At the heart of our educational community, the school library stands as a vital resource for students and teachers alike. It is where curiosity is awakened, and the pursuit of knowledge is an endless adventure.

The school library plays a crucial role in supporting the curriculum by providing access to current and diverse resources. It is a place where students learn to critically evaluate information, develop research skills, and foster a lifelong love for reading. Our librarians are educators who guide students on their journey to becoming informed and discerning individuals.

April provides us an opportunity to acknowledge the significance of the school library—a cornerstone of education that empowers minds, sparks imagination, and cultivates a community of learners who are ready to grow and flourish in an ever-changing world.

Please join me in thanking the following individuals for their steadfast belief in the power of libraries and their committment to our students.

Elementary School Media Team

Mrs. Gring (Heavilin), Mrs. Stage (Central), Mrs. Tracht (Flint), Mrs. Burlingham (Cooks), Mrs. Thompson (Northview), Mrs. Vara (TJE), Mrs. Meyer (Memorial), Mrs. Christian (Parkview)

Middle School Media Team

Ms. Hurley (TJMS), Ms. Atkinson (BFMS)

Valparaiso High School Team

Ms. Aguirre - Media Assistant

Mrs. Koschal - Media Aide

Ms. Fray - Honorary Media Aide

Warmly,

Kristine Arthur

VCS Media Director

The VHS Media Center hosted Mrs. Oros' English classes in the library where they enjoyed a taste of our Novels in Verse collection! The VHS Life Skills students brought the Simply Gifted Coffee House to the library to serve students their favorite beverage. Please click on the image to see our collection of novels in written in verse.

The 2024 International Holocaust Remembrance Day theme, "Recognizing the Extraordinary Courage of Victims and Survivors of the Holocaust," serves as a tribute to the resilience and bravery exhibited by those who endured one of the darkest chapters of human history. The theme highlights the stories of resistance, survival, and the human spirit's capacity to persevere in the face of unimaginable adversity. By focusing on the courage of the victims and survivors, the theme emphasizes the personal narratives that often go unheard, giving a human face to the numbers and reminding us of the individual lives marked by this tragedy. The VHS Media Center shared fiction and factual books that tell stories of countless acts of courage and strength.

February 2024 marked another profound Black History Month, where the vibrant tapestry of Black culture was celebrated through the themes of Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Literature, Poetry, and Music. The Performing Arts shone a spotlight on the dynamic expressions of dance and theater, honoring the ways in which Black performers have narrated their stories on stages worldwide. Visual Arts painted a poignant picture of history and heritage, with displays showcasing the works of Black artists whose brushes stroke the chords of identity, struggle, and triumph. Literature and Poetry carved out spaces for the powerful voices of Black authors and poets, whose written words challenge, educate, and inspire, weaving narratives that resonate with deep cultural significance. Music, the universal language, pulsated through communities, celebrating the rich legacy of Black musical genius, from soulful blues to the revolutionary sounds of hip-hop, each genre a testament to the spirit and enduring influence of Black artistry. Black History Month 2024 was not just a reflection on past achievements but a living, breathing, and evolving homage to the continuing impact of Black culture in all forms of artistic expression. Special thanks to Ms. Debra Fray for helping design the displays throughout the month and Mr. Jerry Hager for allowing us to borrow his memorabilia collection.

In celebration of all members of our community with a disability, the VHS Media Center team provided unique learning opportunities for ourstudents. From completing Braille challenges to practicing ASL, discussing books that featured characters with diverse abilities, and viewing displays that showcased national, international, and local heroes who persevered through challenges and setbacks many of us can't imagine, our students learned to recognize and appreciate the varied experiences and contributions of individuals with disabilities. It was our goal to bring critical attention to the challenges they face in pursuit of full participation in social, economic, and cultural life. Please click on the image to the righ to view our collection of books that celebrate those with diverse abilities.

Students and peer tutors from Mrs. Morales and Ms. Lawrence's classes got a special visitor during our Disability and Inclusion Awareness Celebration. Peer tutors learned of the important work comfort dogs do and how their work differs from that of therapy and service dogs. Caleb's presence brought joy and a symphony of laughter to the classroom. Special thanks to Caleb's handler, Mr. Joe Cunningham, for sharing Caleb's story with us!

Members of VHS UNICEF club learned a bit of ASL by painting their hands to artistically represent the sign. See some of their work below!

