Innovations: School Librarian and Parent Relations

Innovations: School Librarian and Parent Relations September 28, 2010 3:30 pm (CST) Texas Library Association Strategic Initiative Series

Innovations in Librarian & Parent Relations Sept. 28, 2010 at 3:30 pm (CST)Webinar Instructions • To HEAR THE AUDIO part of the webinar, be sure to dial our conference CALL at 1-866-740-1260 (toll free). When asked, key in your access code:4146650 • For technical help, contact the ReadyTalk support line at 800-843-9166. • Today’s webinar will begin at 2pm Central Time.

Innovations in Librarian & Parent Relations Sept. 28, 2010 at 3:30 pm (CST)Information for later… • Everyone will receive an evaluation survey after the webinar. • CE Certificates will be available in two business days on the TLA CE web site: www.txla.org/ce.

Innovations in Librarian & Parent Relations Sept. 28, 2010 at 3:30 pm (CST)Helpful tips… • To minimize background noise, please mute your phone line by pressing *6. You may “unmute” your line by pressing *7. • Twitter hash tag will be #TLAweb. • Please note the “Raise Hand” button on your screen – or you can type questions via the chat box.

Innovations in Librarian and Parent Relations: What we will cover… • A Partnership in Heaven • Librarians and Parents: A PTA Perspective • Working with Parents (Section I of resource handout) • Working with PTA (Section II of the resource handout) • Parents advocating for school libraries • Presentations on School Libraries (Section III of the resource handout) • Resources, questions

Our Merry Band of Presenters… Jennifer LaBoon Susan Geye Naomi Bates Leah Filzow-Perez Chris Salerno Gloria Meraz

School Librarians + Parents = A Partnership in Education Heaven…

Librarians & Texas PTA • Committed to our children & our schools • Building a partnership • Providing tools to help librarians and parents collaborate

From a PTA perspective… • Parents & School Libraries • What Parents Know • School libraries encourage reading • Safe and secure • Library is a place where librarians, teachers, and students can work together • What Parents Don’t Know • Involvement in classroom learning and school technology • Access to resources vital to 21st Century Schools • Effects Achievement Gap

From a PTA perspective… • What Parents Want • Quality School Library Programs • Enhance their child’s educational experience • Supported sufficiently to prepare students for academic challenges • School libraries that welcome and are open to parents • Collaborate • College and Career Ready

Working with Parents: They are a POWERFUL ALLY • Reaching out to them • Letting them know what librarians do most – literacy information skills – assisting teachers – planning instructional units w/ teachers – reading incentive activities

Working with Parents About the K-12 Databases Resources: articles in English and Spanish

Why reading resources matter & why we have to reach out to parents… 44% of the 4th graders are not able to read at or above the basic, or partial mastery, level on the National Assessment of Education Progress test. Children with poor reading skills often: • Receive poor grades • Are easily frustrated • Have difficulty completing assignments • Have low self-esteem • Have behavior problems • Have more physical illnesses due to stress • Don't like school • Grow up to be shy in front of groups • Fail to develop to their full potential Improving Reading For Children and Teens http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/improving_reading.shtml

Working with Parents LIBRARIANS CAN HELP!!! All about READING • Reading to kids • Reading lists • Reading activities Resources letters and information (English & Spanish)

Working with Parents • Help them know what a school library can do • Help them know what a school librarian can do • Resources: Information and PPT presentations (to be covered later in the webinar)

Working with your local PTA: Together, we’re paving the road! • Review of current activities (TASL/PTA) • Shirley Igo Award for PTA/School Library Collaboration • Presenting/Display at PTA Conferences • Publications

Working with your local PTA • The Potential • Get to know your local PTA • Present/promote school library resources

Working with your local PTA: Involving Parents • Plan Collaborative Programs • Healthy Lifestyles • Technology Fair • Literacy Nights

Working with your local PTA: Involving Parents • Diverse Volunteer Opportunities • Find/Educate Library Advocates

Advocating for strong school libraries • 2010 Texas PTA Legislative Resolution • Strong libraries have strong impact on student achievement • Schools with strong library programs and strong parental support have higher scores • Higher per pupil book count=higher test scores • Schools with increased library use=higher test scores • At the elementary and high school levels, students who are served by a full time librarian have higher tests scores than those without a full-time librarian. • At the elementary level, students score higher on tests when the librarian is aligned with the state curriculum frameworks. • PTA advocacy project • Educating the whole child

Advocating for strong school libraries Build Support and Encourage Collaboration • Students-Elementary, Secondary • Technology – Social Networking • Safety • Skills needed for life after H.S.

Advocating for strong school libraries • Parents • Impact YOU play in reading progression • Impact you CAN play in other areas as well healthy lifestyles, cyberbullying, college prep/Chamber of Commerce DADs, gifted/talented, military families, • Faculty/Administration – Data-driven educational climate – Provide data Human resources make lasting impressions!

Talking UP the SCHOOL LIBRARY • Aim materials for parents • Give them a chance to know you and the school library program • Unlock the mystery!

Talking UP the SCHOOL LIBRARY Two Resources: “Short Introduction to our School Library” – a 10-minute PPT “It’s not just books and stories! A Look at School Library Standards” – a 20 to 30 - minute PPT

So where are all of these resource??? Resource Guide for School Librarians www.txla.org/tasl/parent-resources Public webpage for Parents www.txla.org/parents-kids-school-libraries

What comes next? • More resources, more partnering • It’s all about sharing the… • good work • good news AND • goodies!

Q & A • Questions? • Answers? • Comments? • Ideas? • Wish lists?

Brought to you by… • Naomi Bates, Leah Filzow-Perez, Susan Geye, Jennifer LaBoon, Chris Salerno with Cindy Buchanan • Texas Library Association Nan Ellis, Registration Coordinator Mary Ann Emerson, Webmaster Ileah Hirshey, Membership & Meetings Assistant Gloria Meraz, Director of Communications Julie Serafini, Membership & Meetings Assistant Ted Wanner, CE Specialist

Please remember… • Continuing Education Certificates may be printed in two business days on the TLA CE website: www.txla.org/ce • Recordings will be available next week at the same web site. • Please complete the evaluation survey following the webinar.

The End. Thank you for participating! For more information: Ted Wanner TLA Continuing Education Specialist tedw@txla.org 512-328-1518 / 800-580-2852 A CE Event by the Texas Library Association.

Innovations: School Librarian and Parent Relations