November 2022

November is the month that goes by in the blink of an eye. We are working on slowing down and savoring the small things we are grateful for. Here is a short list. Students come in before school, throughout the day, and after school to check out books, spend time, and enjoy the incredible space. They work on the turkey scavenger hunt for fun (but are learning where the sections of the library are as they work through). They leave recommendations on the circulation desk for peers. And, of course, they jot notes of thanks to the caring staff members who have their backs in our learning community.

Mrs. Watson ensures that her students leave her by the year's end with solid research skills. We team up during FAST to do research lessons. Students are researching an American who has made a positive impact. They are using books and databases for their mini-research project. Below are pictures of students learning to cite their sources before taking notes as well as the "book tasting" to choose an American.

I was able to meet with Lime Cluster to do a Common Sense Media lesson on ways to de-escalate digital drama. Students had lively discussions about the ways in which they have witnessed digital drama in their lives. Volunteers acted out a scenario and we brainstormed ways to de-escalate the situation.

This year Mrs. Texeira has taken on the challenge of leading willing students through the National History Day process. Think of a science fair but for students who are passionate about history. I have created a site of resources to understand the process here. Students meet on Thursdays before school. The pictures below show the day we set up our NoodleTools accounts to keep track of our sources and to take digital notes. Students then set up individual or small group times to meet with me during a FAST block to ensure they understood how to create citations and write digital notes.

The parents who volunteer in our school libraries throughout the district are invaluable. They are helping the students and librarians of our district to keep the libraries running smoothly and efficiently while also being another "trusted adult" with a smile and a greeting each week to our countless students.

We are starting a new type of volunteering within our district. Mrs. Elaine Van Leer, the library assistant at BMS, is training anyone willing to learn how to cover and repair books. The new team of volunteers will visit our libraries once a month to help with this necessary task, freeing up valuable time librarians can use to plan and deliver lessons. Mrs. Van Leer held training sessions on Wednesday, 11/16 at 1 PM, and Friday, 11/18 at 10 AM.

Many students use the library space after school to read, collaborate with peers, do homework, and relax. It is a very chill atmosphere here Monday through Thursday until 4:10 PM.

During the month of November, we like to put out the Gratitude Station where students get a chance to write a note to a staff member to say something true and specific. It is such a small gesture with such a huge impact. Everyone likes to know that their hard work and kind heart are appreciated.

Join Dr. Mark Davis and me for our fourth annual Hour of Code Family Night. We are pleased to be back in person in the Student Union on Tuesday, December 6 from 6-7 PM. We will have students leading the stations. This event is for the whole family so please make it a point to stop by! If you cannot make it that night, we will have a badge system available for your family to tackle at their leisure.

Students and staff are welcome to join Mr. Eric Altieri, our film teacher, and me in the library after school on Thursday, December 8th to discuss the movie Hidden Figures. This will be our third movie club meeting and we look forward to continuing lively discussion about theme, tone, characters, etc. We always learn something new from Mr. Altieri and from one another!

In honor of World Read Aloud Day we will virtually meet with nonfiction author Tanya Lee Stone. In preparation for the visit, we will read the Sibert-winning Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream and come ready to discuss with the author. This book club will be held before school in the library from 8:00 - 8:20 AM. Books can be found through the public library, our library, and anywhere books are sold!