Classes

Back later, today was my be there for classes day. And I do have to work through the 15th. Oh well...

Day of Dialog

A great day at the School Library Journal Day of Dialog event! I really enjoyed the sessions, particularly the Graphic Novel one and the main session of the day with Jason Reynolds! I visited booths, checked out the books people talked about to see if I could order and put the ones on order that I thought appropriate. Then back at noon for our staff meeting and our last day will now be June 10th, with the 11th being a furlough day. So much went on in the event! Loved it! Will disseminate the info to appropriate teachers tomorrow!

Four Days Off!

I was excited to get back to work today! I enjoyed the weekend and had some great times (got a new book from one of three Little Free Libraries I passed on Sunday while honoring our Veteran's at our local cemetery and then walked around the streets there - hardback copy of Tracy Chevalier's Remarkable Creatures! Score!). Started the day trolling through my emails. Looked up some books and did put one on my order list. The others I already have on there. Listened to the Monday announcements, went through the SEL lesson the students get today. Did two birthday padlets and thinking of doing one for people to put in the books they are reading? Maybe? Listened to the McNary choir sing 'Smile' made me cry. Students are so talented in so many ways! Got an email from a student I emailed last week and they are going to get the things I mentioned turned in...to the best of their ability! But good to hear back from them and I sent the note to their teachers too. Sent out a welcome to a new staff member - I didn't have time to do that last week, but I did email the new language arts teacher. Sent out an email to our teachers to have them pick out a free book from Scholastic since I need to use up some of that money. I've only heard from one student from the Book Challenge Spirit Week, so I need more books! One teacher got back to me already, but the book she'd like is not on my lists! So, I told her to go and look again. Dear Martin is not a middle grade book but I know we have 8th graders that would like it, but I can't buy it. So much more complicated than I thought!! I had to go in and invite them to give me a wish list, send out invites to each one personally, ugh. Hopefully they will be able to find something they can use for their library. I'm way past break, out for a quick walk around the block! Cleaned up my emails and had to make some folders. Some teachers got back to me on the books they wanted, so I added those to my list. Checked out the new School Library Journal magazine, and got a title off there for in the fall. Checked on a couple of others that turned out to be YA and too old for our Middle School crowd. Also checked out the new story coming out by J. K. Rowling, the Ickabog. The chapters are online and they are looking for artists. When it publishes in November, the profits will go to support corona victims. Nicely done J. K. 

Furlough Time

Our union voted to do furlough days for the rest of the year and the district hopes to save $8 million dollars to have for next year when budgets will be slashed because of Covid19 and the loss of state revenue. So, we all had to file TODAY filling out the paperwork exactly as they school district has requested so our claims can all be aligned with the State Workshare and CARES programs. So sad to think of all the cuts that may happen next year. Back to my list! Oh, wait, the Friday Meet is now Thursday morning, so quick over to that Meet, then on to my usual Thursday morning meet with Mr. A's class. Finished up the emails to students with No Grades. I rechecked their grades before I did the letters just in case they had turned things in. Then I copied all the notes the teachers sent and put those in the email as well. That was a struggle. Trying to encourage, but letting them know the facts. I loved getting in a few last words with students who will move on to High School this fall. Did some reading, got more information to another IA on some students for their grades. Watched the report by our superintendent. Now for a four day weekend.

Workin' the List

I pulled up emails this morning and trolled through the new ones and had a request from an IA for info like I got on my NG students for hers! I tried to copy/paste. That didn't work. Tried a few other formats for them. Didn't work. Finally ended up doing screen shots of them, pasting into a document and voila! That did it, and she was so very grateful. Started to send out my emails to NG students and got distracted by an email from one of the other LMA's who wanted some books for a book list for her students this summer, so I sent her five of my faves from this year of reading. Then I went to my doctor appointment that was from February 13th! They finally got me in, only 3 months later for my follow up to my stent in late January! How the world has changed. But, finally, I got to go in. I was gone 2 hours, just documenting so I can tell the people that need to know! Got home in time for our mandatory meeting, lots of good things going on there. New staff coming in, we will have 6th grade camp, but modified. The IA I had done student look ups for asked for four more students, easy peasy! I am so glad I can help out our amazing staff! Got more emails out to my NG students and then had an hour long meeting with my PA about the Destiny Discover program and how that will end up being the roll out to the student search and how we need to think about it now, how to get it set up for each school. A lot of information! 

