GCS School Library Media News
January 2019
Second Grade Public Library Field Trips
Just a quick reminder for all elementary media personnel: If you have not scheduled the county-sponsored field trip for your second graders to visit your LOCAL branch of the public library, please do so as soon as possible! Many schools have already scheduled their visits; some have already completed the field trip. All forms for TravelTracker must be submitted and trips completed by the end of March in order for GCS to cover the costs for the driver and busses for these trips.
Promoting Good Mental Health in the Media Center
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 1 in 5 teens will experience a serious form of mental illness between the ages of 13-18. Because of these alarming statistics, the school library media center is partnering with school counselors to offer a bibliotherapy program as one of the many options provided to students dealing with health concerns like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other issues, such as homelessness and grief, that can affect a student’s ability to concentrate, form friendships and be successful in the classroom. Through the use of a generous Ron Ensley grant, we are offering both fiction and nonfiction books to aid students during a difficult period and teach them that books will always be a resource they may use throughout their lives for help.
To prepare for our bibliotherapy program, the school counselors determined the major mental health areas of concern for our students, and I identified needs within our collection. Once over 100 new books arrived, resources were organized in Destiny Collections and then linked on our bibliotherapy website. Online lists make seeking these materials discreet allowing the students to maintain their privacy. The digital collections are annotated and tagged by subject making it simple for students to find the book they need. This website is shared with students and teachers by email as well as through bookmarks with QR codes. Students are invited to complete a survey to request additional resources or help from a school counselor or social worker.
So far, our program is receiving positive feedback from students and teachers! One student reported this week that while she does not suffer from a particular mental illness, she read three of our new books and feels she better understands what others experience because of those books. We hope this program not only supports our students fighting mental illness, but helps create a caring and empathetic community at Stuart Cramer.
Middle School Battle of the Books
Middle School Battle of the Books has been scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2020. The Kimbrell Campus of Gaston College on Wilkinson Blvd. will be the place. The Kimbrell campus is under renovation, specifically the auditorium and the judges room next to it, and will, hopefully, be completed before the GCS Middle School Battle takes place. The Regional Battle for Middle School will also be held on the Kimbrell Campus of Gaston College on Friday, March 20, 2020. Charlotte/Mecklenburg Schools will be the hosts but needed an economical option for the venue. GCS may be asked to help with personnel. More information will follow closer to the event.
NCCBA at Rankin Elementary
Students at Ida Rankin Elementary are once again participating in the North Carolina Children’s Book Award voting process. Our favorite picture book, chosen by kindergarten through second graders, was Laurie Keller’s Potato Pants! Older students selected A Boy Called Bat to win the junior category. We are looking forward to seeing which books win at the state level.
BMS Read-a-thon
Belmont Middle School PTO raised over $6500 for new books at the first ever "BMS Read a thon." The money raised will purchase books that all of the students had an opportunity to select. Students enjoyed an afternoon of music, crafts, hot chocolate and reading on December 19th. Teachers and students read classic, funny, familiar, and thought-provoking stories and poetry. What a festive and fun way to lead into our winter break!
Mystery in the Making at Grier Middle School
Parents and Students of Grier Middle School, were invited to…
A “Mystery in the Making” Night
Thursday, November 21st, 6-7:30 pm in the Media Center.
This event was a collaborative effort involving the following:
Gaston County Arts Council President: Ms. Kim George,
Grier’s Art Teacher: Ms. Angela Freeman,
Eight Grade Teacher: Margarita Skivofilakas-Capps,
Parent Involvement Specialist: Adrienne Scearce
Media Specialist: Ann Perkins-Davis
Parents and students had an evening of mystery, suspense, fun and food as they
worked together to solve the mystery of “ The destroyed Art Gallery Painting!”
Electronic Devices in Destiny
Center Time at McAdenville Elementary
North Belmont Elementary Community Partnership
North Belmont has been adopted by Exodus Church in Belmont (the church that resides in the old haunted mill). We have several volunteers from the church that are in our school each week! They are mentors, tutors, volunteers, etc. Recently, we had the opportunity for one of the members, Amy Summers, to be a guest reader in kindergarten. She did an amazing job and the students loved her! She is organizing a team of about 20 readers to come on Read Across America Day and read to each classroom! This new community partnership has opened many doors here at North Belmont and we are so excited for what is in store!
Cramerton Middle School Read-a-thon
There is nothing more rewarding than to see students get excited about reading. This year the media center hosted the Counseling Department’s school wide project: The Read-A-Thon. Students who donated a book to their classroom libraries were allowed to visit the library for a designated hour of reading with their peers. In addition, the counseling department sold hot chocolate, popcorn, and candy. Needless to say, the response was overwhelming for all grade levels.
Welcome Back
Laura Pekarek has returned to Springfield Primary from maternity leave.