Author Joseph Bruchac Visits Nathan Hale School

Posted on May 16, 2013 by
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Author/Storyteller Joseph Bruchac

Guest Post by Maya Bery, Librarian, Nathan Hale School
On April 26th, the Nathan Hale School hosted author/storyteller Joseph Bruchac, who came to us through the Foundation for Children’s Books.  In preparation for Mr. Bruchac’s visit, we explored a number of his stories during library, including Rabbit’s Last Snow Dance, Gluskabe and the Wind Eagle, The First Strawberries, The Story of the Milky Way, The Great Ball Game, Raccoon’s Last Race, and How the Chipmunk Got His Stripes.

Mr. Bruchac began his performance by singing a welcome song to greet all of us in the circle, and playing his drum.  He then told us the story of Raccoon’s last race and the story of Gluskabe and the Stone Giants. Students loved hearing the stories, and everyone had a great time.

The Nathan Hale School would like to thank Mr. Bruchac for his time, and the Foundation for Children’s Books for their generosity in bringing Mr. Bruchac to visit and for providing our library with brand new copies of many of his books.

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Two BPS Librarians Win Statewide Awards

Posted on March 19, 2013 by

Congratulations to BPS School Librarians Katie DePorter (Dever-McCormack School) and Suzanne Mathews (Trotter Elementary School) for being chosen by the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) for two prestigious statewide awards.  Winners were honored during the Awards Banquet at the 2013 MSLA Annual Conference in early March.

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Katie DePorter

Katie DePorter, School Librarian at the Dever-McCormack School, received a Massachusetts Super Librarian Accolade Award.  This award recognizes an exemplary librarian/library program in each of the six regions across the state.  Katie was recognized for her diligent work in creating a successful library program by working with teachers to integrate information and digital literacy into the curriculum and working with students to teach library skills, promote literacy and create excitement about reading.  Katie’s resourcefulness and creativity have resulted in a vibrant, welcoming library with a wonderful collection.  Her enthusiasm for books and reading is infectious and her inventive reading promotion programs have created an enthusiastic buzz about books among her students. Katie’s outreach efforts have resulted in a successful Laura Bush Grant, in her library being a recent runner-up for a Target School Library Makeover (resulting in funding for new books), and other donations of equipment and materials.  Congratulations to Katie DePorter!

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Suzanne Mathews

Suzanne Mathews, School Librarian at the Trotter Elementary School, was the recipient of the LMC President’s Award.  This award is given to a School Librarian who, in a career of three or fewer years, has made a significant impact on student learning through a quality school library program. Suzanne was honored for her role in rebuilding the library program at the Trotter Elementary School.  She has been instrumental in creating a library space and program that is a source of pride for the Trotter staff and students. Suzanne’s outreach to outside partners has resulted in “community service” days where groups of volunteers from Credo Reference and other organizations helped to organize the Trotter collection and input data into the new automated catalog.  The Trotter was the recipient of this year’s Target School Library Makeover, in part due to Suzanne’s persuasive advocacy for the library program. Her work with the Foundation for Children’s Books has also resulted in author and illustrator visits to the Trotter.  Congratulations to Suzanne Mathews!

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Trotter Elementary Receives Target School Library Makeover

Posted on October 9, 2012 by

ImageOn Wednesday, October 3rd, the Trotter Elementary School students and school community were introduced to their beautiful new school library.  The Boston Globe captured the exciting moment when Principal Mairead Nolan, Assistant Principal Romaine Mills-Teque, Librarian Suzanne Mathews, and Trotter students saw their newly completed library for the first time. The Trotter was the recipient of Boston’s fourth consecutive Target School Library Makeover.  As a result of the makeover, the library at the Trotter received 2,000 new books; new furniture, carpet and shelves; and a complete technology upgrade including iPads, laptops, and a SMART Board interactive whiteboard system.

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Using the new SMART Board

As part of the library makeover celebration, each student and his or her siblings also received seven new books to add to their home libraries.

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Superintendent Carol Johnson speaking during ceremony

Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson and City Councillor Tito Jackson were among the speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.  Both spoke of the opportunities the new library will provide for Trotter’s students.

In addition to the remodeled library, the Trotter also received a Target Meals for Minds school-based food pantry program. Through a collaboration with the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), all families were able to choose and take home up to 22 pounds of food per child.  As part of the Meals for Minds program, the GBFB will continue to bring this service for Trotter families on a monthly basis.   Image

We are tremendously grateful to Target and their partners Heart of America, Suffolk Construction, the Greater Boston Food Bank and others for this incredible gift to the Trotter Elementary School community.  The new library space will inspire readers and learners for many years to come!ImageImage

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Six Great Platforms Where Students Share Book Reviews and Reading Recommendations

Posted on August 16, 2012 by

book reviews websitesIn the following article, the editors of the website Educational Technology and Mobile Learning present their list of the best student-friendly websites where readers can share their book recommendations and reviews:

“One of the best ways to get your students motivated about reading is to provide them with online platforms where they can meet other student readers and share their recommendations, reads, and book reviews”.
6 Great Platforms Where Students Share Book Reviews and Reading Recommendations.

