2023-24 WHHS Library Wrap-Up*

This was our second year hosting March Mathness along with our Wolf Pack math department. In order to improve upon last year's iteration, we emphasized the importance of problem-solving as a process and prioritized showing evidence of effort more than getting a "correct answer." Here are some sample student submissions that we received. Fun fact: The March Mathness All Star duo also teamed with Ms. Sannwald in tennis!

Our library's science collection got extra love this year thanks to Mrs. Cabral's honors biology project option of reading a biology-related narrative nonfiction book. We also enjoyed getting to support students learning science at the Safari Park, an experience that also inspired our April 2024 library calendar on sustainable gardening. And, if you're not sure which library stapler to use, there is scientific evidence that could inform your decision.

This year, it was particularly fun to get to be involved with jump-starting Vietnam War research with Ms. Nylund-Lieb for Wolf Pack Theatre's production of "A Piece of My Heart." We also loved continuing the tradition of providing dress rehearsal space for choir with Ms. Fernandez, and getting Mr. Lorentz's guitar students to participate in the Readers and Writers Club planned open mic night at the Santee Library turned out to be a big hit!

In addition to hosting students during weekly AVID tutorial time, the library is always excited to promote our AVID program's inspiring efforts, whether it is the brand new college sign that was installed outside the Guidance/Library building in collaboration our CTE manufacturing program or the growing Career Day endeavor that is truly a labor of love of Ms. Worth.

We continue to look forward to regular library visits from Mrs. Tropiano's students, and it is a fun challenge to add book selections that students are excited to check out. Meanwhile, a first-time reading collaboration that turned out to be pretty cool was Mrs. Davis's blind date with a graphic novel unit. This allowed an opportunity to address visual literacy with students reading this different format.

It is always interesting to support students studying Social Science. In the library, we get to hear from students during mock trial deliberations, as they use makerspace supplies to create 3D models of the brain for psychology, when they use our green screen spaces to record politically-inspired carols, and our Teacher Librarian even gets to serve as an informant for AP World History simulations.

Whenever there is a tech issue, the library is often the first to hear about it. We aim to provide prompt communication as we work with our site technology specialist, district technology team, and vendors on troubleshooting. These screenshots are solutions we shared in response to some widespread tech issues that affected us this year. We always strive to keep learning going without interruption!

If you're trying something new and need a partner to work through it, our Teacher Librarian is always open to helping out. For instance, this year, our ENS teachers needed to make modified swim units for students outside of the pool, and together we implemented an innovative tech-based solution to meet these students' needs.

Library collections are like living organisms that must be continually maintained. This includes adding new items, discarding outdated ones, and reorganizing as needs and interest change. This year, we reorganized the fiction section to provide more space for popular genres, including True-Life (realistic fiction), Romance, and Fantasy. Click here to see the current library collection map.