Live from the LC
February 2024
February Fun
February is here, and it's time to kick our motivation into high gear! As we enter the second month of the year, it's important to reflect on our goals and remind ourselves of the importance of staying motivated and focused on our studies.
This month presents us with a fresh start and new opportunities to excel academically. It may be tempting to let the winter blues or mid-year slump get the best of us, but let's remember we have the power to overcome challenges that come our way.
Here are a few motivational reminders to keep you inspired throughout February:
- Set Clear Goals: Take some time to reflect on what you want to acheive this month. Whether it's improving grades, participating in extracurricular activities, or working on personal development. Setting clear and achievable goals will keep you focused and motivated.
- Stay Organized: Organization is key to success. Plan your schedule, prioritize tasks, and create a study routine that works for you. By staying organized, you'll feel more in control of your workload and be better equipped to tackle any challenges that come your way.
- Seek Support: Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Reach out to teachers, classmates, or mentors for guidance and support. Surround yourself with positive influences who will motivate and encourage you to reach your full potential.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Remember to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Recognizing your progress will boost your confidence and keep you motivated to continue working towards your goals.
- Take Breaks: It's important to take breaks and recharge your mind and body. Balancing academics with self-care activities like exercise, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones will help you maintain a healthy mindset and prevent burnout.
- Stay Positive: Positivity is contagious. Surround yourself with postive energy, practice self-affirmation, and focus on the progress you've made so far. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and remember that a positive mindset can make all the difference in acheiving success.
Remember, high school is a time of growth, learning, and self-discovery. Embrace the challenges, stay motivated, and keep pushing forward. You have the potential to acheive great things, and February is the perfect month to showcase your determination and resilience.
Wishing you a motivated and successful February! Come by for a visit in the LC this month and I'll celebrate with you.
Best regards,
Mrs. Brewer
Learning Commons Design Space
Using the Cricut Maker to design?
Make sure you have your own Cricut Design Space account. This part can be accomplished anywhere you have access to the Design Space. For example you can use the app on your phone, download the software onto your laptop or home computer, or come in and use the software on the design space computer. Remember, not all designs are free in this software. However, there is plenty to choose from if you do not want to spend any extra money.
Printing a Sublimation Design for application?
There are several helpful videos on youtube that will walk you through the process of printing sublimation designs. Remember that sublimation designs are more vibrant and last longer when using fabric that is no less than 65% polyester. Will it work on fabrics that are less than this? YES, it just might not be as vibrant when the transfer takes place. It might also fade more quickly over time and washing cycles than an item that is 65% or more polyster.
Do you have to use the Cricut Design Space for sublimation? No, that is not neccessary for every sublimation design. You can find designs to purchase and download just as easy as you can create your own design.
Want to work with Vinyl transfer?
You can do that as well using the Cricut Maker Machine. With this, you will need to use the Cricut Design Space to lay out your image or text. I am very limited on my vinyl selection. You might want to come in and check out what I have to offer while you are planning your design. Remember, if I don't have it you will have to supply it. Again, just like the sublimation tutorials, there are a plethera of good helpful videos that will guide you through vinyl selection, designing, and then cuting and transfering your design.
Helpful youtube videos to check out are:
(sublimation printing and transfer) https://youtu.be/_TEyQh7HZz8?feature=shared
(Cricut Auto Press How To) https://youtu.be/_N0kwQszg6s?feature=shared
February Happenings
Faculty, Students, Clubs, Coaches….
Need to book the LC for class, special activity, meeting, or guest speaker? Please contact me to get your name and activity/event on the calendar!
