Equity and Cultural Competency

At the beginning or the school year, our Media Technology Advisory Committee (MTAC) assessed our Library Media program using WakeForward's self reflection tool. Based on the results, we chose Equity & Cultural Competency as our focus objective for the 2018 - 2019 school year. This objective directly supports our School Improvement Plan's purpose of improving achievement and outcomes for every student by working to eliminate the ability to predict achievement based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity.

What is Equity and Cultural Competency and how does it relate to Underwood's Library Media program?

According to WCPSS's initiative, WakeForward, "A strong school library program displays a commitment to inclusiveness and respect for diversity that is embodied in its policies, instruction, programming, materials, and pedagogy. This includes ensuring access, amplifying historically marginalized voices, and promoting literature and informational texts that reflect the lives, experiences, and interests of all students." (from Defining a Strong School Library Program)

Our MTAC has identified the following objectives:

Expected Outcome #1 Over the course of the 18/19 academic year, a collection analysis and equity audit of our collection will be completed. Based on this audit, our collection management plan will be updated and modified as needed to increase representation in specific areas.  

Expected Outcome #2 Over the course of the 18/19 academic year, our media program will integrate strategies learned by attending Beyond Diversity specific Convergence sessions, and specific NCTIES sessions into the student instructional experience while also leveraging the resources that are added as a result of the equity audit of our collection.

Expected Outcome #3 Over the course of the 18/19 academic year, our media program will evaluate accessibility of all resources - to include books, digital resources, and technology devices - for all students and families. Circulation data and media center use data will be utilized to assess equitable access to our resources, both at school and at home.

For more information on Equity & Cultural Competency at Underwood, please see our Library Media Program Portfolio.

If you are interested in supporting this initiative, please consider the following and contact Andrea (atrowell@wcpss.net) to help out…

• Joining Underwood’s MTAC. Our next meeting is Thursday, January 24 at 7:45am.
• Assisting with our upcoming Diversity Audit. We will be walking through and evaluating each title in our library. This commitment has flexible hours during the months of January and February. 

North Carolina Children's Book Awards

Looking for books to read this fall? Check out the North Carolina Children's Book Award nominees for 2019!


About the NCCBA...

The North Carolina Children's Book Award (NCCBA) is sponsored by the North Carolina School Library Media Association and the Youth Services Section of the North Carolina Library Association. Since 1992, North Carolina's school children have nominated their favorite books published within the past three years.  Members of the NCCBA committee select 10-12 titles from the nominated books in two categories, picture books and junior books.  During the course of the year, classroom teachers, media specialists and public librarians encourage children to become familiar with the nominees and vote for their favorite titles in March. The award is truly a children's book award - selected by the children of the state of North Carolina!

         (http://nccba.blogspot.com/p/about-ncbba.html)

These books lead to great discussions about why or why not they should be chosen as THE winner of the NCCBA this year. What makes a book award-winning material?

Let's all read as many of these titles as possible! In late February Underwood students will participate in the state wide voting. I wonder which titles will receive the most votes!

Welcome back staff and students!

Our library runs on a self-check out/check in system. Students can check out books anytime between 8:45 - 3:30. New this year - students will not only be self checking OUT their books, but they will also be checking IN this books! This will hopefully make our circulation more efficient, and, most importantly, give more library ownership to our students.

Students are expected to understand and follow the following media guidelines. In their classrooms, 2nd - 5th grade students will be watching and discussing Media FAQ's: Policies and Procedures slide show and then reviewing the following guidelines. Once they have read and understand these policies, they will sign a contract and receive their library cards. Library cards are our tickets into the library!

Underwood’s CIRCULATION POLICIES

• Students may check out as many books as they need and can be responsible for. On average, K - 1st students check out 2-3 books at a time and 2nd - 5th students check out 3-4 at a time.
• Books are due two weeks from check out date. Books may be renewed for an additional two weeks. 
• When a student has a book checked out, it is the student’s responsibility to keep the book safe. For example, when not in use, books should be kept in a book bag, book box, or shelf. Lending checked out books to other students is not recommended. 
• If a book is lost or damaged, a “fine” is assigned to the student. Fines are cleared when the student completes school service time. School service time is coordinated by the media staff, the classroom teacher, and the student. 
• A student with a lost or damaged book may check out books once he/she has completed the required service time. 

Under Wonders!

Ever wondered how many llamas live in the world? Or, why we have daylight savings time? Well, this is the place to find answers to your questions! The Under Wonder website was created by students in the Super Sleuth elective - these students are research EXPERTS and they are standing by to find answers to YOUR questions!

Under Wonder website

Success!

Thanks AGAIN, everyone, for making the Book Fair was a HUGE success! We sold over $15,000 in books! The library has added over 100 new titles to our collection; these books mostly processed and for circulation. There is a display of new books as you walk into the library...hurry in because they are being checked out quickly!