Mr. F:
The media program of Effingham County High School exists to support, enrich, implement, and supplement the curriculum and educational programs of its school. As evidenced by our monthly report, the Media Center is a vital part of the activities here at ECHS. There are numerous meetings, presentations, and goings-on throughout the school day and the school year by a plethora of groups and individuals.
Our current budget of $23,043.84 was decreased by $460.88 due to budget cuts this past year. Not only did this prohibit us from buying additional needed equipment and supplies, it limited what we had intended to purchase from the designated budgeted funds. I am requesting that our budget be reinstated to its original allotment for the 2009 financial year, as well as be increased by an additional 15%. This additional $3,456.58 will be used to purchase a ceiling mount retractable projector screen and a mountable projector (as well as the mounting equipment) to aid with presentations, as well as a much needed laminator and its required glossy film.
In the month of September alone, there were over 15 meetings in the Media Center that required the use of a projector and screen. For each meeting, a staff member had to take time to make sure that a projector was available, set up the equipment before the meeting, and break down the equipment after the meeting was concluded. By purchasing a ceiling mount retractable projector screen and projector, we will be able to eliminate the hassle of reserving and setting up the equipment in advance. Also, our presentations will have a much more professional appearance. This will better represent our school, especially when college recruiters and members of other school districts are in attendance.
Due to the increased demand by teachers and students, our current laminator is simply not able to keep up with the every growing volume of items to be laminated. It is unreliable, and requires delicate handling when in use. The requested laminator is much more user friendly and will be able to better meet the space and productivity needs of our faculty and students.
Items to be purchased:
Epson® EX90 LCD Multimedia Projector [Office Depot] $ 899.99
Elite VMAX Series EZ Electric Projection Screen [Office Depot] 389.99
Atdec Universal Projector Ceiling Mount [Office Depot] 99.99
Bienfang MultiSeal thermal laminator [Gaylord] 1573.00
Laminate glossy film (per roll) [Gaylord] 180.00
Subtotal $3142.97
Tax (7%) 220.00
Approximate shipping 90.00
TOTAL $3452.97
By carefully considering which items to purchase with our additional funds and shopping around for the best price, we were able to find quality items at reasonable rates. The items to be purchased will help meet the needs of our educators and will be put to good use. Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
jlg
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Survey Memo
Media and Technological Resources Survey
Mr. F:
A survey was presented to the faculty and staff of ECHS in reference to the available media and technological resources. Patrons were quick to respond and readily supplied honest answers, since the results were submitted anonymously. By assembling the compilation, we were able to shed light on several aspects of the Media Center. The survey can be viewed by clicking on the following link.
All of the participants responded that they have used media and technological resources provided by ECHS and that the school should be responsible for providing specific resources to the students. One hundred percent of those that responded said that students should have access to computers, printers, and word processing applications. Other resources that should be available (in priority order) were access to the Internet, copy machines, scanners, video cameras, overhead projectors, CD burners, zip drives, TVs, DVD players, VCRs, LCD screens, slide projectors, and access to specific databases.
Ninety percent of faculty surveyed always use media and technological resources at home, compared with seventy percent that sometimes use these resources in the Media Center. Fifty percent of participants often use them in a lab setting and ninety-five percent often use them in the classroom. These numbers directly correlate to the respondents using computers, the Internet, word processing, PowerPoint software, and LCD projectors at home and/or school to prepare for class. Also, most use these very same resources in the classroom on a regular basis. Some resources that are used in class by about twenty percent of the faculty are as follows: calculators, CD burners, zip drives, online databases, blogs, podcasting, user-specific programs [i.e. construction software, yearbook software, mathematical software, etc.], and scanners.
One hundred percent of participants rate computers as a vital technological resource. Other top responses included printers, scanners, mobile labs, presentation software, search engines, calculators, Interwrite boards, and projectors. Lastly, the survey showed that faculty prefer to reserve media equipment via the school network rather than the traditional way of signing up on a clipboard.
