INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
OPEN CIRCULATION
Please encourage students to visit the media center during resource.
BAG OF BOOKS
Parents may check out books from the library.
LAMINATING, POSTERS, & DIGITAL CUT OUTS
If you need something laminated, please drop off your items in the media center. Items are typically returned the same day. However, please allow 48 hours.
If you’d like a document enlarged to a poster, email the document or place a copy in a box. If you’d like to design a poster or explore the simplicity of this awesome machine, please stop by.
We have an Ellison cut out machine in the workroom (located across from the gym). If you’d like to experiment with the digital cut out machine, please see me. It’s FAST and EASY.
INK
Each teacher will receive 2 ink cartridges per year. Each teacher has access to a grade level color copier.
HELP
If you need help using Smartboard or document camera, please arrange a time for a mini-lesson with me. (Please allot 20-30 minutes.)
If you’d like to better understand the layout of the library, please arrange a time to meet. I’ll help you understand what is available and how to utilize Destiny. (Please allot 15 minutes.)
Please feel free to borrow items for the media center.
Please be reminded that STAFF MEMBERS are not to utilize laptops or iPads with a green fixed asset label. Only students should use devices with a green fixed asset label. If you’re not sure, please ask.
Desktops and laptops can be connected to the printer. If you cannot print, please submit a work order by completing the steps below:
Select Explore (yellow tab)
Select Media Center
Select repair
Scroll down and click submit work order
(You can also send me a note with computer names.)
iPad-If you want to link your iTunes account to the iPad you’ve been assigned, we can clear the information from the previous teacher. Please let me know ASAP because this process takes about 2 hours and a waiting period of about 10 days to allow Apple to reset the device.
Before you can utilize your school laptop at home, you must first log on and off your laptop at school. (You must connect to the server.)
SOFTWARE
If you are having difficulty trying to access software (AR, Learning A-Z, Brainpop Jr., or Moby Math), please notify me via email.
If you’d like new apps on the iPads, see Mr. Shoemaker or Mrs. Hammonds.
VIDEO
You must obtain approval from Mrs. Brown before showing videos. Clips less than 5 minutes are permissible without permission. Please do not leave videos for a substitute teacher. We have the capability to watch a video school-wide. If your grade level would like to watch the same video at once, I will need to play it through the TV in the media center.
ACCELERATED READER
We provide incentives for each student (at the end of the month) who meets his/her goal. Please encourage participation.
Please inform parents about Home Connect. If a parent would like to monitor AR results, the software can notify parents each time a test is taken via email.
Click on AR Testing Site (listed beneath Web Resources)
Log in
Select Renaissance Home Connect (bottom right corner)
Select reports
Select informational letter
Click view report
Print
You will have a better understanding of your child’s AR level once the STAR has been administered. If the program indicates a monitor password is needed, type ADMIN. Once STAR has been completed, please adjust your child’s reading level.
Click on AR Testing Site (listed beneath Web Resources)
Log in
Select Accelerated Reader (orange box)
Select preferences
Select book levels (2nd last option)
Slide the left and right circles to adjust the child’s level.
Click SAVE.
***Please use your best judgment. The purpose is to promote and foster the love of reading. If one of your students is an extremely avid reader and scores well above his/her grade level, please allow them to read anything. Personally, I think the best AR books are 5th grade and under. If you have a 2nd grade student that reads on a 5.0 level, allow him/her to read 2.5 and higher. Please DO NOT LIMIT the child to 5.0 and higher. They will STRONGLY DISLIKE US (you and me)! I believe AR is a great program IF we are promoting and fostering the love of reading.
Please refer to the AR sheet previously placed in your mailbox.
Encourage students to utilize the school webpage to find the correct AR website. Schools have different web addresses.
Click on AR Testing Site (listed beneath Web Resources)
Please follow the steps below if you want to search for an AR test for a book that may not be labeled.
Click on AR Book Finder (listed beneath Web Resources)
SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR THE RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
I. All school systems shall have in place a system-wide selection policy in compliance with General Statute 115C-98.
II. The Department of Public Instruction recommends that each school have a building-level Media and Technology Advisory Committee whose members are responsible for assisting media and technology professionals in the selection process and the building-level challenge of materials. This committee, appointed by the principal and co-chaired by the school library media coordinator and the technology facilitator, should consist of:
Principal
Representative from each grade level or department
Representative from special areas
Parent representative
Student representative (at the middle and high school levels
All requests for reconsideration of materials should begin at this level with the submission of a Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Resources (see sample).
