|
Welcome to all of our new and returning Axson families. For those who don’t
know me, I am Kathleen Maida, your child’s library teacher. Parents are most
welcome in the Media Center, so if you’re new to Axson, please stop by and
introduce yourself!
This is going to be a wonderful year, and you can help make it even better by
following the guidelines in this letter and setting a positive example for your
children throughout the year.
Soon your children will begin having weekly library classes. This is a time of
great activity for the students, with pre-K3s, 4s and Ks enjoying a weekly story
time that incorporates elements of fiction, nonfiction and language development.
Ask your child each week to tell you the special words that we learn during
story time. First through third graders will be busy learning basic research and
computer skills; and fourth and fifth grade students will be learning about
library organization and refining research skills. And of course, all grade
levels will be exploring the world of literature.
All Axson families are encouraged to use our library. We have a special Parent
Resource Center with materials covering Montessori educational philosophy and
other parenting topics.
Library Checkout Policies
- Checkout Period - For all students and their families this is one week; most items may
be renewed for an additional week, however, items in great demand cannot be
renewed.
Pre-K3s & 4s do not checkout books until their teacher and librarian agree that
they are ready. Please remember that children attain the skills necessary to
handle books and use a library at different times. Your students’ teachers and
the library staff will be working with your child to develop these skills. As
each student is ready, he or she will receive a booklet outlining book care
rules. Students are instructed to read this booklet with their parents as
homework. Please read this Leo the Library Mouse booklet with your child, and
follow the guidelines, so that you can set the best example for your child.
- Number of Books Checked Out – K and younger students check out one book at a
time; all other students may checkout two books. Parents may checkout five items
at a time. We do not charge late fees, but no one with an overdue item will be
allowed to check out again until the item is returned.
- When to Return Library Books – Students should return library books the day
before their library class. If students return books during their library class,
they will not be allowed to check out another book during that class. Please
help your child mark this on his or her calendar and develop the habit of
returning library books the day before library class. A copy of the library
schedule can be accessed through the Axson website. If a student has not yet
finished a book and wants to renew it, I can do that with my computer, and the
student does not need to bring the book in for renewal. Books may be returned
anytime from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Please place books in the book return slot just
inside the library’s double doors. Extended day parents may ask staff at the
front desk to put library books in my mailbox.
- Library Hours – The library opens at 9 am for classes, and remains open until
3:30 each day. Sadly, we cannot open in the mornings as we have in the past due
to the time constraints of televised morning announcements. Students may
checkout books during their weekly library classes, and at other times
throughout the day with their teachers’ permission. Students and their families
are welcome in the library every day after school. On many days, the library
will be open later than 3:30; call 992-3600 ex. 115 if you need information on a
specific day. Bus riders are not allowed in the library after school, unless
they bring a note from their teachers. Parents and students are encouraged to
come to the library during open research times, when classes are not scheduled.
A copy of the library class schedule will be posted on the door. Please respect
our efforts to serve your children in their scheduled classes and understand
that library staff cannot assist you during classes. When we do not have
scheduled classes we are always glad to assist!
- Lost or Damaged Books – Always do your utmost not to lose or damage books. We
recommend that our families develop a special location in their homes for Axson
library books. However, if you or your child lose or damage library materials,
you will be expected to pay replacement costs. Should this happen, remember this
is an opportunity to teach your child responsibility by taking care of the fee
in a timely manner. Please remember, even when items are paid for the book is
temporarily unavailable and it takes staff time to locate appropriate
replacements, purchase them and prepare them for usage.
- Reading Programs - All students are expected to read at least 25 books every
school year. Parents must maintain reading lists for younger students. Older
students are responsible for their own lists. The library is unable to provide
lists of student checkouts. We recommend that parents help their students set up
an Excel spreadsheet if possible; this makes the recordkeeping simple for your
child. Keeping track of these lists and turning them in to your child’s teacher
is important, because 25 books is simply a beginning! Our school and the County
both have reading celebrations near the end of the year for students who have
met specific reading requirements. More information on these programs will be
sent home later.
- Internet Usage – Duval County requires that parents sign permission slips for
students every year in order for them to use the internet. Internet is available
in the library and is used with supervision for specific educational purposes.
Students who abuse this privilege will be restricted from computer use in the
library. Duval County provides a variety of free internet databases that may be
used at home by school families. Ask your child’s teacher, or stop by the
library for specific information.
End of Year Timetable - The library closes before the school year actually ends
so that we can complete an inventory.
Students will be notified of the actual date; please ensure that all library
materials are returned by the required date.
- Volunteers – Throughout the year the library has a great need for volunteers.
You can contribute significantly with as little as 30 minutes per week. For
those of you who cannot help during the school day, we sometimes have work that
can be done at home. Please check with us when you have time. Also, twice a year
we manage a Book Fair in the Media Center. These are wonderful fundraisers that
benefit every child in our school. Profits from these Book Fairs are the
library’s annual budget. I rely on our Axson families to make these events
possible, so please consider volunteering your time this year.
Your children are our first priority and their needs will always come first with
us. If you have time and energy, please join our effort by volunteering to help
out with some of the many tasks involved with maintaining this wonderful Media
Center. We take great joy in working with our students, your children.
Kathleen Maida (maidak@duvalschools.org)
|