Seasons of Change at the CMS Library
A Redesigned Library is Unveiled: Welcome to a new school year at the Camillus Middle School Library! The fall season brings many exciting changes including a redesign of our library space. As part of the district capital improvement project, the library received brand new carpeting over the summer. We then had the ability to relocate shelving and seating areas to accommodate the busy hub that is our library! I think it really looks great and the feedback has been very positive. We are so lucky to have a beautiful, open and resource rich library to use all throughout the year!
The 10 Book Challenge: Fall is also a wonderful time of year to cuddle up with a great book! Both middle schools in the West Genesee community are encouraging students to take the 10 book challenge. Research has proven that reading 20 or more books per year will increase literacy skills and improve student performance.
We are urging our students to rise to the challenge and read both in and outside of school. There are so many wonderful books to choose from in our library including fiction, graphic novels, biographies, short stories, etc. Reading is an adventure that lets your imagination soar, so let's all get motivated to take the challenge this year!
A Maker Space at CMS: Another fantastic new offering from our library this year will be a Maker Space. What is a Maker Space you ask? Sometimes referred to as a "Fab Lab" or "Hackerspace", it is basically a do-it-yourself area where makers come together to create, invent, and learn. Many of our area public libraries have joined the maker craze and offer courses, classes and programs for all patrons. Here's a great article from Education Week magazine about how schools are developing maker spaces, like this one in Michigan.
The CMS Library is committed to joining the movement. We believe that a maker space educates students by allowing them to tinker and create, offering learning experiences by way of exploration and discovery. Plans this year include starting a "Makers Club" with students who have a passion for technology, art, and design. We will also have a dedicated space open to everyone who wants to try their hand at making all sorts of things including Legos, origami, and cardboard creations. Look for more information coming soon!
If you are new to our school community, we welcome you and hope you'll take full advantage of all that the CMS Library has to offer. We are the "place to be" this school year and can't wait to see you all soon!
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Bush
sbush@westgenesee.org
