Bookmark
October 2019
October President's Message
NJASL Members,
I hope this message finds you well and you are enjoying the beauty of autumn! I hope, too, that this school year has shown itself to be one of growth and community. It has been for NJASL so far. In these first two months of this school year, NJASL has:
presented at the Newark School District’s initial School Library Media Specialists professional development workshop
partnered with NJLA to be represented at the NJ School Boards Association Conference
worked with the other members of the Literacy Alliance of New Jersey to bring Jacqueline Woodson to middle school students across the state
presented at BELS to support School Library Media Specialists in starting a conversation with their administrators about budgets.
Looking ahead to November, members who have participated in the first stage of our AASL Standards Leadership workshop will meet again to practice presentations to critical members of our library community - administrators, staff, and parents. We are excited to turnkey this program later in the year.
NJASL will have a table at the NJEA Convention, so please stop by and say hello. If you’d like to join us and meet other librarians, or share with teachers the great things librarians are doing in their buildings, consider volunteering at the NJASL table. Details are below in this newsletter.
These partnerships have strengthened NJASL’s presence across the state and with some important stakeholders. How have you been growing your community? This year NJASL is offering a great opportunity to develop and grow your network with our Fall Conference - Better Together! I hope you will join us there!
Jill Mills
President of NJASL 2019-2020
Important News and Information
NJEA Convention
Better Together NJASL Fall 2019
Upcoming Deadlines!
Remember to register & book your room
for NJASL’s Fall Conference!
Registration deadline is 11/12/19
NJASL hotel block deadline is 11/17/19
There will be sessions on:
Diversity
Censorship
Advocacy
Therapy Dogs (featuring actual dogs!)
Makerspaces
Social Media
LGBTQIA Literature
All things literacy and technology
And MUCH, MUCH more!
Go to the NJASL 19 Conference website for more information.
We look forward to seeing you
in East Brunswick on December 9th and 10th
We are #bettertogether!
#njasl19
Any questions? Email Beth Thomas, Conference Chair njasl19@njasl.org
Reading= Hope X Change (What's Your Equation?)
NJASL is excited to be a part of a special initiative in collaboration with
The New Jersey Center for the Book, The College of New Jersey, Rutgers
University and the NJ State Library featuring Jacqueline Woodson’s book Harbor Me.
Check out the flyers below for more information about this wonderful event on 10/16!!
IMPORTANT: Attention ALL MEMBERS
Members-
NJASL's mailing address has changed. Please send our new address to your business office so that your purchase orders for membership and conference are sent to the correct location.
Time to Renew Your NJASL Membership!
NJASL membership runs from August 1 through July 31 each year. Don't forget to renew! If your school district purchases your membership, consider submitting your requisition before the end of this school year to keep your membership active and be ready to register for the Fall conference at the member rate. You can register with a credit card or PayPal using the online application here: https://njasl.org/page-1863117
Or you can print and submit your application with a purchase order or check: https://njasl.org/page-1863125
Support the organization dedicated to providing you with relevant professional development resources and programs and advocating for every New Jersey student to have access to school librarians and school library services.
Mary Lewis
NJASL Membership Committee Chair
JOB OPENINGS!!!
NJASL Advocacy
Call to Action
by Christina Cucci
This fall I’ve been able to take a step down from my Presidential role in NJASL to breathe and reflect. The last 3 years I’ve worked so closely on the nitty gritty operations of NJASL that perhaps I lost sight of the forest, while working so close to the trees. I am now stepping back and asking “What is it all for?”
As I review our current status as school librarians in New Jersey, I’m afraid to say that school librarians are under threat. School districts eliminate essential library positions leaving students without the resources they need for success. Last year alone, NJASL responded to over 12 districts where school libraries were on the chopping block.
Joyce Valenza (Rutgers University) now calls it a “critical crisis”. Keith Curry Lance, in a speech prepared in advance of the AASL Conference in Louisville, says “school librarians are an endangered species.”
NJASL is not standing by idly while school librarians disappear. NJASL and NJLA have created a Joint Task Force to promote two bills in the New Jersey Legislature that could make significant improvements to information literacy education for K-12 students in New Jersey:
A132/S2933 – Requires instruction on information literacy curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12
A1995/S2394 – Requires certain ratios of school library media specialist to students in public schools
The Joint Task Force is preparing to mobilize NJASL members in a call to action. You will be hearing more about this at the NJASL Fall Conference. NJASL is looking to its members to become more involved in this fight by raising awareness through storytelling and showing our value. It is incumbent on us all to step up to this challenge in order to prevent any further loses.