An action plan has been developed to address several of the media and technological issues revealed by the survey. This will better help us serve our patrons in the future. First of all, it is a top priority at ECHS to provide access to all media and technological resources necessary to supplement, enhance, and teach the required curriculum. By changing the way that the faculty can reserve the resources (i.e. the mobile computer lab, TV/DVD players, LCD projectors, etc), we can allow everyone to have the same opportunity to use those resources. It is especially difficult for teachers with no planning block, for example, to come to the media center to reserve resources. By making the sign-up accessible via the network drive, everyone has fair access.
In addition, the school has worked diligently to provide 21st Century classroom resources to as many classrooms as possible. This means that Interwrite boards, LCD projectors, and updated computers have been installed in about 70 percent of classrooms. For the remaining 30 percent, having access to these items via the Media Center is vital. By purchasing more LCD projectors and TV/DVD players, we can better serve our patrons.
Lastly, having a knowledgeable and friendly Media Center staff to answer questions about technological and media resources will help alleviate many of the frustrations experienced by the faculty on a regular basis. It is difficult enough to try to provide quality instruction to students and integrate technology on a regular basis. If that technology, which you so desperately wish to implement, proves difficult or near impossible to use, patrons become aggravated and are less likely to use that technology in the future. We believe that by providing the highest quality service available, we will be able to meet the most needs of all of our patrons.
Respectfully,
jlg
Mr. F:
A survey was presented to the faculty and staff of ECHS in reference to the available media and technological resources. Patrons were quick to respond and readily supplied honest answers, since the results were submitted anonymously. By assembling the compilation, we were able to shed light on several aspects of the Media Center. The survey can be viewed by clicking on the following link.
All of the participants responded that they have used media and technological resources provided by ECHS and that the school should be responsible for providing specific resources to the students. One hundred percent of those that responded said that students should have access to computers, printers, and word processing applications. Other resources that should be available (in priority order) were access to the Internet, copy machines, scanners, video cameras, overhead projectors, CD burners, zip drives, TVs, DVD players, VCRs, LCD screens, slide projectors, and access to specific databases.
Ninety percent of faculty surveyed always use media and technological resources at home, compared with seventy percent that sometimes use these resources in the Media Center. Fifty percent of participants often use them in a lab setting and ninety-five percent often use them in the classroom. These numbers directly correlate to the respondents using computers, the Internet, word processing, PowerPoint software, and LCD projectors at home and/or school to prepare for class. Also, most use these very same resources in the classroom on a regular basis. Some resources that are used in class by about twenty percent of the faculty are as follows: calculators, CD burners, zip drives, online databases, blogs, podcasting, user-specific programs [i.e. construction software, yearbook software, mathematical software, etc.], and scanners.
One hundred percent of participants rate computers as a vital technological resource. Other top responses included printers, scanners, mobile labs, presentation software, search engines, calculators, Interwrite boards, and projectors. Lastly, the survey showed that faculty prefer to reserve media equipment via the school network rather than the traditional way of signing up on a clipboard.
An action plan has been developed to address several of the media and technological issues revealed by the survey. This will better help us serve our patrons in the future. First of all, it is a top priority at ECHS to provide access to all media and technological resources necessary to supplement, enhance, and teach the required curriculum. By changing the way that the faculty can reserve the resources (i.e. the mobile computer lab, TV/DVD players, LCD projectors, etc), we can allow everyone to have the same opportunity to use those resources. It is especially difficult for teachers with no planning block, for example, to come to the media center to reserve resources. By making the sign-up accessible via the network drive, everyone has fair access.
In addition, the school has worked diligently to provide 21st Century classroom resources to as many classrooms as possible. This means that Interwrite boards, LCD projectors, and updated computers have been installed in about 70 percent of classrooms. For the remaining 30 percent, having access to these items via the Media Center is vital. By purchasing more LCD projectors and TV/DVD players, we can better serve our patrons.
Lastly, having a knowledgeable and friendly Media Center staff to answer questions about technological and media resources will help alleviate many of the frustrations experienced by the faculty on a regular basis. It is difficult enough to try to provide quality instruction to students and integrate technology on a regular basis. If that technology, which you so desperately wish to implement, proves difficult or near impossible to use, patrons become aggravated and are less likely to use that technology in the future. We believe that by providing the highest quality service available, we will be able to meet the most needs of all of our patrons.
