[CASL-L] Fw: KQ Express – May 2016
IRENE KWIDZINSKI
kwidz at sbcglobal.net
Mon May 2 17:14:24 PDT 2016
FYI
On Monday, May 2, 2016 4:09 PM, AASL <mfeatheringham at ala.org> wrote:
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| The American Association of School Librarians empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning. |
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| Forward this email to a friendVolume 15, Issue 2
May 2016
In This Issue:
Association News
Member Spotlight
Education News
Resources for School Librarians
Partnership and Collaborator News
Grants & Awards
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Association News
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| Steven Yates Elected 2017-2018 AASL President
Steven Yates, instructor and acting coordinator of the school library media certification program at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, has been elected as the 2017-2018 AASL President. Yates will serve as president-elect during 2016-2017 under AASL President Audrey Church. Upon learning of his election, Yates stated: “Thank you, AASL members, for trusting me to serve our organization as your president-elect. School librarians have fantastic colleagues throughout the American Library Association who share our commitment to equity for students of all ages throughout the country. Now is the time to capitalize on our momentum. Not only are AASL members creating new standards for our profession, but school librarians have been included in the Every Student Succeeds Act. Let’s work together to continue communicating the impact of school librarians and quality resources of all types to our communities and especially our elected leaders.” Full AASL election results can be found on the AASL website at www.ala.org/aasl/elections.
AASL Seeks Volunteer Co-Editor for Online Research Journal
AASL is seeking a volunteer co-editor for its peer-reviewed online research journal, School Library Research (SLR). The responsibilities of the co-editor include setting the scope and tone of the journal, managing editorial activities and the refereeing process and soliciting high-quality articles.
ALA and AASL Introduce School Library Snapshoot Tool
In time for School Library Month, the Office for Library Advocacy (OLA), in collaboration with AASL, has introduced a new School Library Snapshot tool. This tailored infographic allows school librarians to create a visual representation of how their library aligns with provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), from providing information literacy instruction to working with teachers and hosting enrichment activities.
New AASL Toolkit Brings the Power of the School Library to Preservice Principals and Teachers
AASL released a new toolkit in response to a concern that future principals and teachers are often unaware of the positive impact that school librarians and school library programs can have on student achievement. The freely available Preservice Toolkit, developed by the Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS), provides a variety of materials to help both preservice and in-service principals and teachers understand the value of the school library program, as well as the value of instructional collaboration between school librarians and teachers.
Readers Needed for A Book That Shaped Me
AASL personal members are needed to read and score one-page essays on behalf of the Library of Congress. Scoring will take place between Aug 22-26, 2016. The essays, written by fifth and sixth graders, are entries in “A Book That Shaped Me” Library of Congress National Book Festival Summer Writing Contest. Scoring will narrow the pool for grand-prize judging by a Library of Congress selected panel of educators, children’s authors and staff. To volunteer, please fill out the Get Involved form and choose "Read and score papers for 'A Book That Shaped Me'" from the list of available opportunities.
ALA, AASL Provide Support for High School Librarians in Cleveland
The American Library Association (ALA) and AASL are providing support to local efforts to avert cuts to high school librarians in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). The proposed cuts directly follow district reform efforts that led to massive restructuring and a transition to a per pupil budgeting system. ALA President Sari Feldman and AASL President Leslie Preddy submitted a letter to the CMSD Board of Education, noting the district’s new College Readiness Initiative and critical role that librarians, or school media specialists, play in preparing students for post-secondary success. They stated, “now, more than ever, school media specialists play a vital role in helping students graduate and preparing them for success in an increasingly complex information landscape.”
Five Programs Receive AASL/CAEP National Recognition
Five programs receive AASL/CAEP National Recognition. The programs include:
- East Central University (OK), M.Ed. in School Library Media
- Longwood University (VA), M.S.Ed. with School Library Media concentration
- Northeastern State University (OK), M.S.Ed., Library Media & Information Technology
- Nova Southeastern University (FL), M.S. in Education with Educational Media
- Olivet Nazarene University (IL), M.A. in Education, Library Information Specialist
National Recognition is awarded to education master’s programs in school librarianship that have been reviewed and approved by AASL's program reviewers using the ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians (2010).
