Library Media Services
Newsletter
August
Embedded Files
Library Media Services
This month in GCS Library Media Services:
District Data
District Data
Circulation Statistics will be shared each month
Beanstack Statistics will be shared each month
Digital Use Statistics will be shared each month
School Shout Outs
School Shout Outs
The top circulating schools on each grade level will be recognized each month in the newsletter. (Standard 2.a, 2.b, 4.c)
One school that participates in the monthly STEM challenge will be highlighted each month and will win a prize sponsored by GASL! (Standard 2.a, 2.b)
The schools with the highest Beanstack engagement will be highlighted in the newsletter each month. (Standard 4.c)
Next Up
Next Up
Next Quarterly Meeting
Locations:
ES and MS will meet at Western Middle
HS will meet at Western High
Dates:
Aug 20 = ES
Aug 21 = HS
Aug 22 = MS
Time: 8:30-4:00
Next Monthly Meeting
Monthly virtual meetings will resume in September.
Two time options will be available.
12:00-1:00
3:00-4:00
One of the meetings will be recorded each month.
Next New SLMC Meeting
Location: 501 W Washington St, Room 306
Date: August 14
Time: 9:00-12:00
This initial New SLMC meeting is only for those who are new to GCS this fall.
Upcoming Dates
8/1: Extended Yr BOY Meeting
8/14: New to GCS SLMC Orientation
8/14: Destiny and Cataloging Bootcamp
8/20: ES BOY Meeting
8/21: HS BOY Meeting
8/22: MS BOY Meeting
8/23: Cataloging Workshop
8/30: Summer Reading Minutes due
9/4: Monthly Virtual Meeting
9/5: New SLMC Beanstack Training
9/10: MS Beanstack Training
9/11: New SLMC Meeting
9/12: ES & HS Beanstack Training
9/13: MTAC names due
9/18: Destiny Training
9/19: ES SLMC/STEM Collab
9/25: ES and MS PLC
9/26: HS PLC
9/27: Schedules due to LMS
August Checklist
Attend beginning of the year SLMC meeting (5.b)
Work with Admin and MTAC to plan school device distribution procedures following district guidelines (1.a)
Facilitate or assist with school device distribution (1.a)
Plan beginning of the year library orientation for teachers (1.a)
Plan beginning of the year library lessons/orientation for students (4.a)
Review important dates for the year (book fair, special reading programs, etc) (4.c)
Work with Admin and MTAC to plan school completion of Responsible Use Course following district guidelines (1.a, 4.b)
Train new staff on accessing ISTE accounts and resources (1.b)
Organize and update space to welcome students (1.a, 3.b)
Review and update school library media center rules and procedures (1.a, 1.b, 3.b)
Update school library website and Destiny Discover homepage for new year (1.a)
Update school library Canvas course for new year (if using) (1.a)
Plan Hispanic Heritage Month display/activities/lessons (2.a, 2.b)
Ensure GCS Summer Break Reading Challenge minutes are reflected in Beanstack (2.b, 4.c)
File or archive artifacts for evaluation
GCS Reads
GCS Reads
Student's who participated in the Summer Reading Challenge need to have their minutes recorded in Beanstack* by the end of the school day on August 30. A report will be run and shared with SLMCs on Tuesday, September 3. After schools have verified their participants the final list will be shared with Kersey Valley on Monday, September 9.
After September 9, SLMCs should award the Kersey Valley Certificate to their students who met the Summer Reading Challenge goal.
*If for some reason students who participated do not have access to Beanstack to enter minutes by the deadline due to unsettled rosters in PowerSchool, their SLMCs should contact the LMS Department.
We are setting a goal to record 10 million minutes of reading in Beanstack this school year!
Each school will have their own community goal in Beanstack and is encouraged to find fun and engaging ways to recognize students.
We look forward to hearing about the creative ways you encourage students to read this year! (Standard 4.c)
What reading counts toward the goal?
