[CASL-L] AASL Hotlinks - September 2012

[IRENE KWIDZINSKI]

FYI


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From: American Association of School Librarians <aasl at ala.org>
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AASL Hotlinks - September 2012  
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Volume 11, Issue 6
September 2012



In this Issue: 
 Association News
Education News
Resources for School Librarians
Grants & Awards
Partnership News
Member Spotlight

________________________________
 

Association News
________________________________
 
Transliteracy Takes Center Stage at AASL's Fall Forum
Gain a deeper understanding of transliteracy during AASL’s 2012 Fall Forum, 
taking place October 12-13 in Greenville, S.C. Kristin Fontichiaro and R. David 
Lankes will join media studies scholar Henry Jenkins, in providing a 
comprehensive overview of the importance of participatory culture in education.

During the two-day institute, Jenkins will share his extensive expertise on 
participatory culture and help school librarians establish themselves as leaders 
when collaborating with teachers to plan and teach new media literacies to 
students. Fontichiaro will work with Fall Forum attendees to deconstruct the 
concept of transliteracy into smaller, more manageable facets. Her breakout 
session will help school librarians be able to assess their use of transliterate 
skills and understand when they have done a good job of building a library that 
is at the center of participatory culture within the school. Lankes' portion of 
the institute will further elaborate on the collaborative nature of 
transliteracy. He will advise attendees on how to advocate for and highlight the 
relevance of school librarians in an environment of ever-changing educational 
priorities.

These three presentations will be simultaneously broadcast to participating 
satellite sites in Doylestown, Pa.; Homestead, Pa.; Richardson, Texas; and San 
Jose, Calif.

Below are some additional events and activities scheduled for this exciting 
forum!

'Socialize' AASL’s 2012 Fall Forum and Win!
Attendees of AASL’s 2012 Fall Forum are invited to pin, tweet and post their way 
into a drawing for an autographed copy of keynote speaker Henry Jenkins’ book, 
“Convergence Culture.” Three copies of “Convergence Culture” will be raffled off 
during “Transliteracy and the School Library Program." In order to be eligible 
to win, attendees must share their excitement over attending Fall Forum on two 
of four social networking sites provided – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and 
LinkedIn – and submit their contact information via the online form.

AASL Fall Forum Ning Opens the Transliteracy Conversation
All are invited to become a part of the conversation on the range of skills 
comprising the concept of transliteracy, the focus of AASL 2012 Fall Forum, by 
joining the new AASL 2012 Fall Forum Ning. Ning membership is open to those 
attending Fall Forum and those interested in learning more about or sharing 
their expertise on transliteracy skills that students need in order to navigate 
the current information landscape. Registered members can engage in forum 
discussions, create and comment on blog posts, upload media and follow #aasl12 
tweets while digging deeper into the topic of transliteracy and its relationship 
with the school library program.

AASL Fall Forum Toolkit Helps School Librarians "Make Their Case"
To help school librarians demonstrate to their supervisors the value of 
attending the 2012 Fall Forum, AASL has included a Justification Toolkit as part 
of its Fall Forum Website.  AASL understands that due to the economy, many 
schools have made cuts to their professional development budgets and have 
limited out-of-state training.  With these restrictions, school librarians may 
need to justify the expense of attending the Fall Forum, regardless of the 
merits of the institute.  The Justification Toolkit contains general 
information, tips, worksheets and approval letter templates school librarians 
can utilize when making their presentations.

Visit the AASL Fall Forum Website for more information or to register!

AASL and NCLE Provide School Librarians with Literacy Resources
AASL has joined 30 other stakeholder groups representing educational, school and 
community leaders in support of the new National Center for Literacy Education 
(NCLE). As a result of this collaboration, AASL members have the opportunity to 
join two networks focused on working collaboratively to strengthen literacy 
practices and professional learning. Through its free Literacy in Learning 
Exchange, NCLE provides examples of participating schools’ innovative literacy 
education efforts. The website also hosts commentary from experts, research and 
helpful insights on how those visionary practices can be adapted in other 
schools. It also provides a clearinghouse for educator teams and schools engaged 
in innovative literacy education practices to share and learn from one another. 
As a stakeholder, AASL maintains a group in the exchange and will be posting 
resources for educators.
 
