We will see some of them on their first college break next year; some will stop by to update staff members and favorite teachers on how their lives are progressing.

We’ve given them what we hope are the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful life. We wish them well. We’ll miss them all.

A few tongue-in-cheek e-mails settled the “issue” amicably:

“Dear Ms. X,

It has come to our attention that you felt denigrated by the insinuation that you are not “mature”.

Please bear in mind that “immature” is not the sole antonym for “mature”. Other, more positive interpretations might include

“youthful” or “still developing”.

Those who have not yet reached maturity are evolving, changing, moving in new directions; not rigid, fixed, immobile.

We congratulate you on your non-mature status and wish you well in your dynamic life!

Sincerely,

The Word Police”

“I like the term, “still evolving,” as in, not being stagnant. Thanks ladies, you are the best! Have a great weekend.”

This was intended to be both a personal and professional blog. I’m finding it difficult to be candid, articulate, and PC all at the same time! Since I’m too busy (aren’t we all) to split this online journal into two separate threads, I’ll have to do the best I can. I’m not sure how other bloggers strike a balance between entertaining and erudite…it must be a talent that comes with experience.

Good news on two fronts: my MS/HS Principal told me that the Current Events students will most likely be allowed to have school e-mail accounts (the responsibilities of a good digital citizen will definitely be one of our first discussions!). Also, the District Superintendent has requested that I do a short BOE presentation, focusing on the goals of the Library program, in August or September.
These topics intertwine, as do my duties as a K-12 SLMS. If I can effectively convey this to the Board, it may well open the door to further integration of technology and information literacy skills within the core curriculum.

Perhaps the students themselves could appear before the BOE later in the school year to explain what and how they’ve learned. Our young adults would surely be very effective advocates for the technologies of what will be their future!

Library Media Center/SLMS responsibilities:

• weed and update Elementary non-fiction, particularly Nations of the World and Biography
• instruct teachers in database use
• share interesting sites
• introduce information literacy and web2.0 terms and tools to staff members
• keep updated on the Social Studies research project for grades 6-12
• read some of the news fiction, particularly in the YA section
• work on a new Library Webpage
• update BOCES Plan of Service (yearly)
• fulfill BOCES SLS Liason duties
• inquire about processing Inter Library Loans through our automated system
• investigate the feasibility of extended LMC/Computer Lab hours
• create chances to collaborate…be a Presence!

Note to self: Be sure to read Will Richardson’s “Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts…”
soon!

Today I opened a new Google Document for the Current Events course. So far it contains lesson plans and news links I’ve found online, and a few educational blog postings (Joyce Valenza, David Warlick, etc.) on related topics, like student blogging and its potential for learning.

My next task will be to set up a model news feed in Google Reader. If the students are given e-mail addresses, I’ll have them open their own Reader accounts and choose what sources to include from the lists I’ve already bookmarked.

I requested that our class be located in the High School Computer Lab, which has the most up-to-date computers and an LCD projector. The Guidance Counselor promises to do what she can to help.

I’ve contacted the District Technologist, the Superintendent, and the High School Principal in hopes of getting my students e-mail accounts. This may not be possible, so Plan B is to have the DT create a class account for us. It wouldn’t be nearly as effective, but we’ll work with what we can get!

This is quite a departure from my comfort zone, scary and exhilarating at the same time .

This blog will serve as an online professional journal, a repository for odd ideas and quirky facts, and a public diary, of sorts. I am, most definitely, a “Stranger in a Strange Land”.