Tag: school library

‘Valdez High School Celebrates Native Alaska / Native American Heritage Month’ By Pamela Verfaillie

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On November 15th, the Valdez High School Library, in partnership with the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive and local Alaska Native elders and cultural ambassadors, hosted an Alaska Native Culture Appreciation Day to celebrate Native American / Native Alaskan Heritage Month. VHS Library Associate, Pamela Verfaillie, approached her principal, Peter Baksis, with the idea and was told “sure – go for it. I’ll support you.” So she did.

One Gilson Middle School student claimed this was “the best class I have ever taken”.

Continue reading ‘Valdez High School Celebrates Native Alaska / Native American Heritage Month’ By Pamela Verfaillie

‘Is It Library Time?’ By Principal Cherita Williams

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A recently converted storage space in Buckland School in the Northwest Arctic Borough School District.  Principal Cherita Williams spent part of the summer of 2023 prepping a new library space in order to promote literacy, and even more importantly, a love of books and reading in her school.

When Principal Williams arrived in Buckland School, there was a small library, but students did not use it and the books were old and outdated. She also saw that an area used for general storage could be smartly repurposed to serve as a bigger library space. As a long-time educator with her own love of books, she set out to update and transform students’ access to high quality books and a matching space dedicated to reading. Continue reading ‘Is It Library Time?’ By Principal Cherita Williams

‘Sudoku and the Library Standards’ by Pamela Verfaillie

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The updated Alaska school library standards are not just about books. They are based on the six foundations of Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Explore and Engage. Some or all of these foundations can apply to and enhance ALL educational experiences, including the Sudoku board found in the Valdez High School Library.

VHS Library Associate Pamela Verfaillie was approached by math teacher Rachel Hamilton, thinking that she might be interested in a giant Sudoku board (seen on Teachers Pay Teachers). Mrs. Hamilton was right. They purchased one of the available TpT Sudoku kits and created a 2’x3’ station in the library. It is frequently in use and puzzles sometimes need to be changed out more than once in a day (it is set up so students can do that themselves).

Continue reading ‘Sudoku and the Library Standards’ by Pamela Verfaillie

‘The Importance of K-12 libraries in Alaska’ by Tana Martin, Librarian/Media Specialist at Tanana Middle School

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“We love kids. We love books. We love to serve.” This was a recent consensus made by the combined library staff in Fairbanks North Star Borough School District as to why we work in a school library. And that, my friends, is why K-12 school libraries are important. Kids need love. Kids need books. Kids need help. 

Tanana Middle, Fairbanks – Just Dance Fridays during lunch: Lunch in the library is a Tanana staple. The crowd varies daily from 30-70 students. Just Dance Fridays are icing on the cake. It’s a time to get the wiggles out, and be comfortable in their own skin. (Photo courtesy of Tana Martin @runnergirlT)

Continue reading ‘The Importance of K-12 libraries in Alaska’ by Tana Martin, Librarian/Media Specialist at Tanana Middle School

‘Turning An Empty Space Into A Creative Place’ By Librarian/Teacher Luke Fortier at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School in Juneau

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Last summer, an empty room sat at the end of the hallway in Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School. Our team sat staring at the empty space, thinking of what we could do with the room. Possibilities were endless – maybe a place for additional offices, or a testing area. “We can always use more storage for books and materials,” claimed the Librarian. However, Molly Yerkes, Principal at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School had a greater vision in mind. Why don’t we give the Makerspace a more defined location (not just a table in the library). And thus, a creative space was born. Continue reading ‘Turning An Empty Space Into A Creative Place’ By Librarian/Teacher Luke Fortier at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School in Juneau