Video-Based PD For Teachers & Schools

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District has begun to introduce an innovative video-based professional development learning platform called iRIS. This platform has been available this school year for teachers to pilot with a more formal introduction planned for September 2017. All of our Mepham tech mentors, including Ms. Stack, Mr. Russell and Ms. Zitay, have been trained to help with the hardware and software for classroom use. The iRIS kit includes 2 iPads, 2 tripods, and a dual microphone system. Ms. Stack used it to videotape her BreakoutEDU ELITE Event. There are many benefits of video self-reflection and the ability to share best practices with colleagues. What will you use it for?

iRIS Discovery Kit

"Watch a short demo video of the key features of IRIS Connect's video-based professional learning platform for teachers. It's totally secure and enables all of the key professional development activities needed to improve classroom outcomes." To learn more, click here: http://www.irisconnect.co.uk/

NEHS Induction Ceremony

Author Anna Jarzab

Our annual National English Honor Society (NEHS) Induction Ceremony will take place tomorrow, April 25th at 2:15 PM in the school library. This year we are inducting 26 juniors from Mepham High School who have done outstanding work in English. As members of the NEHS they understand the importance of communication, the value of listening, and the significance of expression. They have proven themselves capable of serious study of the English language and of pursuing the truth in works of literature or in their own creative expressions of poetry or prose.

Our keynote speaker is Anna (Anna with a short “a,” not Ah-nah.) J-A-R-Z-A-B, which is a Polish last name pronounced by her family just the way it looks: “Jar” as in jar of pickles, and “zab” as in… well, zab. Perhaps, she can pronounce it for us the way it was intended, Polish accent and all.

Anna Jarzab grew up in the Midwest, where she spent most of her junior high and high school years in the pool. She has a bachelor's degree in both English and Political Science, and a graduate degree from the University of Chicago. Now, she works in the publishing industry in social media marketing. She is the author of All Unquiet Things, The Opposite of Hallelujah and Tandem.

She currently lives in New York City, where she endeavors to answer the age-old question: how many books can you comfortably fit in a 300 square foot studio apartment? (Answer: more than you think.)

We look forward to what Anna has to say to our inductees. All students are welcome to attend.

National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.

There are many ways to participate. Here are just a few:

• Follow the thousands of National Poetry Month celebrations taking place using #npm17 and follow the Academy of American Poets on Twitter @POETSorg.
• Attend Poetry & the Creative Mind, a celebration of poetry from the reader’s perspective featuring leading and luminary actors, artists, and public figures, on April 19, 2017, in New York City.
• Participate in National Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 27, 2017.
• Sign up for Poem-a-Day.
• Join the Academy of American Poets and show your support year-round for poets and poetry.
• Share your photos and feedback about your National Poetry Month celebrations with the Academy of American Poets by emailing npm@poets.org.

MakerSpace: Blackout Poetry

Flyer created at Canva.com

Come join us in Mepham's MakerSpace for Blackout Poetry. Students will be ripping pages out of old books and creating original poetry by blacking out words on the page. All materials are provided. You can share your poetry by posting it on our bulletin board.

Blackout Poetry will take place on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 2:15 in the school library. This ELITE event is sponsored by Mepham's National English Honor Society. All are welcome to attend. You can sign up here.

Grab a page and add your poem to the display!

Mepham Library Bulletin Board

Updated Mepham Library Bulletin Board