Joint Task Force of NJASL and NJLA Members
Cara Berg
Christina Cucci
Mo Donahue
James Keehbler
Bonnie Lafazen
Darby Malvey
Allen McGinley
Jill Mills
Mary Moyer
Skye Silverstein
Julie Tozer
Joyce Valenza
Leah Wagner
Anastasia Hanneken
Take Time to Share the Magic!
by Pat Massey, Public Relations, Communication, and Publications Committee
“Share the magic that happens in your library,” President Jill Mills asked us in last month’s Bookmark. And doesn’t magic occur every day! Please take time to share what happens in the library even if it might seem insignificant. A student explains that browsing the shelves reveals more possibilities than just searching online or you observe that spark of joy when a student just gets it. We know that great things happen in school libraries but unless those stories are shared, you’re hiding your light under a bushel, as the saying goes.
By making small efforts over time we can each contribute to broader awareness of the unique and valuable role of school library media specialists as educational leaders so that there’s no doubt about districts providing professionally staffed school libraries for every student.
Build on the progress being made.
Share the article recently published by the New Jersey Principal and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) that includes an Administrators Checklist of SLMS Roles
Continue to promote legislative bills A1995 / S2394 that requires a ratio of SLMS and A132 / S2933 that requires instruction on information literacy in K-12 curriculum. Contact your local legislators for support.
Participate in the NJASL Advocacy Challenge the first Friday of every month
NJASL Legislative Consultant
- Mary Moyer Stubbs
Legislative Highlights -
October 2019 Bookmark
NJASL Advocacy Efforts
Ongoing Advocacy
Met with Ray Woods, legislative aide from Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt’s office (Legislative District #6) along with NJASL member, Skye Silverstein to discuss the two school library legislative bills. Assemblywoman Lampitt is chair of the Education Committee. Please email her (AswLampitt@njleg.org) to ask her to consider A132 and A1995 during an Education Committee meeting. For details on those bills, visit the NJASL webpage, https://www.njasl.org/Library-Legislation.
Worked with New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association to post advocacy article on school library media specialists. Article can be found at: http://njpsa.org/your-school-library-media-specialist-your-schools-utility-player/
Jen Park, NJASL member and her son presented public testimony at the NJ State Board of Education Open Public Testimony Session on September 4. Click on link to read their testimony.
Continuing to answer questions from NJASL members related to advocacy. Additionally, working with the NJASL/NJLA advocacy task force to promote the two legislative bills related to school libraries and to promote other avenues of school library advocacy.
Promoting Your School Library Program through Social Media
One way to generate advocacy for your school library is through social media. Just remember to
tag NJASL @NJASL and use the Hashtags #njasladvocacy #necessitynotaluxury. This will allow NJASL to retweet and like your posts.
Eliminated Positions - Other Districts
NJASL needs your help! If you know of a New Jersey school system lacking a certified School Library Media Specialist or a librarian that is planning to retire in the near future, please fill out this form. Link: https://goo.gl/forms/8BvCemOY6f9zZuI33
Not sure what constitutes a "certified" school librarian? click here
Department of Education Update
September 23 - Participated in Stakeholder Meeting on Statewide Assessment
The key questions at 9/23 Stakeholder meeting:
1. Were the Algebra I and ELA 10 good parameters for an 11th grade test?
2. Were the menu options of substitute competency tests acceptable? SAT, Accuplacer, ASVAB, etc
3. Reporting for federal regulations compliance - Acceptable to Administer ELA and math statewide assessments to all eligible students in grades 3-9
NJASL Statewide Assessment Survey: Click on the link for NJASL Statewide Assessment Survey to provide guidance for NJASL
History of NJ Statewide Assessment
Federal guidelines for Assessment: Grades 3-8 - Assess all students in ELA and Math and once in HS
State Law for Assessment:
To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency on an 11th grade test. Students may alternatively demonstrate proficiency in 12th grade on a non-standardized comprehensive assessment (portfolio appeals process).