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KPMG – First Book Reading Event at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School

Posted on May 17, 2012 by

KPMG volunteers reading to JQS students

Happy with our new books!

On Wednesday, April 25, volunteers from KPMG participated in a read-aloud of The Lorax and Alice in Wonderland and a book giveaway at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School (JQS).  KPMG, through its partnership with First Book, distributed over 400 books for the students of JQS.  As part of the event, KPMG had volunteers dressed as characters from The Cat in the Hat, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Clifford and The Lorax.  After reading to the students, the KPMG volunteers distributed books from First Book for every kindergarten, first and second grade student to bring home.  The event was coordinated by JQS Librarian Heidi Boulogne and Marie Stapleton of KPMG.

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BPS Librarians and Parents Group Receive Prestigious Awards

Posted on March 12, 2012 by

Congratulations to Boston Public Schools Librarians Jennifer Varney (Hurley K-8 School) and Susanna Hall (Boston Green Academy) and to the Hurley K-8 School Parents for being chosen by the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) as recipients of prestigious statewide awards for 2011-12.  Winners were honored during the Awards Banquet at the 2012 MSLA Annual Conference.

Jennifer Varney, Hurley K-8 School Librarian

Jennifer Varney, School Librarian at the Hurley K-8 School, received a MA Super Librarian Accolade Award.  This award recognizes an exemplary librarian/library program in each of the six regions across the state.  Jennifer was recognized for her willingness to outreach to and collaborate with teachers to infuse 21st Century and Information Literacy Skills into the curriculum, her support of literacy efforts in the school, and her contributions to the extended library community.  Congratulations to Jennifer Varney!

Boston Green Academy Librarian Susanna Hall with Valerie Diggs, MSLA President

Susanna Hall, School Librarian at the Boston Green Academy, was the recipient of the LMC President’s Award.  This award is given to a School Librarian who, in a career of three or fewer years, has made a significant impact on student learning through a quality school library program and has made a positive contribution to MSLA activities in the region or state. Susanna was honored for her role in building a library program at the Boston Green Academy, a new BPS school, and for her collaborative work at the district level to help establish a web presence for BPS Libraries.  In addition, Susanna has contributed to the profession by joining the MSLA Executive Board in her first year as a school librarian.  Congratulations to Susanna Hall!

Hurley Parent Rhys Sevier, Valerie Diggs and Jennifer Varney

The Hurley K-8 School Parents were chosen from the many nominations submitted to receive the PALS: Parents as Library Supporters Award.  The MSLA Awards Committee noted that the Hurley Parents rose to the top of their list because of the group’s unwavering support for and commitment to the school’s library program.  The Hurley Parents created the school library in 2007 by purchasing books, soliciting donations for furnishings, and raising funds to pay for library staff during the first year of operation.  The parents have continued their support for the library by providing grants for library books and other resources, advocating for the library, and lending volunteer support when needed.  Congratulations and thank you to the Hurley Parents!

In addition to the above-mentioned awards, Dr. Nancy Jones, former long-time BPS Director and Librarian, was recognized posthumously with an MSLA Lifetime Achievement Award.  This award is given to someone who, during the course of ten or more years of MSLA membership, has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the service of students and 21st century learning and the advancement of school libraries.  Dr. Jones was recognized for her contributions to the profession through her work in Boston as well as her years of service as a member of the Executive Board of MSLA and an adjunct professor/educator of future school librarians.  Dr. Jones’ family was in attendance at the banquet to receive the award.

For more information about the awards or for a complete list of award winners, please visit the Massachusetts School Library Association Awards Page.

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Guest Blog Post: Library on Wheels

Posted on January 28, 2012 by

Reblogged from The Unquiet Librarian:

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Library on Wheels is a program that the Sequoyah High School Media Center has been doing for a little over three years now, and we are pleased with the results.  Library on Wheels  is the name we have given to loading a cart with books and a laptop and taking it to the cafeteria.  We try to stock the cart with our latest novels or nonfiction/reference books like…

Read more… 257 more words

This is a great way to promote reading and the school library. Meet the students where they are and bring the library to them!
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2012 Youth Media Awards Announced

Posted on January 24, 2012 by

Yesterday was an eventful day for children’s and young adult literature enthusiasts; the American Library Association announced the 2012 Youth Media Awards.  Dead End in Norvelt, written by Jack Gantos, won the Newbery Medal.  This year’s Caldecott Medal was awarded to A Ball For Daisy written and illustrated by Chris Raschka.

Other top honors went to:
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley – Michael L. Printz Award
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson – Coretta Scott King Award
Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall – Pura Belpré (Author) Award
Diego Rivera: His World and Ours illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh – Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award

A complete list of all 2012 award winners can be found in this ALA Press Release or this School Library Journal Article.

Congratulations to all of the winning authors and illustrators!

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Credo Reference @ The Curley!

