NMS Wildcats
Library, Schoology & Technology Services
Family Newsletter
Hello NMS Families!
My name is Kimberly Wesner, and I am excited to be serving as Novi Middle School’s Teacher Librarian. Prior to transitioning to this role, I taught history and English for 11 years.
As a teacher librarian, my primary role is to support your child’s learning and growth. I work closely with classroom teachers to ensure library resources and materials are aligned with the curriculum and the needs of the students. I also collaborate with teachers to design and implement lessons, as well as integrate technology and information literacy skills into the curriculum.
One of my goals as a teacher librarian is to promote the love of reading and lifelong learning among students. I believe reading is one of the most important skills a child can develop. I also encourage students to explore a wide variety of resources, including print materials, e-books, audiobooks, and online databases.
Each student is a member of the Library’s Schoology Course. This course includes a monthly update with contests, book talks/recommendations, information on e-books, audiobooks, databases, recommended podcasts, and much more! I encourage you to take time to review it.
In an attempt to keep all informed of library services, Schoology and technology information, I’ve decided to put together this newsletter. I hope you find it useful and please let me know if you need assistance. I am excited to be part of your child’s education and look forward to working together. Please let me know if you have any questions. Go Wildcats!
Respectfully,
Kimberly Wesner
Certified Teacher Librarian, NBCT
NMS Library Media Center Material Check-Out
STEM Center
- The NMS Library Media Center now has a STEM Center where students can check out items that promote inquiry, communication, critical and creative thinking, problem solving and reflection. Items available for checkout include: coding books, jumping drones, Little Bits, Loobani metal puzzles, Merge Cubes, Micro:Bits, Scratch project kits and Temple Trap Smart Games.
Library Books
- We know how important it is to get books in the hands of our students in order to help them grow as readers. Students are able to place holds on books from home. Once the library media center receives a hold request, the requested book will be reserved. When the book becomes available, the requesting student will receive an email and message to pick up the book either in the library for in-person students or via our curbside service for virtual students.
Curbside Service
- All students may place holds on books, as well as return books in our curbside return bin. Virtual students will place a hold through Destiny Discover and pick up their books via Curbside Service.
Placing Library Books on Hold
- Sign into your Destiny Discover account
- Log into Destiny Discover using your student email address and password
- Search for your book by either typing the title or author
- Click on the title
- Click Hold
When the book becomes available, an email will be sent to you asking you to stop by the library to pick up your book
Virtual Students: When the book becomes available, an email will be sent to you letting you know to stop by the school and pick up your book from the pick-up bin outside the main entrance
To Renew Your Book
- Sign into your Destiny Discover account
- Go to the Main Menu tab at the top left side of the page (this looks like several lines together)
- Choose the Checkouts options
- Click the Renew button found beneath each book you would like renewed
Submitting a Book Review at Novi Middle School
- Books can be submitted at school or from home using Destiny Discover!
- Log into Destiny Discover
- Search for your book by either typing the title or author
- Click on the title
- Click View More Details
- Scroll down and click Reviews>Write Review
- You may now add a 1 to 5 star writing as well as write up to a 2000 character review.
Digital Audiobooks & eBooks
Destiny Discover
- Destiny Discover is an app which allows the check out of Novi Middle School eBooks and audiobooks. Both students and staff are encouraged to access our available digital materials. Click here to watch an instructional video on how access eBooks and audiobooks at Novi Middle School.
Checking Out eBooks & Audiobooks
- Go to the NMS Media Center Page or Library’s Schoology Page and choose Destiny Discover
- Log into Destiny Discover using your student email address and password
- Check out material online
- Accessing NMS eBooks & Audiobooks on the Destiny Read App
- Download the Destiny Discover App
- Choose Location & Enter Novi Middle School
- Login using your student email address and password
- Books checked out from Destiny Discover will appear
- Materials will automatically be returned in two weeks
- Downloading and Returning eBooks & Audiobooks on the Destiny Read App
- Open the App
- Go to
Click the three dots next to the item you want return or renew
Libby
- Libby is an app used for borrowing and downloading eBooks and audiobooks. All Novi residents can use Libby, but must have a public library card in order to access materials. If you are not a Novi resident, check to see if your public library offers the Libby app.
Hoopla
- With Hoopla, Novi Public Library cardholders have instant access to digital comics, movies, eBooks, audiobooks and music that can be enjoyed on your computer, tablet, or phone ~ and even your TV! If you are not a Novi resident, check to see if your public library offers the Hoopla app.
Sora
- The NMS Library has a lot of free audiobooks and eBooks, but students can now access thousands of additional free audiobooks and eBooks with Sora, just by logging into their school gmail account. Please watch this video to learn how.
NMS Databases & Other Online Resources
Databases are types of storage warehouses containing credible articles, written by authors who are experts in the field. Databases are a great place to start your research and NMS has a variety available for student use.
American History Online
American History Online This database provides key maps, graphs, information on people and primary sources throughout history. It also gives arguments for and against several controversial topics from the past. username & password: see Mrs. Wesner
Britannica School
Unlimited access to Britannica School through MeL.
Discovery Education
Students and teachers can use Discovery Education for free videos and instructional materials. Please click here for directions.
Explora
- Explora is a site that gives free access to magazines and reference books for middle school students. It includes thousands of biographies and primary source documents. Subjects include history, current events, science, sports, and biographies. It also includes photos, maps, and flags.
History Reference Center
History Reference Center has documents, photos, maps, film, and video from leading history journals, as well as biographies of historical figures.
Infoplease
Infoplease is a free and respected reference for Internet uses that provides a comprehensive encyclopedia, almanac, atlas, dictionary and more.
Issues and Controversies
Issues and Controversies helps researchers get an understanding of crucial issues we face today. This site is updated daily to keep topics current and relevant. username & password: see Mrs. Wesner
MeL (Michigan eLibrary)
MeL (Michigan eLibrary) gives links to several databases on various topics. Access is free for Michigan residents.
Opposing Viewpoints
Opposing Viewpoints contains information and opinions on hundreds of today's hottest social issues. Topics are continuously updated and include viewpoints from both sides, as well as primary source documents, biographies, court-case overviews and more. Access is free for Michigan residents.
Periodic Table of Elements
- Students and teachers can enjoy the interactive online periodic table of contents website with TED-Ed lessons and videos.
ProCon
- ProCon.org is a school recognized website that provides information on diverse controversial topics with facts and quotations from thousands of experts.
Scholastic Science World
Science World contains scientific discoveries, current science events and hands-on investigations for students spanning from biology, physics, chemistry, earth science and engineering. access code: See Mrs. Wesner
Scope contains thrilling multigenre stories, activities and monthly contests for students to enjoy.access code: See Mrs. Wesner
Scholastic Upfront
Upfront is a great news magazine for middle school students. It keeps up to date with current events around the world.access code: See Mrs. Wesner
Science Reference Center
- Science Reference Center contains material from science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals, and other sources. More than 4,000 full text, full-length biographies. It also includes biology, chemistry, earth & space science, the environment, health & medicine, history of science, life science, physics, science & society, science as inquiry, and wildlife.
Smithsonian Online Magazine
- Smithsonian Online Magazine is a news site that includes articles, photos, videos, etc. about various past and current events.
Read It
Read It is a site to help build reading skills and improve study habits with ELL students.
Schoology
To access your child’s Schoology classes, please follow the directions below. You will need a Parent Access Code, which has been specifically assigned for your child. Your child’s A20 teacher will give you the 12-digit code and that one code will work for all classes. If your child is a new student, it takes approximately 24 hours to get your information into the system.
It is important to connect to Schoology to receive important updates from your child and teacher in their Schoology courses.
- Your child may complete course work within Schoology.
- Teachers will also send you messages, reminders, or important information.
- Schoology is private. You'll only see posts created by your child or their teacher
Parent Schoology Directions
Register to view your child's Schoology pages:
- Go to www.schoology.com
- Click Register located in the blue ribbon that states "Looking to login to the Schoology app?" and select Parent
- Enter your Parent Access Code. This Is a 12-digit code in an xxxx-xxxx-xxxx format that you receive from one of your child’s teachers
- Fill out the form with your information
- Click Register to complete
Watch this video on how to navigate Schoology.
