Goodbye to 2020!

Just a quick post to wish you all a fantastic end of term break, and to thank you all for for the opportunity to work with you this year.  It has been a crazy year in so many ways - but I think that we have made it - although whether still of a sound mind, remains to be seen, of course. 

For those of you who are moving on, I wish you all the best wherever you may be next year - and everyone else - I'll see you back here next year!  

Philosoraptor

  Make sure you have a relaxing break and definitely spend time  reading!!  Not only does it lower blood pressure - it could truly be considered a matter of survival! 

  Remember - Dinosaurs didn't read and now they're extinct!         Coincidence? - Well, I think not!!  

  All jokes aside - have an awesome Christmas break and we'll get to do it all over again next year.  

Project Based Learning Weblinks

I came across the Edutopia website the other day, and even though it is American based, some of the information and articles do look pretty interesting.  If you get a few moments, you may enjoy having a quick 'squiz' through some of the links below. 

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/project-based-learning-getting-started-basics-andrew-miller

https://www.edutopia.org/article/exploring-social-justice-issues-through-pbl

https://www.edutopia.org/article/starting-small-pbl

https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-quests-project-based-learning

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/pbl-and-steam-natural-fit-andrew-miller

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/project-based-learning-gamification-go-great-together-heather-wolpert-gawron

https://www.edutopia.org/practice/arts-infused-project-based-learning-crafting-beautiful-work

Middle Years Science

Middle Years Science classes have been working with Miss Squires on Biomes and Ecosystems, with a focus on Human Impact and Environmental Issues.  

For this, they have chosen a creature and made a Diorama of it along with its habitat.  To go with this display, there is also a booklet about their creature and the lifestyle, and where it fits into the food web.  

Below are photos of a few of the gorgeous creations that the classes have done - and these will all be on view in the Art Display that opens tomorrow night.  

Kingsley - Wedge-Tailed Eagle

Nathan - Orca

Jet - Saltwater Crocodile

Estella - Black Flying Fox

Shaun - Black Panther

Weblinks on Reading and Libraries

When you get a few moments, check out some of the links below which talk about students and their engagement with reading.  

There are also a couple promoting libraries and their role in today's society.  I have also included one that talks about the rationale and purpose of libraries and librarians - and why we do what we do.  As well, there is an article about school libraries and activating the 'Third Space' which is a concept that is being seen more and more in various places in communities - and is becoming an important consideration in many school libraries today.

Although many of these articles are talking about Public Libraries,  I can see no reason why a lot of it can't also be true of school libraries.  Most 'library stuff' isn't really about the books - it is more about the connections made, and the time and information shared. 

https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/book-talks-with-librarians-opportunities-and-perspectives?

https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/successful-student-reading-engagement-initiatives

http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/community-centered-23-reasons-why-your-library-is-the-most-important-place-in-town/

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2017/03/30/how-public-libraries-help-build-healthy-communities/

https://287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu/colab/2020/03/03/third-places-and-four-spaces-the-evolution-of-public-libraries/

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/scan/past-issues/vol-36--2017/unlocking-the-third-space-activating-your-library

https://www.blyberg.net/darien-statements

Special Days for November

Just a few special days coming up in November that may be of interest, or even useful to work with... take a quick look when you have a moment.

November 7th                    World Numbat Day

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/numbat-day/

November 13th                 World Kindness Day   (Friday week 5)

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/world-kindness-day

November 23rd                Fibonacci Day   (One for the Maths crowd) 

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/fibonacci-day

Thoughts about reading

Check out the links below for some interesting thoughts on reading and our students today - from ways to keep promoting reading during virtual learning to thoughts about 'reading trauma'.  

https://www.scisdata.com/connections/issue-115/21st-century-literacy-with-graphic-novels/

https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/promoting-reading-during-virtual-learning/?fbclid=IwAR2S_u6sBfXBA9aFZK-DfmCXJSUYKOggT9Cz07p6hntCj0yOrdOrzfeNU-4

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/56900/when-kids-say-im-not-a-reader-how-librarians-can-disrupt-traumatic-reading-practices?fbclid=IwAR2O9Sw6n_2yEqI4286hYD830Y5cddycikLXxKKGHchLIzS4bZggBmEvmWs

Did You Know?