Posted on December 23, 2011 by

Credo volunteers hard at work!

The spirit of community service was evident this past week as volunteers from Credo Reference made their second visit to the Curley Upper School Library.  Credo volunteers made the return trip to the library to finish inputting records into the automated catalog and organizing and shelving the library’s books.  Earlier in the fall, Credo, working through Boston Cares, arranged a half-day volunteer session at the school to work on this project.  Since the work of adding records into the automation system for a large number of library books is a time consuming project, Credo Reference employees generously offered to return for a second day of work to complete the project.  The company’s commitment to this community service project was also evident by the large percentage of Credo employees that were on hand to help out. Thanks to their diligent work, the Curley online catalog is now available for students and staff to use for both looking up books in the library’s collection and circulating books for home use.  Thank you to the entire Credo Reference team for your dedication and effort in providing this valuable resource to the Curley School community.

Sorting books and adding records to the automated catalog.

Credo Reference is a Boston-based company that whose mission is to “promote information literacy and research effectiveness.”  The company  provides a “Reference eBook Platform with discovery and connectivity tools to other e-resources.”  Credo Reference may be accessed by visiting the Boston Public Library’s Electronic Resources page and using your library card and pin numbers to sign in to the Credo database.  To get a Boston Public Library card, visit any BPL location or click here to register for a BPL eCard.

The Credo Reference Team!

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“I’m WILD About My School Library” MSLA Bookmark Contest

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

It is time for your students to let you know why they are wild about their school library.  The annual Massachusetts School Library Association Bookmark Contest for students in grades K-12 is underway.  This year’s theme, “I’m WILD About My School Library” is sure to inspire some fun and creative artwork.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their talents and for you to create enthusiasm about reading and school libraries.   Any current member of MSLA can submit student work to the contest.  If you are not a member of MSLA, I encourage you to join at www.maschoolibraries.org. Entries are due to Linda Coviello by February 17, 2012 (see below).

MSLA has compiled answers to some frequently asked questions about the contest on their website:

How do I run the contest at my school?
You have the choice of doing it a number of ways: working with classroom or art teachers, having students work on it during library time or free time, celebrating literacy events such as Children’s Book Week or Banned Book Week. Promote this school-wide contest and offer prizes for winners in your school.

When do I send in the contest entries?
You may send the entries via mail anytime…all entries must be postmarked by February 17, 2012. Send entries to: Lt. Job Lane School / Linda Coviello MSLA Bookmark Contest / 66 Sweetwater / Bedford MA 01730

What information do I need to submit an entry?
The contest templates for photocopying are on the website at http://maschoolibraries.org/content/view/745/361/.  Each entry needs the student’s name, grade, school, school address, the member librarian’s name and email address, and the name of your local newspaper. We also ask for parent/guardian signature for publicity purposes. Entries without parent/guardian permission are disqualified.  Previous winners recommend that you fill out as much of the entry with school information before photocopying. Print the required information and duplicate for your students.

Will I be able to get my students’ entries back?
Entries will NOT be returned. The best advice would be to scan your entries into a file or to make color copies before mailing.

What do the students win?
Winning students receive:

  • 500 bookmarks of their winning design
  • An enlargement of their bookmark
  • A gift certificate to a local book store
  • A framed award certificate with our distinguished judges’ autographs
  • A commendation from their legislator
  • An invitation to participate at the awards ceremony at MLA/MSLA Joint Legislation Day in March or April (TBA)
  • A tour of the State House on Legislation Day

Honorable Mention awardees receive:

  • A personal set of 50 bookmarks of their winning design
  • An enlargement of their bookmark
  • A framed award certificate with our distinguished judges’ autographs
  • A commendation from their legislator
  • An invitation to participate at the awards ceremony at MLA/MSLA Joint Legislation Day in March or April (TBA)
  • A tour of the State House on Legislation Day

This year, judging will take place at the MSLA conference in March.  Judges will include many of the authors/illustrators who will be at the conference including Christopher Bing, Jeannie Brett, Andrew Clements, Kathleen Duble, Jack Ferraiolo, Jarrett Krosoczka, Mitali Perkins and Heidi Stemple.

Even if you are not a member of MSLA, there will still be a chance to submit your students’ work to the contest through the BPS district office.  As a district library supervisor, I am able to submit three entries directly to MSLA.  The three BPS winning entries I submit will be determined by a group of judges in early February, so please deliver your entries to my office (in person or postmarked) no later than Friday, January 27, 2012.  This date is only to submit work that will be considered for the three entries I will send to MSLA; if you are a member of MSLA, please submit your entries directly to Linda Coviello.  Please be sure to submit entries to only one place.  Also, please use the MSLA contest form/criteria (see link above) when submitting student work to my office to ensure that any winning entries have all of the required information for submission to MSLA.  The three BPS students whose bookmarks are chosen to be submitted to MSLA through my office will each receive a Barnes and Noble gift certificate.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Best of luck to all entrants!
Amy Short

Posted in Advocacy, BPS School Libraries, Contests, Reading | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment