I wrote to my Senator, Doug McCrory, this morning.

Senator McCrory sent this message:

"Thanks for your advocacy. We are working on a model curriculum for students in K -8 grade. This curriculum will include many of the items that you referenced and more."



"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."  John Dewey


On Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 9:00:49 AM EST, Cathy Andronik via CASL-L <casl-l@mylist.net> wrote:


Anything this retired school librarian can do to help, I'll do.  This was something I fought for long and hard, making a LITTLE progress along the way, slowly.

Cathy Andronik
On Tuesday, 9 February 2021, 08:54:49 am GMT-5, CASL President <president@ctcasl.org> wrote:


All,
Below is an email I have just sent to the CT Senate Chair and the ranking member of the House. (their emails are below as well)

Please take a minute to email both Mr. McCrory and Mr. Sanchez in support of HBA6359, while not a formal Bill yet it's purpose is to mandate the teaching of Media Literacy and Digital Literacy in grades 3-12.  It does not directly mention Libraries or Librarians, but would have implications if passed. This Bill in conjunction with passing the AASL Standards through the CT Board of Education would go a long way in why School Librarians and School Libraries are a MUST HAVE and not a NICE TO HAVE.

  Feel free to copy my email or compose your own!  
Barbara Johnson
President
Connecticut Association of School Librarians
4 Wotton Lane • Burlington, CT • 06013• 

Check out our NEW website www.ctcasl.org




---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: CASL President <president@ctcasl.org>
Date: Tue, Feb 9, 2021 at 8:39 AM
Subject: HBA #6359
To: <robert.sanchez@cga.ct.gov>, <douglas.mccrory@cga.ct.gov>


Mr. McCrory and Mr. Sanchez,

I am writing to express my organization's support of HBA 6359 An Act Concerning the Teaching of Civics, Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy in Public Schools.

I represent approximately 850 certified school librarians across the State who support learners of all ages evaluating information and using it in a safe and responsible manner.

School librarians and libraries provide scholarly resources, evaluation tools, and digital citizenship lessons through direct instruction and collaboration with classroom teachers. Our National Standards (AASL Framework for students) are not yet adopted in Connecticut but address the need for students to become curators of information and gather all points of view before forming their own opinion.  The Standards also address the ethical use of information and how to work together in support of a common goal with respect and inclusion.

My hope is that HBA 6359 moves forward and that districts across Connecticut realize that the resources they need to make this a reality are already within their school buildings.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions.
Regards,
Barbara Johnson
President
Connecticut Association of School Librarians
4 Wotton Lane • Burlington, CT • 06013• 

Check out our NEW website www.ctcasl.org


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