Not only is October National Book Month, but there are also a plethora of other World or National Days happening during this month.  Check out the list below which covers just some of the things that you could be celebrating during October.

Oct 1^st                 World Coffee Day
Oct 3^rd                World Cardmaking Day
Oct 4^th                World Animal Day
Oct 5^th                World Habitat Day
Oct 8^th                World Octopus Day
Oct 20^th              World Sloth Day
Oct 24^th              United Nations Day
Oct 24^th              Make A Difference Day  (Fourth Saturday in October each year)
Oct 29^th              World Internet Day

If you Google these special days, you will come across lots of little snippets of information. 

For example, Make a Difference Day is a day for volunteering or helping your community in some way, big or small.  

World Coffee Day has only been a thing since 2015....  hard to believe, considering how much we like our coffee. 

For World Octopus Day, did you know that apparently octopus fossils date back more than 300 million years?  That's older than the dinosaurs!  They are also one of the most intelligent animals on earth - they can even use tools.  A creature worth celebrating indeed. 

World Sloth Day will be celebrated on 20th October .. did you know that sloths are actually great swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for up to 40 minutes?  Also because of shrinking habitats, the Pygmy Sloths are expected to become extinct in 2022, as there are currently less than 100 of them.    

There are lots of bits and pieces of information like these to be found, so take a few minutes and check out a few of them.  (Even if for no other reason than being able to say "did you know that.. ?")  

'Read a New Book' Month

The month of September is 'Read a New Book' month - so now is the time to pick up that novel you have been eyeing off, or grab that DIY manual that you bought, and finish off that project, or even a technical manual to help you get the most out of that new gadget you bought.  

When you crack open the pages of a book, you find yourself caught up in a new world of events and characters - or just a world of  information.   The best books - yes, even instructional manuals, lead you through a storyscape that builds and shares with you the vision of the author, no matter if it is a world in a galaxy far, far away, or how to build your own 'whatever'.  (And we all need new 'whatevers'!)

Read a Book month is there to encourage you to read as many books as you can in your life - which translates to living MANY lives, learning new things and opening your mind up to new ideas and philosopies.  

How to celebrate??  Read, read and READ!  Read new books, try new authors, investigate new genres, learn new things and new ideas.  

As George R.R. Martin said in 'A Dance with Dragons' - "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.  The man who doesn't read lives only one"

Board Game Hacks for Teaching

 Board games are often a fantastic way to help students with problem solving, critical thinking and lots of other skills.  But have you thought of using board games in other ways to teach curriculum subjects?  Check out the link below for a number of different ways of re-using board games for this idea.  

https://www.weareteachers.com/board-game-hacks/

And as a bonus, I have included a link for printable Game boards that you could use to make up games for most subjects.  

https://thisreadingmama.com/printable-game-boards-any-subject/

Chances are, you are already aware of  all of this,  but anyhow, enjoy, and I hope this is of some use.  

September - National Biodiversity Month

September is National Biodiversity Month, with lots of specific days in there to celebrate, and to support various threatened or endangered species throughout the world, along with their habitats and biomes. 

1st September             International Primate Day
5th September            International Vulture Awareness Day
7th September            National Threatened Species Day
12th September          National Bilby Day
19th September          International Red Panda Day
22nd September        World Rhino Day
25th September         Save the Koala Day   (Activities run for the month of September)
27th September         World Rivers Day 

Did you know that apparently, here in the Barkly district, there are two or three pockets of Bilbies that are, if not thriving, at least not doing too badly? 

So, which is your favoured animal?  And what are you going to do to help support it?

Australian National Flag Day

Today, 3rd September - is Australian National Flag Day.  This day commemorates the day in 1901 when the Australian Flag was officially flown for the first time.  It also celebrates the birth of our flag, and its power as a symbol of unity, independence and optimism. 

1901 was the year of Australian Federation, so it is also a symbol of the start of Australia as a united country.  The design for the flag was chosen from over 32,800 entries.  

