Summer Reading 2022

gwynethj

Howard County Library Summer Reading Program

May 31- July 29 & Celebration August 4

Adventure reading with the Summer Reading Program, this year’s theme is:

“Have Fun!” 

Enjoy stories, crafts, & special events. 

Summer Reading Booklist for MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Read Books • Do Activities • Win Prizes!

Check out our Summer Reading Presentation with Embedded YouTube Videos of Cool Book Talks!

Howard County Library Summer Reading Program 2022

Visit the 

HCL Website or your local Library Branch

for more information or

Pick up one of these cool fliers from your 

ELA Teacher 

or in the 

Library Media Center!

(while supplies last!)

WAIT! Did I mention the  Summer Reading Booklist for MIDDLE SCHOOLS?

 

 

 

Pride Month Display & Events

gwynethj

Pride Week & Month!

Book Display • Books • Resources • Events

Come to the MHMS Library Media Center and Check Out Our Book Display & Get ‘Em Now While You Can!

Pride Month Book Display! Last Day to Check out Books – Friday, May 27 – All Books Due June 3

Grab a copy of our Top 25 LGBTQIA+ List of Fiction Books (Links to an external site.)   Or come to the Library Media Center for a paper version on display.  We’re featuring both fiction and nonfiction books!

From our Instagram Posts:

Hey #MHMSMd Mountain Lions come check out our #MHMSPride 🏳️‍🌈 book display! You still have another week or so to check out a book & these are awesome! We have always been and hope will always be a #SafeSpace for all our kids! #LGBTQIA+ #Ally We’re featuring both fiction and nonfiction books! #NOCensorship here!

🏳️‍🌈One of my students checked out a book from this display right after I finished setting it up and asked – “Do my parents know what books I check out from here?” To which I replied, “Nope. Not this year. You have the right to read whatever you want with full belief of confidentiality. We would never out you. But Politics can change things. “

Yes, sadly, there are some school districts and states that want to notify parents of the books they check out!”   HORROR! 

Why does it seem like we’re going backwards and not forwards? i’d like to hear what you think of the comments. It scares me!

This is the full pyramid display! 🏳️‍🌈 #MHMSMd Mountain Lions come on in & check out our #MHMSPride book display!

We have always been, and hope to always be, a #SafeSpace for all our kids! #LGBTQIA+ #Ally. 

MISSING!!! Update FOUND!


Sad true story though, my rainbow Narwhal stuffed animal pictured above has gone missing! Just hoping some middle school kid needed it more than we did. If not, I hope it’s brought back. Can you help him find his way home?

 

HCPSS Pride Week Events!

From Ms. DuPuis of HHS:

Join us for HCPSS Pride Week June 6 – 12, 2022!

Visit: bit.ly/HCPSSRainbow to learn more about our HCPSS Pride week activities and to register for one or more of our events.

Monday, June 6th – Rainbow Vision Reception at Busboys and Poets 

Poetry slam combined with a meet and greet in a special reception for our middle and high school students who were published in our third volume of Rainbow Vision. Registration required.

Tuesday, June 7th – Read the Rainbow Virtual Event/Shake Shack Fundraiser 

Authors JR and Vanessa Ford will join us for a special reading and discussion of their book, Calvin.

Open to all. Registration required.

Also, join us at Shake Shack at The Mall in Columbia any time today and mention code GIVEBACK and HCPSS Pride.

Wednesday, June 8th – Family Hikes @ Howard County Conservancy 

Join us at either 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 o’clock pm for a family-friendly hike.

Registration required and space is limited.

Thursday, June 9th – Main Event Fundraiser 

Join us from 6:00-9:00pm at Main Event at The Mall in Columbia for a fundraiser!

Be sure to drop your receipt at the HCPSS Pride table before you exit.

Friday, June 10th – Movie Night 

Join us for one of two different movies tonight!

The Half of It (PG-13) will be showing at 7pm at Long Reach High School

The Mitchells VS the Machines (PG) will be showing at 7pm at Oakland Mills High School

Popcorn donated by E.C.Pops. Registration required.

Saturday, June 11th – Centennial Park Clean-Up 

Open to middle and high school students and adult volunteers. Earn 3 hours of community service doing one of several service activities with Howard County Recreation and Parks.