Books and NG's

I got together the information for the students who completed the Spirit Week Book Challenge, got the link to Scholastic and then emailed them all with instructions on what they needed to do. Actually got back a response right away from one student! They picked a set of three of the Harry Potter extra books, and I had to send it back and say, sorry! You can't get three, just one, so they picked something else. Then I worked on getting into grading and getting the information for all my student picks that have NG status. I was so happy I actually figured it out!! So I had to pull information for my eight students, that took awhile! Then I emailed all their teachers they had an NG in to see if they had any insight before I contact students tomorrow. I really don't know how teachers get all that done! I am so in awe of them! But together, we'll get it all done!

Mt. St. Helens - 40 years later

I am just intrigued that it's been 40 years since Mt. St. Helens blew! We had moved to Seattle in 1978 and had just been there for 2 years! Wow. 40 years ago! So, I'm trolling through all the mails from Friday when I was off. Found some great new books to order already. I love that an author mentioned that "Cody's dilemna...was about the color of his curiosity." I love thinking about that! What is the color of a student's curiosity? What book will blend in, or contrast with their curiosity? Something to think about. Going through Monday notes. Watched the Monday announcements and nothing about the books I'm giving away. Oh, well. Ms. B did the announcements, not Ms. M, so that may be why. She did a talk on how she copes, that we are in week six, only three and a half more weeks to go. Hard to believe we are that close to being done! The SEL lesson was good - Our Brain is in Charge. How emotions can rule us and make our brain respond! But when we recognize that emotions are trying to be in charge, we can stop and wait and check reality against emotional response. I'm super happy I was able to remember my PermaBound passwords! I have them in my office at work on the bulletin board, but not here! Mr. G sent out a new list of books I'm going through to see what I can order, what I have and what I can't (because they are high school and above). Headed over to the System 44 meet and we did a hobbit adventure! The students all got to pick pathways they thought were good! Fun to see them interact! More emails, trashing emails, made some lunch to eat before our optional staff meeting. I usually eat after, but we are also having another meeting right at 12:30 to help out students that are not participating, so I'll go to that. Any past library aides I would love to help out. I picked about eight students that I know well. Took a walk around the block for a break. Back to looking at books so I can clear that email. Taking care of emails some more. Helped out our assistant principal with a student who needed to log in. Scheduled a meet for Destiny Discover with our LMSS PA on Wednesday. Didn't get around to the rest of the books though today! Well, the list will still be there tomorrow!

Personal Day

Took the day off yesterday to attend the inspection of the house we may be buying. It would be at least four hours long, and I have like 22.5 hours of personal leave left. I did attend the Superintendent meeting because we got back right before 1pm, and also put in a notice for the students that will be getting free books from their Spirit Week book posts! There were only five, so they will all get a book!

Reading

Worked on my book today, The Girl who Drank the Moon. Up to Chapter 11. Attended two classes today, Mr. A’s 7th and 8th graders were on. Told them both about the free book give-away if they posted on the Spirit slides for this week. I also sent that out to all the Language Arts teachers for them to let their students know. I tried to work on the Destiny Discover program, and it is just confusing. One of the LMA’s said that they just use it for their search computers. I tried some of the tutorials, but don’t get it. It’s very visual, and maybe I’m just too old fashioned to want to go there! But it does have nice big pictures of the books! I checked out the post and also checked out the school’s virtual hallway. 

