APSL+Community+Liaisons'+Notes

Download the following two page document which elucidates how school libraries with certified school librarians benefit ALL students academically.
 * Equity for Philadelphia's Children Through School Library Programming**

Find below the notes posted by APSL Community Liaisons, volunteers who meet one-on-one with community educational organizations to share concerns and discuss solutions to best educating our youth in public schools. More information about the APSL Community Liaison position can be found at Volunteer opportunities.


 * Education First Compact Meeting 9/2/10**

Topic: Coordinating City and School District Services

Speakers: Lorri Shorr, Chief Education Officer, Mayor's Office of Education Sharon Gaskins, Deputy Education Officer, Mayor's Office of Education Additional City of Philadelphia representitives for several agencies including the Department of Behavioral Health, Family Court, DHS, Deputy Mayors Office of Health & Opportunity and Truancy Court

Lorri Shorr and Sharon Gaskins discussed the Mayor's education goals of increasing the high school graduation rate to 80% by 2010 and doubling the college attainment rate by 2018 to 36%. School librarians can support these goals in two ways.

1. The Mayor's office is training Graduation Coaches, adults who will form long term relationships with students from grades 6 to 12 and keep them on track to graduate. Coaches and students will monitor student's real time progress through StudentNet. The school library can support this initiative by providing students with access to StudentNet and training in navigating and interpreting the information.

2. School librarians can support the Mayor's second goal by publicizing the existing college focus initiatives and providing students with access to the online resources available e.g. Philly Goes 2 College, Graduate! Philadelphia, Mayor's Commission on Literacy, Office of College and Career Awareness, Scholarship Clearing House, etc.

Submitted by Deborah Grill, APSL Community Liaison

I**ntroduction letter to Philadelphia Student Union from Community Liaison volunteer, Julie Davis:**

> Dear _:

My name is Julie Davis. I am the Librarian at University City HS Promise Academy and board member of APSL, the Association of Philadelphia School Libraries. > > I am very excited about the initiatives in place at my school to improve education through smaller class sizes, effective and engaging instruction, and a well funded school library. Being a part of Dr. Ackerman's Promise Academy initiative has already started impacting students. Our school is turning around with meaningful content, dedicated teachers, smaller classes, a focus on nonviolence, increased academic supports, and priority given to the school library to help students have access to a multitude of resources. > > I am interested in developing a relationship with Philadelphia Student Union because your vision, of better schools and nonviolence, is in alignment with our vision of schools and school libraries at APSL. I would like to come out and introduce myself and learn more about your organization at your Open House on October 9th. Hopefully I will get a chance to meet you and your colleagues then. > > Sincerely, > > Julie Davis > Librarian > University City HS Promise Academy > > >