture.  This may not apply to everyone but for me, scripture eases my fears and gives me an anchor.  For me, prayer is going to help me during this time of uncertainty.

How are you coping? I'm curious about what others are doing to help themselves and others during this time of uncertainty.  Please share with me. Even it's only virtual, we can build a community. 

Take care,

Tiki

Adventures in The LC Newsletter

I'm working on a new post.  Until it is published, click here to read the recent newsletter for our school library, The LILTC.

Great News to Start the School Year

As we prepare to enter the fourth week of the school year, there is great news to report. The LITLC has seen an increase in check-outs, collaborations and student usage. How do we know? Using data from LibraryTrac, data from the first, three weeks of the 2018-2019 school year we compared to data from the first three weeks of the 2019-2020 school year.  Check-out or latest newsletter for more details.

Check-outs

 Why is this important?  Studies have shown the positive impact, pleasure reading has on student achievement.  Giving our students access to the books they want to read is key in creating a positive, reading environment.

Collaborations

Why is this important?  Studies have shown that continued collaborations positively impact the achievement of students. Whether it is a school assessment, state assessment, or national assessment, national partnerships between the school librarian and the classroom teacher are integral for today's global learners. 

Ms. Langley, a BCPL representative from the Loch Raven Branch, visited the school twice. Her first visit was during Back to School Night. Parents and students received information related databases and other privleges enjoyed by members of the BCPS. During her second visit, we began planning PROJLIT/BES book club and discussed the possibility of working together to have an author (or two) visit the area and speak with members of LRTA community.

Independent Student Usage

Having the library be a hub of learning is beautiful sight. Our students see our school library as a safe space and a fun place.  

I'm going to enjoy sharing more information as the school year continues.

Our Library is L.I.T.!

Our Library is L.I.T.!

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.

My First ALA Experience: The Appetizer

Friday was the first official day of the ALA conference. Thanks to a tweet that was shared a weeks before the conference, I knew that my primary focus was to attend the Q&A between Michelle Obama and Dr. Carla, Hayden.  I had never heard either of the women speak in person before and I was excited. The first focus was to get breakfast and hope that the food would tide me over as I waited in the anticipated long lines to see and hear the former, first lady. First, I had a meeting to attend.

After a quick breakfast and attendance at the BCALA Executive Board meeting, my mom and I caught the shuttle to the convention center. As soon as we got off the shuttle, we headed to the information booth to determine where we should go to see Mrs. Michelle Obama.  We were told to go to hall H. At 10:30 am, the line was quite long.  Focused on our intent, we got in line. About an hour into sitting, my mom headed over to the Exhibit Hall.

Thankfully, I had Dan Chan, an artist and writer for numerous zines, and other line mates to keep me company.  I also met a future, BCALA board member and her daughter.  The wait was interrupted by an impromptu moment of cheering for Dr. Carla Hayden who walked past the line. It was once we entered the hall that the real party began.

I happened to sit behind a group of women who were equally enthusiastic about the music playing in the hall.  What began as individual seat dancing led to an impromptu Soul Train line.  We also passed the time by guessing the name of songs and sharing info about ourselves.  One of my seatmates shared my excitement about Dr. Hayden and was willing to be my photographer as I tried to get a close-up picture of one of the gurus in the library world.

A few minutes after 4 o'clock, the hall filled with the sounds of live music and we saw a group of teenagers on stage playing instruments.  I learned they were a group of musicians brought together by Trombone Shorty, a well-known jazz musician and children's book author. The infectious sounds made us clap our hands and pat our feet.  I was especially impressed to see a young lady leading the band before Trombone Shorty came on stage. Next, we were provided with words of encouragement by Jim Neal, the President of ALA, as well as an introduction of the new board and upcoming President of ALA, Loida Garcia-Febo. After his introduction, we received more words of encouragement and recognition by the mayor of New Orleans, Mayor Cantrell.  Then, we were introduced to  Mrs. Michelle Obama.

An intimate conversation between the former First Lady and the Dr. Hayden, the two engaged in a conversation regarding Mrs.Obama's memories of her time in the White House, as well as her gratitude for her parents, her parenting style, and her love of books. Mrs. Obama also remarked on the way books allowed her a chance to "get out of her own way" and take a break from the outside world.  Her words were sweet to the ears of the audience of librarians and bibliophiles.  An added bonus was the relaxed style of the conversation between the two and the feeling that we were a part of an intimate conversation between friends.

After the discussion, I hugged my seatmates. We held back tears as we marvelled at the moments we had just witnessed. A wonderful beginning to the conference, I knew the rest of my ALA adventure would be just as satisfying.