Invisible Español

I went to check out an audio book today and found that it was all in Spanish! Oh my! So then I was scratching around, trying to see if I could find an easy way to get to all our Spanish language books and so far, I haven't found it. If I go to Advanced, it pulls up our Spanish language books, but also books that have 'Spanish' word or title in them. I'd like to pull a report or get a pathway to send to teachers for their Spanish readers. Some of our students do yes, like to read a Spanish language book or read to their family. Tried to attend a grade meeting, but I guess we're not having one. They've moved things around as things have changed, maybe next week? I did jump in for the Kahoots meeting for just a bit. I was thinking I could maybe do a Kahoots on a literary bent?? Went to our Staff Meeting at noon. Some amazing praises for the staff that are really out there doing amazing things! I often feel a bit out there, because the library staff really, is kind of not in any other box than library? Read some of The Girl who Drank the Moon today for my next book talk. Yes! Found out what I needed to do! Spanish Language Materials!! That did the trick! Sent that out to our LA team and let our Destiny guru know about it as well since I asked and she wasn't sure either!

Another One Down

Finished House Arrest this morning and created a Flipgrid for it. Not perfect, but not too bad! Went to the IA meeting this morning and it lasted about an hour. We talked support for our students, and how we can come along. We had a survey to do about our work load and availability. We'll see how that goes! I also sent the Flipgrid to Language Arts teachers along with the new Jason Reynolds video on a New Invention. That was fun! We were also asked to do a KaHoots quiz for the teacher who is doing a presentation tomorrow to other teachers. I didn't do too well! Disney, but they threw in Disney TV! So, I'm not sure I did very good! Listened to the Working on Wellness Webcast. There wasn't too much for middle grade folks. I sent a link they had for free resources during COVID to our counselors. Not sure what they can use, but you never know what might spark an idea to help a student. Started my new book on Axis360, the Girl Who Drank the Moon. My granddaughter said she is reading it. Our Spirit Week this week is to post a picture, or drawing of the book you are reading. Scholastic had sent me a notice that some of my Scholastic $$ will expire in September, so I told them that I would do a random pick of three students and they will all get a Scholastic book!  Hopefully that will motivate students to read more this week!

One Month to Go

We were all told on Friday that our last day would be June11th. So, one month from today. Hopefully, we will be back in school in September, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens. Right now Oregon is closed until July 6th, but we are starting to reopen this week. Some parks have reopened! Today I was in a Flipgrid meeting on how to work that app. Then went to the system 44 meet and none of the students showed up today. I sent out my sign photos that I got last night and a huge thank you to our ninja appreciation deliverers. Last night a cute little plant and Quaranteacher Bingo arrived on my doorstep! I even had the door open last night with just the screen and was surprised to see them on my doorstep! Registered for a webinar for tomorrow. Attended our optional staff meeting. Then I read House Arrest and I hope I’m nearly done! I’d like to think so! Hopefully I’ll be done tomorrow and get a Flipgrid out on it! I also am taking a personal day on Friday. Using up that time. I normally don’t, but we have an appointment for about five-ish hours, so I thought, why not? Off to bed, it’s late and I nearly forgot to do this. Goodnight 😴🌙.

Cards in the Mail!

Yes, I finally got them out today! Addressed, stamped and out in the mailbox. I put in my 'note' and then gave each one a book quote. I had three that are 8th graders, so I will not see them again. The others I encouraged them to be library aides next year. Got all ready for my class meet, and it is now at 11 instead of 10. That was just for today. I'll have to change my meet time again. We had a flyover by our National Guard to honor our hospitals and responders. I went out to the street and heard them, but didn't see them. So some of our students wanted to watch if they could see them. But, we are back to 10am for next Friday. The meet was great, lots of students getting in there, they loved the Quizlet that Ms. K put up! Lots of interaction! I lost all my internet somewhere at the very end, so had to move to catch up with the Optional Staff meeting, and then our weekly live meeting with our superintendent. Had an email from the state library on copyright laws and how they pertain to materials during COVID. I think it's time to pick a new book for a book talk? Yes! Loaded on House Arrest by K. A. Holt, it’s pretty good!

