Projects Galore in the Library!!

 Celebrating Completed Work

This is the time of year where you feel so close to summer but yet there is so much to still do. The library is still bustling with activity, students are studying for end of the exams and projects, discussing summer plans and beginning to actually look at what they will be taking next year. Along with all the students populating the library which makes us so happy, the library looks great because of the amazing projects displayed from some of our classroom teachers.

Mr. Cuoco's Philosophy class completed their Utopia Projects and on display we have examples of each student's idea of an utopian society

 Ms. Rogers junior English classes read The Great Gatsby and

made visuals based on themes from the novel.










And finally

Ms. Napier-Bernstein's junior English classes read one of three books about war, focusing on the costs of war. They researched and made infographics in an attempt to convey some of these costs. The results were jaw dropping.

 Blog Book of the Week

Moloka'i / Alan Brennert

This is a fascinating read and one I have not been able to put down. I love a book that makes me want to go and research the topic further and this is what Molaka'i does. A troubling story about the lives of those who had leprosy and were sent to the quarantined leprosy settlement Kalaupapa on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i. The story centers around little Rachel who is a happy, energetic seven year old who one day develops a small red mark on her leg. She is whisked away from her family and forced to live on the island for life. The story follows her journey, the trials, tribulations, frustrations and yes joys of her life and those that were with her. It is a painful look at some of our history and yet the resilience of the patients on Molaoka'i will give us all something to think about. 

Summary: This richly imagined novel, set in Hawai'i more than a century ago, is an extraordinary epic of a little-known time and place---and a deeply moving testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. Rachel Kalama, a spirited seven-year-old Hawaiian girl, dreams of visiting far-off lands like her father, a merchant seaman. Then one day a rose-colored mark appears on her skin, and those dreams are stolen from her. Taken from her home and family, Rachel is sent to Kalaupapa, the quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka'i. Here her life is supposed to end---but instead she discovers it is only just beginning.

 

Farewell (Again) and A Welcome...

 Farewell Seniors!

 "You may not know where you're going, but so long as you spread your wings the winds will carry you." ~C. JoyBell C.

Today is our seniors last day! I remember many of these students when they were just freshmen and to watch them grow and mature into the successful young adults they have become has been such a treat. The library wishes only the best for our graduating seniors. We know that Natick High has prepared them for their next adventures and we will follow the success of many of our graduates with pride and enthusiasm. Good Luck Class of 2015!!

 

 

Welcome Kaitlin Plachy!

I am so excited to welcome Kaitlin Plachy to the library team! Kaitlin is a 2011 graduate of Natick High School and will be working with us for the remainder of the school year. Kaitlin has just graduated from Harding University and will be moving to France in September to teach English. We are so fortunate to have Kaitlin here as she brings a positive, energetic enthusiasm to the library along with the skills needed to work with high school students!

Book Blog of the Week!

So You've Been Publicly Shamed / Jon Ronson

In the world of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat etc. people's lives become public for all to see, often because we invite it. How many pics do you post about your latest girls night out, kids scoring in a soccer game or our dog doing something you deem cute? We air our complaints, our hopes, our wins and sometimes our losses. It is when the very social network you rely on to help you turns against you that people begin to realize the extent of the effect of social media. 

Summary: This is the perfect time for a modern-day Scarlet Letter--a radically empathetic book about public shaming, and about shaming as a form of social control. It has become such a big part of our lives it has begun to feel weird and empty when there isn't anyone to be furious about. Whole careers are being ruined by one mistake. A transgression is revealed. Our collective outrage at it has the force of a hurricane. Then we all quickly forget about it and move on to the next one, and it doesn't cross our minds to wonder if the shamed person is okay or in ruins. What's it doing to them? What's it doing to us?

