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.