
the Blueprint
Mays High School Media Center Newsletter

Welcome to the Mays Media Center!
#WeLit and We have Hit the Ground Running this year in the New Mays Media Center!
It has been a pleasure collaborating with and supporting you thus far! Raider Readers are Logging their Reading already because of Your Daily Dedication to Literacy!
Way to Go aMAYSing Faculty and Staff!
What's Happening in the Mays Media Center?
- We are updating the Mays Website and Calendar daily!
Staff or Student: Request an Update or Add and/or Visit Us Online
-1st Period Teachers, Please Collect Laptops and highlight on your Roster. Ms. Bryant, VILS Coach will take care of your Laptops from there. Please do not send students to the Media Center with Laptops
Laptop Requests and Student Tech Issues Form
- We are creatively collaborating with teachers on instructional tasks such as FlipGrid Reading/Writing, Google Classroom Ideas, Google Sites Setup and Race2Read. Get Jump Started
- We are Reading Contemporary and Classic Woke Books! Send Individual Students with a Pass and have them Sign In by scanning the QR Code before coming. Media Center Sign In
- We are delivering technical equipment and charging carts. Charging Laptop Cart Request
- We are celebrating scholars and teachers every week at the games. Raider of the Week
- We are supporting with formatting, editing, posters and lamination. If you would like to complete your own poster-making and lamination at 433 Peeples Street, please complete form beforehand,; it is only 10 minutes away ISC Teacher Resource Center
Reservation- We are Tweeting! Follow Us at #ThatSWLlitSquad
And Overall Striving for Awesomeness!
Request Support and/or Equipment from Ms. Smith aka Smitty, your Media Specialist!
Sign Up Genius for Orientation is Coming Soon! Be sure to Review Media Center Expectations w/ Scholars before they Visit the Media Center.
Follow Us ThatSWLitSquad on Twitter @smithclass128!
Please Schedule Time with the Media Specialist
If you would like to schedule or reschedule Media Center time for your entire classes to drop in for Semester 2 App Orientation/Book Check Out/Support, you are always Welcome. We also do house calls☺️ and can come to you for 10-30 minute Media Center Support sessions. We are bustling with activity daily! Teachers, Be Our Guest but as a Courtesy Contact the Media Specialist before bringing/sending your class or guests to the Media Center.
We are Here to Support Your Success!
Meet Marian Croak
Classroom Resources for Women's History Month
Celebrate Women's History Month with our latest blogpost sharing free classroom resources for teaching women's history. These resources spotlight the history of women in education, STEAM, activism, and more at no cost to educators.
Join Us for the Most Epic Literacy Night Ever!
Future in Film? Film Festival Portal Now Open for Submissions.
Deadline Monday, April 14th
If You're a Poet and You Know It!
Learn more in free "Understanding Your Student's Literacy Data" eLearning module
now on Caregivers Resource Hub. irrc.education.uiowa.edu
Happy New Year! Enjoy a Few Fall Highlights!
Looking for a Cool Space to Chill for a Moment?
The WELL is Officially Open!
Nacho Average Reader Literacy Celebration Loading!
Qualify to Join Us!
Celebration of Literacy💕💙💛
Scan or Select Flyer to Volunteer by Wednesday!
ATTN SENIORS: Log, Participate, Promote Literacy and Volunteer for Cord!📚🤓
February 2025: Week 1 in Review
Student breaks in the APS calendar are a great time to relax and recharge. It's also a great time for our students to explore learning in a fun and self-paced way! During this upcoming winter break, we encourage students to participate in APS Tech-Tivities, a site that houses a variety of enrichment activities that will help spark curiosity, reinforce skills, and encourage creativity while at home! #APSDigitalDays sites.google.com/apsk12.org/aps…
Register for Sunday's Book Breaks Webinar at 2PM
Featuring The Black Wall Street Histoire
$5,000 Scholarships for Community Advocacy, Entrepreneurship, Education, etc!
🗓️ Deadline: February 14, 2025
Apply Here! Use the Paper App to Support Your Submission!
The New Galileo Password is: backbone
Feel that Cold Winter Air? ⛄ It's the Mays Drama Dept!