Feb. 1st - Seniors Last Will and Testament due (see scrolling slides for QR code)
Feb. 5th - 9th - National School Counseling Week
Feb. 5th - Current 8th Grade/Rising 9th grade Course Registration Meeting @ RMS 5:30
Feb. 6th - Spring Athletic Team Uniform Pictures (Soccer, Tennis, Track) 1:30
Feb. 8th - Spring Athletic Team Uniform Pictures (Baseball/Softball) 1:30
Feb. 9th - Quiz Bowl District Tournament
Feb. 12th - FAFSA Night Hosted by GSCC for Senior Parents 5:30 in LC
Feb. 13th - Mandatory Cheer Tryouts Parent Meeting 6:00
Feb. 15th - SRO Appreciation Day
Feb. 15th - MPA Preview Concert
Feb. 16th - Progress Reports Go Home
Feb. 16th - Job Shadow Opportunity for interested 11/12 grade students. See Mrs. Davenport
Feb. 16th - Water Festival
Feb. 16th-17th - State Theatre Festival
Feb. 19th - 23rd - Cheer Tryout Week
Feb. 19th - 23rd - FFA Week
Feb. 19th - Presidents' Day - No School
Feb. 20th - UAB Admissions Counselor on Campus
Feb. 22nd - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Feb. 22nd - ACT Experience with AMSTI (All Juniors)
Feb. 27th - Anatomy Field Trip to GSCC
Feb. 28th - NHS Induction Ceremony (tentative)
What We're Up To
Sublimation Printer Addition
I am very excited to offer this to our student body. If you are not familiar with sublimated design, boy are you in for a treat! Adding this element to existing machines will be a real game changer.
A few things to remember:
1- I have a limited amount of supplies. Before planning your project, stop by and see what options are available. You will need to supply the items that I do not stock.
2- The Design Maker Station is available during school hours.
3 - This printer is an addition to our Cricut Maker Machine. Please read over the information about it before planning a design.
4 - As always, I am here to help you! If you have questions, please let me know how I can assist.
February Book/Series Feature
I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of students that have come in to check out our book selection! The addition of 200 titles on our shelves has been great.
This month I’d like to spotlight the American Royals Series by Katherine McGee.
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING SERIES -
What if America had a royal family? If you can't get enough of Harry and Meghan or Kate and William, meet American princesses Beatrice and Samantha.
Crazy Rich Asians meets The Crown.
Perfect for fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue and The Royal We!
Two princesses vying for the ultimate crown.
Two girls vying for the prince's heart.
This is the story of the American royals.
When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centureies later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne. Like most royal families, the Washingtons have an heir and a spare. A future monarch and a backup battery. Each child knows exaclty what is expected of them. But these aren't just any royals. They're American. As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America's first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling. Nobody cares about the spare except when she's breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn't care much about anything, either ... except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her. And then there's Samantha's twin, Prince Jeffereson. If he'd been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him thrid. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince ... but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart.
The duty. The intrigue. The Crown. New Yor Times bestselling author Katharine McGee imagines an alternate version of the modern world, one where the glittering age of monarchies has not yet faded -- and where love is still powerful enough to change the course of history.
Be one of the first to come and check this series out! I'd love to hear what you think about this series!
I am currently working on another book order for our Library. If you have any titles that you’d like to see added, please use this form to send in suggestions. Be prepared to give a review of the book !
One quick reminder, please don't forget to sign in when you enter the LC. This sign in book is a way for me to help you. It gives me an idea of who comes in during the day and what the purpose for the visit is. It also is an easy way for me to verify your visit when a teacher ask me if you came into the library.
New Makerspace
The new installation of our Cricut Maker Machine and accessories is now available for you to use. The following guidelines apply:
Go to Cricut.com and create your own account using your personal email. Using this account, you can design a project.
You can then come to the LC, log on to your account either using one of our computers or your Cricut App on your phone and use our Cricut and supplies to create your design.
The Cricut Maker will operate on a first come/first serve basis. Check with Mrs. Brewer or the LC Aides if you have questions about use. If you do not have your own account, you can use a generic account that has been created for the SSHS LC.
We do have a heat press! Oh yes, you can make t-shirts, bags, etc... However, the LC will NOT provide the t-shirt or bag. We do have a limited supply of paper and vynl opitons for you to use. Make sure you check out our selection and if you don't see what you need, be sure to bring it with you when you come.
Check It Out!
Contact Info
Library Media Specialist
Southside High School
Email: jana_brewer@ecboe.org
Website: https://sshs.ecboe.org/library-30dea3e4
Location: 2361 School Drive, Southside, AL, USA
Phone: 256.442.2172
Twitter: @sshslib