Diamond Lakes Elementary School

Diamond Lakes Elementary SchoolThe front of the building. The main office is to the left of the front door and the media center is to the right.

Patricia Krezinski ITEC/FRIT 7132PSC/NCATE Assessment #3

Walking into the SchoolFront Door of the SchoolFront Door of the Media Center

In the Media CenterWalking into the media center first thing in the morning.

After the lights are on and the blinds are opened!

Student tablesLet the sun shine in!

Space for students in the media center.This slide shows that the media center has lots of space for students and classes but that it also has empty space on our book shelves where we dont have it! The square footage of the entire media center is 4,503 sq. ft.

About our SchoolDiamond Lakes Elementary School is a PreK 4 through 5th grade school. The school is in the suburbs of Augusta, Georgia in a rapidly expanding neighborhood. We have seen a rapid influx of inner city students moving into our neighborhood as government housing projects downtown are closing. As a result of the increase in population most of our students are either at or below the poverty line. At 645 students, we are at 102% capacity. Diamond Lakes opened in 2006 as one of two elementary schools opened at the same time in the same geographic area. Our schools were built in the middle of 5 other elementary schools all around us in an effort to relieve overcrowding . We have been able to make AYP every year that we have been in existence. We have high hopes for making AYP again this year. About Our SchoolWhen our school opened in 2006, we had a beautiful building with all the necessary furniture but with NOTHING else. There were no books, no computers, no televisions, and no other equipment. We opened in August as most Georgia schools do but it was October before there were any computers in the building. It took another month to get them all set up and in the classrooms and the media center. In December of 2006 we finally got televisions in the classrooms. Around that time, the library began to receive book orders. It has taken all of the four years we have been open to get to the place where we are today.

All the problems aside, Diamond Lakes Elementary is a beautiful school, a great place to work, and a wonderful environment for students, parents, faculty, and staff. Student Survey ResultsI surveyed students and got some interesting results. All the students wanted to have web sites like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook unblocked. 100% wanted control over web sites removed. That is something that is done at the district level and I have no control over blocking or unblocking web sites. Even if I could unblock those sites, I dont think I would in an elementary school. 75% of the students also wanted more time to be in the media center before and after school. That is an issue that I can address at least in the morning. I have an afternoon duty outside the media center so the afternoon is still a problem. 50% of respondents in fourth and fifth grades also wanted me to add the Twilight series to our collection but I think that is better suited to a middle or high school. Faculty Survey ResultsThe faculty survey was not as forthcoming into what the teachers actually want. They know that I have already worked on buying the books for the collection that correlate to their curriculum. This is something they like and want me to continue. The faculty also said they would like to see more teaching of research and library skills. I plan to add classes of this kind next school year. My district is already purchasing an ActivBoard with ActivVotes for the media center. I am excited about that and know that it will help tremendously in teaching the skills the teachers mentioned. 20% of teachers wanted me to read to their students at least once a week. There is nothing I would like more but time is a problem. If they sign their class up for a half hour block of time and want me to read, then I make every effort to read to the class. 100% of teachers are happy that the media center has an open schedule and is open during the entire instructional day. All in all I believe the faculty and student body is happy with the Diamond Lakes Media Center. Media PolicyMedia Center Policies are set by our District Department of Media and Instructional Technology. They can be found on the district web site at http://rcboe.org/home On the home page links, you can find the policy for Internet Acceptable Use. To find the media policies, click on Educators then Media Specialists, and finally Media Handbook. From this site, all media specialists in the district can view the policies for administration of the media program. The Media Center

The Circulation Desk

Looking from the Media WorkroomStanding just inside the front doorThe Circulation Desk front view

Media Specialists OfficeBehind the circulation desk!

Media WorkroomLaminator and poster makerStorage cabinetsComputer workstation

Around the Media Center

Media Reading WellKindergartners LOVE this place!The Kindergarten Student Gem of the Month sits beside me in the small rocking chair while I read to the class!

Computer Use in the Media CenterMedia Center Networked printer

Big Books and Magazines

Media ExtrasPaperback book RackNutrition books from GaDOE

Fun in the Dewey Decimal System

Holidays and FavoritesJunie B. Jones & Captain UnderpantsSt. Patricks Day

Characters welcome students!

Book Fair/Events Space

Production AreaControl stationNews desk

Media Storage OptionsDistribution CenterMedia Server

More StorageLarge storage drawersUpper cabinetsThere is ample storage in three different rooms with cabinets and shelves.Storage in media workroom

Map of Media CenterMain HallwayDiamond CircleReading WellRestR roomFront of BuildingCirculation DeskMinor Changes to Facilitate Flow

I have removed the two book cases in the middle of the floor to facilitate flow and make more space available for book fairs. My new mobile Promethean Board will reside here when not in use Diamond CircleFront of BuildingRest roomMy Mobile Promethean Boardhttp://www.academicsuperstore.com/products/Promethean/Activote/928475This site shows the ActivVote system that has been ordered for me.

Promethean Planet Sitehttp://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.15This is where my mobile ActivBoard will be purchased from. The price of the entire set up is in the neighborhood of $17,000.00.

ConclusionOur media center is very new and needs almost no changes to the facility. Every need has been anticipated. The school has only been open since August, 2006. Our policies have been worked on for many years and are working well as is. I really dont think any changes need to be made. I love being a media specialist and have a very supportive media and technological staff at the district level.