Registration and a waiver are required for participation.

On Friday, June 10th,  

we invite all HCPSS students, staff, and community members to wear rainbows in allyship of the LGBTQ+ Community. 

HCPSS Pride Week – Elementary

HCPSS Pride Flyer

Shared by:

Danielle DuPuis, NBCT
pronouns: she/her/hersLibrarian/Media Specialist/Video Production Teacher
SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance) Co-sponsor
Rainbow Conference Coordinator

 

Research Made Easy: Our A+ Partnership ROCKS!

gwynethj

Years ago, when I was on the ISTE Board of Directors,* I was honored to tour a few of the Nashville Metro schools & observe their amazing partnership with the Limitless Library system. It was the coolest! With one login kids could access all the public library databases, get one on one help,  AND request books online – and the library system trucks delivered those book right to their school! WOW!

But did you know that something similar is available in Howard County?! W00t! (Not the delivering books part, a girl can dream, right?)

Howard County students have FREE Access to millions of items, live homework & History Day help, and amazing database, primary source, and research resources!

“HCPSS students now have access Howard County Library eContent in the classroom, at home, or anywhere they need to do homework or research. The Howard County Library System (HCLS) and the Howard County Public School System have launched the A+ Student Card to deliver the library system’s extensive catalog of electronic resources directly to students.” (This great service was launched in 2017) 

From Ms. Jones:  All HCPSS students (Pre-K–12) will have online access to their A+ Student Card account number through Canvas and Clever. Students will use this to gain immediate access to all HCLS eContent by using the A+ Student Card account number to login via the HCPSS.me portal. If you can’t find your A+ student card through Canvas call the Savage Branch Library and they can sort it out for you lickety split. (410) 313-0760

“The A+ Student Card account also provides students with full customer privileges at all HCLS branches. While previously issued HCLS cards may still be used at library branches, the A+ Student Card account enables students to use just one number for all their homework and research needs.” Source: HCPSSHoward County Library System Launch A+ Student Card

But sorry, Parents & Teachers, this service is just for the kiddos

From the HCL website: “In addition to receiving guidance from HCLS staff, students (K-12) and college-age adults can connect with free tutors for assistance with math, reading, science, social studies, English/language arts, and writing. Both English and Spanish speaking tutors are available seven days a week from 2 pm until 11:55 pm. Special thanks to the Howard County Public School System for contributing toward the cost of this service.”

When you log into Clever, you have access to more Epic resources!

(Disclaimer: These resources change from year to year and day to day – depending on our contracts)

With MackinVia, our kiddos can access “3 Million Print Titles- 1 Million Digital Titles- and now features a growing catalog of nearly 3 million print titles from 18,000+ publishers and a burgeoning digital collection of more than 1 million eBooks, educational databases, audiobooks and videos.”

 

Check out these slideshows for more details! Though the resources are subject to change. Usual disclosure! 

Thanks Howard County Public School Library Media and Howard County Library! These great resources will be transformative!

———

MHMS Bitmoji Show

HCPSS Trooper Show

More info!

A+: Students & Teachers – Howard County Library System

A+ Partners in Education – Howard County Library System

*(shameless humble brag!)

Give Thanks

gwynethj

from our friends at the Howard County Public Library:

 

Recommended Reads for Thanksgiving

Whether you need a last-minute dessert recipe for your Thanksgiving meal or a seasonal picture book for your little one, we are here to help. Our team compiled several book lists for readers of all ages this Thanksgiving:

While the public Library buildings will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, don’t forget that our digital collection is always available.

As long as you have an HCLS card and WiFi, you can borrow eBooks and eAudio from the comfort of home. Download the Libby mobile app from your favorite app store. It’s free, simple, and convenient! Watch this quick video for instructions.

Accessing Digital Content through MackinVia

and the Howard County Public Library A+ Library Card


 

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome Back to School!

gwynethj

Welcome Back Kiddos, Parents, & Families!

This year is going to be challenging. I’m not gonna lie. It’s gonna to be weird at first, a little anxious, and like nothing we’ve experienced before. But, we got this. It’s who we are. We go forward with optimism and determination and we will win this. 

This is my 25th and last year at MHMS. Wait, what?? Whoda thunk it?