Receive email notifications on your child's progress:
- Log into your Schoology Account at www.schoology.com
- Click your name displayed on the top right
- Select your child's account from the dropdown menu
- Once in your child's account, click their name displayed on the top right
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu
- Click the Notifications tab
- Choose either Email Summary and/or Overdue Submissions
- Be sure to scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes
Email Summary: Receive a weekly or daily email report of your child’s activity, including grades
Overdue Submissions: Receive an email when an item’s due date has passed without a submission from your child
Student Schoology Directions
Student Schoology Directions
Go to novi.schoology.com
Login using your email as your username and your email’s password as your password
Click Courses at the top of the page
All courses in which you are enrolled will appear
Click into each course to view its content
To Join a Course (eg: Counseling, Media Center, Co-Teacher, Clubs)
Go to Courses
Click My Courses
Click Join Course
Add course code given to you by the teacher
Accessing Schoology on an IOS or Android Device
Parents:
- Download the Schoology app from the App Store, Google Play Store, or Amazon Store
- Open the Schoology app on your smartphone or tablet
- Select Continue to log in through Schoology.com
- Type in your email and password
- Press Log In
- Approve Schoology’s permissions
- On an iOS device, choose to either Don't Allow or Allow Notifications
- Press the Menu bars in the top left
- Select Account Settings (iOS device) / Account Info (Android device)
- On an Android device, choose to toggle notifications on or off
- Press the Notifications tab
- Decide which types of Notifications you would like turned On or Off
- Go into your Notification Settings on your phone and allow Schoology Notifications
Students:
- Download the Schoology app from the App Store, Google Play Store, or Amazon Store
- Open the Schoology app on your smartphone or tablet
- Select Log in through your School
- Type in Novi Middle School
- Log in with your School Email and Password
- Approve Schoology’s permissions
- On an iOS device, choose to either Don't Allow or Allow Notifications
- Press the Menu bars in the top left
- Select Account Settings (iOS device) / Account Info (Android device)
- On an Android device, choose to toggle notifications on or off
- Press the Notifications tab
- Decide which types of Notifications you would like turned On or Off
- Go into your Notification Settings on your phone and allow Schoology Notifications
Notes:
- Any graphics, images, or buttons embedded into Schoology will not appear for users on the Schoology app. To see these graphics, images, or buttons you need to log into Schoology using a computer.
- Some steps may vary depending on the type of device you are using: iOS, Android, or Amazon.
Additional Schoology Support
Technology Assistance
Student Emails & Passwords
Passwords are also available upon registration or in the library media center. Your original password is considered a temporary password and should be changed. Temporary passwords must be changed in order to access Destiny Discover (the NMS Library's Card Catalog).
Changing your password:
NMS students should try logging into their G Suite account by logging into Google Chrome or Google.com and enter their username and password. If you have forgotten your password, please stop by the library media center to have it reset.
If you remember your password and would like to change it, go to https://password.oakland.k12.mi.us/.
Virtual students may call the library media center at 248-449-1603 during school hours to have their password reset or complete the Novi Request to Reset Student Password Google Form.
Decide on a new password using the following tips:
Cannot contain your first or last name
Cannot be the same as your previous 10 passwords
Must be at least 9 characters long
Must contain a number
Must contain an UPPERCASE letter
Technology Help Guides
A technology help sheet created by Oakland Schools regarding district technology (how to log into the device, accessing Schoology, Zoom, etc.) can be found here. If you are finding your District issued Chromebook is running slow, please watch this video for three tips to help speed up a Chromebook.
And as a friendly reminder, now that the District is a 1:1 (one device for every student) and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) learning environment, students are expected to bring a fully-charged NCSD issued device or a fully-charged BYOD device to school each day (along with a charger).
Technology Support Through Oakland Schools
NCSD families needing technical support should start by contacting the Oakland Schools Service Desk.
Ways to enter a service ticket:
- Log in to the Service Desk system to create a service desk request. Select the area that best describes the help you need. Enter the information specified on the form. NOTE: The fields on the form vary, based on the type of request selected. Include attachments with information that may be helpful for the request. Click “Create”
- Start a Chat Session by accessing the Service Desk Request page. Once at the page, a link to start a chat will appear in the lower right corner of the screen from 7a.m to 6p.m. on weekdays.
- Send an email message to servicedesk@oakland.k12.mi.us detailing the issue you are having. Please include what equipment you are using and any troubleshooting steps you may have already tried.
- If a service ticket, chat session, or email didn't solve the issue, call the Service Desk at 248-209-2060 to speak to a representative.