Newbery Award Winner Avi to Headline AASL President’s Program
Award winning author Avi will headline AASL’s President’s Program taking place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, as part of the 2016 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. During his presentation, Avi will speak of his work and his connection to readers and librarians. Having been born into a literary family, Avi knew at a young age he would become a writer. He started his career as a playwright and worked for many years as a librarian at the New York Public Library. His first book, “Things That Sometimes Happen,” was published in 1970 when he was inspired to write books for young people after the birth of his first child. Since then, Avi has published over seventy books spanning different age levels and encompassing several different genres.
James Patterson Recognized with AASL Crystal Apple
Best-selling author James Patterson has been selected by AASL President Leslie Preddy as the 2016 Crystal Apple recipient. The honor is awarded to an individual or group that has made a significant impact on school library programs and students. A staunch school library advocate, Patterson has dedicated both time and funds to promote the ways school libraries transform a child’s educational career. “My aim in supporting school libraries is simple,” said Patterson. “I want to make books available to all kids, in every neighborhood across the country. And once we get kids reading, my hope is that we’ll turn them into lifelong readers. Supporting libraries, which are the heart of every school, is a great place to start.” |
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Member Spotlight
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| Carolyn Kirio Named a Great Educator by the White House
Carolyn Kirio, library media and technology specialist at Kapolei Middle School in Hawaii, has been selected by the White House as a great educator and will be recognized at a White House ceremony honoring the National Teacher of the Year, State Teachers of the Year, and great educators from across the United States. In 2010, Kirio recognized that Kapolei Middle School’s multi-track calendar resulted in limited available library hours for over 1,400 students and developed creative solutions to allow library resources to be available at any time. She was also awarded AASL’s Technology Pathfinder Award in 2015. “We are fortunate to have a dedicated librarian who looks at innovative ways to help our students get the most out of their education,” said Kapolei Middle School Principal Bruce Naguwa. “She has expanded the reach of the library beyond its four walls.”
Heidi Neltner Receives 2016 Kentucky Society for Technology in Education’s Outstanding Teacher Award
Heidi Neltner, teacher librarian for Johnson Elementary in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, was named the 2016 winner of the Kentucky Society for Technology in Education’s Outstanding Teacher Award. Heidi’s Learning in Progress blog provides insight into her journey as a librarian at the school and offers helpful tips for the school’s staff and students about technology and library resources. She is a frequent presenter at regional, state, and national conferences. As co-creator of #KyLChat, the bimonthly Twitter chat for Kentucky school librarians, and frequent moderator of #KyEdChat, she is at the forefront of conversations focused on effective education. “It is a huge honor to have been even nominated for such an award by people with whom I absolutely love to work.”
Paula Langsam Featured in Washington Post
Paula Langsam, children’s librarian at DC Public Libraries and a member of AASL, is featured in an article in the Washington Post. The article details the wealth of Langsam’s duties, which include teaching teen moms’ pre-literacy skills for their children, handing out meals for kids under 18, and serving as a teacher’s aide for a summertime science camp. “There is no typical day,” she said. “If you like routine, it would be a hard job.”
Cheryl McCarthy Advocates for School Library Positions in Rhode Island
Cheryl McCarthy, professor and coordinator of the school library media program at the University of Rhode Island, advocates for school library positions in Cumberland, Rhode Island, in an article on The Valley Breeze. “Cumberland will tell you it’s all right because they have Chromebooks and laptops on carts, but with online resources you need even better instruction in learning to choose what’s important,” McCarthy said. Library instruction gives students the ability to “inquire, think critically and gain knowledge; draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge; share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society; and pursue personal and aesthetic growth.”
Cassandra Kvenild Receives University of Wyoming’s Agnes Milstead Distinguished Librarianship Award
Cassandra Kvenild, head of the University of Wyoming’s Learning Resource Center (LRC), was awarded the University of Wyoming’s 2016 Agnes Milstead Distinguished Librarianship Award. The Agnes Milstead Award was established in 1993 to recognize significant contributions to University Libraries in scholarship, program development, teaching, fundraising and professional achievements. As head of the LRC, Kvenild’s vision transformed both the physical space and the literary programs to create a model school library for the state of Wyoming. The LRC, which serves both the university community and the UW Lab School, is a branch library of University Libraries and houses K-12 curriculum materials.