PROM TIME and a FAREWELL

 Prom

 It is the day that most junior and seniors wait for all year, The Prom!! A beautiful day is on tap for our students who will be preparing for the big night! Not too cold, not too hot and the sun is out! The library wishes all our students who will be attending the prom a wonderfully special night! Have lots of fun and please be safe!!! We can't wait to see all the photos.

 

 

 

 

Farewell!

It is with mixed emotions that we wish Mr. Wong a fond farewell. He is leaving Natick High School after three years to pursue a degree in English with the hope of teaching some day. He has been a valuable part of the library team and we wish him only the best as he takes on this new adventure!

Blog Book of the Week

Red: A Crayon's Story / Michael Hall
This is one of those stories that I believe every child should read, not only as a young preschooler but also as a teen. As a matter of fact, I think everyone should read it! It is a beautifully constructed story about a crayon who is red on the outside (his wrapper) but is blue on the inside (his actual color). The story provides a gentle way of teaching us that what we are on the inside doesn't always match up with what we look like on the outside. I have read few books that is the touching and poignant. A must read for everyone!
Summary: Red's factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but despite the best efforts of his teacher, fellow crayons and art supplies, and family members, he cannot seem to do anything right until a new friend offers a fresh perspective.

Beautiful Days of May!!!

Well, we have finally had one solid week of beautiful weather and you can sure feel the difference in the atmosphere!! Students and teachers have a lighter step, bigger smiles and everyone is gearing up for the final weeks of school!

 AP EXAMS

AP exams have been happening all week. The final studying in groups and individually has been going on in the library all week as well as testing! We wish all AP students the best of luck! We know their teachers and the library have prepared you well and you will all do great!

 FAREWELL TO OUR INTERNS!

The library interns have finished up their hours this week. It has been a joy having Chantal and Fiona working alongside us for the last few weeks. While we taught them the inner workings of a school library, they were able to give us insight to what students are interested in as far as literature, reading and the look and feel of a school library. We wish them the very best in their future endeavors!!! Chantal is heading to North Carolina State and Fiona is going to Mt. Ida.

 

 

 

 

RYLE THATCHER LIBRARY STUDENT OF THE WEEK!

Student Ryle Thatcher has created some amazing slides for the t.v's. He asked if he could help out in the library and was interested in creating some inspirational slides. We were overwhelmed by his creativity and thoughtful choices!! His slides ranged from why reading is so good for people to how to handle stress. Thank you Ryle!! You knocked it out of the park!!

The Merry Month of May......

 May is here and we are in the home stretch for school. As of today there are only 35 more days of school! After the winter we had it is hard to imagine warm sun, green grass and the prospect of summer!! This is always a busy time of the year in the library as many teachers have projects we are working on together, AP exams begin next week and students are wrapping up the year! Here is hoping May is an exciting and WARM month!!


 "The school library functions as a vital instrument in the educational process, not as a separate entity isolated from the total school program, but involved in the teaching and learning process.”

(IASL: International Association of School Librarianship)

UTOPIAN PROJECT

The above quote could not be more appropriate in today's educational world. With a strong library program comes students who graduate with a larger love of reading, strong research skills and a better ability to navigate through the vast array of information. With this in mind, I love when I am able to work with Mr. Cuoco on his philosophy's class Utopian Project. To me this demonstrates the perfect blend of classroom and library teachers blending their curriculum together! Students are asked to create their own Utopia based on what they have studied thus far in class and what they will find through research. The research stems from looking at Utopian societies, analyzing various forms of government and browsing through the many novels in the Utopian/Dystopian genre. It is great to look at the creativity and thought process students have on what they believe makes a strong Utopian government and society.

