Appling County School System

We are committed to providing a quality education that promotes maximum

individual achievement and social responsibility.

http://www.appling.k12.ga.us/

Table of Contents1. Title2. Table of Contents3. School Motto4. School Vision5. County School System Beliefs6. School Beliefs7. County Media Mission/ Policies8. Media Skills Instruction9. School Statistics10. Average Class 11. Average Classroom12. The Media Center Data13. Reading Incentives14. Special Programs15. Entrance to School and Media Center

Location16. Media Center Entrance17. Upon Entering18. And if you look to your left…19. To your right are books…20. Circulation Desk Front21. Circulation Desk22. Across from Circulation Desk23. Inside the Alcove24. Reading Area for younger kids25. Older Kids Reading Area26. Computer Lab27. The Server and the Air Conditioner28. Fiction/Non-Fiction29. Teacher’s Resources30. Media Specialist Office

31. Work Room32. Work Room from Entrance33. Periodicals34. Existing Floor Plan35. Facility Impressions36. Further Impressions37. Facility Use38. Key Survey Findings39. Further Comments40. Facility Changes 41. Further Facility Changes42. New Facility Plan43. New Media Impression44. New Eco-Friendly Cork Flooring45. Curtains46. New Furniture47. Furniture Continued48. AR Testing Area49. Wireless Technology50. Tables for Working51. School Banner52. Teacher Resource Area53. Conclusion

The Motto of Altamaha School

A Hornet's Life - Learning Is For Ever

Photo from:

http://www.appling.k12.ga.us/altamaha/

The vision of the school is that Altamaha Elementary School will be a school of excellence for all learners.

http://www.appling.k12.ga.us/altamaha/

County School System Beliefs

All individuals are valued and will be treated with dignity. Quality education addresses individual needs and increases student achievement. Effective teachers are the foundation of quality instruction. High expectation, in an organized environment, are essential for optimal learning.

An emotionally and physically safe environment, are essential for optimal learning.

A strong partnership among home, school and community increases student achievement.

Well maintained facilities and equipment and the use of appropriate technology enhance the learning environment.

Modeling and teaching character values promote responsibility and citizenship.

Extracurricular activities promote school and community involvement and personal development.

A continuous process of improvement is based on research and best practices.

All students have the ability to learn and share responsibility for learning.

A variety of assessments will drive instructional decisions.

http://www.appling.k12.ga.us/

As a school, we believe that:

The school, home and community work together in a positive, supportive manner to enhance learning.

Teaching essential academics, social skills, and character values enables students to become productive citizens.

As unique individuals, students learn according to their varying abilities, styles and goals.

Well-maintained facilities, equipment, and current technological resources provide an environment conducive to learning.

Students learn best in a safe, secure and orderly environment.

http://www.appling.k12.ga.us/altamaha/

• The media center program provides a framework for cooperatively planned, instructional related, unified media services that are accessible to teachers and students and that are effectively and efficiently managed by media professionals. Media center programs are composed of materials, equipment, facilities, people and environments as well as purposes and processes.

 • Each school will establish a media advisory committee to recommend media long

and short range goals, budget priorities, operational, utilization and accessibility procedures, and selection processes for instructional materials and equipment. The committee will evaluate the media program annually and make recommendations for the media component of the strategic plan. A system media committee will be selected from school media committees.

• Each media center in the Appling County School System will be accessible to individual students and groups throughout each day of the school year. Media centers will open for use before classes begin in the morning, remain open after classes end for the day, and provide sufficient staffing to operate at all times of the day. The media center will provide users with easy and efficient access to all materials.

https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFA-R&Sch=4002&S=4002&RevNo=1.12&C=I&Z=R

Library media skills constitute an area of knowledge in themselves and are also requisite to learning in nearly every other field of knowledge. It is the primary responsibility of the media staff, through sufficient funding and cooperative planning, to maintain adequate and appropriate collections for the teaching of such skills. Beyond that, we recognize that library media skills are most effective when taught and learned as part of an integrated program involving the joint efforts of classroom teachers and library media specialists. Students who use media skills as part of their classroom instruction have a more concrete idea of their importance than if the skills are taught in isolation. It is therefore incumbent upon the classroom teacher that he or she teaches skills necessary for other instructional activities. Teachers should plan with library media specialists those learning activities which take place within the media center in order to insure the most meaningful learning experiences in a given media center. 

https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IFA-R&Sch=4002&S=4002&RevNo=1.12&C=I&Z=R

• Altamaha School is one of three elementary schools in the Appling County School System and is located in the northern part of the county.

• The school was opened in 1936 and has strong ties to the community.