For more information visit http://www.australianflag.com.au/

Happy Wattle Day 2020

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_Day

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-01/wattle-day-celebrating-110th-anniversary-and-growing-prominence/12574654

http://www.wattleday.asn.au/for-schools/songs/WattleDaySong

http://www.wattleday.asn.au/about-wattle-day/2020-week-of-the-wattle-around-australia-1

About 110 years ago, saw the first Wattle Day celebrations - and although we don't hear much about it, in pockets and corners of our country, they are still happening.  

The popularity of Wattle Day surged during World War 1, when sprigs of wattle were sold to raise funds for organisations such as the Red Cross - and wattles covered the first monument to World War 1 when it was unveiled by the Governor-General on September 7th, 1915.

Wattle and Wattle Day can symbolise pretty much anything we want, but they relate pretty generally to: Spring, being Australian, the Australian environment, and history. Spring has many positive values such as optimism, bounty and abundance, reliability, colour, new life and so on. We can celebrate our 'Australianness' on Wattle Day in quite a different way from Anzac Day, which in recalling past wars glorifies Australian qualities of courage and mateship. 

Wattle Day, by contrast, looks forward (to Spring) and can celebrate the nation's genuine qualities of good humour, fairness, generosity, informality and democracy.  

It could be argued that a celebration of 'Australianness' symbolised by wattle, the popular national floral emblem, combined with a celebration of the coming of Spring could be a very special occasion every year. An added attraction is that Wattle Day dates back more than eighty years and is a part of Australia's history.

It may be time to bring Wattle Day back again - and to celebrate Australia rather than a myriad of festivals from other countries around the globe? 

Wattle has been regarded as the flower of Australia partly due to the fact that at any given time of the year, somewhere in Australia, a wattle will be blooming.

Edutopia: Articles, thoughts and ideas.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-pbl-encourage-interdisciplinary-work

https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-set-online-school-newspaper

https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-class-big-ability-differences-todd-finley

https://www.edutopia.org/article/why-reading-aloud-middle-school-students-works

I have shared a few links from Edutopia that may be some interest to staff.  It is an American site but you should be able to get something useful, I hope - even if it is just another idea to try out - or another way of approaching things with our students.

Twitter Style Display

Another small display here in the Library, hopefully to generate a little interest in a few of the older books.  

The display covers most of the genres (and sizes) of books, so there is a fair choice for our students - whatever their criteria for choosing a book.


A couple of the reviews are from former students who have read and enjoyed the books and the rest we have provided. 


If any students who have read and enjoyed a book from here, would like to write up a small review, I would be very happy to add it to the display. 

Displays in the Library

Well, we're into week 2 of term 3 - where has the year gone??  It just seems to have flown by, maybe because of the strange new world that we seem to living in at the moment. 
It has definitely been a odd sort of time so far, but we are all still cruisin' along here.  

Currently we have a couple of new displays in the Library from some of the classes.  

There is one about Volcano's by Year  8 Science where they have made models of various parts of the volcano as well as presenting posters with the relevant information.

and .....  

One from Year 7-9 Science who have been working on the Rock Cycle.  They have made up posters with the information they have learned and these are all up on display.

Along with these, there is a small display of brand new Goosebumps books which have recycled around and become some of the most borrowed books again. These are currently being snapped up .. good thing I have extras to refill the display.

Display - Sadako and the Paper Cranes

Another fantastic display in the library is one about Sadako and the Paper Cranes.

 Science 4 & 5 classes have been learning about atoms this term, which has included learning about the Atomic Bomb. They also learnt about Sadako, a young Japanese girl, who suffered radiation poisoning at the age of 2,  when the atomic bomb was dropped at Hiroshima during World War 2.   It is because of this, she developed Leukaemia at the age of 12. 

Inspired by the Senbazaru legend, which says that if you can fold 1,000 paper cranes in a year, you may get the blessings of one special wish –  Sadako began folding paper cranes.  She completed 644, but sadly, was too ill to finish, and died that year.  Her family and her classmates completed the Senbazaru in her honour.  She is remembered today as a worldwide symbol of the innocent children impacted by war, and there is a Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima, which is often draped with garlands of paper cranes, particularly on 6th August, which is Hiroshima day.