Dayna Mellberg Featured in Article about School Library Month
Dayna Mellberg, district library coordinator at Copperas Cove ISD in Harker Heights, TX, is featured in a Killeen Daily Herald article about School Library Month. The article details how the role of the school librarian has changed and the ways school librarians celebrate School Library Month. “It is such an honor to be a school librarian,” she said. “We are privileged to have an opportunity to help staff and students daily — not just to find information but help to transform ideas into learning and real life applications.”
Christine Van Hamersveld Highlights the Important Role of School Librarians in Article
Christine Van Hamersveld, director of libraries and instructional materials at Pasadena Independent School District in California, expounds on the important role the librarian plays in the school in an article on the Pasadena Citizen. “Modern school library programs provide students with physical and virtual access to the tools they need to learn, create and share and school librarians serve as instructional leaders for all grade levels and subjects,” Van Hamersveld said.
Emily Northcutt Featured in Kentucky Teacher Article
Emily Northcutt, library media specialist at LeGrande Elementary School in Kentucky, is featured in Kentucky Teacher for being the only school librarian included in the Next Generation Instructional Design project, a statewide initiative of The Fund for Transforming Education in Kentucky to promote collaboration among teachers to develop standards-based lessons and assessments. Northcutt said she thought the project presented the perfect opportunity for her to do on a larger scale what she already was doing in her school. “They had placed an emphasis on wanting people to part in this project who were interested in furthering collaboration between teachers, and to me that’s one of the most important things that a library media specialist can do,” Northcutt said. “I thought it would be an interesting idea to take what I have learned to do with teachers in my own building and apply it to a statewide project.” |
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Education News
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| Obama Administration Takes Action to Ensure Fewer and Better Tests for Students
Building on President Obama’s Testing Action Plan, the U.S. Department of Education released a series of case studies with examples of work states and districts are doing to ensure fewer, better, and fairer tests for students. The examples are part of the department’s continued efforts to lift up promising practices and provide information to states and districts about thoughtful ways to reduce and improve testing.
Call for Comments for New Information Collection under Department of Education
The Department of Education is proposing new information collection. The International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) is a computer-based international assessment of eighth-grade students’ computer and information literacy skills that will provide a comparison of U.S. student performance and technology access and use with those of the international peers. ICILS collects data on eighth-grade students’ abilities to collect, manage, evaluate, and share digital information; their understanding of issues related to the safe and responsible use of electronic information; on student access to, use of, and engagement with ICT at school and at home; school environments for teaching and learning CIL; and teacher practices and experiences with ICT. Interested parties are invited to submit comments by June 14.
Tech Companies and Educational Groups Urge Full Funding of ESSA Block Grant
Nearly two dozen technology companies, education companies, and advocacy groups are urging congressional appropriators to fully fund a new block grant created by the Every Student Succeeds Act. The Student Support and Academic Enrichment Block Grant program grant, authorized at $1.65 billion, can be used to improve access to education technology, among other things. President Barack Obama's FY 2017 budget funded the program at $500 million, causing some advocacy groups to balk. "It is critical that Congress fully fund the block grant at its authorized level of $1.65 billion for FY17," the groups--including Adobe, Apple and the Software & Information Industry Association--write in a letter. "Without such adequate funding levels the needs of millions of digital age learners will not be met."
How School Leaders Can Transform Teaching with Technology
A coalition that includes the US Department of Education has collaborated with education leaders nationwide to release a report that offers a blueprint on providing equitable access to technology-based learning experiences. The report highlights key considerations, such as privacy and security, and recommends ways of improving access and instruction.
Some States Meet Federal Testing Requirements with SAT and ACT
Some states are replacing tests aligned with the Common Core State Standards with the SAT or ACT to measure college and career readiness. States such as Montana and Delaware are using the SAT or ACT for these purposes, with others considering similar moves.