Did you Grab Your Earmuffs and Enjoy the Snow Show?🏂⛄🎿 View Highlights
Reclaim Your Time and Secure the Bag with Paper Live Tutoring App!
Stop! Drop! Borrow in Sorrow! It only takes 30 Seconds!
Councilman Mitchell Ushers Senior Scholars and Parents into Legacy Commitment
Highlights Here
This Month's IB Profile is Risk-Taker
Thank You for Your Service
View Highlights Here
See Your Counselor Now to Register for Dual Enrollment Courses Next Semester!
We are #StrongerTogether
Democracy Tour 2024 Highlights Here...
Lights! Camera! Action!
Aspiring to Be a Great Leader?
Taking Notes is a Small Task that Makes a Big Difference
Welcome to Media Center Sign In
Use this QR to Document Your Literacy Journey, Visits and Win Prizes!
Join Mays Drill Team
See Highlights Here
Access Books Online in My Backpack via SORA App
Read More Books! Enjoy More Treats and Prizes!
Next Literacy Celebration Loading....
Raiders, Are You Reclaiming Your Time with Paper App?
Search the Word 'Paper' in My Backpack
Magic School is the New AI Cool Tool!
Use Your Personal Email when Signing Up
Let's Demonstrate Excellence!
EVERY MAYS Scholar Must Have a Personal Statement in My Backpack Paper App!
The Atlanta Hawks Check It Out Reading Challenge has officially started and runs until September 1. When students K-12 check out and read five books, they earn one (1) FREE youth ticket to a select Hawks game during the 2024-2025 season. When students complete the Challenge, they need to visit https://www.nba.com/hawks/community/checkitout and have a parent or guardian fill out the registration form. An adult ticket must be purchased along with the youth ticket. Participants will begin receiving their tickets after October 31.
See the New Fall Sports Calendar Here
See You in Your Blue and Gold Paraphernalia
🚘You Asked. We Delivered! Drive Safe out There!🚘
Nacho Average Reader Kickoff Celebration Loading...
B. E. Mays was an Author and Avid Reader
Have you Read his Book Born to Rebel?
View aMAYSing Highlights from APS Poetry Slam Here
A Word on The Power of Vocabulary
Raider Readers and Teachers! Congratulations! You Did That!
📚💙📚
Shout Out to our aMAYSing Counseling Department, Ms. Powell, Ms. Simon and Team!
The APS Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl was Epic!
Hope to See You on the Mays HRRB Team This Year
APS and Volunteers Host Thousands of Readers, Coaches, Parents and Community Supporters at our Superbowl for Readers, Annual APS @GAHRRB and We had....a Blast!! @DMTherrellMedia!! #Lit #BookJoy (Select Pics to View Highlights)
We not only have print copies of ¿Qué Tal? (Spanish) Scholastic Magazines and Allons-y ! (French) Scholastic Magazines to use in your room and read in the Media Center, but now we have access to at least 20 Copies of ¿Qué Tal? and Allons-y! online! Let’s become Fluent together!
Qualify to Attend the Reading Kickoff Celebration!
It's Going to Be Epic! Don't Miss it!
You Must Have the Official Reader Party Pass
from Your Teacher to Attend.
Congrats to Our aMAYSing Baseball Team on a Successful Inaugural Invitational!
Scholars are Loving the aMAYSing New Books!
Shout Out to Ms. Dawson's Class for Your
Lit Paper App Usage and Reading!
AABE Scholarship Linked Here
The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is a National nonprofit organization that advocates for environmental and energy policies that directly impact African Americans and other underserved populations. Additionally, AABE supports students in their pursuit of careers in energy related fields and provides scholarships and other financial aid to support these efforts.
See You Soon! Be Sure to Bring a Pass and Scan Sign In!
Schoolwide Initiative to Secure Your Future!
It's 2024 Now But
It's Not Too Late to Secure the Bag! 💲💰💲
Need Support? See Ms. Smitty💙💛
Sign Up to Grow with Google Here!
Meet Us Out in These Literacy Streets!
See Mays Media Specialist for More Fun Opportunities!
At Fulton County Library Teen Center w/Media Specialist!
The Beads of Privilege Equity/Bias Workshop was Eye-Opening!
Look Who Had a Great Time!