Student self-selected reading
At-home reading
Non-required class reading
Partner reading
Any reading in which the student is allowed a choice!
Any reading done for fun!
GCS uses Beanstack for its reading engagement and incentive programs. Specific to GCS trainings will be held in the fall targeted to new SLMCs and specific grade levels.
Check the 2024-25 meetings calendar for dates and times. $$ One attendee at each GCS session will win a gift card! $$
Additionally Beanstack offers ongoing webinars open to all users. Relevant options are listed below.
Beanstack Basics
Getting Started with Beanstack || Weekly
School Media Specialist and Administrator Essentials || August 14, & September 12, 3:00pm
Teacher Essentials || August 13, 3:00pm
How to Train (and Engage!) Your Teachers || August 6, 3:00pm
The Student Experience || August 20, 3:00pm
Engagement and What’s New
Learn how three simple best practices can grow your school's reading culture, and get inspired by ideas from Beanstack schools across the country.
Become a Reading Culture Trailblazer || September 25, 3:00pm
Building a Reading Culture through Gamification || August 28, 3:00pm
What's New for Back to School || September 5, 3:00pm
Promoting Honest Logging || August 22, 3:00pm
Engaging Middle & High School Students || September 18, 3:00pm
Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books resources have moved to a Google site! Same information, different access and format.
SLMCs interested in participating in Battle of the Books this year should preview the information and deadlines associated with the program and plan to attend the virtual introduction meeting on Monday, September 9 at 3:00.
Authors Engaging Students
Schools that signed up for the Authors Engaging Students virtual author visit program last spring will receive their books at the beginning of the year meetings.
Books will be cataloged using general district standards before being distributed to schools unless requested to be delivered without processing. In most cases, schools will receive multiple copies of each book. Uncataloged copies are intended for teacher use or to give away.
Lesson plans, resources and video links are available on the Authors Engaging Students Resources site.
Authors Engaging Students is a community partnership (Standard 4.c) with Greensboro Bound which provides free books and virtual author visits for GCS students.
North Carolina Children's Book Awards
Books on the picture book NCCBA list have been ordered for elementary schools and books on the junior book NCCBA list have been ordered for middle schools.
Books will arrive at schools shelf-ready with cataloging attached. MARC records will need to be uploaded to the catalog before books are made available to students.
Be on the lookout for boxes from Follett arriving at elementary and middle schools in early fall!
News to Note
News to Note
Beginning of the Year Meeting
All SLMCs are expected to attend the beginning of the year meeting for their grade level. (Non-traditional schools may choose the meeting date that best fits their school schedules.)
Elementary Schools:
August 20 in the Western Middle Library
8:30-4:00
Middle Schools:
August 22 in the Western Middle Library
8:30-4:00
High Schools:
August 21 in the Western High Library
8:30-4:00
Professional Learning Opportunities
The calendar of dates for the 2024-25 school year lists all meetings, deadlines, and relevant regional or state conferences. (Standard 5.b)
Registration links for those who want to receive credit for attendance are on the Professional Learning page of the Handbook.
Grade Level PLCs
Each grade level will have a monthly PLC meeting. (Standard 1.b) These meetings will focus on examining program data and collaborating on how to enhance library engagement and support school and district goals.
Most meetings will be virtual. On in-person Quarterly Meeting days, the afternoon will be dedicated to PLCs and collaborative planning.
Credit will be awarded for PLC attendance.
Monthly STEM Challenges
SLMCs are challenged to engage their students in low-stakes, low-tech STEM activities this year! (Standard 2.a, 2.b)
A new challenge will be shared in the newsletter each month featuring low-cost, easily attainable materials. SLMCs who have students try the challenges and submit images to LMS will be entered into a drawing for a gift card sponsored by GASL. One winner will be drawn and recognized in the newsletter the next month.