The class has also put out paper and instructions for people to have a go at making their own cranes.  

If you leave them with us, we can add them to the display.

Interesting Fact:  Origami cranes are often strung together as a garland of 1,000, which is called a Senbazaru.  (‘Sen’ means ‘thousand’ in Japanese)  The crane is seen as a lucky creature in Japanese beliefs and is thought to live for 1,000 years – which is the reason for folding the amount that you do.

Year 10-12 HASS Ancient Civilisations Display

Ancient Civilisations Display

Check out the great display put up by the Year 10-12 History class on their learning about Ancient Civilisations. The artefacts have all been made by the class as well.

National Science Week 2020 - advance notice...

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/

Check out the link above for National Science week 2020.  
I'm getting in early, I know, but mainly because there are apparently grants available here in the Northern Territory to support activity that draws the community’s attention towards science, enabling people to participate in science whilst fostering partnerships between the community, research organisations and industry.

The school theme of National Science Week 2020 is ‘Deep Blue: innovations for the future of our oceans’.   With this in mind, it will embrace the innovative technologies, capabilities and skills needed to achieve economic, environmental and social sustainability of our oceans. It will feature insights and inquiries into workable solutions that generate healthy oceans, healthy economies and healthy communities.

There are grants available of up to $500 to support National Science Week activities in schools and help them to conduct a STEM related activity during that period.   May be worth a look ...

World Bee Day 2020

In honour of World Bee Day - check out the links below.

https://www.worldbeeday.org/en/

https://www.worldbeeday.org.au/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEzlsjAqADA

Why Libraries Matter - even today.

Check out the links below for people's thoughts on that most solid of institutions - the LIBRARY.  Get a grip on why libraries are still around even after 3,000 years, give or take a few .. and why they are still so important even in today's world (or maybe, especially in today's world?)

http://www.jackiefrench.com/why-libraries-matter

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/sep/24/palaces-for-the-people-at-the-library-everyone-is-welcome

https://www.readitforward.com/authors/13-reasons-why-libraries-are-important

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/08/opinion/sunday/civil-society-library.html

Edutopia Articles

Below are a few weblinks taken from the Edutopia site.  I have a selected a few which cover a variety of things (compost to equity and more).  I'm trying to cover most of the learning areas that I can think of.  This is once again an American site - but there may still be a few nuggets of ideas buried within it that could be of some help. 

Take a quick squiz if you get a few free moments.  Not being a teacher, I can only make a guess at what may be helpful.  Hopefully, I'm somewhere in the right ballpark?

https://www.edutopia.org/article/why-are-some-kids-thriving-during-remote-learning

https://www.edutopia.org/article/formative-assessment-distance-learning

https://www.edutopia.org/article/making-most-compost

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/equity-vs-equality-shane-safir

Also, if there is something that has happened in your class that you would like me to put up on here, or a link or idea that you would like to share - please send it through to me. 

Weblinks on various topics

If you get a moment, maybe use it to check out the weblinks below.  They are all from the 'Getting Smart' website - American based but there may be something useful you could use.

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/04/out-with-the-test-in-with-pbl-how-project-based-learning-is-transforming-remote-learning

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/03/how-hands-on-robotics-brings-science-lessons-to-life/

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/02/getting-started-with-coding-18-tools-for-early-learners/

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/02/no-excuse-not-to-teach-climate-crisis-mitigation-and-adaptation/

History, Coronavirus and Us

https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-with-covid-19-tech-is-making-history-repeat-itself/

https://www.businessinsider.com/pandemics-that-changed-the-course-of-human-history-coronavirus-flu-aids-plague?r=AU&IR=T

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-01/coronavirus-regional-health-risk-factors/12088072

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Australia

At this particular point in time, it appears that we are all part of an event that will quite likely change our lives and our society forever. 

Few things in our lives will rival this event. It’s going to leave a deep impression on a multitude of people, especially our kids. But, however we may panic or stress, we have to acknowledge something quite remarkable — we are, right now, part of a history-making moment.
  

The impacts on our culture are already happening, from the many cancelled events - entertainment, sports or even simply family activities. The issues with the world's economy and so much more.  All lessons to be learned that probably should have been learned long before.  A good look at us as a society - and it isn't always a pretty picture, is it?

But this is only the beginning. This is much too big an event not to fire the imagination or creativity of the human mind.  Like most other historic events, there will be a “before” and an “after” COVID-19. It’s hard to take it all in stride, but we should pay close attention to the “during” because we’re living in this moment, the now — the big and the small of it all.  

So maybe we should stay focused on what is actually happening? Pay attention because we’re all living in this moment. Be in the moment. We’ll be telling our kids and grandkids about this — and when we do, maybe it’ll be because they’ll be asking us, “Was it just like it was in that movie? Or in that book? Or in that song?”

And - we’ll know, because we were there!   

World Storytelling Day

Once upon a time, a long time ago (well, actually back in 1991 in Sweden), a Storytelling Day was held.  The idea behind this event caught on around the globe, and now we celebrate WORLD STORYTELLING DAY on an international level.

The aim of World Storytelling day is to celebrate the art of oral storytelling, with as many people as possible around the world telling and listening to stories in their own languages on the same day.  

People who are taking part can link up with others around the globe who are also contributing - making it a truly international festival that has the potential to create new friends and helps to promote positive understanding of cultures around the world.

So come on - sit down with your friends,family and loved ones - and join the United Nations of storytellers on this day of celebrating cultural folklore and the art of oral storytelling!  Why not spin a yarn, and pass your stories down to the next generation? 

This year World Storytelling Day starts on Friday 20th March and goes through to Friday 27th March - and the theme for 2020 is Voyages. 

Check out the link below for more information: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Storytelling_Day

World Read Aloud Day

World Read Aloud day is in place to motivate, children, teens and adults to celebrate the POWER OF WORDS.

This global literacy movement is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to ALL PEOPLE! And no-one has the power to take it away from you!

World Read Aloud day asks everyone to celebrate the day by grabbing a book, finding an audience, a buddy, or even your furry friend, and reading out loud. (To be honest, my furry friends prefer me to be reading a can of cat food - but they are good enough to sit still for a while and listen.)

Why is reading aloud important? A 2015 study found that children are exposed to a larger vocabulary from picture books read aloud, than from conversations with adults. This appears to be because we tend to speak with the same 5000 most popular words; while books - even picture books - are more likely to use words outside of that popular 5000. (This also demonstrates my point about how important picture books are, no matter your age) The other point that came through clearly in the study was that children who are read to, are far more likely to become lifelong readers.

Although World Read Aloud Day has previously been celebrated on March the 5th - this year it was moved to February 5th. However, don't let that stop you ... we can celebrate it on March 5th or any other day that appeals.

Resource websites that may be of use

Below are a few weblinks that cover a range of  subjects and ideas and may be of use somewhere along the line.  Check them out and see what you think. 

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/55327/how-hands-on-projects-can-deepen-math-learning-for-teens

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/55393/five-apps-students-can-use-to-make-podcasts

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/imaps/    (interactive History maps)

https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/home

http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1538       

http://www.eslgamesplus.com/fun-games/     (Printable board games)         

RAKs bring smiles!

I think that maybe the highlight for this week was the small, yummy RAK gift in our pigeonholes when we all came into work Monday morning.  What a lovely thought - and thank you to whoever came up with the idea.

I have sent through an update of all staff to TV4ED (AKA Functional Solutions) so you should be getting a welcome email with information re logging on and using the system. They are also hoping to organise an all curriculum Webinar to help you to use it to your best advantage - so if you would be interested in doing this, please let me know.
However, I can still download requests and put it onto the system for you if this is easier.

Ms Squires is updating the Student reward system - with lots of ideas, comments and input from the students so we'll keep you updated with any changes to that.

So - carry on being AWESOME - and enjoy your weekend!!  Obviously with lots of reading involved. 

Mindshift Weblinks

Below are a few weblinks that may be of interest to you.  There is a huge range of articles on the MindShift site covering a multitude of subjects and/or ideas.  It is an American site, but there could be something to spark ideas for your class.

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/53553/five-best-practices-teachers-can-learn-from-dungeon-masters

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/54872/how-dyslexia-is-a-different-brain-not-a-disease

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/50874/what-happens-to-student-behavior-when-schools-prioritize-art

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/55169/what-happens-in-your-brain-when-you-make-art

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/54504/three-simple-tech-tools-to-make-math-thinking-visible

Enjoy!

International Day of Maths and other links

 First week done and dusted and we survived.  Just 10 more to go!  Enjoy your weekend and remember - READING lowers the blood pressure!  

Below are a few Weblinks for you to check out. 

https://www.bustle.com/p/7-reasons-libraries-are-essential-now-more-than-ever-43901

Just a quick promotion of Libraries and the benefits they offer.  It is talking mainly about Public Libraries, but a lot of the reasons are just as valid, if not more so, in a school library.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/safer-internet-day

This is celebrated in almost 150 countries around the world and encourages people to think about their safety and their presence online.

https://www.idm314.org/

March 14 is already celebrated in many countries as Pi Day because that date is written as 3/14 in some countries and the mathematical constant Pi is approximately 3.14.

The International Day of Mathematics (IDM) is a worldwide celebration. Each year on March 14 all countries will be invited to participate through activities for both students and the general public in schools, museums, libraries and other spaces.

Welcome to 2020

Well, here we go - the start of 2020 and a whole new year of opportunities for books, and reading.  How awesome is that?  In truth, it's a whole new decade!!

I thought I would start this post off with a quick reminder of some of the services we offer and maybe you could let your students know as well - or better yet, introduce them to this blog so they can find out for themselves.  Maybe you could get them to write a Twitter book review on a book they have enjoyed, or write a report about their class activities .... after all the written word ROCKS, however it is used..

Yes - we do loan books out. We LOVE to loan books out. Loaning books out is our whole rationale. (And not just books, either) Of course, we do want them to come home at some point and can get a little upset if they don't.

• Looking for a particular book? Come and talk to us. We can organise an Inter-library-Loan or help you find where to purchase it.  
• Resources: Books, Magazines, iPad sets, Digital Cameras, Video Recorders, Computer Mice sets, Boxes of Headphones, Data Projectors, Teacher Reference, Web Cams........
• IWB area, and a bank of computers and laptops that are available to be booked for classes. The laptop trolley in B3/B4 is only to be used in the Library area, however.
• Help with research, proofreading of assignments, suggestions for books to read - we are your people.
• Library Skills Activities/Boolean searching
• A place to display your amazing class work.
• Collation of websites for subjects/classes
• Anything else?  If there is something that you think we can help with, just come and have a chat.  We have learned to be fairly good at pulling rabbits out of hats and we also like a challenge, most times anyway.  There are some days .....

Students have a 3 week borrowing period while staff have a month. For most of the resources, we can adjust the loaning period for whatever is needed - at least till the end of term. However, this doesn't include the AV materials - that is a 1 week loan period only. Depending on what it is - Headphones, laptops, etc. are all due back at the end of the lesson. Students can borrow 2 items at a time and staff are pretty unlimited in borrowing.

One of my goals for this year is to attempt to make the library more relevant to the needs of the school. Hard call really, when I'm going up against the ingrained idea that Google can give you EVERYTHING!!  But I'm going to give it a shot anyway!  
So, now... some homework for you all.  Could you email or comment and give me some ideas on what you see as the purpose of the school library and my role in it?  I'd love to be able to make this a one-stop shop type of deal for everyone.

Below are a few quotes that I think sum up, to some degree anyway, my philosophy about libraries.  Enjoy!

"Google can bring you back 100,000 answers - a librarian can bring you back the RIGHT answer".   (Neil Gaiman)

"Libraries are full of ideas - which are perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of weapons".   (from the 'Throne of Glass')

and being a fan of Albert Einstein, how could I pass up this one?

"The only thing you absolutely HAVE to know, is the location of the Library"
(Albert Einstein)

Wishing you all a fantastic school year with lots of READING involved.  Now carry on being awesome.