Librarian of the YearLori Guerrini, the middle and high school…

June 6, 2013

Librarian of the Year
Lori Guerrini, the middle and high school librarian, was recently named the OELMA/Follett Library Resources School Librarian of the Year. OELMA (Ohio Educational Library Media Association) is the state’s professional organization for school librarians. The award is given by OELMA and sponsored by the Follett Library Resources Company.
The award recognizes an Ohio licensed school librarian who develops an exemplary school library program, collaborates with classroom teachers, implements technology-integrated instruction, demonstrates educational leadership and advocates for school libraries. Mrs. Guerrini was nominated for this award by Chagrin Falls Middle School staff.
When asked to comment on her award, Mrs. Guerrini said, “It goes without saying that no teacher wins an award such as this on their own. I work with wonderful, cooperative students and teachers that are willing to try new approaches in instruction and learn about new resources with me. I work with dedicated and knowledgeable library assistants, Mrs. Amy Withrow in the middle school and Mrs. Ann Gaskin in the high school, who help me do my job better each and every day. I appreciate the support from the school board, 7-12 administrators and the superintendent for providing quality resources for our students and staff. I work with talented teachers who share their students with me to tackle research units. I’ve had tremendous support from parents and especially middle school Principal Rebecca Holthaus for all the library programming.”
Mrs. Guerrini has been a school librarian for 27 years and has seen many changes in the library world.
She added, “Technology has revolutionized the way libraries function. I embrace technology for all the information power it has, but the fundamentals of a school library program have not changed because of it students still need guidance and instruction on how to manage the glut of information, how to be ethical users of information and how to critically evaluate information. I teach students these lessons throughout the year. And of course, we still love good books in the library; putting that ‘just-right book’ into a kid’s hand is huge for their literacy skills development and the pure joy of reading. We have great books in print and many eBooks will be added to our collection next year.”
Environmental Science Classes See the Real Thing
Chagrin Falls High School’s Advanced Placement environmental science students went on a field trip to Holden Arboretum as a culminating activity for a unit on Ohio native and invasive species. Students had the opportunity to go on a three-hour hike and observe ecological succession at the former Little Mountain summer resort. Highlights included a migratory bird study, observation of native salamanders, discussion of the area’s geology and microclimate and plant identification.
AP Students Help Gurney Students With Computers
Students from the high school Advanced Placement computer science class created programming lessons for Shelly Zdolshek’s second-grade students. The Advanced Placement students recently guided her students through the lessons in the Gurney computer lab. Each Gurney student had a personal programming mentor to assist them as they were introduced to the world of computer science.
The students are using the MIT programming language Scratch. Scratch is a free graphical programming environment created for use by younger students. Scratch is supported by research conducted by the National Science Foundation. The students are using the latest version of Scratch, which was released May 9, 2013
Helping Those in Need
Students in Mrs. Katherine Owen’s sixth-grade class recently finished two projects to raise funds and awareness for Free the Children, an international charity and youth movement specializing in sustainable development in countries where there is great need. The organization runs educational programs and campaigns with the aim of empowering youth to become socially engaged.
As part of this campaign, the building’s “Entrepreneurs for Change” project connected to the economics social studies curriculum. Each student, individually or in small groups, created a small business complete with a business plan, marketing ideas and presentation. There were more than 25 businesses created that ran the gamut from one that planted flowers in mailbox planters, raising $400, to “Kooky Cupcakes,” “Perfect Pooches” dog washing, L&H’s Lemonade, Hayley’s Cupcakes and Treats, “Greeny Tweens” pulling weeds service to “Tiger Tornadoes” selling cool braided necklaces and many more. So far, the students have raised close to $2,400, which is in addition to the $600 raised for the “We Are Love” button campaign.
Biology Classes Help at Hamlet
Chagrin Falls High School biology students volunteered at Hamlet Village to help residents prepare for spring planting. The freshmen and sophomores helped with weeding, laying down a new woodchip path and replacing the fence.