I am SO honored to have been a part of this community since the very beginning. I never thought I was one of those teachers who would stay in the same school for like, forever! But I never transferred to another school (and I had offers) because I love our  community, our kiddos, and our beautiful School Library. I’m retiring sometime this year and I can honestly say it’s been wonderful. Thank you for the precious memories and the opportunity to be a part of your lives. Honored. If you’re a former student, I’d love to hear from you – please leave a comment or email me @ gwynethanne@gmail (dot) com.

But here I am, right now, still happy, loving our quirky middle school kiddos and the vibrant and rich diversity of our amazing neighborhood. I also like that I live near our community and only have to drive 8 minutes to get here.

I’m so happy Ms. Kathi Bell, our amazing Media Assistant is here by my side, to also serve our Library. Couldn’t do it without her.

We really appreciate having our Library & Literacy program fully staffed – because we serve about 800 people. 730+ kiddos & 80+ teachers and staff.

That’s a lot of people and we love it!

MHMS History - Old Skool Pics!
 

Please follow us on Instagram!

I will try and share all the amazing things that happen every day here at MHMS – the awesome kiddos, the fun times, the Science, the ELA, the Social Studies, MHTV, ART, STEAM, Drama, well – as much as I can.

We LOVE to share the cool things that happen every day here at MHMS! In the Library, in the hallways, everywhere!

Here’s a throwback sample.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Mr. C enjoying our new sticker coloring book! #6thGradeMakerBoys19 #makerspace #steam @hocoschools #celebrateHCPSS

A post shared by @GwynethJones (@thedaringlibrarian) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Beautiful Friday #Shelfies on a 2 hour delay day!

A post shared by @GwynethJones (@thedaringlibrarian) on

But wait! There’s More!

The following are student, parent, and community resources I want to bring to your attention.

hcpss-connect-banner16This page will also feature our new HCPSS Parent Portal – HCPSS Connect

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Sa

If there’s something you need or that I can help you with…please don’t hesitate to let me know! I’d love to help!!

Summer Reading: Tails and Tales

gwynethj

Hey Mountain Lions! Check out our Summer Reading Student Resource Course Canvas Page!  OR, if you’re a visitor here from outside our school – Welcome! Here are the Maryland Howard County Library resources listed below – Enjoy!

From the Howard County Library webpage:

“Each summer the Howard County Library System’s (HCLS) Summer Reading Club provides an educational bridge between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next. Children, teens, and adults are invited to participate in Summer Reading.”

*Sponsored by Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System

INTRODUCTION

(This video is for ALL ages – more Elem & the sound is a little muffled)

(This video is for older kiddos  & the sound is excellent!)

THINGS TO KNOW

  1. Summer Reading will run from June 1 – August 31, 2021
  2. For children Ages birth – 4; Ages 5-10; Ages 11-17; and adults 18+.
  3. Register and participate online at hcls.readsquared.com  or download and print a paper copy at hclibrary.org/summer (Links to an external site.) (coming soon).

Here’s the Middle School Summer Reading List! 

HCLS BOOK TALKS

 

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Resources

gwynethj

Hey Mountain Lions! Check out our Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Month Resources on our Student Resource Course Canvas Page!  OR, if you’re a visitor here from outside our school – Welcome! Here are the resources listed below minus the HCPSS district stuff!

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Resources

Join our learning community in “celebrating the generations of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) (Links to an external site.) Americans who have enriched global society, playing a critical role in its development and success. Curated digital resources, teachers and students can explore the remarkable contributions that API Americans have given (Links to an external site.) to history, culture, the sciences, industry, government and more. In addition to recognizing the vast achievements of the API community, work with your students and community to understand diverse perspectives and the difficult struggles (Links to an external site.) that API Americans have grappled with throughout the history of the United States.”

Video Resources: 

Virtual Picture Book YouTube Read Aloud

Attribution: Adapted from the  AAPI Instructional Virtual library (Links to an external site.) 

Curated & created  by Wennie Lee and L’oreal Edmonson of HCPSS – Maryland – 2021

 

Calling all Creatives – Rainbow Vision!

gwynethj

Rainbow Vision Literary Magazine

ISO student submissions!