World Languages Tango with Mango
Shout Out to Madame Kanet!
Way to Go Señora's Classes!
Señora
Casas is a masterful Latin Dancer?Strong Language Support is Not Foreign to the ESOL Department!
Have You Been Logging Your Reading in Race to Read My Backpack Bean?
If so, you are probably Nacho Average Reader! See you Sept 15th at the Nacho Party!
Reclaim Your Time with Paper
This Month's IB Profile is Knowledgeable
Have You Logged Your Race2Read Minutes for this month?
Thank You Councilwoman A. Boone for Hosting Reading Kickoff in the Media Center!
Mays HS Makes History and Emerges as Top Race2Read Loggers in the District
Congratulations Raiders and Literacy and ArtsTeachers as well as Ms. A. Smith for Championing this Initiative!
Follow Principal Garner @BEMaysPride on Twitter!
Digital Citizenship is Real
Patrons and Media Center Ambassadors Enjoy Mays Media Center
Congratulations Mays HS Readers! Keep on Logging!
It Takes a Village to Raise a Raider Reader! Thanks so much to @elsystemsinc for stepping right in to Celebrate and Encourage our Scholars for their hard work and Lexile Growth in @lightsailed as well as their Race2Read Achievement this year! Our HS scholars this Reading App!!
Are you logging after you D.E.A.R.?
Drop Everything And Read then Race 2 Read in MyBackback!
Thanks so much for supporting and celebrating our scholars!
Thanks to the Mays Media Team Volunteers for HRRB
Unlock Vocabulary with Affixes and Base Words
Select IB Poster and Learn More
IB Learner Profile of the Month: Balanced
Balanced learners understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
Aug 1 First Day of School Instructional days:
Sept 4 Labor Day
Oct Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Teacher Professional Learning Day
Oct Teacher Professional Learning Day
Oct Fall Break (students and teachers)
Join Mays High in Helping Students Dream BIG!
Your Attendance Rocks!
Please join Ms. Guitroz and the attendance team in commending D perfect attendance recipients. Attendance Matters! Attendance Incentive Party pics below!
Select Certificate to View Award Recipients.
Select the Whiteout Book Below to View Video Visit
Scholars, Have you tried the Live 24/7 Tutoring App in MyBackpack?
Shout Out to Coach Alexander, Ms. McCleod and Dr. Syphertt's Classes!!
Your Scholars are Rocking Out in Paper! See Ms. A. Smith for Quick Start!
More Historical News from The Hill!
We are Thrilled to Announce More Historical News from The Hill!! Mays HS is Home to one of Top 3 HS Readers in Entire @apsupdate District again last Month! That SW Lit Squad is on 🔥🔥!! Congratulations on this Major Accomplishment Miracle!💙💛📚🚀 #EveryDayWeLit #DopeWokeReaders
It was Nacho Average Reading Celebration for the Scholars at MaysHS! Reading has its rewards as we Race to the Top and Reignite the Joy of Reading! Thanks so much for the genuine Love & Support @APSMediaServ @JenWinSaunders & @BeMaysAS_JG!! We feel it!! #EveryDayWeLit
Come Out and See Why Mays High School is the Blueprint!
Our School Boasts AAA Excellence - in Academics, Arts and Athletics!
The aMAYSing Race2Read Raider Readers of the Week!
Ready to Read? We have Just the Book for you!
KiKi Are you Reading? Are You Writing?
We Support Technology Integration & Literacy
Resources Resources Resources
Have you Tried Paper, an Awesome Live Online Tutoring Resource for All Subjects?
Add Adobe Express to Your Instructional Toolkit Today! Ask Me How!
Have you Tried Paper? It's a Game Changer?
Learn 360
Infobase is an educational solutions company providing award-winning digital reference content to the school and library markets, with research databases, eBook collections, streaming video, and eLearning Modules spanning a variety of core subject areas and grade levels. Under such well-known brands as Facts On File, The World Almanac, Learn360, Bloom’s, Ferguson’s, Chelsea House, and Films Media Group, Infobase provides students, librarians, and educators with a broad range of products that both enhance and enrich the learning experience. Ask Ms. Smith, your Media Specialist, for Details!
Great News!
