MediaGram
August 30, 2004
Dear FCPS Library Media Specialists,
Welcome Back! This year is off to a great start; we had 19 library media specialists who are new to FCPS join us for three days of orientation and training just last week (fyi, last year we had 20). We look forward to seeing everyone at the inservices this week. More information about the inservices is below.
News and Information
§ A Few Good Library Media Specialists
There is strong and consistent evidence that library quality and reading scores are related. Do you know why this is? Think about that question while you read the FCPS system wide targets for the 2004-2005 SY. We will be talking about the answers this year. The system wide targets have been posted by Dr. Dale on FCPSnet. These may be viewed at
http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/targets/index04.htm.
On Wednesday, September 1st there will be an inservice for all elementary school library media specialists at Holmes Middle School from 8:00 to 12:00.
On Thursday, September 2nd there will be an inservices for all secondary school library media specialists at Holmes Middle School from 8:00 to 12:00.
Anita Silvey, expert on children’s and young adult literature, will be the keynote speaker at both inservices. We look forward to seeing you this week and to a great year together.
If you are interested in serving as a mentor to a library media specialist who is new to Fairfax County Public Schools please let Anne McCracken or Sarah Hopwood know. Information on the requirements and obligations of mentors with zero teaching experience may be found at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/is/OSDT/greatbeginnings/pdf/FirstTimeMentorZeroEx.pdf; information and requirements for mentoring experienced teachers new to FCPS may be found at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/is/OSDT/greatbeginnings/pdf/MentorExperBenefits.pdf. Mentors are also needed for those individuals who do not qualify for an official mentor because they are not new to FCPS (i.e. members of the FCPS/CUA cohort).
Instructions for accessing the online databases purchased for all of FCPS can be found in the Library Program folder.
The following programs are airing this week on all three closed channels. Record Rights are unlimited for all four programs. Additional information is posted in the Media & Training public folder.
§ 2004 Back to School Message from Dr. Jack Dale (length 4:33)
§ 2004-2005 Teacher Assessment and Evaluation Orientation (length 16:37)
§ Gangs: A Community Challenge (length 11:07)
§ 2004 Leadership Conference (length 85:00)
A videotape of Superintendent Jack Dale’s 2004 Welcome Back Message has been sent to all principals. Additional information is posted in the Media & Training public folder.
Three copies of the 2004-2005 MHz Educational Resources Guide has been sent to all school libraries. Additional information is posted in the Media & Training public folder.
Planning on going to VEMA in November but haven’t registered yet? Check out VEMA’s website for registration and conference information. http://www.vema.gen.va.us/confrens.html. Hope you don’t miss this opportunity for great professional development.