Report Examines Cost of College Remediation
Remedial courses in the first year of college cost students and their families nearly $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses, a new report from Education Reform Now shows. High schools must become more academically rigorous, and colleges must do more to improve remediation to reduce the number of students who may drop out, researchers say.
Virginia Governor Vetoes Parental Approval Bill
Gov. Terry McAuliffe on April 4 vetoed a bill that would have made Virginia the first state in the country to allow parents to block their children from reading books in school that contain sexually explicit material. The measure became known in the General Assembly as the Beloved bill because supporters have cited the novel by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison as an example of a book too graphic for some students.
Students Who Take Notes by Hand Outperform Keyboarders
Handwriting appears to focus classroom attention and boost learning in a way that typing notes on a keyboard does not, new studies suggest. Students who took handwritten notes generally outperformed students who typed their notes via computer, researchers at Princeton University and the University of California at Los Angeles found. Compared with those who type their notes, people who write them out in longhand appear to learn better, retain information longer, and more readily grasp new ideas.
College Faculty Members See Importance of Libraries in Developing Research Skills
A new survey finds that a growing number of college faculty members believe that their undergraduate students have poor research skills and that more faculty members are acknowledging the importance of the role of the library in helping undergraduate students develop research, critical analysis, and information literacy skills. In addition, many faculty members view university libraries as an increasingly important source of undergraduate support.
Study Shows Access Gap on Path to College- and Career-Readiness
A report from Education Trust shows 31% of high-school students follow a college-ready curriculum, and 13% engage in career-preparation courses. Students from low-income families have less access to college- and career-readiness curricula, compared with students from families in top income brackets, data show.
US Schools Need Faster Internet Connections
States should take the lead in expanding access to high-speed Internet in schools, according to the State Education Technology Directors Association and Common Sense Kids Action. "Something is wrong when coffee shops have faster Internet connections than most of our schools," James Steyer, CEO and founder of Common Sense, said.
More School Districts Embracing Digital Technology
Sixty-two percent of school districts have digital content and curriculum in place -- up from 49% last year -- according to the Digital School Districts Survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Education and National School Boards Association. Data also show more progress in implementing one-to-one initiatives and in the use of technology among local school boards.
Parents Don’t Read Enough to Their Kids
Despite evidence that early reading experiences help shape a child's brain, a new Read Aloud survey shows that parents and caregivers aren’t reading to children early or often enough. Fewer than half of parents report reading aloud every day with their children, while 4 in 10 parents say their children spend too much time watching TV.
Supreme Court Denies Challenge to Google Books
On April 18, the Supreme Court refused to revive a challenge to Google’s digital library of millions of books, turning down an appeal from the Authors Guild, which said the project amounted to copyright infringement on a massive scale. The Supreme Court’s brief order left in place an appeals court decision that the project was a “fair use” of the authors’ work, ending a legal saga that has lasted more than a decade. |
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Resources for School Librarians
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| Free School Librarian's Workshop May 31
A live training webinar, “School Librarian’s Workshop: Federal Government Resources for K-12," will be presented on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. The workshop will provide useful information for grades K-12, including Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government and Kids.gov. The webinar will explore specific agency sites which provide information, in English and Spanish, appropriate for elementary and secondary school students. Teachers and school librarians will discover information on federal laws and regulations and learn about resources for best practices in the classroom. The webinar is free, however registration is required.
7 Lessons for Creating Data Privacy Policies
A report from the National Association of State Boards of Education offers seven lessons to guide policymakers in decision-making about education data policies. Lessons include sharing data with parents and building trust with transparency.
Minecraft Education Edition Scheduled for Summer Release
About 100 schools are expected to begin testing Minecraft Education Edition in May. An early release with expanded access is scheduled for June. Microsoft, which develops the program, plans to spend the summer developing teaching materials with educators.
Tips to Help Plan Effective Classroom Makerspaces
Quality makerspaces always put students first, according to Laura Fleming, a former teacher and makerspace advocate. In this interview, she offers insight into how she plans and executes effective makerspaces for all grade levels.