How can you implement the STEM challenges in your school library program?
use the challenges in lessons with one of the suggested picture books or find an alternative in your collection
set up the challenge as a monthly center in your library
start a STEM club and work through the challenges using the Engineering Design Process
invite students in for "Lunch and Learn" maker activities
any way you want to!!
You can preview the STEM Challenge site to start preparing. The first challenge goes live in September!
Destiny Reminders and Trainings
Destiny Beginning of the Year
Get your Destiny sites ready for students! Completing the Beginning of the Year Tasks will ensure that your Destiny Discover site is refreshed and Back Office policies and settings are updated. (Standard 2.a, 2.b, 4.c)
Destiny Logins
All schools have pre-set logins for administrative access, substitute/assistant access and self-circulation. Refer to the Destiny Logins Used in Schools to find the appropriate login for you and other users.
Destiny Patron Historical Reports
Remember that patron history is not saved in Destiny which invalidates the Top Patron and Top Homeroom reports. Data on those reports only reflects current checkouts rather than checkouts over a period of time. When looking for data to recognize top classes or students, use Beanstack reports to identify top readers or classroom engagement.
Destiny Boot Camp
What is it? A two hour session to learn the basics of Destiny and have time to complete some beginning of the year tasks.
Who is it for? New Destiny users, anyone needing a refresher, or anyone who wants their site ready for students on day 1.
When is it? Wednesday, August 14, 1:30-3:30
Where is it? 501 W Washington St, Room 306
How do we sign up? Complete this form if you plan to attend.
Cataloging Training
What is it? A three hour session to learn how to catalog books in Destiny following GCS best practices.
Who is it for? New-to-GCS SLMCs or anyone who wants a cataloging refresher.
When is it? Friday, August 23, 8:30-11:30
Where is it? 501 W Washington St, Room 306
How do we sign up? Register in Performance Matters.
Destiny Training
What is it? A series of virtual meetings focused on gaining a more in-depth understanding of the functions in Destiny Back Office and Discover.
Who is it for? Any SLMC who wants to become more proficient with Destiny.
When is it? The third Wednesday of the month, September - December, 3:00-4:00
Where is it? Meetings will be held via Teams.
How do we sign up? Attend the first meeting and register in Performance Matters.
Bikes for Kids
Select elementary schools will receive books for the Bikes for Kids program in early August. Boxes will be addressed to the school library media coordinator at the school. SLMCs at the participating schools should locate these books upon their return to school to prepare for distribution to 3rd graders later in the fall. (Standard 4.c) More information about the program will be forthcoming.
Schools selected for the 2024 Bikes for Kids program:
Alderman ES
Allen Jay ES
Bessemer ES
Bluford ES
Brightwood ES
Cone ES
Fairview ES
Falkener ES
Foust ES
Frazier ES
Gillespie Park ES
Hunter ES
Johnson St Global
Joyner ES
Kirkman Park ES
McNair ES
Montlieu ES
Northwood ES
Oak Hill ES
Oak View ES
Parkview ES
Peck ES
Rankin ES
Sedgefield ES
Sumner ES
Union Hill ES
Vandalia ES
Washington ES
Guilford Parent Academy / Library Media Services Leadership Opportunities
Library Media Services is partnering with Guilford Parent Academy on two programs this year with which SLMCs are invited to assist. (Standard 1.a, 1.c, 4.c) SLMCs interested in participating in these events can sign up using the forms below.
Back to School Information Session
Library Media Services will host two one hour on-line sessions on September 5 (12:00pm and 6:00pm) to highlight helpful resources available online and in school library media centers.
This is an all-ages event and we would like to have one SLMC from each grade available to help answer questions from parents and share resources.
Sign up here if you are interested in being chosen. You do not have to commit to both times.
NCCBA Picture Book Family Book Club
Library Media Services will be hosting a monthly family book club using the NCCBA picture books for elementary students and their caregivers. Meetings will take place the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm starting in October.