Respectfully,
jlg
Saturday, October 25, 2008
ECHS - Weeding
(4 1/2 hours)
I can really say that I got down to the nitty-gritty today in the Media Center. I weeded the 300 section of the collection. Needless to say, there was lots of dust, dirt, grime, and an occasional bug (book mites?). My clothes were kind of nasty when I was finished. I started this task alone, after receiving instructions from one of the Media Specialists. I quickly realized that I needed a chair, book cart, and table. I ended up pulling close to 200 books out before someone else joined me. I used the guidelines the Media Specialist gave me: if it's old and outdated, damaged beyond repair, or no longer contains valid information - WEED IT! I tried to only keep the books from the late 1970s on, but some of them were historical accounts (that obviously won't be changing). There were several editions that I chuckled at when I looked through: "How to make money in today's market" from 1985; "Current jobs" from 1978; "The modern interpretation of sociology" from 1965; the list goes on and on. This was a worthy task, but in the future I should take note to tackle this with someone else by my side the entire time.
I can really say that I got down to the nitty-gritty today in the Media Center. I weeded the 300 section of the collection. Needless to say, there was lots of dust, dirt, grime, and an occasional bug (book mites?). My clothes were kind of nasty when I was finished. I started this task alone, after receiving instructions from one of the Media Specialists. I quickly realized that I needed a chair, book cart, and table. I ended up pulling close to 200 books out before someone else joined me. I used the guidelines the Media Specialist gave me: if it's old and outdated, damaged beyond repair, or no longer contains valid information - WEED IT! I tried to only keep the books from the late 1970s on, but some of them were historical accounts (that obviously won't be changing). There were several editions that I chuckled at when I looked through: "How to make money in today's market" from 1985; "Current jobs" from 1978; "The modern interpretation of sociology" from 1965; the list goes on and on. This was a worthy task, but in the future I should take note to tackle this with someone else by my side the entire time.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Monthly Report for Principal
News from your ECHS Media Center
Mr. F:
The Media Center is a central hub of communication, reading, and activities here at ECHS. In the month of September alone, there were several meetings that took place behind these doors. The work-based learning students met with Ms. L. to discuss how they have progressed in their different fields and gain an overview of how the semester should progress. Several collegiate recruiters have visited, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, and Armstrong Atlantic University, to speak with students who are interested in attending their respective institutions.
Tutoring and credit-recovery take place Monday-Thursday evenings with either the Graduation Coach or an Administrator for those students participating in these programs. In addition, detention is held here several days a week after school until 4:00 p.m. for those students who have had minor violations of the student handbook.
As well as serving these certain populations, ECHS teachers have met here with the Testing Coordinator to receive training on the implementation of the Georgia High School Writing Test. This training is mandatory and we are more than happy to open our doors and allow the teachers to use the facility for this purpose.
The computer tables in the Media Center and the computer lab adjacent to us have been booked solid at least 2-3 blocks each day since school opened. This is positive reinforcement that converting the room adjacent to the Media Center into a computer lab was a wise decision. The mobile lab has been staying out all day each day as well, and has not presented any technological issues thus far. Teacher feedback about the new way to reserve the computers is positive. They say that it is much more user-friendly and fair to those who do not have a planning period.
On a more exciting note, ECHS students are utilizing our services! There were over 300 items checked out in the month of September. There were 186 Fiction (58% usage) and 49 non-fiction (15% usage) books checked out. This number is especially high for the non-fiction category, since many projects and papers have yet to be assigned for the semester at this point in time. Our easy-fiction section even saw some usage from the patrons. Lastly, equipment (TVs, VCRs, DVD players, LCD projectors, etc.) accounted for almost 15% and DVDs/VHS tapes accounted for 10% of this usage.
In summary, the Media Center has been employed by many different groups for diverse reasons. As always, we are grateful for your continued support of our endeavors as we strive to serve such a wide range of individuals.