LMSS Meet

Loved my cards! Got them all from under our big book (to hold them while glue dries!) and put in a note.

   I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know that I really miss seeing you in the library every day. Each day that goes by, the work you did brought a smile to my face. If you need to reach out to me, please email me:

Willer_debbie@salkeiz.k12.or.us

I can help with issues, getting things straight from teachers, reading suggestions (!), or just if you need to vent.

Trying to do another Flipgrid on our ebooks...ugh! Takes me forever!! Especially when I'm going through directions! Finally got it done, but it messed up the name! Ugh! Learning how to edit, I think I'm getting it! Went to Mr. A's Classroom Meet, and talked to the students there about the eBooks, so I hope more check out! Sent out the Flipgrid to our Language Arts Team. Went to another of Mr. A's meets, talked to the students about our ebooks. Had a student ask about the book from the library she has at home, I told her to just keep it safe, and the school will let her know when things can come back. No staff meeting today, but we had our LMSS meet that went nearly an hour. It was good to talk with everyone. 

It's a Wednesday

Went to the grading meeting this morning and it was good, but I really don't grade. I usually send my list and if they passed or not to our registrar and she enters the grades. I worked on my cards for my aides. I think they came along nicely! They are all glued and just drying, so I will finish them up tomorrow and get them in the mail! I love to hand make my own cards, and just a way for me to let my aides know that I really do care for them! Then we had our Staff Meeting, not the optional one and we will probably go down to three meets a week instead of five. That works for me! I sent out an email to Ms. C about whether or not the 20 minutes of reading every day is to be part of the 1.5 to 2 hours of work a week, or just extra. Had lunch, had to check all my meets for tomorrow. LA meets and LMA meet. Found the new Jason Reynolds 'Write, Right, Rite' and sent that out to our LA teachers. Almost done with Cog by Greg Van Eekhout. It's pretty good! I really need to focus on our ebooks. This is not an ebook, I just checked. It's not at Salem Public either as an ebook. So I'll concentrate on ebooks from now on, in either location. Finished Cog this afternoon, a nice afternoon to sit on my deck and read!

7 AM

There was no way I'd make the opening since I had to do my senior shopping, but I did get up at 6am so I could get out and maybe get back by 7, and only about 10 minutes late for the Gale and Google Classroom Webinar. Then it ended at 7:30! At least I got to listen to some of it, though I would rather have been able to take it a bit slower and actually work along with the webinar. Then I listened to our company video newsletter and it was cute, Star Wars theme! (*I was putting away groceries, but listening!) A quiet day for me, only the noon optional staff meeting. So, computer time to go through other resources. Oooo! Daniel Radcliffe reading the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - absolutely brilliant! Loved it and sent that off to our Language Arts team. I also noticed that there was art shown during the reading and down below was the invitation for students to submit artwork, so I sent that off to our art teacher as well. Had to take a walk (Yes! Got break time in and getting off the computer for 10 minutes!) Then I sent ponderings to our principal and then copied that to our assistant principal. I had, or have an aide that really struggled in school and they are actually doing well in this online world. I've heard that from my high school friends as well, that there are definite students that seem to be doing so much better online than in school, and other who loved it there and are not doing well at home. So I sent this out:
So I hear from our teachers that students who didn't do well in school are doing work! And other students that were, aren't. Some things that prance through my brain, what if we gave students a choice? Those that want to continue online, if they show they are getting it done, can be online. Those that need that people contact, can come back. Or half day at school,  half day at home. Half would come the morning shift, they go home, then the other half would be online in the morning, and come in the afternoon. There seem to be so many options that could come into play. The world has changed, and will not return to what it was before, how do we see that change? How do we sculpt a new environment for our learners, our teachers?  
My principal said yes, there are others in the district noticing this as well and there will be talk about what is happening. She wrote back: Your ponderings are ones that I (and many other folks in the district) share.  I think this will open our eyes to new ways of doing things that we wouldn’t have thought possible before.  Thanks for sharing!
I think today I will make cards for my aides, just to check in on them and one in particular that seemed to have a rough go at school, but seems to be doing better online. I only have six, so not much of an effort, but I think it will be well worth while. Optional staff meeting was very short, pulled out my card stuff, vacuumed my 'office'. Lunch time then card making!

