Library Media Services
Newsletter
September
Embedded Files
Library Media Services
This month in GCS Library Media Services:
District Data
District Data
Circulation Statistics will be shared each month starting in the October newsletter
Beanstack Statistics will be shared each month starting in the October newsletter
Digital Use Statistics will be shared each month starting in the October newsletter
School Shout Outs
School Shout Outs
The top circulating schools on each grade level will be recognized each month in the newsletter starting in October. (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 starting in October! (Standard 2.a, 2.b)
The schools with the highest Beanstack engagement will be highlighted in the newsletter each month starting in October. (Standard 4.c)
Next Up
Next Up
Next Monthly Meeting
Monthly virtual meeting topics
Location: Teams
Date: September 5
Two time options:
12:00-1:00
3:00-4:00
One of the meetings will be recorded each month.
Next New SLMC Meeting
Location: Teams
Date: September 12
Time: 4:00-5:00
New SLMC meetings are for any SLMCs in their 1st, 2nd or 3rd years with GCS LMS.
Upcoming Dates
9/5: Monthly Virtual Meeting
9/10-12: Beanstack Trainings
9/12: New SLMC Meeting
9/13: MTAC names due
9/19: ES SLMC/STEM Collab
9/26: SLMC PLCs
9/27: Schedules due to LMS
10/3-4: NCSLMA Conference
10/7: Monthly Virtual Meeting
10/10: New SLMC Meeting
10/17: Destiny Training
10/24: SLMC PLCs
September Responsibilities
Bookmark and review LMS Department Handbook/Action Item resources (5.b)
Update calendar with all meetings, professional development and due dates (5.b)
Distribute GCS Summer Break Reading Challenge Certificates (2.b, 4.c)
Sign up for reading programs (2.b, 4.c)
Train staff on Beanstack and GOALS program and student access (4.c)
Teach students about Beanstack and GOALS program and share information with families (4.c)
Train staff on Selection Policy and Resource Challenge Process (1.b)
Facilitate completion of Responsible Use Course (1.a, 1.d)
Submit Media and Technology Advisory Committee names to LMS Department (1.c)
Prepare a system/weekly timeline for managing circulation and shelving books (2.a, 3.b)
Plan a system/weekly timeline for managing tech troubleshooting and support** (1.a, 3.b)
Train staff on submitting tech tickets in Fresh Service** (1.b)
Review and note dates/deadlines for reading programs (Authors Engaging Students, Battle of the Books, etc.) (2.b, 4.c)
Tabulate time spent on technology and non-evaluated* tasks (1.c)
File or archive artifacts for evaluation
GCS Reads
GCS Reads
Summer reading minutes were due in Beanstack by Friday, 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 this month targeted to grade levels.
ES Training: September 12, 3:00 | MS Training: September 10, 4:00 | HS Training: September 12, 10:00
$$ One attendee at each GCS session will win a gift card! $$
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 || September 12, 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.
What's New for Back to School || September 5, 3:00pm
Engaging Middle & High School Students || September 18, 3:00pm
Become a Reading Culture Trailblazer || September 25, 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.
News to Note
News to Note
Items Due This Month
MTAC Names Due September 13
Submit MTAC information via the appropriate form.
The MTAC page of the Handbook site provides information on the role of the committee in the school library program.
Per GCS Regulation Code 3200-R, the MTAC shall include the principal or designee, the SLMC (who will chair the committee), teacher representatives from all grade levels and program areas, as well as parent representation, and may include student representation at elementary and middle levels; and shall include student representation at the high school level.
Library Class and Circulation Schedules Due September 27
Submit your library circulation and class schedule using this form.
Please provide a link to your library circulation and class schedule. Do not send your school's master schedule - just the schedule of library classes and open circulation times.
Include any times that you are scheduled to be with students, such as scheduled weekly lessons, intervention groups, etc. Also include any dedicated circulation times that you have scheduled during the week.
Professional Learning Opportunities
The calendar of dates for the 2024-25 school year has been revised and finalized. All meetings, deadlines, and relevant regional or state conferences are included. (Standard 5.b)
Registration links for those who want to receive credit for attendance are on the Professional Learning page of the Handbook.