• There are only 410 students in the school from middle-class families.

• The school employs 28 certified teachers.

• The school serves Pre-K through Fifth Grade.

• Average class size by grade:

Pre-K 20Kindergarten 17First Grade 21Second Grade 19Third Grade 19Forth Grade 24Fifth Grade 21

• Each classroom has between 3 and 5 computers.

• The rooms have also been equipped with Active Boards and televisions.

• Each classroom has a DVD player and none have a VCR.

• The administration plans to start streaming all media through the Active boards.

• The media center is equipped with a computer lab that holds 25 computers.

• There are two computers used for AR testing in the library.

• Around 150 students visit the media center per day.• More than 300 books are checked out every day.• There is one media specialist and one parapro working in the Media Center.• It is located next to the main entrance of the school, across from the principal’s office.

Altamaha School wants to encourage students to love reading by making books available for students and all times and with the AR

rewards program. The Media Specialist helps the students by separating out the AR books with tags or creating a new area for

younger students with AR book in their grade level. She also ensures that there are plenty of AR books for the students to read.

Accelerated ReaderThe school system has implemented the AR program in every elementary and middle

school in the county. It has been incorporated into class requirements and goals are set for students to reach within a grading period. Teachers guide students to picking out books in their reading level and have the student read the book. When they have read the book, students take a computer test on it and earn points based on their answers.

Unfortunately, every media center does not have the same tests which creates problems when students read books outside of the media center in their school. The public library keeps updated copied of the lists for parents and students to use. The librarians there make sure that students are looking for books that they can take tests on.

The reward process in every media center differs in many ways. Altamaha School encourages the program by offering rewards at the end of a school year, such as a field trip or a festival where points are used like money.

Book Fairs The school sponsors two book fairs a year. The proceeds

go to the Media Center. Research Skills

The media specialist offers classes to older students about developing research skills. She collaborates with teachers to develop lesson plans for the classes so that they are connected to projects that the students are doing. Teachers can sign their classes up for this program and work with the media specialist to make sure that each student understands the lesson.

Story Times While full classes can sign up for story times, it is

difficult to fit them into the Media Center. The Media Specialist offers a separate story time for certain students that teachers recommend. The Media Specialist chooses a book, usually an AR book or a book related to what they are studying, and reads aloud to them and then discusses the books with students.

Entrance to the School and Media Center Location

Media Cent

er Photo from:

http://www.appling.k12.ga.us/altamaha/

The Media Center

Upon Entering

And if you’ll look to your left…

This bulletin board is used as a way to promote good books. The table below it displays the books so that students can reach them and still be able to check them out.

And to your right are books…

As you can tell, every shelf is stuffed with books. Every available corner is being used.

Circulation Desk Front

Media Parapro Diane Stone helps a student check out a book.

Circulation Desk

Hidden behind these books is part of the circulation desk. The media specialist also uses this area as her office so that she can be part of the Media Center.

There is only a small area that is not blocked by books and that is the check-out area.

Across from Circulation Desk

This is the alcove in front of the circulation desk.

Every shelf and table is covered in books.

Inside the Alcove

Computers and tables have been placed in this alcove for students to use. These are used for the AR testing.

The shelves are loaded down with books.

Reading Area for Younger Kids

This is where AR books for younger readers are located.

Older Kids Reading Area

Computer Lab

There are twenty-five computers in this one room.

This lab is also equipped with a Smart Board and a digital projector.

The Servers and the Air Conditioner

Due to space issues, the storage room is also being used for the servers.

Unfortunately, they have been placed in front of the closet housing the air conditioning units. This is a huge inconvenience because the Air Conditioner breaks frequently and has to be repaired. This means that the servers must be disconnected and moved out of the way, crippling the computer lab.

Fiction/ Non-Fiction

Teacher’s Resources

These resources are located behind the circulation desk. As with every thing in this media center, the shelves are crammed.

The work room where these things ought to be located is being used as a storage area as well as a work area.

Media Specialist’s Office

Currently being used as another storage closet.

Small window points out into the reading area.

Old televisions are stored in the back of the room.

Old VHS tapes have been kept even though the school no longer has VCRs.

Every surface is covered with old equipment and left over office supplies.

The area has cabinets for storage, but they are all filled.

The kitchen area has a refrigerator and sink for faculty use.

The View from the Entrance

The Periodicals

These are located in the back of the work room and are blocked by equipment and can not be reached until everything has been moved out of the way.

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Storage Room

Server

MediaSpecialistOffice

Work Room

Computer Lab

Circulation Desk

Reading Areas

Fiction

Non-FictionNon-Fiction

Fiction

Entrance

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•The Media Center is located just in the entrance of Altamaha Elementary School across the hall from the administration offices and between the two main buildings of the school

•It is the beating “heart” of the school with students constantly coming in to check in and out books.