October 2018 DOE Proposed Regulations
Maintain graduation assessment requirement at ELA 10 and Algebra 1
Reinstate menu of standardized assessments students could use to demonstrate proficiency
Required statewide assessments in ELA and Math in grades 3-10 (rather than 3-11)
December 2018 Court Decision
Proposed regulations did not meet the state statute requiring graduating students to take an assessment in 11th grade. Ruling applied to all students including the Class of 2019
September / October 2019 DOE Proposed Graduation Recommendations
Codify Court Consent Orders for classes of 2019-2022 graduation assessment requirements
Classes of 2023-2025 (current grades 7-9)
Grade 9 - take ELA and Math Assessment (NJSLA) Federal requirement
Grade 11 - take and pass comprehensive assessment that is aligned to ELA 10 and Algebra 1 NJ Student Learning Standards State requirement
Maintain menu of options for standardized tests and the portfolio appeals process for students who took assessments but did not pass
ALL Grade 11 students will have to sit for the comprehensive assessment - NO Opt-outs
- Background on the DOE position for a 9th grade EOC assessment and an 11th grade HS proficiency test.
- NJEA's position: They are asking for letters to be sent because of the fear of what the SBOE will do.
- AFT - cannot find an official position
NJ Department of Education and Connected Action Roadmap (CAR)
The NJEA Review September issue has a thorough explanation of the Connected Action Roadmap (CAR) which is the framework for all new Standards revisions at the DOE. This approach is intended to build capacity of educators by developing professional development community (PLC) teams that are focused on curriculum, instruction and assessment. Read NJEA Article.
The NJ DOE is holding informational sessions on the CAR framework. The morning session will include an overview of the CAR framework and the afternoon session will include a working session for districts to engage in planning. Click on link for information on sessions.
School Library Legislation - New Jersey
A132/S2394 - Requires information literacy curriculum
A1995/S2933 - Requires ratio of SLMS to students
For more information and ways to contact legislators, visit the NJASL webpage.
Other Legislative Updates
Other Articles of Interest
Childhood Trauma - NJ Spotlight Roundtable Summary as well as link to study on Childhood Trauma - statistics: At least four in 10 children in New Jersey are affected by adverse childhood experiences
NJ History Day Information What is NJ History Day?
- Either individually or in a group, students present their historical research on a topic related to the competition’s annual theme in the form of a performance, exhibit, documentary, website, or paper. These projects are then evaluated at local, regional, and state competitions that culminate in a national contest every June at the University of Maryland, College Park. The History Day program is open to all students in grades 6-12. All types of students participate in History Day - public, private, parochial, and homeschool students; urban, suburban and rural students; gifted students and students with special needs. Must register to participate by Feb. 1, 2020
Looking for a way to involve your students, help the environment and help other children? SecondChanceToys is an organization that collects gently used plastic toys and donates them to children in need. Information including dropoff locations can be found on their website. Locations are listed for Southern, Central and Northern NJ. Once you register as a donator or collector, promotional materials will be shared.
Library News from YOU!
Anne E. Voss Conference Grant
I have been a School Library Media Specialist for the past 15 years. I have always wanted to attend a national conference, so I applied for the Anne E. Voss Conference Grant. I was thrilled to learn that I had won!
As the recipient of the Anne E. Voss Conference Grant, I chose to attend the ISTE19 Conference in Philadelphia as my position has expanded to teaching the NJ Technology Standards to my Kindergarten through Fourth Grade Students. I felt that I would benefit the most by attending a conference that focused on technology in education. And, boy, was I correct!
Prior to my attendance, I spoke to some former attendees who gave me some words of wisdom. Many of them said to make sure I planned which workshops I wanted to attend ahead of time; in addition, they urged me to have backups and alternate plans.
When I pulled up the Conference Schedule, I was totally amazed at the amount of workshops available! I had four amazing days of making connections and growing as a professional. Here are some of the highlights of the four days:
Meeting the Buncee team and helping out in their booth on the exhibit floor.
Attending workshops presented by amazing people such as: Leslie Fisher, Eric Curts, Joyce Valenza, Tom Murray, Shannon McClintock Miller, Mark Ray, Rachelle Dene Poth, and Beth Thomas.
Meeting in person some of the people that have influenced my development as a SLMS, such as Kathy Shrock and Kasey Bell.
Connecting with Educators and Tech Specialists from all over the globe.
Listening to keynote speakers Mike Walsh (A Futurist) and Danielle Feinberg (Computer Programmer/Graphic Artist with Pixar Animation Studios)
Hearing Liv (from LivBits) address a room of Librarians and share her passion and motivations with us.
Thank you NJASL, for providing me with this opportunity!
