A Little Trash & Treasure

Mrs. Anderson’s 4th grade class is studying the southeastern United States.  She decided to collaborate with the library staff and practice using the World Book Encyclopedia and  taking notes using  the “Big 6 “ Trash & Treasure approach.  Top that off with a an interesting note taking technique involving  paper folding, cutting  and we had fun, while learning.

 

VHS High School Student Making A Difference!

Audrey Ureda has joined “The Lunch Bunch” crew.  HHES Students in 5th/6th grade get together once a month to discuss a book that they have selected to read.  This month’s book, “Charlotte’s Web”, was chosen because there will be a community performance of the story in November.  We thought it would be fun to read the book to re-familiarize ourselves with this classic before enjoying the play.

While having  lunch in the library Ms Ureda led the book discussion with several students.  There was some interesting discussion on friendship, favorite parts of the book, writing style and character analysis.

We wrapped up the noon-time event with some chocolate spider cupcakes in memory of Charlotte the Spider, a true friend.

What Would We Do Without Our Volunteers!!

VCS Libraries have always been fortunate to have outstanding individuals helping out @ our libraries.  This year is no exception.  Thanks to each and every one of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to help out!  Take a look at this year’s star performers…..

Samantha Keeney takes time off from summer vacation to help get the HHES Library looking bright and cheerful for the 2009-2010 school year!

We can always count on great artistic flair whenever Kristen Hayes does her magic in our school libraries!

Once again  Judy Prevost takes time out of her busy day to volunteer .  This year she took on decorating the Battle of the Books area of the HHES Library.  This year’s battle theme, “Catch a Dragon by the Tale “,  will have the icing on the cake as Judy designs a castle on the back wall of the battle book area.

Amanda Stahley is a familiar face at both the VHS and HHES Libraries.  Amanda, now a student at Prince William Community College, comes in a few hours a week between classes to assist in our libraries.

(Photo Coming Soon!)

Mo Radatitch has been helping out Friday mornings at the HHES Library for several years.  Mo assists by putting books away and checking materials out to staff and students when needed.

(Photo Coming Soon!)

Definitely not a new face at HHES, but a new one helping out at our library is our very own, newly retired, Kim Michaud.  Kim recently began coming in Fridays to assist putting books away and assisting students and staff when possible.

(Photo Coming Soon!)

HHES Staff Learning VIA Webinar Training

One of the companies the VCS Libraries uses to purchase books from is The Junior Library Guild.

Junior Library Guild (JLG) is a literary review and selection service for children’s and young-adult books serving school and public libraries, established in 1929, and used by more than 17,000 librarians today.

This past week Teresa Richardson, George Gilson Jr. High Library  Para-Professional, and Barb Bryson, HHES Librarian, went to the JLG website for some “real time” training with a JLG presenter.  They learned about  some of the extra reading incentive opportunities our teachers can make use of by purchasing books from their company.

Is There An Author In The House?!?

Well….. Not in the house, but there was in the HHES Library!

Judy Almy, the Valdez City School Speech pathologist also wears the hat of an author.  Almy, who loves creating rhymes, has  written a beginning reader rhyming book.  Ms Almy entertained kindergarten students with her book, “My Name Is Ick”.  The kids loved it!

Introducing The Valdez High School Digital Media Center!

The Valdez High School Library has a new look.  Construction is wrapping up and VHS staff and students will be introduced this week to the new “Digital Media Center”. The DMC.

The Valdez High School DMC is in phase one of a three-year growth plan implementing a variety of online resources based on student, teacher, and curriculum needs. Important still is ready access to quality reference books and popular leisure reading for students.  VHS Librarian Sandy Crump, emphasizes, “We’re not throwing the baby out with the bath water.”

In order to address the needs of staff and students the VHS Library is shifting from the traditional book-based resource center, to a gathering place that promotes collaborative learning and easy access to a variety of information formats, including the traditional books.

Monday morning Ms Crump gave a presentation to staff members on Safari Montage.  This exciting digital media storage system allows on demand access to a variety of media formats such as video, audio, and image clips. Teachers will be able to access media to enhance lessons based on subject as well as the Alaska State Standards.

Ms Crump hopes the Valdez High School DMC becomes a place that students and staff can come together to read a good book, exchange ideas, and explore the world through a variety of formats.

No, we are not quite climbing the walls yet…

Though it may appear so!  Thanks to Mrs. Keeney and After-the-Bell-Art, we’ve had a chance to display some of the completed projects in the Gilson Jr. High Library display case.

National Library Week: Lots Happening!

Just How Many Books Are In This Display Case?

Wrapping Up This Year’s Battle Book Program

Our annual Battle Book Slumber Party wrapped up last night. 21 kids were able to attend this year’s event. The students had to read all 15 of the books and receive 80% or higher on their AR quizzes.

We started out the evening swimming, followed by a school wide Easter Egg Hunt. Bookmark crafts, time in the gym, the computer lab, and lots of great snacks pretty much took care of the evening. We wrapped things up with three rounds of Sardines, a hide and seek game that covered  the whole school.

Great Snacks!

Those are Easter Eggs Hidden In That T-Shirt!

Bookmark Making Station

Time For Bed!

Thanks to all the amazing help from parents and volunteers.  You helped make this celebration one of the best!

Avalanche Safety Classes A Huge Success!

Sara Carter came to the HHES 5th/6th grade library classes to teach students avalanche safety facts.

Carter brought probes, light-weight shovels, slope meters, locator beacons, dvd’s with footage of actual avalanche activity and more!

Carter shared a variety of hands-on activites and even a simulated avalanche the students helped create using plywood  to represent a mountain side, and miniature trees. They created snow using flour and sugar to create prime avalanche conditions.  Students used  a toy snow machine to demonstrate travel on the unstable conditions. Checkit out!