•The main problem is the size of the Media Center. Due to a recently added computer lab, the Media Center has lost most of it’s usable space and has become to small to support a full size class. It will comfortably hold 10-15 students, but more students will crowd the area.

•There is only one small reading area for younger students and a few tables throughout for older kids.

•There are as many bookshelves as there is space for and each is loaded down with books. This is still not enough space for books and some have had to be stored in the work room until more space is made.

•The periodicals, which are sometimes necessary for student research, have been blocked off in the work room by other items in storage.

•The faculty at the school uses the back of the work room, the storage room and the media specialist’s office for storage of out-dated technology, such as televisions and old projectors. There are also lots of VHS tapes, but the school no longer has VCRs.

•Extra computers are stored in the storage room which also houses the air conditioning unit and the servers.

• The white walls and the dark blue carpet make the room seem less hospitable and more like a hospital.

• The room supports four large windows which have only white blinds covering them.

• Plants, stuffed animals, and rugs have been placed around the Media Center to make it more approachable.

• There are only two computers outside of the computer lab for students to use. While they are mostly for AR testing, some students use them for research and internet.

• The Media Specialist has moved from her office to the circulation desk. • The circulation desk has been placed in the best location for the current

layout. It allows the Media Specialist and the paraprofessional to see into every crevice of the Media Center except for the computer lab.

• The computer lab has one door into the Media Center and one into the storage room, but no windows or way to watch students.

• The computer lab is equipped with 25 computers, a projector, and an Active board.

• Every classroom is equipped with an Active Board and they are planning to use it to stream programs through very soon.

• The website for the school and the media center should be updated. I think the Media Center should include links for online resources and the school system’s databases.

• Book Check-in / Check-out• Class Story Time• Select Group Story Time• Accelerated Reader Program Testing• Accelerated Reader Reward Program• Student Reading• Student Research• Teacher Research• Teacher Technology Equipment Check in/out

and usage (Digital Camera, Laminator, Die Cut, etc.)

• 80% of those surveyed believed that more computers are needed

• 60% believe that a separate AR testing area is necessary

• 40% would like a wireless network• 60% would like more seating• 40% want more space

• Everyone believes that space is a key issue in the media center and that it is the reason that more technology and seating is not available.

Students:• 5th Grade Student: “More comfortable furniture.”• 3rd Grade Student: “More computers just for AR.”• 4th Grade Student: “Newer books.”Faculty:• Media Specialist: “We need more space and a larger reading

area.”• Teacher (Grade Unknown): “Work room needs to be cleaned

out.”• Principal: “We desperately need more room. We have a

problem with trying to get classes in and out of the media center.”

• 5th grade teacher: “Wireless internet would be great, but I don’t think it is necessary.”

Create a cozy environment Paint the walls a golden earthy tone Replace old flooring with new cork tiles

Move the computer lab to work room and make a smaller workroom Converting the old workroom into the computer lab will allow a smaller workroom

to be created Allows for more floor space

Move Circulation desk from the center of the Media Center Moving the circulation desk opens up the center of the Media Center

Clean out old workroom Opens up storage area for new technology Gets rid of unused televisions and VHS tapes

Design New AR testing area Add a few more computers for AR testing Make sure students understand what the computers are for

Add a reading area for older students Comfortable chairs for reading instead of plastic chairs Tables for research

Move Non-Fiction sections together to create a research area Makes everything less confusing Add tables for working on

Add more bookshelves Expand non-fiction and fiction sections More shelf space for books in storage

Relocate Teacher’s Resources and make room for a Message Board

Add wireless capabilities Change Décor to make it feel like a common room from a book

By making the décor a little bit old fashioned, students will feel like they are part of book

Furniture should add a bit of whimsy to the space Add curtains to windows

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0.84

9

0.800Active Board

Computer Lab

Children's Fiction

Young Adult Fiction

Non-Fiction3.450

AR Testing Area

Cozy

Book

Ben

ch

Work Room

Storage/ AV Room

Storage Roomwith Server

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New Media Impression The Media Center is small, but because of the white walls and blue

carpet, it feels confining instead of comforting. By painting the walls a light earth tone and replacing the carpet with

tiling, the space will feel warmer. Adding curtains will make the large windows look more

sophisticated. Moving the computer lab and creating a new work room allows more

space for student usage. Adding a window into the side of the computer lab allows the area to

be easily monitored. New furniture will add comfort and a feeling of being part of the

book. Separating the non-fiction section from the fiction will allow a

research area to be clearly marked. More space enables more shelves to installed and more books to be

put out. My plan is to make the small size of the media center a benefit. I

want to make the area seem like a cozy hideaway in the school. I took some inspiration from the common rooms in Harry Potter and the age of the school to make it comfortable.

