Erwin School Library Weekly Update
Nancy Cravey, School Librarian
7 September 2015
The Computer Lab is open for business! Sign up here for your weekly class time!
Happy Labor Day! Enjoy your long weekend.
Please make note of upcoming due dates and sign ups.
All classes will come to the library for lessons this week.
Read to the end to learn about Tales 4 Trims.
Dates of Interest and Importance
September 8 -- open circulation begins, 7:30-8:00 daily
September 11 -- National Folk Festival Guest Artist
September 11-13 -- National Folk Festival
September 14 -- Newbery winning author Kwame Alexander at UNCG
September 15 -- PTA Battle of the Books fundraiser at Celebration Station
September 17 -- PTA Meeting/ 4th and 5th Grade performances
September 19 -- Walk to End Alzheimer's
September 24 -- Overdue notices go home with Interim Reports
Student Checkout Begins!
Open checkout begins Tuesday. Students must bring their library cards when they come to the library. It is also their hall pass, so they do not need to keep up with two things plus their books while in the library.
Please teach students your classroom procedure for leaving and returning from open checkout. This procedure should include where you will keep library cards so students know where to find them and return them.
No more than four students should be out of the classroom for open checkout at one time.
Checkout limits by grade:
1st-2nd grade - 2 book limit
3rd-4th grade - 3 book limit
5th grade - 4 book limit
Library cards have a new look this year. Each grade level is a different, bright neon color which should be easy to locate if misplaced.
The students' ID numbers and birthdates are on the library cards to make computer login and ebook login simple.
Anatomy of a library card . . .
GCS Has a New App
http://www.gcsnc.com/pages/gcsnc/News/GCS_Debuts_App_to_Help_Parents
There is a link on the bottom of the school webpage to download the app from iTunes or Google Play.
Upcoming Programs
Walk to End Alzheimer's
We will kick of the school year with a service learning project to benefit Alzheimer's research. School staff, students and families will be invited to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer's on September 19. Students will raise money for the Alzheimer's Association and will participate in an assembly to learn about the disease. A speaker from the Alzheimer's Association will speak to students on September 1. The PreK-2nd grade assembly will be at 1:30. The 3rd-5th grade assembly will be at 2:00.
Teachers should plan to discuss the project in class using resources from the Alzheimer's Association website.
All money brought in by students should be given to Nancy Cravey, Kristie Hines, Elizabeth Brown.
GCS Reads 20
Stuents should be keeping a reading log of at-home reading this school year. If you would like assistance setting up an electronic class log or have questions about collecting reading minutes, let Ms. Cravey know.
September reading minutes will be collected Wednesday, October 7. Teachers who have their minutes ready to turn in will receive a Jeans Pass for Thursday, October 8.
Read and Ride Class Orientation
Times slots are 20 minutes on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Additional slots can be added if needed to accomodate class schedules. Only teachers who plan to use the Read and Ride program with their students need to bring classes for an orientation time. Leadership Team discussion last year determined that the program is most likely best suited for 2nd-5th graders unless teachers determine otherwise.
More information about how this program is used at other schools can be found at www.readandride.org. If you have questions about the purpose of Read and Ride or how to use it with your students, see Nancy Cravey or Elizabeth Brown.
Student Owned Devices
3rd- 5th grade students are allowed to bring electronic devices to school as long as they are used for reading only.
Before bringing a device, a policy and permission form must be filled out and signed by the parent. The teacher keeps this form on file in case of misuse, loss or damage to the device.
The Electronic Device Policy and Permission Form is on the school website. 3rd-5th grade teachers should plan to send this home at Open House or the first day of school.
Exemplars
We will announce our first Star Readers and Class of the Month at the beginning of October!
Star Readers recognizes classes at each level with the highest pecentage of book circulations.
The Class of the Month recognizes the class with the highest reading minute average based on Reading Log data collected.
Computer Lab
Please sign up for a weekly computer lab time. This is a class time and should be used for instructional purposes.
Teachers should go over the computer lab rues and procedures each time they take their class to the space.
Rules:
1. Use gentle hands on your computer.
2. Only touch your computer, mouse, keyboard and headphones.
3. Clean and organize your computer space before leaving.
Exit Procedures:
* Save work and close all programs.
* Hang up headphones or place on top of monitor.
* Straighten the mouse and keyboard.
* Remove all paper, pencils, trash or other items.
* Push chair in.
Student work should be saved in Student Activities in the class folder. Work that is not saved in the correct location may be deleted.
Student Computer Logins
There is a generic student login for computers. Students can also login using their individual ID numbers and passwords. Students can only access their Discovery Education accounts when using their individual logins.
Generic login:
Username-- 361-student
Password-- 361stu
Individual login PreK-2nd:
Username-- ID# (lunch #), ex. 1234567
Password-- not needed
Individual login 3rd-5th:
Username-- ID# (lunch #), ex. 1234567
Password-- birthdate (MMDDYYYY), ex. 01012001
Tech Tip: Smore
Newsletters can be embedded in websites or emails, or shared via a hyperlink. The program accepts pictures, videos and links.
Social Media and Internet
If you are on Facebook, please like the school page!
If you are on Twitter, please follow Erwin!
If you are on Instagram, check out school pictures!
Please promote these communication tools with parents and encourage families to use our school website, www.erwinmontessori.com.
If you want to help administer any of these resources, let Ms. Cravey know!
In case you missed it . . .
School Contact and Social Media Links
Email: craveyn@gcsnc.com
Website: www.erwinmontessori.com
Location: 3012 East Bessemer Avenue, Greensboro, NC, United States
Phone: 336-370-8151
Facebook: facebook.com/erwinmontessori
Twitter: @ErwinMontessori