III. In accordance with GS 115C-98 (b1), a school system’s Community Media Advisory Committee may
be appointed by the local board of education to investigate and evaluate challenges. If the appointment is made, the Department of Public Instruction recommends that the committee should consist of:
o the superintendent or his/her designee
o the media director or his/her designee
o the technology director or his/her designee
o a media coordinator and technology facilitator/or teacher from each level of school within the system (i.e., elementary, middle, high school)
o a principal from each level of school within the system
o a parent/community member from each level of school within the system
o a parent from the school from which the challenge originates
o at least 1 high school student
The chair of this committee should be appointed by the board of education. If the person originating
the challenge at the building level is not satisfied with the building-level recommendation, he/she should submit a Citizen’s Request for Review of Building-Level Recommendation within one week of the publication of the building-level decision.
IV. In accordance with GS 115C-98 (bl), “The local board, at all times, has sole authority and discretion
to determine whether a challenge has merit and whether challenged material should be retained or removed.”
PROCEDURES FOR RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
Occasional objections to some resources may be voiced by the public despite the care taken in the selection process and despite the qualifications of persons selecting the resources. If a complaint is made the following procedures should be observed:
1.
2.
Inform the complainant of the selection procedures and request that the complainant file his/her objections in writing by completing the Request for the Reconsideration of Instructional Resources form to be submitted to the building-level Media and Technology Advisory Committee.
The building-level Media and Technology Advisory Committee will:
examine the item and the objection(s)
survey reviews of the item in professional reviewing sources
determine the extent to which the item supports the curriculum
weigh the merits against the alleged weaknesses, considering the whole item instead of isolated passages
discuss the item and prepare a written report of the findings and recommendations of the committee
send copies of the report to the principal, the media director, and technology director. The media
director and technology director should discuss the report with the superintendent, who may present it to the board.
If the complainant is not satisfied, he/she may file a Citizen’s Request for Review of Building-Level Recommendation with the Community Media Advisory Committee if such a committee exists. Following the steps outlined above, the community-level committee will re-examine all documentation from the original reconsideration decision. They will prepare a written report of their findings and recommendation and report directly to the local school board.
In accordance with GS 115C-98 (bl), “The local board, at all times, has sole authority and discretion to determine whether a challenge has merit and whether challenged material should be retained or removed.”
REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES |
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NAME OF PERSON MAKING REQUEST: ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ______________________________________ TELEPHONE: ________________________Complainant represents: ___ himself/herself or ____ organization |
TITLE OF ITEM: ______________________________________________________ FORMAT: ______________(Please complete separate form for each individual title to be reconsidered) (book, video, etc.)AUTHOR/ARTIST/COMPOSER, ETC.: _______________________________________________________________ PUBLISHER/PRODUCER: _______________________________ COPYRIGHT DATE: __________________ How did you acquire this item? __________________________________________ Did you read, view, or listen to the entire item? __________________________________________ Is this item part of a series or set? Yes _____ No _____. To what in the item do you object? (Please be specific: cite pages, frames, etc.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ What do you feel might be the result of a student’s reading, viewing, or listening to this item? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Are you aware of any evaluations of this item by authoritative sources? Yes _____ No ___. If yes, did those sources agree with your opinion? Yes ___ No _____. List the sources: _______________________________________________________________________________ Do you want other persons in the community to determine the kind of materials your child may or may Other comments: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________ _____ SIGNATURE OF COMPLAINANT DATE |
CITIZEN’S REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF BUILDING-LEVEL RECOMMENDATION |
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NAME OF PERSON MAKING REQUEST: ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ______________________________________ TELEPHONE: ________________________Complainant represents: ___ himself/herself or ____ organization |
TITLE OF ITEM: ______________________________________________________ FORMAT: ______________(Please complete separate form for each individual title to be reconsidered) (book, video, etc.)AUTHOR/ARTIST/COMPOSER, ETC.: _______________________________________________________________ PUBLISHER/PRODUCER: _______________________________ COPYRIGHT DATE: __________________ Are you aware of the reasons for the building-level decision regarding this resource? Yes ____ No ____. What aspects of the decision are you requesting be reviewed? ________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you have additional comments or information about the resource that you did not include on the building level Request for Reconsideration form? Yes _____ No _____. If yes, please include: ________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Other comments: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________ _____ SIGNATURE OF COMPLAINANT DATE |