Respectfully,
jlg
Mr. F:
The Media Center is a central hub of communication, reading, and activities here at ECHS. In the month of September alone, there were several meetings that took place behind these doors. The work-based learning students met with Ms. L. to discuss how they have progressed in their different fields and gain an overview of how the semester should progress. Several collegiate recruiters have visited, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, and Armstrong Atlantic University, to speak with students who are interested in attending their respective institutions.
Tutoring and credit-recovery take place Monday-Thursday evenings with either the Graduation Coach or an Administrator for those students participating in these programs. In addition, detention is held here several days a week after school until 4:00 p.m. for those students who have had minor violations of the student handbook.
As well as serving these certain populations, ECHS teachers have met here with the Testing Coordinator to receive training on the implementation of the Georgia High School Writing Test. This training is mandatory and we are more than happy to open our doors and allow the teachers to use the facility for this purpose.
The computer tables in the Media Center and the computer lab adjacent to us have been booked solid at least 2-3 blocks each day since school opened. This is positive reinforcement that converting the room adjacent to the Media Center into a computer lab was a wise decision. The mobile lab has been staying out all day each day as well, and has not presented any technological issues thus far. Teacher feedback about the new way to reserve the computers is positive. They say that it is much more user-friendly and fair to those who do not have a planning period.
On a more exciting note, ECHS students are utilizing our services! There were over 300 items checked out in the month of September. There were 186 Fiction (58% usage) and 49 non-fiction (15% usage) books checked out. This number is especially high for the non-fiction category, since many projects and papers have yet to be assigned for the semester at this point in time. Our easy-fiction section even saw some usage from the patrons. Lastly, equipment (TVs, VCRs, DVD players, LCD projectors, etc.) accounted for almost 15% and DVDs/VHS tapes accounted for 10% of this usage.
In summary, the Media Center has been employed by many different groups for diverse reasons. As always, we are grateful for your continued support of our endeavors as we strive to serve such a wide range of individuals.
Respectfully,
jlg
Thursday, October 2, 2008
ECHS - Reports & Reference
(1 1/2 hours)
I worked with the LMS to run reports of circulation and other activities for the LMS. Since she had not used this function in a while, we learned the steps together. We ended up having to use the "HELP" function to find the correct tabs, but it was fairly simple to do after that. There was a lot of circulation of the technology resources, computer labs, fiction items and VHS/DVDs (as usual), as well as an unusually high circulation of non-fiction items. For this time of year, it is not as common to see non-fiction items checked out as many research projects have not been assigned and the school year is only in its second month. However, this was encouraging in that at least the collection is being used.
I also spent some time to evaluate the reference collection with the LMS. We ran a report of what was currently in the collection, then went through each set and evaluated it by age and usage. She had lots of valuable input and really helped me to see why we have what we have in the collection. On many of the items she even remembered who requested the original purchase of the item. Our LMS has been around for a while so she really knows her stuff! She is a vast well of knowledge and it was very enlightening to work her on this. She also had valuable input about what needed to be updated and added to the collection.
I worked with the LMS to run reports of circulation and other activities for the LMS. Since she had not used this function in a while, we learned the steps together. We ended up having to use the "HELP" function to find the correct tabs, but it was fairly simple to do after that. There was a lot of circulation of the technology resources, computer labs, fiction items and VHS/DVDs (as usual), as well as an unusually high circulation of non-fiction items. For this time of year, it is not as common to see non-fiction items checked out as many research projects have not been assigned and the school year is only in its second month. However, this was encouraging in that at least the collection is being used.
I also spent some time to evaluate the reference collection with the LMS. We ran a report of what was currently in the collection, then went through each set and evaluated it by age and usage. She had lots of valuable input and really helped me to see why we have what we have in the collection. On many of the items she even remembered who requested the original purchase of the item. Our LMS has been around for a while so she really knows her stuff! She is a vast well of knowledge and it was very enlightening to work her on this. She also had valuable input about what needed to be updated and added to the collection.
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