AASL members are also invited to sign up for the NCLE SmartBrief, a free 
twice-weekly news service that will supply a stream of insights and inspiration 
about how schools and community initiatives are engaging student literacy 
learners and deepening their learning. The NCLE SmartBrief looks at transforming 
literacy learning, literacy everywhere, education policy, leadership and 
capacity building and professional learning. AASL members will receive an 
invitation via email to join the informative newsletter starting Sept. 10.


October 3 is Banned Websites Awareness Day!
To raise awareness of the overly restrictive blocking of legitimate, educational 
websites and academically useful social networking tools in schools and school 
libraries, AASL has designated Wednesday, October 3, as Banned Websites 
Awareness Day. In observance of Banned Websites Awareness Day, AASL is asking 
school librarians and other educators to promote an awareness of how overly 
restrictive filtering affects student learning. You can find a variety of 
resources at the Banned Websites Awareness Day Website, including:
	* The Official Banned Websites Awareness Day Banner and Web Badge
	* A Complimentary Webinar - How to be a Ninja Warrior Filter Fighter!
	* Resources & Activities
	* The American Libraries article - A Tale of Two Students
	* Promotional Partners
AASL Awards Season Opens with More than $50,000 in Opportunities
AASL will offer more than $50,000 in awards in 2013 to AASL members. The 
association’s 10 awards recognize excellence and showcase best practices in the 
school library field in categories that include research, collaboration, 
leadership and innovation. AASL personal members are required to fill out 
applications using AASL’s online awards database. Recipients of awards and 
grants will be invited to the annual Awards luncheon and ceremony during the ALA 
2013 Annual Conference in Chicago.

The 2013 AASL awards include the following: 
	* The National School Library Program of the Year (NSLPY) Award, $10,000, 
sponsored by Follett Library Resources
	* The Collaborative School Library Award, $2,500, sponsored by Highsmith
	* The AASL Research Grant, $2,500, sponsored by Capstone
	* The ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant, up to $1,750, sponsored by ABC-CLIO
	* The Distinguished Service Award, $3,000, sponsored by Baker &Taylor
	* The Distinguished School Administrator Award, $2,000, sponsored by ProQuest
	* The Frances Henne Award, $1,250, sponsored by ABC-CLIO
	* The Information Technology Pathfinder Award, $1,000, sponsored by Follett 
Software Company
	* The Innovative Reading Grant, $2,500, sponsored by Capstone
	* The Intellectual Freedom Award, $2,000, sponsored by ProQuest
The deadline for submitting applications or nominations for most AASL awards and 
grants is Feb. 1, 2013. For the NSLPY award, the deadline is Jan. 1, 2013. All 
applications will close at 4:30 p.m. CST on the day of the deadline. Visit the 
AASL Awards Website for more information on all the awards.

AASL Seeks Nominations for the Best Curriculum-Based Apps
AASL is now accepting nominations for its new Best Apps for Teaching and 
Learning recognition. Nominations are being solicited for apps that encourage 
student engagement in learning and reinforce innovative teaching. Apps nominated 
should also strengthen instruction, critical thinking skills and inquiry. Apps 
can be nominated via the online form on the AASL Website. A Best Apps for 
Curriculum task force will develop a list of top 25 apps that AASL will 
recognize as being the best of the best for curriculum development. The list 
will be presented as part of AASL’s programming at the ALA 2013 Annual 
Conference in Chicago.

Subscription Databases, Serving Students with Special Needs and the Dynamics of 
Educational Agendas Examined in New School Library Research Papers
Three new research articles covering the topics of subscription databases, 
serving students with special needs and the dynamics that inhibit and/or enable 
school libraries to contribute to educational agendas are now available online 
as part of the American Association of School Librarian’s online journal, School 
Library Research.The peer-reviewed journal welcomes manuscripts that focus on 
high quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and 
evaluation of school library programs.