New Eco-Friendly Cork Flooring

Cork tile floors are:

Eco friendly

Great for thermal and acoustic insulation

Resistance to wear

Fire-retardant

Hypoallergenic

Made to look like stone

Natural padding to the flooring

Easy-to-install click together

Easy to cleanwww.ifloor.com

Eurocork Cork Click System Floating Tiles English Bay Mud

$5.70/sf

The curtains need to be dark, but sheer so that the room does not seem heavy.

A shorter version of this draping curtain would be the best because it would not block the light from the windows, but would soften the edges.

Colors could be chosen to match the school.

Picture from www.jcpenny.com

Kidovation overstuffed furniture

hardwood inner frames with corner blocks, screws, and permanent fasteners

Seats are constructed with strong, no-sag springs

Filling materials are flame retardant

Durable

Comfortable

Looks like adult furniture

Can be purchased for different sizes

Easy to cleanwww.demco.com

(A) Kidovation Reading Furniture Chair 12"H Seat 27"Hx34"Wx22"D WF14601650 EA $299.99

(B) Kidovation Reading Furniture Loveseat 27"H x 42"W x 22"D WF14601640 EA $354.99

(C) Kidovation Reading Furniture Ottoman 11"H x 17"W x 14"D WF14601660 EA $149.99

Kidovation Reading Furniture Loveseat 16"H Seat 42"Wx27"H WF14600650 EA $344.99

Kidovation Reading Furniture Chair 16" Seat Height WF14600640 EA $294.99

Big Cozy BooksSafe

Durable

Can be customized with any title or color

Add a touch of whimsy to the room

Can buy lots of pieces for a varied look

Seating can fit adults as well as children

http://www.bigcozybooks.com/

Use the space between the two reading areas to create a small reading area that can be easily monitored

Add headphones so that students can listen to their testing

Hamilton Electronic HA-7 Automatic Stereo/Mono Switching Headphones are affordable and easy to use.

Audio Output: Stereo/Mono

Cord Length:9' coiled cord

Plug Size:3.5mm plug with 1/4" adapter

Computer Compatibility: PC, Mac, iMac

Volume Control: N/A

Ear Cushions: Replaceable leatherette ear cushions

Headband: Fully adjustablewww.schooloutfitters.com

Since the computers are relatively new and there are spares hidden away in the storage closet, the next piece to be updated is the wireless LAN.

The high school is working on getting a Cisco Controller so I looked at the different options on the site.

Cisco designed the 4400 series is designed for large business and campuses. It would be a good idea to purchase this equipment to anticipate any expansion to the campus.

Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers are responsible for system wide wireless LAN functions, such as security policies, intrusion prevention, RF management, quality of service (QoS), and mobility. They work in conjunction with Cisco Access Points and the Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) to support business-critical wireless applications. (www.cisco.com)

Cisco 4402 Wireless LAN Controller Modem Type: Wireless, Cellular - 54.0 Mbps - Serial - For PC IEEE 802.11a/b/g - 54Mbps - Wireless LAN Controller 2 Ethernet Portals

www.cisco.com

In the research area, younger children need a table they can use while looking through the books.

Round Queen Anne Table and Two Chair Set - Honey(Bellacor Number: 381817)

www.bellacor.com

Round Library Wood Table

More tables are needed for students to work at. They need to be solidly built for long term use.$212 x 2Features3/4" High-pressure laminated top with backer sheet.Lacquered, sanded, snag-free bullnose edges resists stains and scratches.Legs are 29"H x 1 3/4" square solid hardwood finished to match laminate tabletop and apron.Tabletop is secured to the apron with a heavy duty hanger bolted to a durable steel corner bracket.Plastic glides on legs are standard.

www.hertzfurniture.com

The Media Center is the perfect place to show off school spirit. A good way to display that is by creating school banners to put on the wall with the mascots of the schools within the county school system.

www.schoolbanner.com

By putting the teacher resources in shorter book cases, a message board can be put above them. Tack boards are good because they can be cleaned easily.

This is great for enabling teachers to communicate and for Media Specialist to communicate with teachers as well.

36”x 24” Tack board $77.05 www.displays2go.com

Altamaha School is small and intimate with lots of interaction with the students. The Media Center needs to be planned to find the space that the computer lab takes away. Most of the current space is being used for storage of old technology. This needs to be cleaned out so that the space can be used for other purposes.