February has been an extremely busy month in the media center.  Many of our second and third grade classrooms have been concentrating on informational writing.  To get the facts that are needed for their reports, these classes have been in the media center using electronic resources, books, and even some encyclopedias!  We currently have a number of 2nd grade three dimensional models on display from Mrs. Latimer's class based off her informational writing.  Our fourth grade classrooms have been doing research on famous Americans of the American Revolution.  All these students have a large number of safe electronic resources that are available to them.  These resources are also available from home.  If your child did not bring home this information, please call the media center at anytime during the school day.

A few reminders about upcoming events in the media center:

Week of February 27th is Read Across America.  If you are a guest reader and need a good book, please drop by the media center for assistance.

Star lab will be up on Wednesday, February 29th during the school day. Mrs. Golden will be giving 4th and 5th graders a tour of this traveling lab.

Primary election will be on Tuesday, March 6th.  The media center will have limited activities that day. 

March 14th is the end of the 3rd 9 weeks.  If your child is short on Accelerated Reader points, please call the media center during the school day to check some books in a parent name. 

As always, many, many thanks to Stephanie Langmaid and the media center volunteers.  Without these ladies our media center would not be able to do what we do each day for our children.  So many schools have no media volunteers at all.  We are so very lucky to have each and every one of you!!

Dear Parents,

I just wanted to let you know that, as a gala auction item, Ms. Lopez and I are offering "Monster Mini Golf."

This will be for the auction winner plus 3 guests. Approximately 2 hours of fun golfing.  Special treat included.  Date and time to be worked out between teachers and parents.

The Gala Auction will be held February 4, 2012 at Olde Towne Athletic Club from 7 to 11 PM. Tickets are on sale at http://gmefoundation.org - $35 and $45 at the door or you can Download 2012GALATicketformto purchase tickets in advance. Visit the website for a sample of items to bid on. All proceeds go back to GMEF.

The proceeds will be used to improve our school by providing funding for programs such as technology, educational curriculum and facility improvements. The GMEF will accumulate and distribute resources beyond those provided by Cobb County or the PTA, in order to further enhance, foster and enrich the educational experiences of all students at Garrison Mill.

Thank you for your support!

It is that time of the year again!!  The book fair will arrive in the media center next week and will be open all week long.

The hours for the book fair are as follows:

Monday(11/14):  7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday(11/15):  7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday(11/16):  7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday(11/17):  7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday(11/18):  7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

For lots more information about the book fair, please go to:

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/garrisonmill

Also, a display for Veteran's Day will be set up in the media center storytime area.  If you read this news from the media center, and would like to add to the display by bringing in any type of memorbialia, please feel free to drop by any time this Friday, Monday, or Tuesday.

Thank you for your continued support of the media center. 

The Garrison Mill media center opens with the morning bell and closes with the bell in the afternoon.  Students, teachers, and parents are invited to check out books at any time during the school day. 

Students may take Accelerated Reader tests during the day as well.  During the 2011-12 school year, the media center will be open 4 different nights from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for Reading Night.  Parents come with their children for reading practice and the taking of Acclerated Reader tests.  The Reading Nights are noted on the PTA calendar.

Parents are invited to check out books from the media center.  Usually, five (5) books are checked out at time for ten (10) school days.  If you are reading to your child's class and need book suggestions, please feel free to come by or call the media center during the school day. 

If you would like to volunteer in the media center for a two (2) hour shift, please call the media center at 770-642-5600, ext. 249.

It is going to be a great school year.  Please make full use of the school media center.  There are so many great books and resources awaiting you!!!

Welcome back to the Garrison Mill media center.  As some may already know, there is a new media paraprofessional!!  Her name is Shilpi McReynolds.  Up  until this school year, she has worked in special education.  When the media job became available at the end of last school year, she decided it was time for a change!!  Please stop by and say hello if you are in the building.  Shipli is learning very quickly and would be very happy to help you in any way that she can.

A few reminders about the new school year and media guidelines. 

**The media center opens when the bell rings in the morning.

**The media center closes when the bell rings in the afternoon.  Children

   are not allowed to come to the media center after the bell to take A/R

   tests. 

**We encourage parents to check out books.  Please come by and sign up

   to be a patron of the media center (even if you were one last year),

'   and you can check out 5 books at one time and return them within

   14 school days.

**If you have any questions at all, please call me at the school at

   extension 229.

I will be adding to this blog on a regular basis this school year.  Please check it when it is convenient to you and your children.

Jean Haas

Media Specialist