Respectfully,
Cheryl A. Bonsall
School Library Media Specialist
Northfield Community School
@cherylbonz cbonsall@ncs-nj.org
Check it out!
UMASL Fall Meeting
by Beth Willoughby
On October 22, 2019 school librarians that work or live in Union and Middlesex Counties held their first meeting of the school year. The librarians held a business meeting then there was an interactive discussion on “Author Visit Best Practices.”
The president of the organization, Phillip Yap, lead the presentation by sharing what he has learned by hosting his own author visits. He works with the PTA at his school to host the event. He explained that you should be planning at least a year in advance and plan on spending 20 hours or more working on this event.
Yap, reminded us that we need to vet the author and make sure they fit the needs of the school. You should research and find more information about the author through your contacts and their social media. He also reminded us to work to make the author feel welcome by having a student ambassador greet them, the principal be there to welcome the author and also considering inviting the press to the event.
The group discussed how to promote the event in school by talking about it in advance, asking the teachers to share the authors books and creating a buzz about the event.
The meeting was a great way to kick off the year and all members were involved. If you want to join us visit us online at: https://umasl.weebly.com/
Professional Practice & Development
Battle of the Books 2019-2020
Questions are written by the committee throughout the summer, and therefore, will be posted on the same webpage in the fall.
We are always looking for more committee members, if interested, please contact Elizabeth Ullrich (eullrich66@gmail.com)
NJASL Affiliate News
AASL Sets the Standard
by Hilda Weisburg
As the only national organization exclusively for school librarians, AASL takes its responsibility seriously and has been setting our national standards since 1945. That initial document was called School Library Standards for Today and Tomorrow. I have seen many iterations of our standards since the 1960s but have never seen that one. It would make interesting reading.
Today, of course, we have the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (NSLS). Like all previous AASL standards (except the 1945 one) it takes off from the earlier one to break new ground while incorporating core concepts. To integrate these standards into our practice, AASL and NJASL have given workshops, webinars, and programs to get us all up to speed as quickly as possible.
The NJASL conference will have sessions on the standards, and those of us going to the AASL Conference in Louisville will have an opportunity to attend more programs on them. In all the years I have been a member of AASL (since 1979), I have never seen such an intense, ongoing program to help building level librarians become comfortable with new standards. But underlying all of it is the truth that many of you haven’t bought your own copy of the standards.
The price, $199 for non-members and $99 for members has been a barrier and a source of anger and frustration. I have heard the complaints often. I still think everyone needs a copy. That said, you have some alternatives that AASL provides, some free, some low-cost.
The NSLS portal, standards.aasl.org, has a wealth of resources with frequent additions, so it is wise to return to every so often. By now I am sure all of you have a copy of the AASL Frameworks for Learners, a free download under the Frameworks tab. Some of you fee this is enough to align your lessons with the standards, but it overlooks the standards for School Librarians and School Libraries.
You can address that gap somewhat by going to the Resources tab and selecting Materials. The Evaluation Checklist identifies what the School Librarian is supposed to do in incorporating the six Shared Foundations at the building level (and at the district level). You can also link to the Crosswalks to the Future Ready Framework, ISTE Standards for Learners and Educators, and Next Generation Science Standards with more to come.
If you want the standards at your fingertips and don’t want to buy the book get the app. It’s listed under the Shop tab, but is only available from the Apple App Store or Google Play It gives you access to all the frameworks and is only $19.99.
Keep visiting standards.aasl.org, and start planning now for ALA Midwinter. It’s in Philadelphia (Jan. 24-28). Registration is open now. Also think about ALA Annual in Chicago. Expect more on these conferences from me in the coming months.
If you have any questions or have a problem related to AASL contact me at aasl.njasl.org.
Morris County School Media Association
Morris County School Media Association’s annual Best Books presentation will be on Wednesday, January 15 (snow date January 22). Join us at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library - snacks and socializing begin at 4 p.m., program begins at 4:30 p.m.
All workshops are free for members and $10 for nonmembers. For more info visit https://www.mcsma.info/
THANK YOU! Looking for submissions...
Don't forget that we are always looking for entries from ALL membership. Deadlines for the year are on the 15th of every month. Check out more information about our deadlines here. Please share articles with me at the bookmark@njasl.org email address by sharing a Google Document or PDF.
Check out more information about deadlines and submissions on the Smore linked below!!
NJASL
Email: bookmark@njasl.org
Website: njasl.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NJASL/
Twitter: @njasl