SLS News Archive: 2023.12.13
SLS NewsBlast 2023.12.13
SLS NewsBlast 2023.12.13
Seasons Greetings!
We wish a warm welcome to the newest member of our school Library Community!
Tiffany Leader, Roth Junior High School (Rush Henrietta)
Upcoming Region-Wide Professional Development
- March 12, 2024: We are bringing in Donalyn Miller to discuss her new book The Joy of Reading. While motivation and engagement remain important factors influencing young people's reading development, prioritizing joyful reading eludes many school communities. Why does reading enjoyment matter? What attitudes and conditions foster joy? Event will be held at Artison works. (Flyer is attached.) Register here: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=18636&I=4644777
- January 17, 2024: Integrate, Lead: School Librarians at the Forefront of the AI Revolution. This is a state-wide PD with designated locations for Zoom connections. Our region will be hosted at Monroe 2 BOCES. (Flyer is attached.) Register here: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=18636&I=4651289
- April 26, 2024: SAVE THE DATE - Spring into Books: Join elementary librarian Stacey Rattner and high school librarian Alicia Abdul in learning about and discussing books for our students. The best of 2023 as well as 2024 titles will be shared with a half day dedicated to each level including middle grade in both. Plus, we’ll add bursts of conversation around enticing readers, activities and events to plan, and even talking about our own reading lives. Booklists will be provided. Flyer and registration information will be forthcoming.
- Looking further ahead: The NYLA-SSL Conference will be held in Lake Placid May 16-18. Conference registration is expected to open in January, but the hotel is currently open for reservations. Find more information here: https://sites.google.com/view/ssl-2024
Media Literacy Virtual Assembly for MS and HS Students
The New York State Educational Media Technology Association is also bringing Julie Smith back for virtual assemblies for middle and high school students about media literacy and what students SHOULD be doing online. This opportunity is free for all students in NY State. (See attached flyer for more information.)
To register: Media Literacy Virtual Assembly Registration (2024). Please pick which time slot you would like to attend with students. If you are interested in the recording only please indicate that. Note- we have rights to retain the recording for only 30 days.
Novel NY Update
There has still been no word on this, but we do have a bit of good news. NYSED has written NOVELny funding into their budget priorities. That isn’t a guarantee, but it is promising. I will keep you informed and I will ask you to contact legislators and the governor about this in the coming months. For now, plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Other legislative priorities include:
- an increased rate for Library Materials Aid from $6.25 to $11.00 per pupil. This rate has remained stagnant since 2007. We seek an increase to the rate to reflect general inflation and the rising costs of materials in school libraries.
- a Book Fair tax exemption. This would make books, magazines, pamphlets and other items sold at book fairs exempt from sales tax.
- Media Literacy in NYS (there are four aspects to this) -
- a professional development requirement of 5 hours for teachers and 15 hours for librarians (deducted from the required 100 hours) related to media literacy
- library media specialist in every school (based on population and other specified criteria)
- media literacy advisory committee to study the teaching of media literacy across NYS
- the implementation of media literacy standards in NYS
- Updated definition of what a school library facility is. This definition has not been updated in over twenty years and would address the antiquated metrics that currently exist in our legislation.
Please support these for ALL types of libraries. You can find more information here: https://www.nyla.org/2024-legislative-session/?menukey=advocacy
St. John Fisher University GLMS Program Update
- St. John Fisher's School of Education is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year!
- On December 16th, the current cohort will have completed seven out of ten required classes. Just the spring coursework remains and everyone is working steadily towards graduation in May.
- NYSED has recently released a memo outlining potential changes to educator certification. The memo can be accessed here: https://www.cicu.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NYSED-Potential-Cert-Changes.pdf. The proposed changes could impact the GLMS program, possibly by reducing the amount of credit hours needed or facilitating pathways to school librarian certification that are independent of a Master’s degree. The GLMS faculty and GLMS advisory board will be meeting in December to discuss the memo. There will be a public comment period for people to voice their opinions on the proposals outlined within the memo.
- The GLMS Program will be offering Zoom info sessions on January 25th, February 28th, and March 21st (all at 4:00 pm) for any interested candidates. Please spread the word to teachers looking for a master's program (even if they don't necessarily want to be school librarians). The link to register for the sessions is on the program page here: https://www.sjf.edu/graduate-programs/ms-in-library-media/
Upcoming Professional Learning (from the SLS team – linked to My Learning Plan):
Ongoing: Book Party! (2023-2024)
Jan 16-June 14: LiNC - Librarian Networking Collective (Flyer attached)
January 23: News Media Literacy
January 30: Community of Readers
February 13: Social Media Literacy
March 20: Community of Readers
April 23: Genre Spotlight: Novels in Verse
May 7: Community of Readers
We wish you a safe and relaxing holiday break!
Your Monroe One School Library Services Team