Now that things have settled down a little but, I would like to take this time to welcome you to the 2015-2016 school year! I am excited for the new school year and look forward to working with the students at Mount Garfield in a wide variety of ways.

The beginning of the school year brings with it some items that need to be addressed so please take note of the following:

1. A new policy in the library this year is that students will be required to have their student I.D. in order to check out books. The use of the student I.D. will eliminate the possibility that students are using an incorrect I.D. number when checking out books.
2. I.D. pictures were taken on August 11. If your student did not get their I.D. picture taken, s/he can get one from the library. If your student has lost their I.D., the fee for replacing it is $3.00.
3. Library fines/bills carry over each school year. Current library policy is that if a student has any fines up to $5.00 they can only check one book out at a time. With fines over $5.00, students are not allowed to check any books out until some of the fine is paid. I will be notifying parents each month if a student has a library fine. Fines can be paid in the library during school hours on most days. Students may also pay their library fines at the office. Please do not hesitate to contact me for additional information concerning library fines.
4. If a book is lost, there will be a $25.00 fine added to student account and the student will be billed for the book.

Thanks,

Mrs. Cooper

This looks like a cool contest!

Hey Gators!
Check out this cool "Bookface" contest at the Mesa County Public Library! Looks like it will be fun!!!

http://mesacountylibraries.org/teens/photocontest/

Westward Expansion Fake Facebook Pages

Check it out!! Mrs. Deschamp's and Ms. Bernstein's students had a great time creating some fake Facebook pages about the groups of people involved in Westward Expansion. Wish there was room to include pictures of ALL of them, but with over 200 final products turned in, there just isn't enough!

Other happenings in Libraryland include  the following:

• 8th grade science students learning about the formation of the moon, the solar system, and the universe.
• 6th Grade ESL students tackling the art of argumentative writing by creating an Xtranormal cartoon
• 6th Grade Science is getting ready to embark on an internet scavenger hunt focused on Rocks

Of course we just got in about 50 new book titles with an additional 40 on the way!

Stay tuned for information on a new Blogging Book Club that will be held after school starting soon!

Have a good day Gators! (and stay warm!) :)
 

What a Way to Start the Year!!

The past couple of weeks have been super-busy in libraryland! Mrs. Deschamp and Ms. Bernstein brought their 8th grade students in to learn about the harsh realities of life and learning how to budget their money through a Google Apps project called the Game of Life. Students used their Explore test results to figure a job they would have then based all of their income decisions - such as buying a house, a car, etc. - on the amount on money they were making. Although it was fun for students to "dream" about that $6 million dollar home in Malibu or a $300,000 custom-desgined car, most of them learned very quickly that those items were well out of their budget. They created budget sheets and ultimately built a Google Sites page that incorporated all of their findings. A big shout out goes to Becky Johnson at East Middle School for initially creating the project and then sharing it with us!

Sample of what students created for their Google Sites page

Book Spine Poetry Contest

Hey Gators!! It's time for the FIRST EVER BOOK SPINE POETRY CONTEST! See Mrs. Cooper in the library for details and an entry form! You can also check the blog for info as well! Contest ends October 12!

Hello Gators and Welcome Back to School!
I am so excited for this school year to begin as I get to spend my time working with fabulous teachers and talking with students about books!! If you get a minute during the first few days of school, stop by and say hello!
I am looking forward to seeing you!
Mrs. Cooper