Use Nearpod to Take Students on Virtual Field Trips
The digital tool Nearpod allows teachers to facilitate virtual field trips that enhance learning, asserts Joanna Beck, a middle-school science teacher in Georgia. In this blog post, she shares how she uses Nearpod to take her students on trips worldwide without ever leaving their classroom seats.
How to Use Modeling, Direct Instruction to Guide Reluctant Writers
Students need direct writing instruction in a safe, supportive environment along with model texts to develop their own writing, poet and writing instructor Sara Holbrook writes in this article. She shares tips along with a classroom lesson in which hesitant students create and edit poems with partners as she and her teaching partner give line-by-line guidance.
Acronym Helps Transform Students’ Written Responses to Text
The acronym RACE -- restate, answer, cite the source, explain/examples -- is helping students improve their written responses to text, third-grade teacher Meghan Everette writes in this blog post. She offers several examples and tips to help teachers use the approach, which is being implemented throughout Everette's school in Alabama.
How to Use Google Map Tools
Google Map has tools that can help students create stories across multiple subjects, instructional technology consultant Will Kimbley suggests. This blog post details what Google Earth, Google Tour Builder and Google My Maps can do and offers tutorials teachers can access to get acquainted with these tools.
Improve Student Writing by Focusing on Paragraphs
Teaching students to craft concise, argumentative paragraphs supports their ability to write essays and answer test questions, educator and author Sarah Tantillo writes. In this article, she describes a teaching strategy that includes modeling paragraph writing and then providing students with a topic sentence to guide reading, evidence gathering and writing.
How the 5-Paragraph Essay Can Help Students Develop Writing Skills
Middle-grades students are expected to write more text these days as they are challenged to think critically and analytically, history teachers Jody Passanisi and Shara Peters write. In this blog post, they highlight writing supports, such as the five-paragraph essay and how to modify it for timed-writing assignments.
How to Create an Effective Virtual Learning Community
Effective virtual learning communities, where teachers can share with their peers, must have several characteristics including being flexible, inspirational and intentional, writes North Carolina high-school teacher Wendi Pillars. In this blog post, she outlines each of the criteria for VLCs and why they are important.
How Thematic Text Sets Lead to More Learning
Teaching students through thematic units that use multiple modes of text connect students to their learning and provide real-world literacy skills, educators Katie Egan Cunningham and Chris Cunningham write. They share ideas for thematic units and resources for teachers to build thematic, issued-based text sets for the classroom. |
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Partnership and Collaborator News
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| Education Leaders Establish “Trusted Learning Environment” Seal
Last month CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) unveiled the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal to give school system leaders a powerful way to demonstrate their commitment to addressing this 21st-century educational challenge. CoSN, with partnering support from the School Superintendents Association, the Association of School Business Officials International, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, created the tool for use by all school systems nationwide. They collaborated with a diverse group of 28 school system leaders to ensure the TLE Seal would work in the field.
Trends in Digital Content Use among ASCD Members
A majority of respondents to a recent survey of ASCD members said they use digital content in the classroom. Data show 75% use laptops and 62% use tablets for delivering the content. The survey also offers insights about potential roadblocks to digital-content adoption.
Personalized Professional Learning for Future Ready Leaders
The Office of Educational Technology recently released “Personalized Professional Learning for Future Ready Leaders,” a new resource to support district superintendents as they develop plans to implement research-based digital learning strategies so all students can achieve their full potential. District leaders can take the short self-assessment and, at completion, receive a personalized playlist from the Future Ready Leaders video library tailored for your district. |
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Grants & Awards
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| IAL Grant Applications
The Department of Education issued a notice clarifying that 50% of the Innovative Approaches to Literacy grants are reserved for school libraries. The IAL program supports high-quality programs designed to develop and improve literacy skills for children and students from birth through 12th grade in high-need local educational agencies. The department intends to support innovative programs that promote early literacy for young children, motivate older children to read, and increase student achievement by using school libraries as partners to improve literacy, distributing free books to children and their families, and offering high-quality literacy activities. The deadline for applications is May 9.
