September checklist

Information overload? These are the most important DLL things to know to stay on track: 

• Review options, mark calendars, and register for professional learning opportunities offered by Digital Learning and Libraries.

All September-ish

The great thing about September is that we can look around and think, “the gang’s all here.” With so many different calendars in WCPSS, it can sometimes feel like an Abbott and Costello comedy routine of “Who’s on First?”. September, though, launches Library Media Services fully into high gear–and that’s a good thing. 

We’re blasting off with a new cohort in Foundations I, welcoming back the cohort in Foundations II, and kickstarting a year of professional learning opportunities for everyone.  Together, we are going to target collection management, instructional practices, literacy, and positive community among WCPSS school librarians. Consider what your personalized learning pathway looks like and let us know what else we can be doing to support your goals. - Kendra

Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15), we have compiled resources for you to use with teachers, students, and families as well as to inform and support your library programming this month. In 2023-24, 19.8 percent (31,804) of students in WCPSS identified as Hispanic. While we encourage activities, lessons, and resources inclusive of Hispanic representation throughout the year, we take this opportunity to celebrate and learn. 

Library Media Services: Professional Learning Opportunities

Instruction 

Elementary School Library Instruction PLC (Virtual) - meets every Thursday morning at 8am. Any elementary school librarian is welcome to attend.

Elementary School Libraries and Literacy PLC (in-person) - October 28, 2024 8:30am-3:30pm

This PLC will allow librarians to work collaboratively to examine different elements of literacy and how they can be supported in our libraries. Time will be provided to develop lesson plans and library programming that supports different aspects of literacy. Any elementary school librarian is welcome to attend. 

Inquiry and Instruction for School Library Media Coordinators: Elementary Inquiry PLC (in-person) - October 22, 2024

The target audience for this PLC is experienced school librarians who want to expand their use of inquiry-based learning in the library. This group will work collaboratively to develop lessons that utilize eWISE and provide scaffolded research opportunities for K-5 students. 

Secondary School Library Instruction PLC - virtual - meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 1pm.  Any librarian is welcome to attend. Running Agenda

2024-2025 Secondary Instruction PLC - in person 

October 23, 2024, 8:30am - 3:30pm

This PLC will allow librarians to work collaboratively over three scheduled days to develop lessons with a focus on digital and information literacy.

Secondary School Libraries and Literacy PLC - in person

October 29th, 2024, 8:30am - 3:30pm

This PLC will allow librarians to work collaboratively to examine different elements of literacy and how they can be supported in our libraries. Time will be provided to develop lesson plans and library programming that supports different aspects of literacy.

Collection Management

Collection Management PLC (Virtual) - meets the last Tuesday of each month at 8am. 

This PLC meets monthly to walk through the aspects of collection management in detail, using the collection management template as an anchor. This PLC is appropriate for any librarian who wants to better understand collection management and wants a combination of working on their own and checking in with colleagues. This PLC is not intended for Foundations I participants.

Collection Management for School Library Media Coordinators (in-person) - meeting dates in September, December, and February

This in-person offering provides more direct support than our virtual PLC. Participants will have time to not only learn about collection management processes, but also to draft and revise their plan and get feedback from colleagues. The intended audience for this training is experienced school librarians who do not have a current, updated, collection management plan. This PLC is not intended for Foundations I participants. Participants should plan to attend all 3 meetings when registering for this course. Register for either the Elementary or Secondary section of this course. 

Secondary Book Clubs - Virtual

September 17th, 2024, 8am for MS, 1pm for HS

This PLC will allow librarians to read, discuss, and review literature that you may wish to add to your collections. We will dive into deeper discussions on how to curate an age-relevant collection that addresses the wide range of needs and interests of your students. Google Meet

New and Noteworthy: 2024 Book Preview for School Librarians - October 14, January 23, or February 17

These half-day sessions will allow school librarians to preview titles published in 2024 to determine which can help meet the goals outlined in their collection management plan. Librarians participating in district PL Days can attend the date that best fits your schedule.

Digital Learning: Canvas Updates

Parent Access

We encourage parents to use the Canvas Student app to access their student’s course resources, grades, etc.  They will use their Parent Observer Account credentials to log in.  Find more information on the Parent Observer Account page.

Student Learning

• Use Assign To in Ungraded Discussions - Teachers can now assign ungraded Discussions to students allowing for easier tracking of student completion and participation.

• Module Differentiation - Teachers can assign individual students to an entire Module.  This provides an added layer of differentiation within courses.

• Pages Assign To Feature Available-Teachers can assign pages to students and set availability dates facilitating student progress within modules.

Digital Learning: Professional Learning Opportunities

Asynchronous

• Building a Foundation for Digital Learning (New!) -In this course participants will gain practical strategies to foster positive and supportive classroom expectations for the effective use of technology, building upon the initial Canvas implementation training.  They will learn how to utilize digital resources to build strong relationships, improve communication, and encourage collaboration. 

• Leading Digital Learning with Canvas (New!)-This course is designed to assist school leaders in building their understanding of Canvas from the lens of a school administrator. Participants will explore tools that can be used to  support teachers and students as well as gauge usage of Canvas in their building.

• ChatGPT for WCPSS Staff

Districtwide Professional Learning Days

• Digital DIY: Remodel Your Class with District Digital Tools

• Canvas for Young Learners (also offered asynchronously)