Blog Book of the Week

Station Eleven / Emily Mandel

This is a fascinating read on the downfall of society based on a pandemic that wiped out 90% of the universe and the struggle to build the world back. The story goes between the current time and how people are trying to survive and the character's lives prior to the pandemic. The characters feel real and you can feel the emotion and fear they have, living in such a desolate world and the struggle to remember what used to be.
Summary: In a future in which a pandemic has left few survivors, actress Kirsten Raymonde, having witnessed paparazzo-turned-EMT Jeevan Chaudhary try to save the life of actor Arthur Leander after he suffered a heart attack on stage, travels with a troupe performing Shakespeare and finds herself in a community in which a prophet will not let anyone leave alive. Includes subplots about Jeevan as he watches the world change from the pandemic and Arthur before his death.

National Library Week and Cards for Connor.....

Happy Vacation!!! The Friday before a vacation is always an exciting time! You can feel the energy in the air as students and staff prep for some well-deserved time off. I look forward to catching up on reading some of the new books in the library and we are encouraging all students and staff to come on down and take out/download some books for the week!!!

 National Library Week

This week is National Library Week and we could not have been more surprised and touched by the recognition of our work from the English Dept. Cookies and Cards were dropped off with a huge round of thanks for what we do. THANK YOU ENGLISH DEPT...it is our pleasure to teach and work with such a great department!

Cards for Connor

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone at Natick High School who took the time during our Community Seminar to participate in the "Cards For Connor" I can't tell you how touched Connor and his family (Officer Heffler, Mr. Heffler and brothers Ryan and Evin) were by the outpouring of support from the students and staff. Connor woke up Tuesday March 17th unable to move his legs. He was rushed to Mass General where they removed a massive tumor from his spine. Connor is currently at Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown where he is working really hard to get back the use of his legs. He is fighting hard and ready to kick Cancer's butt!!!

Blog Book of the Week

Nearly Gone / Elle Cosimano

"Nearly Gone" by Elle Cosimano is a dark, edgy, realistic, fast-paced murder mystery set in a high school.  In the words of some goodreads readers, it's "a gritty homage to Nancy Drew with more blood, fewer sweater sets and no penny loafers". This book definately keeps you on the edge of your seat.  Nearly needs to solve a murder mystery and at the same time is trying to lead a normal high school life thinking about school, scholarships, boys and the prom.  She gets caught up in a murder mystery and tries to solve it on her own.  At every turn, you think it's one person, then you read the next page and your theory is disputed. This book kept me guessing until the last page!

Summary: "A math-whiz from a trailer park discovers she's the only student capable of unravelling complex clues left by a serial killer who's systematically getting rid of her classmates.

Singing In the......Library and Internships Abound!!!

 Senior Internships

It is that time of the year again...Senior Internships! Every year many of our seniors use 4th term to go out on an internship. They look at the many different work opportunities related to a field they are interested in. We are very fortunate this year to have TWO interns in the library! Chantal Warfield and Fiona Burke-Scovill will be with us for the next few months! They will be learning the ins and outs of running a school library, working on many different projects and interacting with the students as well as coming up with some of their own projects and ideas. We are very happy to have them here and can't wait to see what new ideas they can bring to the library!

 

 

 Singing in the......Library

The library was filled not with voices talking yesterday but singing!! As we were working we heard the soft sounds of a guitar and singing coming from the preschool area. Senior Phoebe Patterson entertained many of the students in the library. It was such a nice way to unwind during lunch. I told Phoebe we need more of this in the library and school. Her soft playing and beautiful voice created a relaxed atmosphere during the lunch block! We hope Phoebe will be back with her guitar and we can make it more of a formal event every few weeks in the library!

Blog Book of the Week

Fixing Delilah / Sarah Ockler

Fixing Delilah is a great story about relationships; mother/daughter, friends and romantic relationships. It is a tale told many times but this book gives it a fresh take and is well written. The characters felt real to me and I the story realistic. I could feel Delihah's conflict and pain as she grows up, makes mistakes, learns and matures
Summary: When Delilah, her mother, and her aunt spend the summer in Vermont settling Delilah's estranged grandmother's estate, long-held family secrets are painfully brought to light and Delilah finally learns some difficult truths about her family's past.