Library of Congress Announces Grant Opportunities for Teaching with Primary Sources
The Library of Congress announced up to $3.2 million will be made available to multiple grantees to conduct at least one of the following:
- Design and deliver high-quality professional development or academic coursework related to the general inquiry-based use of primary sources;
- Create, test, revise and publish high-quality curriculum that combines the use of primary sources with accepted pedagogy and standards used to teach in a specific curricular area(s); and
- Create a training providers’ curriculum by investigating the use of primary sources in K-12 classrooms, and the efficacy of Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program content, policies and delivery.
All selected grantees will become part of the Library's Teaching with Primary Sources Educational Consortium. For nearly a decade, the TPS program has developed and disseminated teaching materials from the extensive digitized primary sources from the Library of Congress. The application deadline is May 20, 2016.
Library of Congress Funds Available to Create Apps on Congress and Civics
The Library of Congress is making $950,000 available to one or more grantees to support the development of engaging web- and mobile-based applications on the subjects of Congress and civic participation, for use in the classroom. The Library seeks to identify one or more organizations that can work with its TPS program to develop online interactives and mobile apps on Congress and civic participation, designed for use in K-12 education. The selected partners will be expected to use and incorporate not only the Library’s online primary sources, but also the many other resources available online from the Library of Congress. Successful applicants will become members of the TPS Educational Consortium. Applicants should demonstrate a record of success in the development and implementation of curricular programs on Congress and civic participation, and/or the development and long-term maintenance of successful online interactives or mobile apps for classroom use. The application deadline is May 24, 2016.
James Patterson School Library Grants
James Patterson, AASL's 2016 Presidential Crystal Apple Award recipient, is ready to launch another season of giving. For the second year, Patterson is donating $1.75 million to the country's school libraries. Patterson's School Library Campaign, in partnership with Scholastic Reading Club, funded hundreds of schools grants — ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 — in 2015. Applications for this year must be submitted by May 31.
Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE Cart/Campbell Grant for Librarians
The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the NCTE (ALAN) is offering the Cart/Campbell Grant. The grant offers $500 funding plus complimentary registration toward attendance at the annual two-day ALAN Workshop. Eligible applicants are practicing librarians working with teens in high school, junior high school, middle school, or public libraries. Membership in ALAN is required for consideration. One Campbell/Cart Grant will be awarded annually, and each recipient may only receive the grant once. The deadline for application submissions is September 1 of the year of the ALAN Workshop to be attended, and the recipient will receive notification by October 1.
Department of State-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs
Applications are now being accepted for the Department of State sponsored study abroad programs for U.S. high school students for 2016-17:
- National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
- Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad)
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) with Germany
These merit-based scholarships include international airfare, tuition, and program costs, as well as meals and living accommodations (often with a host family). The programs have no language prerequisites and gap year students are encouraged to apply as long as they meet the age requirements. Each program has a separate online application process, and application deadlines vary from late October through early January. Visit the program websites or www.exchanges.state.gov for specific information and application deadlines.
GreenPal Small Business Scholarship
Greenpal Lawncare is accepting applications for the annual GreenPal Small Business Scholarship to assist a motivated, driven student and future business leader. The program is open to any graduating high school senior, college freshman, or sophomore who owns and operates his/her own small business or has put together a business plan to start a business while in college. In addition, applicants must be in a graduating high school's senior class or be currently enrolled in a college of business with a 3.0 or higher GPA; demonstrate high ambition and desire to be an entrepreneur or business owner; and have a declared major in a college of business.
Microsoft DigiGirlz High Tech Camp
Microsoft DigiGirlz High Tech Camp for girls works to dispel stereotypes of the high-tech industry. During the camp session, the girls listen to executive speakers, participate in technology tours and demonstrations, network, and learn through hands-on experience in workshops. This year camps will take place at various dates throughout the summer in Lehi, Utah; Charlotte, NC; Fargo, ND; Reno, NV, Redmond, WA; Las Colinas, TX; and St. Louis, MO. Maximum award: free attendance to camp. Eligibility: girls grades 9-11 and at least age 13 at time of application, with some location exceptions. Deadline: varies by location.
