Thanks for those resources, Paige and Hilda. It would be great if others would post the "good stuff" you find.

The school librarian was quoted today in the New York Times. From page 2:"Yvonne Cech, a school librarian, said she had spent 45 minutes locked in a closet with two library clerks, a library catalog assistant and 18 fourth graders."

Monday will be a tough day in our schools.

All the best, Sara

On Sat, Dec 15, 2012 at 8:41 AM, Jaeger, Paige <pjaeger@wswheboces.org> wrote:

On today's blog post, I suggest a Biography Unit to examine "Legacies Left Behind" -- A unit such as this could be a response to help students understand how every life has an impact -- what impact will your life have?

For those who are interested--here's a suggested Inquiry approach to "react" to this travesty.

http://librarydoor.blogspot.com/2012/12/forensic-footprints-after-shooting.html


 Paige Jaeger
________________________________________
From: Hilda Weisburg [hildakw@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 8:24 PM
To: aaslforum@ala.org
Subject: [aaslforum] RE: A hard day

I posted some good links -- one from the NY Times and the other from Mr. Rogers on my Facebook page. I know others are sharing links as well.  I agree with Susan.  While the guidance teachers and school psychologists will be available at many schools, do what you do best.  Put together a list of resources. Share with your staff -- and with parents using your website and whatever other outreach tools you use.

Hilda

________________________________
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2012 21:57:18 +0000
From: sdballard@comcast.net
To: aaslforum@ala.org
Subject: [aaslforum] A hard day

Dear Colleagues,

Today, an unimaginable event occurred at an elementary school in Connecticut.  There are no words to express how  the community of Newtown, and especially the families whose children attended the Sandy Hook School, are singularly impacted by this tragedy.  I know I speak for all of us when I express our concern for our colleagues in Newtown and Connecticut, and I want the members of the Connecticut Association of School Librarians to know that we are here for them, and standing by to provide them with our support and assistance. And we also need to consider that hundreds of thousands of other school children, their teachers, and their parents, are also impacted by this tragedy and will look to school librarians for our expertise in finding resources and materials that will help them to try and make some sense of this senseless act.  Our school libraries are often sanctuaries for kids and no doubt over the next few weeks, many of them will be seeking solace, comfort and caring which we can help to provide.  There is a saying that "In every child's life there is one great teacher, let it be you." On Monday morning, when students and teachers return to your schools, let it be you who reaches out with kindness, compassion and understanding so they have no doubt that we are there for them.  Think about what you can do, share your ideas, and let's unite to make a difference.

Susan

Susan D. Ballard
President, American Association of School Librarians
http://www.ala.org/aasl/
Co-Chair, ALA Presidential Task Force on School Libraries
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/schoolibrarytaskforce
Adjunct Faculty, Simmons GSLIS Instructional Technology Licensure
http://www.simmons.edu/itl

--
Sara Kelly Johns, School Librarian
Lake Placid Middle/High School Library
Instructor, Mansfield University School Library & Information Technology Program
AASL Division Councilor. ALA Council
AASL Legislative Committee
67 Canaras Ave.
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
johns@northnet.org
skjohns@gmail.com





"All knowledge is spendable currency, depending on the market"--Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings