Book Bento Boxes Sneak Peek

Those Book Bento Boxes created by Mrs. Desmond's College Photography Class came out brilliantly. Here is a sneak peek of just a few of them! After the holiday break, the class with mat the photos and we will display them throughout the library with short blurbs containing information about the book, explanations for the items with the book, and a recommendation for who would enjoy reading the book. 

 

Holiday Magic

Happy holidays from the Mepham High School Library! May we all have a better 2021!

Mepham High School Library Bookshelves

Book Bento Boxes In Progress

Mrs. Desmond's College Photography class came to the library last week to create Book Bento Boxes. It was part history lesson,  part English lesson, and part photography lesson. The students learned what a bento box is - a Japanese term for single-serve take away meal that is served in a box, traditionally lacquered wood with separate sections for different portions. Applying this structure to a literature response strategy results in book bento boxes. Students selected their favorite books and got to work brainstorming what objects they would include in their boxes (the box structure can be somewhat flexible in this strategy and most do not have compartments for different portions). The requirements were: 5-7 physical objects that hold meaning or represent something from the book (no photos of objects); the photo had to be square, and make it clever.

Mrs. Desmind went over flat lay photography. She discussed lighting, background, props, composition (symmetrical vs asymmetrical).  The students reviewed her cell phone rules - no flash, no filter, no zoom! Below are photos of the students putting their book bento boxes together to be photographed. 

The students will be presenting their book bento box photographs to the class later this week. The presentation will also comprise a written component including: a summary of the book, a review of the book, an explanation for why they selected the artifacts, and specifics about how the artifacts are important to the story. We will be displaying the final book bento box photographs throughout the library to promote reading. 

Social Action and Global Citizenship

Donna Rosenblum, a former Program Supervisor of Nassau BOCES School Library Services, returned to Mepham High School on November 23, 2020, via Google Meet to discuss her role on the board of the non-profit organization, Reason2Smile, with the School and Community Leadership students.

This organization is on a mission to help provide educational opportunities for children attending the Jambo Jipya School and support the needs of children living at the Jambo Jipya children’s home with food, clothing, and healthcare. By doing so they hope to positively impact others and to encourage individuals around the world to be in service to others.

Students had the opportunity after Mrs. Rosenblum's presentation to create bracelets made from African recycled-paper beads. Her presentation focused on social action and global citizenship. It also included a snippet from the book, Neema's Reason to Smile by Patricia Newman and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini, which is based on the Jambo Jipya school. 

Old Buildings

Wellington C. Mepham High School was completed in 1939. Old buildings are beautiful, but require lots of TLC. Our HVAC system was causing condensation to build up in our library dome and the paint and plaster started to peel. Our head custodian brought the concern to the Director of School Facilities & Operations and Security & Chief Emergency Officer and they decided to hire an outside company to repair the damage. We are currently about a week and a half in and you can see the progress from the photographs below. The work should take another few days to complete, but already it looks so much better. They have also started to insulate the surrounding area to prevent this from happening in the future. Stop by the library next week to see the final look. 

Interesting side note: The paint is white, but the LED lights that surround the dome give it a blueish-grey tint. In person, it looks much more white than it appears in the photos.  

Grateful

This year looks a lot different than years past, including the tempo of the Mepham High School Library. The precautionary measures put in place by the school district has limited the number of students in the library, but not the spirit of the students! While we are not currently hosting our normal ELITE events and our MakerSpace is temporarily closed, that has not stopped our gracious students from creating these beautiful placemats that will be used in our Thanksgiving baskets. We give over 100 baskets to our local community through the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard. 

While this year has been hard on so many of us, there is still so much to be thankful for this holiday season. If you are struggling and need help, there are resources here at Mepham High School to assist you. Reach out to our amazing counseling services or any teacher for help.  

“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer

Word of the Year 2020

As of now, Oxford has not yet released the word of the year. Perhaps, quarantine, lock-down, social-distancing, coronavirus, essential worker, Tik-Toker. Any suggestions?

Earlier Words of the Year

2019 - climate emergency 

2018 - toxic

2017 - youthquake
2016 - post-truth
2015 - 😂 

2014 - vape
2013 - selfie
2012 - omnishambles (UK) & GIF (US)
2011 - squeezed middle
2010 - big society (UK) & refudiate (US)
2009 - simples (UK) & unfriend (US)
2008 - credit crunch (UK) & hypermiling (US)
2007 - carbon footprint (UK) & locavore (US)
2006 - bovvered (UK) & carbon-neutral (US)
2005 - Sudoku (UK) & podcast (US)
2004 - chav

UPDATE: Multiple words were chosen and they include bushfires, Covid-19, WFH, lockdown, circuit-breaker, support bubbles, keyworkers, furlough, Black Lives Matter, and moonshot.

Fragments: Changes

Fragments is our school's literacy magazine. If you are interested in submitting an original piece, including poetry, short story, artwork etc., on the topic "changes," please do so by November 30th. Submissions can be emailed to fragmentsmail@gmail.com. This flyer was designed by 11th grader Annmarie Varghese.

MHS Library Orientation 2020

Hey Mepham Pirates! Welcome to the Mepham High School Library. I'm your librarian, Mrs. Stack and I have been teaching at Mepham since 2006. In my 14 years here, we have always had an in-person orientation, but this year our orientation is strictly virtual due to the global pandemic. A lot is the same, but a lot is different. Click the video to see and hear it all! 

Google Citations

We now have access to citations in Google Docs using your @bmchasd.org accounts. Open up a Google Doc and under the 'Tools' tab, click on 'Citations.'

Google Citations

Click here for instructions for inserting in-text citations and a bibliography into your Google Doc in MLA, APA, or Chicago (author-date) style. I am impressed with how easy these citations are to insert into your document. I suggest using this feature for books and websites. I am still on the fence for databases because most of the databases that we subscribe to already have the source citation in the correct format (MLA, APA, etc.) That just requires an easy copy and paste. However, if you want to use the in-text citation feature (which is awesome), then that requires the student to input the information into Google Citations. I suppose I'll let y'all play around with it for a few weeks and decide. 

Getting Into the Spirit (all puns intended)!

 

While we don't have a Halloween book display this year, we still have a lot of horror suggestions. Stop by the library to get a recommendation from a professional. 

Nearpod Adds Video Integration

Another learning platform that we have been using since 2014, but have found invaluable in 2020 is Nearpod. It is built for distance learning, hybrid, and school-based settings. Nearpod makes every lesson interactive - so you can take your students from passive to active learners. During quarantine the district purchased additional premium accounts. If you are interested in upgrading email a Technology Integration Mentor for more details. 

The best part about Nearpod is that teachers don’t have to start creating lessons from scratch. They can upload and make any of their PowerPoints, Google Slides, and any video interactive. Teachers can now even upload videos directly from YouTube (just like Edpuzzle). Nearpod helps boost student participation with collaborative activities and formative assessments like Virtual Reality, Polls, Collaborate Boards, and game-based quizzes. Nearpod provides teachers with student insights in real-time and in post-session reports. As we enter a whole new way of teaching this year, it's never a bad idea to have a few additional  tools in your teaching toolbox. The Technology Integration Mentors will be providing more professional development as the year progresses, so be on the lookout for our electronic flyers. 

Edpuzzle Coach Certification

Back when we started using Edpuzzle in 2017, we did not know how integral it would be to our instruction in 2020. Once we headed into quarantine back in March, teachers across the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District reached out and wanted to learn more. We did informal Zoom meetings to show them how to incorporate it into materials that they already had prepared, such as YouTube videos and Google Slide presentations (turned videos using Screencastify). At the end of last year the district purchased Pro accounts for all of our teachers. 

Then over the summer the Technology Integration Mentors had the opportunity to take professional development through Edpuzzle's online PD, which allows users to learn at their own pace and get officially certified. The certification helps mentors understand the pedagogical basis of Edpuzzle and how to support other teachers in our district. So back in July, I became certified as an Edpuzzle Coach and was able to provide our teachers with PD in August in anticipation on a hybrid start to the 2020-2021 school year. 

If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to any of the Technology Integration Mentors across the district. 

Wash your hands...

Mepham High School Library Bulletin Board

LibraryTrac

We have new procedures in place here when entering the Mepham High School Library. We are using LibraryTrac, it's an "application that allows libraries/media centers to keep track of their daily users and why those users are coming to use the library. The application allows librarians to designate reasons for using the library, as well as document what teacher students are coming from. It allows librarians to collect and analyze logged in user statistics."

When you enter the library, using the camera (or Snapchat) on your Smartphone, scan the QR code displayed at the circulation desk. A link will pop up at the top of your screen. Click the link and fill out the form with your first name and last name (you can leave teacher blank if you are visiting the library during a free period). If you are having trouble, please see either Ms. Stack, Ms. Gellerman, or the teacher on duty for assistance.

Students can also get an advance pass to the library by going to the Mepham High School Library website, and clicking on "Advance Pass to the Library." Students can then select the day (up to two days in advance) and period they plan to use the library. This is a nice feature because space is limited. Only 25 students are now permitted in the library during a period. This is temporary due to the global pandemic and our need to properly socially distance within the school building.

It's Been a While Pirates...

Welcome (back) to the library Mepham Pirates! We haven't seen many of you since March and we MISSED you! This global pandemic has brought about a lot of changes and you may notice some of them when you walk through our doors, but rest assured this is the same warm and welcoming place it has always been.

Mepham High School Bulletin Board

The physical space looks a little different with our new barriers up. We have also removed over half the chairs (including our beloved comfy coffeehouse-style chairs and 4 coffee tables) and computers so that social distancing can take place. We are now limited to 25 students in the library during a class period. If a class is scheduled, we will adjust the number accordingly, so that at maximum only 25 students are in the library at any one time. Students are required to stay the entire period (of course you can go to the bathroom!). We will post a sign outside the library doors when we reach capacity.

Barriers up in the Mepham Library to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Until further notice, we will be checking out library books to students and teachers via “curbside checkout.” Students and teachers can send email requests via this Google Form. Books will be delivered to the teacher’s classroom or mailbox with a post-it indicating who the book has been checked out to. Only staff will access shelves for library books. (Remember this is only temporary!)

A daily book return container, labeled with the day of the week, will be positioned in the main foyer. Books will be quarantined for seven (7) days prior to check-in or handling. They will then be sanitized and returned to the shelves.

The Makerspace will be closed for the first semester. It is temporarily housing two computer workstations.

Hand sanitizer is mounted outside the library doors and stationed at the circulation desk. Signs regarding CDC safety and social distancing guidelines are displayed throughout the library.

Our library hours have changed. We will be from 7:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. The library will not be open BEFORE or AFTER school for cleaning and sanitizing purposes. We also have new procedures for visiting the library. A post explaining these will be up shortly.

If you have any questions about our new procedures, please let us know. We are here to help.

Summer Reading 2020

Image Source

Once again Mepham kicks off its summer reading program. Students can select any book they like. We just ask that they keep two things in mind:

• Please select a book that is appropriate for high school. You should not have read this book before, either in class or independently. You can choose fiction or nonfiction novels, graphic novels, or plays. Essay and short story collections/compilations are OK.
  
• Please complete the book prior to the first day of school in September. Your English teacher(s) will ask you to write a reflection on your summer reading selection in the beginning of the school year.

More information, handouts, and book suggestions can be found here. Also, remember to check out the Mepham High School Library eBooks and audiobook page for free resources. 

Why should you read...

You all know what a big fan I am of TED-Ed. Well, they started producing a series of video lessons titled Why Should You Read... And it's perfect for high school students. Check out the one below on Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

You can explore all TED-Ed videos here. 

Coronavirus and Technology

Many technology education companies are offering their services at reduced rates or for free, as we navigate these unprecedented times of mass school closings. One such company, BrainPOP (which we currently subscribe to), has a video that does a wonderful job of explaining the Coronavirus to students. It is linked below. Students can access all BrainPOP resources by going to the Mepham High School Library Website and clicking on the Database tab. Once you land on this page, hit the "Click Here for Databases." The databases are listed in alphabetical order. Click on BrainPOP. These databases are password-protected. Refer to your username and password handout or stop by the library if you need an additional copy. You can always email Mrs. Stack at sstack@bmchsd.org with questions.

BrainPOP

BrainPOP Coronavirus Description

It can be scary to hear about a disease outbreak, but learning the facts can help ease your mind. A new coronavirus—a type of virus named for its crown-like shape—emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019, and then spread to people around the world. While the most severe cases often dominate the headlines, they’re not the whole story. Most coronavirus cases have been mild, and healthy bodies can fight off the infection on their own. Find out more about how viruses work, and the best ways to prevent them from infecting more people. Viruses can’t spread without our help, so click play to learn how not to help them!

Women's History Month

Made with Canva

Check out the displays throughout the library celebrating Women's History Month. If you are looking for even more books written by women authors, novels with female characters, or biographies of women, please see the librarian for suggestions. We have lots of different options!

Packed House for Author Visit

Packed house for our annual author visit

Junior Christina DeMarco won a copy of author, Claribel Ortega's new book, Ghost Squad

Student thoroughly engaged in the presentation

Mepham juniors and seniors packed the school library for today's author visit with Claribel Ortega. Thank you to the National English Honor Society for hosting this event. Ms. Ortega discussed the arduous task of writing a novel and the more arduous task of getting your novel published. She talked about the difficulty she had finding a quality agent. She spoke of all this through humor and memes. Ms. Ortega spoke about her struggles with anxiety and depression and made a true effort to connect with our students. The students asked thoughtful and genuine questions about writing, publishing, books, and so much more. The turnout at our annual author visit is proof that students are seeking to make meaningful connections with adults in fields of English and it's our job to provide them with these opportunities. 

Claribel Ortega

Author, Claribel Ortega, to visit Mepham High School

We are so very excited to welcome author, Claribel Ortega, to Mepham High School on Tuesday, February 11, 2019. This event is hosted by the Mepham High School chapter of the National English Honor Society. We will have a reading from the author's novel, Ghost Squad, which is set to be released on April 7, 2020. The reading will follow with a Q&A with our students.

About the author (from her Website):

Claribel Ortega went from journalism student, editing her classmates often times hilarious ads and ramblings on the back page of SUNY Purchase’s Independent Newspaper, to a small town reporter, where she enjoyed going to board of ed meetings and texting the town mayors about the line at Starbucks. 

Today she’s busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic and video games into books while traveling the world for her day job in marketing. She is the host of the WRITE OR DIE podcast, owner of small graphic design business GIFGRRL and the GIFGRRL SHOP which creates apparel for writers and creatives. 

She lives in New York with her motorcycle-riding poet boyfriend & her suspiciously intelligent yorkie, Pancho Villa. 

Claribel’s debut middle grade novel GHOST SQUAD is coming from Scholastic in 2019.

World Read Aloud Day

Skyping with Mrs. Sullivan's 4th Grade Class

In honor of yesterday’s #WorldReadAloudDay, Mr. Achtziger’s & Mr. Richard’s 12th grade class Skyped with Mrs. Sullivan’s 4th grade class from Levy Lakeside School @MerrickUFSD. Both classes took turns reading aloud.

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Did you know that according to the latest report (2016), 758 million adults - two-thirds of them women - lack basic reading and writing skills. World Read Aloud Day, founded by LitWorld, is an international advocacy day celebrated by over 170 million people worldwide. When communities have access to strong literacy tools, every aspect of life improves, from family health and nutrition to civic engagement and participation in the labor market, to poverty reduction. - From LitWorld

Black History Month

Made with Canva

Library display

Check out the displays throughout the library celebrating Black History Month. If you are looking for even more books written by African-American authors, novels with African-American characters, or biographies of African-Americans, please see the librarian for suggestions. We have lots of different options!