AASL Seeks Proposals for Concurrent Sessions at the AASL 16th National 
Conference
AASL invites proposals for concurrent sessions to be presented during the AASL 
16th National Conference and Exhibition, the only national conference dedicated 
solely to the needs of school librarians and their roles as educational leaders. 
Concurrent sessions will be held on Friday, Nov.15 and Saturday, Nov. 16. The 
submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Central time on Friday, Nov. 9. Concurrent 
sessions during the conference are 75-minutes in length. Proposals should focus 
on one of the content strands, including Common Core State Standards; 
leadership; literacy and reading; program administration; teaching and learning; 
or authors. Proposals should include up to three learning objectives and should 
address how the session supports the AASL strategic plan, the AASL Standards for 
the 21st-Century Learner, and/or Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School 
Library Programs. The AASL national conference committee will evaluate proposals 
for clarity, originality and timeliness. Submissions will only be accepted via 
online form.

The AASL National Conference and Exhibition, "Rising to the Challenge," takes 
place Nov. 13-17 in Hartford, Conn. More information on the conference, 
including special events, author appearances, and keynote presenters will be 
available in January 2013.

AASL Joins Nearly 3,000 Organizations to Make Voice of Nondefense Discretionary 
Programs Heard
AASL and others from the nondefense discretionary (NDD) community have delivered 
a letter to Congress urging leaders to avert sequestration by adopting a 
“balanced approach to deficit reduction that does not include further cuts to 
NDD programs,” which support economic growth, strengthen safety and security, 
and enrich American lives. The sequester will mean an automatic 8.4 percent cut 
to program funding levels for most NDD programs. These cuts will be 
across-the-board, with no departmental or agency control on how the sequester 
impacts individual programs. Funding for the Department of Education would be 
cut by more than $4 billion. Joining AASL in this effort to avert the cuts are 
nearly 3,000 national, state and local organizations from all 50 states 
representing the education, public safety and health communities.

AASL Encourages Members to Volunteer to Serve on ALA or Council Committees for 
2013-2014
AASL personal members are encouraged to volunteer to serve on ALA and Council 
committees for the 2013-2014 term (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014). Serving on an 
ALA or Council committee provides members with leadership training, networking 
opportunities and experience in working on specific association topics. 
Committee appointments will be finalized at the 2013 ALA Midwinter Meeting, with 
notifications sent out in early spring, 2013. The online committee volunteer 
form (log in required) closes on Friday, Nov. 2. To volunteer, please complete 
and submit the form electronically (be sure to select "ALA" in the drop-down 
menu on the main form to volunteer for both ALA and Council committees).


 
 
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Education News
________________________________
 
National Survey Finds Public is Against Reducing School Librarians
A national survey conducted by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found that the 
public is aware of economic challenges to their local public schools and 
approves a number of specific cost-saving measures. However, one of the cost 
reductions not approved is the reduction of non-teaching, support staff such as 
school librarians, aides and school nurses, to the bare minimum. Seventy percent 
of the public disapproves of reducing these positions "because these employees 
provide essential services to the schools and kids" and they don’t buy the 
argument that "cutting these services won’t hurt classrooms."

Report Finds "Irreplaceable" Educators are Undervalued
A report from the New Teacher Project posits that about 20 percent of teachers 
are so effective they are "irreplaceable," yet these teachers are "undervalued 
and ignored at every turn." The report estimates the nation's 50 largest school 
districts lose approximately 10,000 effective teachers every year, while 
struggling educators remain too long. The authors found one in 10 classrooms in 
the districts studied were led by an experienced but low-performing teacher: 40 
percent of teachers with more than seven years of experience were less effective 
than the average first-year teacher. The study points out three reasons for 
this: 1) principals make too little effort to retain "Irreplaceables" or remove 
low-performing teachers; 2) poor school cultures and working conditions drive 
away great teachers; and 3) policies give principals and district leaders few 
incentives to change. The report recommends setting a new baseline standard for 
teacher effectiveness; encouraging low performers to leave voluntarily; and 
removing policy barriers to higher expectations.