May the Fourth Be With Us All!

Yes, I was luckily reminded this morning by a very bad joke that today is Star Wars Day! May the Fourth be with us all during this crazy time! So I put together a Flipgrid for today. Sadly, our Axis360 program has NO Star Wars ebooks! But Salem Public Library has tons! So I did it on there, for your viewing pleasure:

https://flipgrid.com/s/025ae43b0ecb

And sent that out to our LA team. So, moving on. One of our teachers lost their dog last week, so I emailed him with a sorry and a rescue a friend of mine loves to promote. Reached out to the teachers that have a student I was concerned about and they are actually doing well! Glad to hear that! Found an ebook/audio resource for a teacher for a student. We don't have it but Salem Public does for that student. I decided that I just need to get out on my breaks, every two hours, and even just walk around the block. I'll check out and see if I'm climbing the walls by Friday! Hopefully, getting that movement that I so miss from being in the school, going out at passing, shelving, I miss that physical part of the job! So, I took a ten minute walk around the block. Nice day and lovely to be out early! Then I had my System44 meet, and only had three students in there, and my whole computer crashed. So, by the time I got back on, the meet was over and the students were gone. Talked a bit with Ms. N and then she had to go. Got an email from our PA and it had some links. I signed up for a webinar tomorrow morning on Gale and Google Classrooms and then sent that out to our staff for them to sign up. Then started going through the new Destiny changes that will happen over the summer as they go to 17.5 update. Had our Optional Staff meeting - it was our principal's birthday and everyone wished her a happy birthday. I tried a Padlet card, but it actually gave the card, plus the website to order one! Ha! Oh well!  Then we had our IA Check In Meeting and that was good. Back to Destiny updates.

May Day Mars Day

I attended my first meet today and signed up to try and contact a student that is an aide for me. I'm checking Synergy on them, and the classes are all gone, but the header still says what class they should be in at the moment! I finally got all seven classes and teachers. Huzzah! So I can ask their teachers if they've heard anything from them. Had a blast at the LA 7 meet this morning. I love hearing the students talk. The interaction from teachers. Their focus this week was on what it would be like to live on another planet. Like Mars! They had articles to read and such, padlet to write on. Sharing stories. Very fun. Then the teachers and I talk afterwards. What we heard, what we noticed, how about next week. I love being a part of the staff this way. We also talked about Flipgrid and I'm still learning, but our IC will have a training on that next week I think.  Sent out the writing prompts from Jason Reynolds to the LA staff. I particularly loved his focus on art prompt. I also sent that one to our art teacher. Had a very, very quick staff meeting. Then I went out and took a quick walk before our district meeting at 1. I liked the quote that said "We are grading privilege." when we look at who and what we're grading. Kids with computers, internet, focused parents. What about those that don't have that? I am encouraged that I don't need to do it all. But at the same time I feel my contribution is so much less than before. We also learned that our budget may not be the same next year. Some of that budget is based on business, and with businesses shutting down, being forced to rethink, we may not have that same revenue coming from that sector. I think I'm pretty safe, but we'll see. I just need one more year! Got an email today that my 5th grade pen pal contribution is ended for this year. Another meet to scratch off the list. My pika meeting got cancelled for this month as well. I didn't even have anything on my personal hanging calendar for April except that I had put in my birthday when I got it. Got to flip that sucker out of my life. Sad that it will rain all weekend. And the rain started early. It wasn't supposed to start until tonight, but started around noon. Le sigh.