Flushing HS Library Annual Report
Ms. E. Bayer, LIbrary Media Specialist June 2020
FHS Library Adapts to the Virtual World
With the change over to remote learning, Flushing High School experienced a sea change this year. Coronavirus, Google meets, Virtual classrooms, all were put to the test this year. Students and teachers became experts in digital platforms and rose to the challenge. Our library was prepared. We introduced the Flushing High School Libguide to Distance Learning to put all digital resources in one place. The Flushing HS Library Blog introduced students to the latest online events. The GSA and the Books with Bite Clubs met virtually with author Colleen Venable thanks to a grant from LAMBDA Literary. (see picture below).
Before the pandemic hit, our Finance Academy and Veritas students had an exciting visit with Corinne Haynes of QPL who shared tips with our students about how to successfully find a job. See the photo above. Michael Clark, the MyLibrary NYC Coordinator, visited our school and has helped get our students public library cards and supplied us with a generous supply of pencils, reading lists, and flash drives.
Flushing HS Blog Keeps Students Updated
Follow the Flushing High School Library blog to find out the latest events in the virtual world.
Powerful Foods Powerful Memories Volume 2
The Leadership Class and the Books with Bite Club members published volume 2 of Powerful Foods Powerful Memories. Some student favorite recipes include Cassava Cake by Jenny Cruz, Curry Chicken by Ravenna Toora and Chicken Biryani by Joyitha Dey.
Author Colleen Venable Visits GSA Club Remotely
Students of the GSA Club, along with teachers Ms. Gluick and Ms. Castellon met Colleen Venable, author of Kiss No. 8. Ms. Venable shared tips about drawing and illustrating, how many times books must be rewritten to finally get published and some encouragement to our aspiring writers.
Our Collections Continue to Grow
The FHS Library expanded our Cooperative Extension Collection of Entrepreneurship Books through the generosity of New York State Library Services. We also expanded our collection of LGBTQ books and will have a brand new collection of LGBTQ Audio Books available for student listening pleasure in the fall. Even before the pandemic hit, FHS realized the value of having ebooks and has continued to expand our ebook collection to include both fiction and nonfiction titles. This year we focused our purchases on tolerance and expanded our collection of books focusing on racism and inclusion. You can see some highlights on our Destiny Collections page.
How Does Technology Help Engage Our Students
Technology Introduced to Students and Teachers
- Google Classroom was introduced in the library to Mr. Marotta's students and the Participation in Government classes. Program was previewed at our Foreign Language, Arts, Health and Library Department meeting.
- Flipgrid was introduced to teachers. Positives: great for the shy student, negative: not everyone in comfortable talking on video.
- Nearpod was introduced at Teacher PD on June 4, 2020.
- Google Forms was introduced via a Loom video.
- Adding rubrics to assignments in google classroom.
- Reading ebooks online.
Technology played a major role in FHS' transition to online learning. Many more tools and tips were shared by the FHS community.
Do You Remember???
Choosing the Most Popular Books of the Year
Grants and Special Recognition
- CCD Grant for Entrepreneurship Collection enabled our collection to continue to grow this year by the addition of over $500 worth of print and electronic media.
- Lambda Literary awarded us a grant to give our GSA and Books with Bite students copies of the book Kiss No. 8 and funded the author visit.
- We were awarded an LGBTQ+ Digital Audiobook Collection from NYCSLS.
- Ms. Bayer was recognized as the School Librarian of the Month Award for October 2019 by the New York City School Librarian Association.
Flushing HS Library Media Center
E. Frank Bayer, MLS, editor
Email: ebayer@schools.nyc.gov
Website: http://tinyurl.com/goy6bub
Location: 3501 Union Street, Flushing, NY 11354
Phone: (718)888-7500
Twitter: @readingbeaver