New Brief Explores Opportunities for Educators through Savings and Cost 
Calculation Models
A new brief by Public Impact summarizes how schools and their educators can 
simultaneously reach more students with excellent teaching, expand career 
opportunities, and sustainably fund higher pay and other priorities. Savings and 
cost calculations of three school models – Multi-Classroom Leadership, 
Elementary Subject Specialization, and Time-Technology Swap Rotation – 
illustrate that schools could increase excellent teachers' pay up to 
approximately 130 percent, without increasing class sizes and within existing 
budgets. Combining models to extend the reach of excellent teachers and promote 
excellence by all instructional staff may produce even greater savings for 
higher pay and other priorities, while also producing excellent results for more 
students. The brief deems these "Opportunity Cultures." In an Opportunity 
Culture, all teachers have career opportunities dependent upon their excellence, 
leadership, and student impact.

ACT Report Finds Only 52 Percent of High School Graduates Meet reading Benchmark
A 2012 Condition of College and Career Readiness report from ACT found that just 
52 percent of graduates met the Reading Benchmark, while 67 percent of all 
ACT-tested high school graduates met the English College Readiness Benchmark. 
About 72 percent of all 2012 ACT-tested high school graduates met at least one 
of the four College Readiness Benchmarks in English, Reading, Mathematics, or 
Science, but fully 28 percent did not meet any of the Benchmarks, while 47 
percent met between one and three Benchmarks. To reach much higher levels of 
college- and career-readiness, the report endorses adoption of the Common Core 
Standards, and issues a number of policy recommendations at the state, district, 
and classroom level, which include early student monitoring and intervention, 
clear performance standards, and data-driven decision-making.

Broad Foundation Brief Reveals Bureaucratic Impediments to Student Achievement
A new brief from the Broad Foundation lists 75 ways that bureaucracy impedes 
student achievement. The brief identifies "numerous bureaucratic challenges" for 
urban-district central offices and state education systems that may explain why 
well-intentioned efforts to improve public schools have failed. According to the 
brief, bureaucratic systems, policies, and practices that have built up over 
decades in inner-city districts have led to fewer resources reaching the 
classroom, preventing educators from getting support to meet individual student 
needs, and disheartening people in and around these systems. Policies and 
procedures which may comply with laws and regulations often don't allow school 
systems to pursue their core mission of advancing student achievement, the brief 
says. Examples in the brief include the lack of management training for 
principals and a lack of instructional pacing guides for teachers to ensure 
students learn in a timeframe consistent with other schools.

Harvard Education Letter Article Offers Thoughts on How Common Core Affects 
Reading Comprehension
A new article by Richard Rothman in The Harvard Education Letter offers thoughts 
on nine ways that the Common Core State Standards will change classroom 
practice. Half of his nine ideas focus on English Language Arts and reading. He 
writes that the standards emphasize more non-fiction to reflect the fact that 
students read expository texts after high school. In reading, students will be 
expected to use evidence to demonstrate their comprehension and to read closely 
in order to make evidence-based claims. They will also be expected to comprehend 
increasingly complex texts to reach the level required for success in college 
courses and the workplace. On top of this, the standards expect students to 
demonstrate they can speak and listen effectively, and include criteria for 
literacy in history/social science, science, and technical subjects. Rothman 
also offered ways in which the Common Core standards will affect mathematics.

Study Shows e-Books Can Help Children Learn to Read
A three-year study by the University of Akron found that electronic books can 
help children learn the early skills they need for reading, but not if the 
special features distract them from the story on the page.