“Rainbow Vision is specifically looking for material for our literary magazine that has an LGBTQIA+ theme, is written by LGBTQIA+ authors AND their allies, and/or is written for an LGBTQIA+ audience. We are currently accepting short stories, poetry, art work, song lyrics, personal narratives, essay, film/video, music/audio, photography, script/play/manuscript, drawing, etc.” – Ms. Danielle DuPuis

The deadline to submit is April 1st.

Click HERE to submit your creative products   

Please Note: Only open to HCPSS Students

Questions? Contact Ms. Danielle DuPuis, Library Media Specialist at Hammond High School – danielle_dupuis@hcpss.org

View Last year’s Magazine! 

Our May 2020 issue of Rainbow Vision received an “Excellent” rating from NCTE’s REALM. (Links to an external site.)

image1.jpeg

“Teachers and students are encouraged to share this magazine. However, we’d ask that you not reprint or repost content publicly without permission. If you’d like a hard copy of this magazine or would like permission to post on your site, please email pride@hcpss.org for more details.”

image0.png

Students & Families: The MHMS Daring School Library Media Center has always been a Safe Space for ALL of our Students!  READ: Our School Library is a Safe Space 

 

Got Curbside Books?

gwynethj

Our MHMS Curbside Library Media Book

Pick Up Program is Going Strong!

HOW This Works:

Hey Murray Hillers!

As I’ve mentioned in my many Canvas messages and grade level Student Resource Course announcements (you’ve read all those, right?) Our Curbside Book Pick-Up Program is going strong!  The only snag has been our PAC system sometimes goes down for maintenance. If you try to shop for books and the page won’t load let me know ASAP so I can get on the phone to yell at them to fix it.  Errr… I mean, so I can gently alert them to the problem. 

  • Follow the directions & fill out the Curbside Book Pick Up Google Form
  • Submit the form before 1pm by TUESDAY (late requests get filled the following week)
  • Only 1 Graphic Novel Per Kid at a Time – because they’re so dang popular!  Get a chapter or non-fiction book to go with instead!
  • Come to MHMS starting Wednesday from 10:00am to pick up your requested books on the cart in the front vestibule of the school. (That area between the two set of front doors)  Look for your name on the paper bag or post-it note.
  • If you miss the Wednesday pick up time, the Curbside Book Pickup Media Cart will be in the school front vestibule open M-F during school hours 8am-3:30pm. If you request a book but don’t pick it up after 3 weeks we’ll most likely bring it back in & put it back on the shelf so another student can check it out. Please only take the book with your name on it! No rando shopping! lol

How To Directions Slideshow

Please place returning or overdue books on the bottom shelf!

Can’t get out of the house? Prefer reading an eBook? Check out my presentation Doggone Clever Stuff for info about eBooks from MackinVia, how to read an eBook in the presentation above,  read books on Actively Learn, and the Howard County Public Library. 

~Ms. Gwyneth Jones – Library Media Specialist & Ms. Kathi Bell – Media Assistant

Not sure if you have an overdue book? Check your Office365 Email (link on bottom of hcpss.me) to see if you’ve received a notice that you’re OVERDUE! — Your Email address is: yournamelogin#@inst.hcpss.org – You may have to designate that we’re EASTERN STANDARD Time – NYC or Washington DC. Canvas inbox or email me if you have questions.

Questions?

Problems?

Message Ms. Gwyneth Jones through Canvas Inbox.

See my INSTAGRAM post @TheDaringLibrarian for pics of our NEW BOOKS!

Hey there, still reading? Cool.

Are you a Sixth Grader?

We REALLY need the 310 (Eep!) HCPSS Media Books that some of you still have checked out belonging to your former elementary schools to be returned ASAP.

Some kids have up to 5 books each – that’s a LOT of books!

If you could please drop them off to your previous Elementary school that would be great! They’ll be SO happy!

For Laurel Woods – there’s a Return Book Drop bucket avail from 8am-4pm 

For Gorman Crossing – there’s a Gator Drop Off box from avail 8am-4pm

These are either out front of the building or just inside the vestibule – no need to enter the building. YAY!  Please wear your masks. Any other HCPSS school just call the front office & find out the drop off spot & the hours! 

If you can’t manage that, you can drop them off at MHMS and we’ll make every effort to get them back to the right Library Media Collection.