2024-25 Calendar - This document will always be the most up-to-date, reliable resource for meeting dates, times and locations!
Grade Level PLCs
Grade level PLCs will be virtual in September.
PLC Resources and Links to Agendas
Dates and meeting links:
Elementary
September 26, 3:00 | Meeting Link
Middle
September 26, 12:00 | Meeting Link
High
September 26, 3:00 | Meeting Link
Region 5 Piedmont Triad SLMC Conference
Save the Date!
December 16, 2024
UNC-Greensboro Education Building
Theme: ❤️For the Love of Libraries❤️
Keynote Speaker: Gabriel Graña, Smith Middle School, Chapel Hill
Special Guest: Mollee Holloman, DPI
Call for Proposals
Successful session proposals will focus on enhancing school library media programs to better engage learners, strengthen individual practice to meet state SLMC evaluation standards, and provide opportunities for collaboration among colleagues.
Proposals are due October 7.
Monthly STEM Challenges Are LIVE! Go to the STEM Challenge site to participate!
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!!
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.
Asynchronous Cataloging Training
What is it? A self-paced Canvas course 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? On your own time, must be completed by May to receive credit this school year.
Where is it? Online in Canvas
How do we sign up? Enroll in the Canvas Course
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? 4 dates between October and March
Where is it? Meetings will be held via Teams.
How do we sign up? Attend the first meeting on October 17 and register in Performance Matters.
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 helping. You do not have to commit to both times.
Share the SESSION FLYER with parents!
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 all GCS students in Pre-K 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 or visit the High Point Public Library Website to see contest rules and more information.
Teachers or SLMCs can collect and scan bookmark contest forms and send them in or students can return forms in-person to HPPL. This would be a great collaboration with an art teacher!!
Contact April Mittelstaedt (april.mittelstaedt@highpointnc.gov) for questions about this program. (Standard 4.c)
Teacher Workday Performances
HPPL and Morehead Recreation Center in High Point will be hosting free performances for all ages on teacher workdays throughout the school year. Please share this information with your school community. Contact Sarah Nareau (sarah.nareau@highpointnc.gov) with questions about this program.
Dig Cit Corner
Dig Cit Corner
September Digital Citizenship Theme: We are critical thinkers and creators.
It's essential that students learn to think critically about the news and media they encounter every day. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify, evaluate, and use information effectively, find credible and trustworthy sources, and give proper credit. They will recognize how individuals and society are influenced by the media and the misrepresentations and stereotypes they sometimes promote. Students will reflect on their responsibilities and rights as creators in the online spaces where they consume, create, and share information. Read more about this topic on the Common Sense Education website.
Monthly activities to teach digital citizenship are available on the Guilford is Cyber Safe website.
Technology Tidbits
Technology Tidbits
The Technology Services Handbook For Schools is your one-stop shop for processes, resources, and guidelines.
🎯 Pro Tip: Use the Table of Contents to navigate through the document; you can also use Ctrl + f on a Windows device or ⌘ + f on an iOS device or to search by keyword.
Device Distribution
Use the Device Management Website when distributing devices to students. This website will be available until September 13.
Fleet Model
All devices will follow the Fleet Model this school year. Under this model
Devices are assigned to the school.
Staff and students do NOT take devices to another school when they leave/transfer.
Staff do not take devices to the Central Office should their role change to a central office role.
Device Repair Changes
What has changed?
Fresh Service tickets are not required for anything mobile:
Staff laptops
Chromebooks
iPads
Users place devices needing repair in the designated location and can fill out a "troubled tech" sheet to document the issue.
More details about the process are in the Tech Services Updates slide deck from the August Quarterly Meeting, starting on slide 29.
What has not changed?
Fresh Service tickets are required for anything immobile:
Desktops
Promethean panels
Projectors
Fresh Service tickets are required for other technology issues:
User account issues
Software problems
Network issues
Lost or stolen devices
Technology Approval and Procurement Process
Use the Technology Approval and Procurement Process request for all technology purchases including
Hardware
Software
GCS ‘standard’ technology
Brand new technology
Printers
Tech Services has added an FAQ page to their department website to address questions about the Toshiba Managed Print Solution.
Past Issues
Past Issues
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