The project, called Akron Ready Steps, tested whether focusing on early literacy 
skills throughout the preschool day would improve children’s readiness for 
kindergarten. Researchers also explored the learning potential of e-books, which 
can be read on mobile touchscreen devices such as iPads. Kids in the study 
learned how to read e-books using iPads, iPods and other technology paid with 
the grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Researchers then worked with 
teachers to develop an "e-book nook" that would integrate the computer gadgets 
naturally with the print books in a reading area free of distractions. teachers 
and students working with the e-books were recorded to see how long the students 
attention was focused on the e-books compared with traditional picture books. 
The results show that children looked at the e-books longer than they looked at 
the print books. The study also found that kids who have behavioral issues 
looked at e-books for an even longer period, on average, than kids without 
behavioral issues.

Education Committee Examines Pennsylvania School Library Funding
Pennsylvania State Rep. Paul Clymer (R-PA ) recently led a meeting of the 
Pennsylvania House Education Committee on the topic of school library funding. 
The meeting was held specifically to review and discuss the State Board of 
Education School Library Study of 2011. The State Board of Education School 
Library Study of 2011 was conducted as a result of House Resolution 987 of 2010, 
which encouraged the Board of Education to undertake a study of school library 
resources and services for students in K-12 by measuring and comparing funding, 
facilities, access to print and electronic resources, professional support and 
instruction among the state’s school libraries. In the 2011 Guidelines for 
Pennsylvania School Library Programs, a benchmark for funding was set at $41 per 
student for elementary schools, $45 per student for elementary schools and $50 
per student for high schools; however, Clymer pointed out that 39 percent of 
school districts only allocated between $1 and $10 per student for library 
resources and 3 percent provided no funding at all.

“This study clearly illustrates that we need to look more closely at this issue 
and make sure that our school libraries are being used in a way that most 
benefits the students,” said Clymer. “This study has only further served to 
strengthen my conviction as to the importance of school libraries. With the 
information contained in this study, we can now present a strong case when 
discussions begin for the 2013-14 state budget for the necessity of providing 
additional funding for this important educational component.”

New Poll Reveals Gradual Acceptance of e-Books in Schools
SodaHead.com asked its users about their thoughts on technology being used in 
schools, including when tablets and laptops should be allowed, thoughts on cell 
phones/texting in class and the potential change over to e-Books. With e-Books 
gaining popularity, the poll found the public is still hesitant to make 
textbooks digital, but there are signs of a gradual shift. While 36 percent 
don’t want to shift to e-books in the classroom, 28 percent are for the switch, 
while 36 percent are ready for e-books to be in some classes. The poll results 
also revealed that the majority of respondents feel that laptops should not be 
allowed in school until high school – 18 percent think it’s OK for laptops to be 
used in elementary school, 25 percent feel they should be allowed in middle 
school, 33 percent are OK with laptops being introduced in high school, while 18 
percent think that students should wait until college to use laptops. Only 7 
percent feel that laptops should not be used at all in an educational setting. 
Along with the poll results, SodaHead has created an infographic at its Website.

Registration for Speak Up 2012 Survey Now Open
Speak Up, a national online research project facilitated by Project Tomorrow®, 
gives individuals the opportunity to share their viewpoints about key 
educational issues. Each year, findings are summarized and shared with national 
and state policy makers. Participating schools and districts can access their 
data online, free-of-charge. The survey opens October 3, but you can get a jump 
on Speak Up participation by registering your school or district today. Send an 
email with your registration request and include the name of your district or 
school, state and any new contact information that needs to be updated. You will 
recive a follow up email with a PDF of your school list and passwords to confirm 
that your district/school has been registered. You can also register on your own 
at the Speak Up Website.

2012 PDK/Gallup Poll on Public Schools is Released
The results of the 2012 PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the 
Public Schools are now available. Conducted annually, the poll allows PDK 
members and other educators and policy makers to track public opinion about 
public schools. According to the survey highlights, Americans surveyed said, the 
"Common core standards will make the U.S. more competitive, improve schools in 
our communities and provide consistency between districts within a state and 
between states," "Closing the achievement gaps and improving urban schools are 
priorities for most of us," and "The lack of financial support for public 
schools is a bigger problem than discipline and drugs. Overwhelmingly, we 
believe 'my child is safe at school.'"


 
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Resources for School Librarians
________________________________
 

Help Advocate for School Libraries During the Department of Education's Back to 
School Tour
Secretary Duncan and senior U.S. Department of Education officials will visit 12 
states and dozens of cities across the nation as part of the Department's third 
annual Back to School bus tour, from September 12 to September 21. This year's 
theme is "Education Drives America." Various events will highlight education 
successes and engage communities in conversations about P-12 school reform, 
college affordability and completion, and the link between education and jobs. 
Attending an event on the tour offers you an excellent opportunity to represent 
school libraries and librarians, and have your voice heard. You can follow the 
tour at the Website. An email list is also available for those who wish to 
receive updates. Visit AASL's Advocacy page for more information on how to make 
your voice heard!

Free Google Course Offers Help with Searching Skills
Google’s recent power searching course is now available for viewing online. 
Learn about the powerful advanced tools Google provides to help you find the 
right information.

U.S. Energy Information Administration Offers Education Resources for K-12 
Students
U.S. Energy Information Administration’s “Energy Kids,” hosted by Energy Ant, is 
a free and fact-filled Website that explores the changing world of energy. The 
site features more than 100 pages of fun and interactive energy education 
content including lesson plans, activities, games, resources, tools, and 
projects for kids, parents, and teachers. An “Energy Kids” Teacher Guide offers 
a broad range of activities to help make learning about energy a fun experience 
for students with energy quizzes, an energy scavenger hunt, energy crossword 
puzzles and so much more.

Celebrate Picture Book Month in November
Picture Book Month, an international literacy initiative that celebrates the 
print picture book, takes place in November. Each day that month, a new essay 
from thought leaders in the children’s literature community will be posted. A 
readathon and blogathon are also planned, and Brain Burps About Books Podcast is 
dedicating the entire month of November to Picture Book Month. A downloadable 
promotional kit is now available as well as certificates, posters, and 
bookmarks. Visit the Picture Book Month Website for more information.
 
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Grants & Awards
________________________________
 
Lowe's Toolbox for Education Recognizes Parent Involvement in Education
Lowe's Toolbox for Education funds school improvement projects initiated by 
parents in recognition of the importance of parent involvement in education. The 
maximum award is $5,000. K-12 schools (including charter, parochial, private, 
etc.) or parent groups (associated with a nonprofit K-12 school) are eligible to 
apply. The deadline is October 12.

McDaniel College School Librarianship Program Offers Tuition Scholarships
The McDaniel College School Librarianship Program seeks 12 Maryland teachers or 
professionals currently working as uncertified school librarians to apply for 
full tuition scholarships in the M.S. in School Librarianship program. The 
deadline is October 12.

NEA Foundation Offers Learning & Leadership Grants
NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants support public school teachers, 
public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public 
institutions of higher education for one of two purposes. Grants to individuals 
fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as 
summer institutes or action research; grants to groups fund collegial study, 
including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences 
for faculty or staff new to an assignment. The maximum award is $2,000 for 
individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. Public school 
teachers grades K-12; public school education support professionals; or faculty 
and staff at public higher education institutions are eligible. The deadline is 
October 15.

NEA Foundation Offers Student Achievement Grants
The NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants provide funds to improve the 
academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and 
problem-solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The 
work should also improve students' habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, 
and critical reflection. The maximum award is $5,000. Public school teachers 
grades K-12; public school education support professionals; or faculty and staff 
at public higher education institutions are eligible. The deadline is October 
15.

Wild Ones Offers Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant
The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program gives small monetary grants to 
schools, nature centers, or other non-profit educational organizations for the 
purpose of establishing outdoor learning centers. Funds will be provided only 
for the purchase of native plants and seed. Schools, nature centers, and other 
nonprofit and not-for-profit places of learning, including houses of worship, 
are eligible. The deadline is October 15.