We’re excited to announce that students now have full access to PaperLive!
PaperLive offers live videos that are available exclusively after school hours. Each show is packed with adventure, stories, and learning concepts designed to educate while keeping things entertaining. Plus, only academic experts create PaperLive shows—meaning you can feel confident about the quality of our content.
Noting but Smooth Sailing with Light Sail
Looking for a relevant approach to monitor your student's Reading progress while Racing to Read? Light Sail is the solution! ELS is back with a fresh Reading App that includes a library of over 10k eBooks! Check it Out! Students Win Prizes and Party participation for your Reading while becoming a member of the Millionaire's Club! Light Sail is in MyBackPack and does not require that you physically keep up with books.
Join the Mays Raiders Accelerated Read Millionaire's Club
Students at Mays are Excited about the New Realistic Fiction Authors
Did you know that we have access to free audiobooks in Classpass?
Students can access library digital resources through MyBackpack (APS) or through the Library website (afpls.org/class) using your Student ID. Your Student ID number will act as your library card number when using library resources. Since you attend an Atlanta Public School, your PIN is your lunch number. Teacher username is their Employee ID number and the Password is CHANGEME
Student Loan Forgiveness Deadline Approaching
If you all haven't, Fill this out right now
Don't forget to Use Remind in MyBackpack
APS as well as Mays High is always open to means of improving how we communicate with students. Remind is a feature offered in MyBackpack that most scholars are familiar with If you need assistance setting up your Remind or would like template quick tips, Ms. Smith, your Media Specialist is here to help..
Galileo
GALILEO, Georgia’s virtual library, is a free resource available to all educators, parents, and students in the state, whether via their school or local library. With more than 40 million searches each year, GALILEO is a go-to resource for lifelong learners in Georgia. The Galileo Password is: capture
APS Social Emotional Learning Week
We are Celebrating! SEL Spirit Week is still going strong as we roll out SEL curriculum! Everyone can join us for Thursday’s theme of Relationship Skills! Wear a tee with your favorite saying & offer authentic gratitude to others.
The Novel Effect
As you read books in the classroom with Novel Effect, little learners will be on the edge of their seats. Our interactive music and sound effects are perfectly tuned to complement your read alouds and give students a more immersive experience so their focus stays on you.
Raider Scholars Read Trash by A. Mulligan
Can't wait to see the AR results and Read the Reviews about the realistic diction tale of 3 Dumpsite adolescents hoping to find anything they can sell or recycle.
The ISC Grand Re-Opening was Everything
Ms. Smith travels to ISC twice a week to Meet the additional Needs of teachers. Thanks APS Instruct Tech and Media Service for your Amazing Dedication!
Scholars are Thrilled about Read Woke Author Tiffany D. Jackson
This Urban thriller from New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson intersects ghosts and social justice!
We've Got Spirit How About You!
Upcoming Dates
Thanks for Supporting the New Mays Media Center This Week
The aMAYSing Administrative Team, Volunteer Ms. Gladys Coleman, ThatSWLitSQuad Media Center Team, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Anderson, J. Saunders, L. Miller, .C. Coston, S. Miles, L. Gaither, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Conyers, Mays High School Race2Read Teachers and Reading Raiders, ACCA Scholars, Ms. S. Brown, Mr. Bawlson, Ms. K. Carter, Mr. D. Parks, Dr. Leverette, Ms. A. Williams, Ms. Hutchens, Dr. Syphertt, Ms. Robinson-McCleod, Ms. Jenkins, Ms. Alexander, Ms. Ammons, Mr. Boudreux, Ms. Tanner, Ms. Perkins, Ms. Aldridge, Ms. Blount, Mr. Bullock, Ms. Guitroz, Ms. Grace, Coach Anderson, Coach Williams, aMAYSing World Languages, 9th Grade Lit Teachers!
Mays Athletics, Nurse Williams, APS SEL, Jannie Smith, Nicole M. Francis, S. Matthews, S.. Wright, E. Phllips, M. Glover, J. Dickerson, D. Wooten, D. Hunter, J. Page, One Goal, PTMGL, Z. Kirk, and THE Absolute BEST MEDIA SERVICES and INSTRUCTIONAL TECH Department in the Country-APS!