Embedded Files
West Hills High School Library
Since it is impossible to encapsulate the whole library program or school year on a page, below are simply 10 things that made Ms. Sannwald smile during 2024-25 in the WHHS Library.
Since it is impossible to encapsulate the whole library program or school year on a page, below are simply 10 things that made Ms. Sannwald smile during 2024-25 in the WHHS Library.
Library Love
Library Love
The school year kicked off with a special engagement photo session with some Wolf Pack alums. It was wonderful to see them again, to hear how they're doing, and to know the library has remained a special part of their high school memories and love story.
furniture Refresh
furniture Refresh
If you're not aware, school furniture is very expensive, and so we are lucky that the original library tables and chairs have held up so well all of these years.
To kick off the 2024-25 school year, though, we were happy that we were able to refresh the Class & Club Space chairs, a few new tables, and some new counter-style seating for the front of the library.
The counter-style seating has helped transform the library's entry space into a cozier workspace.
And, it was all made possible by extra help from retired teacher Ms. Worley, who continues to work with students and help us out!
Ms. Worley taught students how to finish the table tops so that they will be more durable. She continues to make a lasting impact on our Wolf Pack community!
Country research Project
Country research Project
This year, we had several wonderful long-term substitute teachers. It is challenging to be a teacher in general, and uniquely so for long-term subs. Ms. Sannwald always enjoys helping new people on campus and also collaborating with teachers, so it was doubly special when she had the opportunity to collaborate instructionally with retired Wolf Pack teacher Ms. Oliver, who was here teaching a Global Studies class. As with other research projects, Ms. Sannwald helped students navigate and use digital resources, including online databases, as they researched countries.
clue bookmark series
clue bookmark series
Wolf Pack theatre teacher Ms. Nylund-Lieb has always been a wonderful collaborator, whether working together to help students research for historically-accurate theatre design, making use of Maker Hub resources to create props, or finding ways to creatively market upcoming performances.
For the Fall 2024 production of Clue On Stage: High School Edition, Ms. Nylund-Lieb recruited a talented theatre student and artist to create original character art based on our very own student actors. Ms. Sannwald used them to create promotional bookmarks that dropped each week leading up to the closing week. It was so much fun for students to come to the library to collect newly released cards each week, and it also helped build excitement about attending the performance. We love celebrating and highlighting our amazing students!
Increasing reading engagement
Increasing reading engagement
This year, even more teachers offered independent reading and literature circle projects to increase student engagement, and Ms. Sannwald has provided support in some of the following ways:
Curating print book collections, including selecting new library and lit circle titles to match assignment needs.
Curating digital collections for students to browse titles that relate to assignment guidelines. Examples: Ms. Jacoub's AP Lang "Classics" Reading List & Ms. Cabral's Honors Biology Literary Nonfiction.
Helping students select and find materials in the library. Example: 9th grade English teachers Ms. Worth and Ms. Costanza closed out the school year with an independent reading project. The hope was for students to select a title that interested them, and it was a joy to see the variety students chose to read.
Read across East County
Read across East County
Click the image to view the reel.
While many students may read when assigned (like highlighted above with classroom reading assignments), the library also aims to encourage and facilitate reading for personal enjoyment and goals.
In January, GUHSD's Library Council, which is made up of Teacher Librarians from all 9 comprehensive high school sites, planned and hosted a "Read Across East County" community event, which allowed the following:
Bringing all GUHSD schools together to celebrate reading
Supporting local East County businesses at Grossmont Center
Fundraising to be able to increase student access to more books
Showcasing student musicians from the Monte Vista High School choir
Showcasing student artwork from across GUHSD on bookmarks offered as free gifts
Meeting and talking with community members who do not get the opportunity to see what happens inside of our GUHSD libraries and schools
This was a fun event to complement many other efforts to support literacy, including regularly updated physical and digital displays, the YALLWEST Book Festival field trip, a #SanteeReads exchange with Santana, and frequent collaboration with the San Diego County Library.
Student Photo Gallery
Student Photo Gallery
Ms. Sannwald always loves seeing student artwork, and so she has found numerous ways for the library to showcase their works, whether on custom bookmarks, as library decor, or published in Inkwell, WHHS's Literary-Art Magazine.
This year, one of the library's student aides - who also happens to be an advanced photo student - came up with a great idea to display a slideshow of student photos in the library.
As you can spot in the bottom-right corner of the display screen, there is a QR code that goes to a Google Form that any student could use to submit original photos to be added to the rotation.
The student aide would then refresh the slideshow so all could enjoy new submissions throughout the year. This digital showcase has become a favorite for many library users!
Insta-Memories Calendar
Insta-Memories Calendar
Back in November 2017, Ms. Sannwald shared a Thankfulness Calendar in the library that came from the We Are Teachers website.
When December rolled around, a student asked about a new calendar so she searched online and found another free calendar to share about kindness.
After that, the WHHS Library calendar tradition was set. From January 2018, Ms. Sannwald started making original calendars to highlight resources, school events, and more.
Browse through past calendars. And, for the final May-June 2025, scan/click QR codes to visit "Insta-memories" from over the past decade from the WHHS Instagram account.
202505 May-June Calendar.pdfActs of Kindness
Acts of Kindness
Ms. Sannwald regularly witnesses students (and staff!) demonstrate kindness, and she's been grateful to receive so much kind support this year!
Thank you to everyone in our Wolf Pack community for being amazing, and keep taking good care of one another!
Welcoming all!
Welcoming all!
Click the image to view the reel.
This year, students helped add welcoming signage facing both inside and outside the library foyer windows.
Facing inside, students created signs that say welcome in different languages. Many are made by Mr. Acosta's English Language Learner students who created signs in their home language.
Facing outside, Mrs. Tropiano's students helped color letters spelling "WE ARE ONE WE ARE THE PACK." This is a good reminder that the library belongs to everyone in the Pack and always will!
Since there are far too many people to individually name, thank you to EVERYONE who has made the WHHS Library what it is, whether during the 2024-25 school year or in the past!
Since there are far too many people to individually name, thank you to EVERYONE who has made the WHHS Library what it is, whether during the 2024-25 school year or in the past!
Your presence and participation is what has always brought it to life!
Your presence and participation is what has always brought it to life!
With heartfelt gratitude, Ms. Sannwald
With heartfelt gratitude, Ms. Sannwald
Additional Context
Additional Context
Ms. Sannwald started as the Teacher Librarian at West Hills during the 2014-15 school year. This makes 2024-25 her 11th year in the WHHS Library. Over this time, there are core services that have remained a constant thread. Rather than try list them all here, check out these program overviews for a high-level understanding of all the library has encompassed.
You can also browse through past WHHS Library annual reports to learn more about the program.
Report abuse