Each month a different NCCBA picture book will be read-aloud and the leader will offer parents discussion questions or an activity to do at home.
Sign up here if you are interested in helping lead one of the meetings.
High Point Public Library Partnership Opportunities
Bookmark Design Contest
Open to pre-school through 12th grades. Several winners will be selected in each age group or grade. Winning bookmarks will be printed and distributed at High Point Public Library and Guilford County Schools. Winning artists, their parents, and school library media coordinator and/or teacher can attend the award ceremony to receive the first copies of their bookmarks.
Download the Bookmark Design Contest Form to see contest rules and more information.
Teachers or SLMCs can collect and scan forms and send them in or students can return forms in-person to HPPL. Contact April Mittelstaedt (april.mittelstaedt@highpointnc.gov) for questions about this program. (Standard 4.c)
High Point Public Library at Open House Events
HPPL would like to attend any back to school events that schools are planning to connect with students and families.
If your school has an event that you would like them to attend, you can reach out to Sarah Nareau (sarah.nareau@highpointnc.gov) to schedule.
Their goal is to be present for at least 15 events or open houses! (Standard 4.c)
Guilford Native Powwow Education Day
This will be an opportunity for schools to bring students to get a full experience of Native culture and history, to start off the Guilford Native Powwow Weekend. Powwows are a gathering of Native people to celebrate our culture through dancing, singing, art, and food. At the education day, students will rotate between different stations to learn about contemporary Native history through Native dance performances, Native storytelling, Native art vendors, and a craft station. We are catering to 3rd-5th grade students to ensure a strong alignment with their school curriculum. Please share information about this opportunity with your colleagues!
Information:
Date: Thursday and Friday Sept 19 and 20th
Location: Greensboro Country Park (3802 Jaycee Park Dr)
Time: (options)
-Session 1: Arrive 8:30a, Depart by 11:30a (if you do lunch at school, depart at 11:15)
-Session 2: Arrive 10:00 a, Depart by 1pm (if you do lunch at school, depart at 12:30)
-Session 3: Arrive 11:00a, Depart by 2:30p (if you do lunch at school, depart at 1:45)
Chaperones: 1 chaperone per 10 students
Cost: $10 admission + $5 (optional food sampling)
Deadline is Sept 1, but spots are limited.
Dig Cit Corner
Dig Cit Corner
We are responsible users of technology.
Upon receipt of GCS-loaned devices, all students will complete the lessons in the Responsible Use of GCS Technology Canvas course for their grade level. The lessons in this course cover how to use a GCS device responsibly as well as the digital citizenship topics required by the Children's Internet Protection Act.
SLMCs will be added to their school's Responsible Use Course with a Teacher role prior to their grade level's beginning of the year meeting with LMS. SLMCs new to GCS need to work with their data manager to gain Canvas access before they can be added to the course. This year, students will be automatically enrolled in the course for their school. Refer to the Responsible Use Course Tutorials for frequently asked questions and instructions for managing the course.
All students must have a completion grade in this course by the end of the first quarter of the school year. SLMCs are expected to provide leadership and guidance at the school level to students and staff on course procedures and completion. (Standard 1.d)
Technology Tidbits
Technology Tidbits
Beginning of the Year Device Management Procedures
Details about device management for the beginning of the year will be shared in the August Quarterly Meeting. If you have questions that you want to be sure are answered, please post them to the "parking lot" so Tech Services can prepare responses. If your question is specific to your school or situation, please include your name in your post.
Toshiba Printers
Kyocera printer/copiers are being replaced with Toshiba e-Studio.
From a GCS device, print to Toshiba Copier on 725-papercut1 – your print job will be queued and available on any Toshiba MFP in the district
Access documents by scanning your fob or entering your GCS credentials
Capabilities: print, copy, scan, fax
How-to, Support, and Supplies
Printable Toshiba Quick Start brochure
Toshiba Quick Start poster to print or share online
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