Clorox Offers Power a Bright Future Grants
Clorox Power a Bright Future Grants aim to provide necessary resources to help 
support school programs that enrich kids' lives. The maximum award is $50,000. 
Anyone at least 18 years old at time of entry can nominate an accredited K-12, 
public or private school program is eligible. The deadline is October 17.

Photography Contest Celebrates Earth Science Week 2012
The American Geological Institute is sponsoring a photography contest to 
celebrate Earth Science Week 2012, which takes place October 14-20. The 
photography theme for this year is "Earth Science is a Big Job." The maximum 
award is $300, a copy of AGI's Faces of Earth DVD, and the winner will have his 
or her photograph posted on the Earth Science Week Website. Interested residents 
of the United States of any age are eligible. The deadline is October 19.

Nestle USA Very Best in Youth Program Offers Award for Teens
The Nestlé USA Very Best in Youth Program honors young people ages 13 to 18 who 
have excelled in school and who are making their community and the world a 
better place. The maximum award is $1,000. Youth ages 13 and 18 years of age who 
demonstrate good citizenship, a strong academic record, and can show how they 
have made a special contribution to their school, church, or the community, are 
eligible. Entrants must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to 
submit nomination. The deadline is November 8.

Prudential Offers Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in grades 5 through 
12 who have demonstrated exemplary voluntary service to their communities. The 
maximum award is $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C. Students grades 5-12 who 
have conducted a volunteer service activity within the past year are eligible. 
The deadline is November 13.

Making a Difference Award Honors School Science Programs
The Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association "Making a Difference" 
Award recognizes excellence in a science program developed and implemented by 
middle- or high school-level science teachers, grades 6-12. Entries must show 
innovative and effective teaching strategies combined with a science program 
that has influenced students to explore and investigate science and its 
application to global problems. The maximum award is $2,500 to be used to 
enhance or expand the winning science program. The winning school's lead science 
teacher and principal will also be awarded coach airfare and two nights' hotel 
accommodation to attend NSTA's National Conference. Innovative middle or high 
school science programs are eligible. The deadline isNovember 30.

Lockheed Martin Offers Grants for Education
Lockheed Martin provides grants for K-16 Science, Technology, Engineering and 
Math (STEM) Education. This includes Lockheed Martin's K-12 STEM Education 
Initiative, Engineers in the Classroom, as well as STEM-focused curricular and 
extracurricular programs that provide employee engagement opportunities in a 
community in which Lockheed Martin has employees or business interests. The 
maximum award varies. 501(c)(3) organizations that deliver standards-based 
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to students in K-16 
are eligible. The deadline is rolling.



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Partnership News

________________________________
 
We Give Books Announces New "Million Book Challenge"
In May, We Give Books announced that its readers met the challenge, issued in 
2010, of reading one million digital books. In doing so, the Pearson Foundation 
has donated an equal number of brand-new hardcover and paperback books to 
nonprofits, schools, and community organizations around the world. With this 
challenge met, We Give Books has now announced details of a new reading and 
giving goal. The We Give Books “Million Book Challenge” asks adults and children 
to read a million books in one year, half the time that the previous challenge 
was met.



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Member Spotlight


________________________________
 

We love to brag about our members! Looking to make it into AASL's Member 
Spotlight? Submit your spotlight to Markisan Naso for inclusion in the next 
Member Spotlight segment. Visit the Hotlinks Webpage find our Member Spotlight 
Guidelines.


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AASL Hotlist
 



















 
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	* Human Interactions with Living Systems
	* Ban That Book!
	* Poems: What They Look and Sound Like
 
________________________________
 
AASL Calendar of Events
2012

September
12: Webinar | Wanted: Information Literacy Skills in a World of Google & 
Wikipedia

12: Fall Forum Advance Registration ends

October
3: Banned Websites Awareness Day

3: Webinar | How to be a Ninja Warrior Filter Fighter!

9: Knowledge Quest Webinar | Opening the Space: Libraries as a Site of 
Participatory Culture

12-13: AASL 2012 Fall Forum


________________________________
 
Get Social with AASL

     


Latest AASLblog posts:

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Success

AASL President Update #4


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