Fund for Teachers Grants
The Fund for Teachers provides funds for direct grants to teachers to support summer learning opportunities of their own design. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: teachers who work with students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with a minimum of three years teaching experience, full-time, spending at least 50 percent of the time in the classroom at the time grants are approved and made. Deadline: varies by state.
Grants to Increase Access to Healthy Foods from the No Kid Hungry Foundation
Providing students access to healthy and nutritious meals is the focus of No Kid Hungry Foundation grants. Currently, the foundation supports projects that increase access to summer meal programs, school breakfast and after-school snacks and meals, as well as advocacy efforts, including anti-hunger issues and needs and educating families about SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children programs. Interested schools can submit letters of inquiry year-round. Prize: Average grants range from $5,000 to $10,000. Deadline: Rolling.
The Awesome Foundation Grants for Projects
The Awesome Foundation funds projects that challenge and expand our understanding of our individual and communal potentials, bringing communities together, casting aside social inhibitions and boundaries for a moment. Maximum award: $1,000. Eligibility: all people and organizations; there are no prerequisites. Deadline: rolling.
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AASL Hotlist
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Member Currents
Terry L. LaPorte died on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
Did you land a new job, attain a new degree or position, or change your name? Tell us about it! Through Member Currents, AASL will provide a forum for updates on its members. Types of updates include graduations, certifications earned, changes in job positions, retirements, name changes, and death notices. |
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School Library Jobs
DC Public Schools is hiring for K-12 Library Media Specialist positions.
Manchester Elementary/Middle School in Vermont is seeking a library media specialist.
Richland One in Columbia, SC, has several vacancies for school librarians for next year.
The School Library System of Genesee Valley Educational Partnership in Le Roy, NY, is hiring an exemplary school librarian.
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| MyStorybook: Create, Illustrate & Publish!
Minecraft and Immersive Learning Environments for School Librarians(Clicking these links will first prompt you to log in to the AASL website.) |
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AASL Calendar
June
23-28: AASL at ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL
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Latest KQ Blog Posts
School Library Month: Reflect, Share, Continue
ESSA and Your Partnerships with Administrators
An Interview with Mr. Schu
Be Poetic In Your School Library
Freedom to Read: Saving School Libraries–A Presentation at the Network for Public Education Conference
How to Identify and Reframe Design Problems in Your Library Space
“If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu.” ~Unknown
Hold a BYO Favorite Book During School Library Month
A Week in the Life…School Library Snapshot
New Toolkit Offers Resources to Highlight Instructional Role of School Librarians to Pre-Service Principals and Teachers
Ideas for Using AASL Best Websites: TouchCast
ESSA – It Takes a Village!
Test the Deweys during School Library Month
Go on a Library Field Trip
Challenge Your Readers During School Library Month
School Librarians Team Together
Getting Real: Taking Time to Refresh and Refocus
Inquiry as the Center of the School Library
Successful Summer Reading Program
A Day in the Life of a School Librarian
Educating in rows
Your School Library By the Numbers
Annual Reports – It’s That Time of Year
Advocate for Libraries by Attending Virtual Library Legislative Day
Guess Who’s In Your School Library
Host Some Characters in Your School Library
Stay In and Read During School Library Month
Pull Up Some Rug…It’s Plagiarism Storytime
Say Cheese During School Library Month
DOE Now Accepting IAL Grant Proposals; Due by May 9
Social Media Collaboration
Feel the Love During School Library Month
My Visit with Dunham School – April 7, 2016
National Poetry Month is the Perfect Time for Advocacy
Culture Pops at Your School Library!
AP Exams Are Right Around the Corner
Tally It Up During School Library Month
The Organized Librarian Mind
School Libraries are the Recipe to Healthy Learning
Collection Development: The Want List
Coming Soon To YOUR School Library!
5 Reasons to Volunteer for an AASL Committee
Highlight Library Heroes During School Library Month
A New Way to Share Our Stories
School Library Month and Intellectual Freedom
Make Your Library POP During School Library Month |
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| Copyright © 2016 American Association of School Librarians, All rights reserved.
AASL, 50 E Huron St., Chicago IL 60611
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