School and Youth Librarians Newsletter from the Alaska State Library
News in Brief
April is School Library Month. The theme this year is Everyone Belongs @Your School Library
“School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians’ celebration of school librarians and their programs. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in transforming learning.” (AASL.org)
Check out these resources http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/slm
The 2019 spokesperson is Dav Pilkey. Webinars are scheduled throughout April (AASL members) along with the complimentary Web graphics and files for your website and for printable posters.
Juneau school librarian is featured in a new blog Our Alaskan Schools. Read about their makerspace. Turning an Empty Space into a Creative Space Luke Fortier at Dzantik’iHeeni Middle School
YALSA Offerings
2019 Selected Lists and Book Awards
Have you checked out our 2019 selected lists and book awards yet? All the lists, including the Best Fiction for Young Adults, Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Printz Award, Nonfiction Award, and more can be found on the YALSA site! Check them out now at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/book-media-lists.
2019 Teens’ Top Ten Giveaway
In celebration of the 2019 TTT Nominees being announced next month, we’ve opened our Teens’ Top Ten giveaway! 50 sets of the nominees will be given to libraries in need generously funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Applications are due April 15th. Applicants must be YALSA members and be located within 30 miles of a Dollar General store. Check out the announcement and find more info here.
Teen Book Finder Database Updated with 2019 Titles
Our Teen Book Finder Database is now updated with 2019 titles! Check out the database and create your own customizable recommended reading lists for your teens. And the database now includes awards and lists from ALA affiliates and round tables!
Opens April 15 Registration for 2019 YA Services Symposium
YALSA’s 2019 YA Services Symposium will take place Nov. 1-3 in Memphis, TN, with the theme: Show Up and Advocate: Supporting Teens in the Face of Adversity. YALSA members receive the best registration rate. Not a YALSA member? Join YALSA and ALA before registering to save. Joining before registering vs. registering as a non-member is of equal or similar cost. All are welcome to attend. Questions? Email Nichole O’Connor at noconnor@ala.org. Want to receive updates about the symposium? Sign up here.
April 11; 2PM EST ( 10 am AK)
Webinar: What Does it Take to be Career Ready?
Free for YALSA Members/$29 Non-Members or $59 yearly subscription
Join us for a webinar on the importance of understanding the difference between job readiness and career awareness. Participants will learn about a report published by King County (WA), the Seattle Region Partnership, and the Seattle Office of Economic Development, “Job Readiness Skills for Youth a Clear and Actionable Definition.” The report, which will be used to help guide the webinar, highlights the importance of early work experiences, provides a list of “soft skill” competencies required on the job, and helps define a developmental continuum to better match youth with employers and work experiences. Learn more.
Training and Continuing Ed Opportunities (all times adjusted to Alaska)
Wednesday March 26 1-2pm
Culturally Responsive Teaching; Key Principals and Practices (edweb)
CRT consists of instructional practices that acknowledge the particular cultural background of each student. Students often differ from each other, and from their teachers, in cultural values, traditions, and experiences. Successful instruction depends on sensitivity to these differences as well as the ability to draw on them in the creation of supportive educational environments for all students. Register Here
Wednesday March 27 10 -11 am
The Power of Story: Understand How Stories Can Transform Struggling Readers (edweb)
Hear the research that explains why stories can have a physical impact on the brain, and how—when struggling readers are exposed to stories through strategies that make use of digital literacy and other alternative approaches—moments of deep learning and engagement can have transformational impacts on students. Register here
Wednesday March 27, 11 am-Noon.
Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Real-World Projects in the Digital Age (edweb)
Based on the popular ISTE title, the authors will lead a conversation to help participants maximize the effectiveness of PBL. Register Here
Thursday March 28, Noon-1:00 pm
From Key Boarding to Coding: Best Practices in Digital Literacy Instruction (edweb)
Examine best practices in digital literacy instruction including assessment, instructional approaches, and models for ensuring your students master digital literacy concepts and skills so they are prepared to excel in a digital world. Register Here
Wednesday, March 27 (8-2pm)
Middle Grade Magic Virtual Summit ( School Library Journal)
https://www.slj.com/?event=middle-grade-magic-2019
Join School Library Journal for our inaugural Middle Grade Magic virtual summit, a day-long celebration and exploration of one of the burgeoning and most important – areas of publishing for young readers: literature for children ages eight through 12 – and beyond! Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of the most anticipated new titles for kids and tweens, from laugh-out-loud tales to eye-popping graphic novels to enveloping fantasy. Attendees will also have the opportunity to check out the virtual exhibit hall, chat directly with authors, download educational resources, and receive prizes and giveaways.
Middle Grade Magic is a free, completely virtual conference – no traveling, no cost, AND you will be able to earn CE credits for all the webcast sessions you attend. Register now, and we look forward to ‘seeing’ you on March 27th. Can’t make the live date? No problem! The entire environment will be archived and available for up to three months.
Tentative date Thursday April 25th, 3:00PM
Addressing Alaska Student Reading Scores through School and Community Library Collaboration. ( AK State Library)
Janet Madsen, Julie Niederhauser and Ann Morgester. This presentation was originally scheduled for the March 2019 AKLA Library Conference. Reading scores got you down? Wondering how many more initiatives you can implement? Feeling like you won’t change the literacy tide? These presenters will help you reframe the dilemma and carry on. Stay tuned for more information
Alaska Employment Opportunities
As seen on Alaska Teacher Placement: Posted 3/8/19 Job ID 7386
Librarian, North Pole Middle School, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.
Available August 2019 Open Until Filled. More information
SAYL Mail is published the second and fourth Fridays of the month from August through May.
If you have any questions, suggestions or find information errors please direct them to Janet Madsen
Alaska School Library Coordinator at janet.madsen@alaska.gov or (907) 465-8187.