Women's History Month is an annual celebration that acknowledges the contributions and achievements of women throughout history and contemporary society. Held in March, it is a time to reflect on the contributions of women to history, culture, science, politics, and many other fields. This observance not only highlights the remarkable stories of individual women who have broken barriers and made significant impacts but also sheds light on the collective struggles and triumphs of women as a whole. By celebrating the diverse and dynamic roles women have played and continue to play, Women's History Month fosters a greater understanding of women's unique experiences. It promotes an inclusive narrative that honors their integral role in shaping our world.

In March Madness fashion, our students voted on their favorite books in our bracket! It was no surprise for many of us that The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, made it through each round to take the championship title.

School Library Month is a celebration of the essential role that strong school library programs play in transforming learning. School libraries foster a love for reading and are pivotal in teaching information literacy—a skill critical for academic success and lifelong learning. They provide a safe haven for all students to think, create, share, and grow. Librarians serve as vital links between the resources and the student body, guiding research, encouraging exploration, and cultivating digital citizenship.

National Poetry Month, celebrated in April, is a time to recognize the impact poetry has on culture and personal expression. It encourages the reading, writing, sharing, and appreciation of poetry across the nation. This month-long observance highlights the art form's unique ability to capture the complexity of human emotions and experiences, often in very few words. It serves as a reminder of poetry's historical role in articulating social issues and influencing change. Please click on the image to view some of our poetry collection.

Earth Day, observed annually on April 22, serves as a catalyst for environmental awareness and action, promoting the stewardship of our planet. It signifies the collective responsibility we hold to foster sustainable practices and address issues such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change. It is a day for education, mobilization, and the celebration of the progress made, as well as a call to action to continue to work towards a healthier, more sustainable Earth.

On April 8, 2024, Valparaiso, Indiana, was treated to a rare and spectacular celestial event: a total solar eclipse (95% totality). This extraordinary occurrence, where the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, briefly cloaking the day in an eerie twilight, offered observers in Valparaiso a unique opportunity to witness the sun's corona as the moon obscures its light. This eclipse presented a moment of wonder, a chance for our students to appreciate the grandeur of the cosmos!

From test-taking strategies, study habits, and relaxation tips to stress-beating activities and movies, the VHS Media Center helped students confidently approach their high-stakes tests. Whether in preparation for final exams, AP tests, IB tests, or a combination of all three, the media center provided the support needed. Puzzles, coloring, and quiet spaces were our jam during April and May.

Some genres earn their own month! May Mystery Month offered the students 2-Minute Mystery challenges to try to solve and an array of plot-twisting, who-done-it books to choose from!

Claudia Stage served as our student aide for three years and we were so grateful for her contribution and presence. It was not uncommon to see her in the stacks shelving or finding new gems, reading, helping students, studying, and simply being herself. For her IB 3-D Art project, she chose to feature Mrs. Arthur and her favorite children's book, Coraline, by Neil Gaiman. We wish Claudia the best of luck as she follows her dreams!

As the final chapter of your high school journey comes to a close, we bid you a heartfelt farewell. As you embark on the exciting path ahead, remember that the lessons learned and friendships forged here will always be a part of you. With courage, curiosity, and the knowledge that your potential is boundless, you will soar. Congratulations, seniors! The future is waiting for you!

Happy Summer to all of our students at VHS! Don't forget to access your Destiny account for audio and e-books throughout the summer! Visit your public library for fun activities all summer long!

The New Year brought a newly reorganized nonfiction section for BF students! 8th grade NJHS members volunteered their time over winter break to help regroup and organize the nonfiction section of the library. Students used the current Dewey decimal system and further narrowed down the categories of books we have available. The goal of the new layout is to help students find books about nonfiction topics they are interested in. BF students are loving the new setup!

After reading "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl," 8th grade students at BF learned about the importance of observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Students learned about the Terezin Concentration Camp and previewed books and artwork from some of the survivors. After reading aloud and discussing the famous poem by another survivor named Pavel Friedmann titled "The Butterfly," students created their own butterfly in memoriam of the victims of the Holocaust

BF 7th graders used Gale in Context to practice their research skills while learning about Black History Month. Students were assigned an influential individual to research and discover what positive impact they have made in the world and why we celebrate them during Black History Month. After learning about someone new, they put their paper tessellations together and made a mural.

BF 8th graders participated in Speed Dating With Books on Valentine's Day! Students were introduced to new books, in hopes of finding a match! Students had a limited amount of time to get to know their book and discover more about the characters, plot, and summary. After time was up, students wanting to find out more about their book were able to check out their book to read! They certainly fell in love with reading!

The BF library Playlist Reading Challenge has ended! Students and staff were asked to read fiction and nonfiction books during the 2nd grading period and then create playlists with songs that represent what happened in their books. Over 140 playlists were turned in, during the last two months! Our overall student winner read and turned 10 book playlists and our overall staff winner read and turned in 14 book playlists! Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming competition: New Year Nonfiction Reading Challenge!

BF students were asked to read nonfiction books and share some important facts they learned while reading. Our top four readers: Audrey, Alice, Lucy, and Kinley read over 50 books during the last 2 months! Great job!

BF students and staff celebrated Read Across America Week with a variety of activities and contests centered around books and reading. Some of the fun included designing bookmarks, creating mini books, and naming the titles of books from emojis!

BF 8th graders have begun reading "Attucks!" by Phillip Hoose. After reading aloud the first few chapters and discussing the main events, characters, setting, etc., students visited the library to review what they had read. To piggyback on the March Madness fun, students played grudgeball to test their knowledge.

BF 6th graders learned about the importance of recognizing March as Disability Awareness Month during their visits to the library. Students learned about being an ally and advocate for their peers by talking about real-life scenarios. They also discussed the different categories of disabilities and how others might need extra assistance during their day-to-day lives. Students then participated in centers that focused on learning sign language, reading and writing with Braille, and what having dyslexia might look like. The BF students were eager to learn more about the world around them!

BF students celebrated April National Poetry month by creating their own Blackout poetry! Students learned about what Blackout Poetry is, how to create it, and previewed books that are written in that style of poetry.

BF students got to go outside and experience the Solar Eclipse while also getting to experience this masterpiece in the media center!

BF students had a fun time making mini books during their last stop at the library for this school year! Students reflected on all of the books they have read this year and chose their absolute favorite to recreate in a mini version!

Students had fun celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday with a themed visit to the library. Each student received a "Reading is my Thing" paper hat; then, we used pipe cleaners to make a Cat in the Hat pencil topper. "'But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all ....'" Finally, students browsed a selection of Dr. Seuss books for check-out. Reading is definitely our thing!

6th grade ELA students created Book Talk videos as a way to share reading recommendations with their peers. Students worked in the media center to practice recording and to get feedback from a partner about how to highlight their book. After Spring Break, Ms. Hurley will ask students about books they want to read based on the book talks; students will add those books to their Destiny reading lists.

Middle school students can turn their reading into tasty food! Lincoln made the pizza rolls!

🌞Ms. Hurley invites you to explore her Virtual Media Center this summer!🌞

Fifth graders and kindergartners sharing their last library class together. Each kindergartner went home with a book from their fifth grade buddy. We had the seniors who graduated from Central come back in their cap and gowns and visit with us!

Mrs. Tracht offered her students wonderful opportunities to learn about the significance of Black History Month.

Mrs. Tracht shares her favorite books to spread the love!

Mrs. Meyer offers welcoming and fun displays to encourage reading at Memorial!

All year long, Mrs. Thompson has had monthly reading challenges for students to participate in. This is part of the stack of completed challenges and some of the prizes that were available throughout the year for students to choose from. If students completed 10 reading challenges on a paper, they received a prize.

Northview Reads a Book happened back in March. The whole school received "The Boxcar Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner to read together. These are some of our students reading the book together during their classroom read aloud.

Northview students participated in Read Across America Day through the Northview library. Students wrote about a book that they had read and were put into a drawing to win a book. These students were the lucky winners!

A couple of my third graders opted to take some time to enjoy the weather while reading under a tree!

Northview's library took on some water this spring due to a water line break this spring. Mrs. Thompson (center and Northview's librarian), Mrs. Huttinger (left), and Mrs. Hazen (right) worked diligently to clear the library for necessary cleaning and reassembled it as soon as possible. They, and many others, worked as a team to open the library for Northview's students. During this time, Mrs. Thompson brought the library to the classrooms so the students could continue learning through stories. Thank you to everyone involved for their commitment to Northview's students and support of our library program!

TJE celebrates Black History Month with our “Black History Is My Jam” display and activities. Students read biographies of black authors, along with listening to their picture books read by special 5th grade guest readers. Fourth and fifth graders also participated in a school wide Black History Is My Jam treasure hunt, locating, reading and matching up Black heroes with their achievements. A great time was had by all!!

History comes alive as TJE was selected to receive a Civil War battlefield trunk from the American Battlefield Trust Collection. Students from all grades were able to feel, read and experience replica items of what an American solider would have carried, worn and played during the Civil War era. Our 4th grade teams had particular interest as they had studied this unit in the classroom and were now able to dig deeper and learn more in our school library. This exhibit works on the honor system and after TJE enjoyed it for the week, we packed it up and sent it on to its next school destination in New Jersey!!

Email: karthur@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/5158
Location: 2727 Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Phone: (219)531-3070