Art Party in the Library Makerspace

There will be an after-school Art Party in the library #makerspace, on Wednesday, 9/28 @ 2:00pm. Now that the makerspace has a new location in the library (the nook), we need some help decorating the new digs. Drawing, paper, and various craft supplies will be provided. All are welcome!

Not sure what the makerspace is? Now is your chance to find out - lots of fantastic creative resources available for you to explore during your free time. Maybe you'll find some inspiration for a class project too!

Banned Books Week

The 2016 Banned Books Week celebration is being held September 25th - October 1st. Which means it is currently Banned Books Week! Taken from the Banned Books Week website:

"The Banned Books Week Coalition is a national alliance of diverse organizations joined by a commitment to increase awareness of the annual celebration of the freedom to read. The Coalition seeks to engage various communities and inspire participation in Banned Books Week through education, advocacy, and the creation of programming about the problem of book censorship" (bannedbooksweek.org).

Check out some of the most frequently banned books here, including last year's top ten. How many have you read?

For more inspiration to exercise your right to read, here's a great video produced by Bookmans staff members and customers!

Skillshare

Interested in learning a new hobby, or just want to get creative? Check out Skillshare for access to hundreds of free online classes to help you learn that hobby. There are numerous categories to choose from! We'll be exploring some of these classes in the library #makerspace this year. Drop-ins welcome! Stay tuned for more details...

Check out the @skillshare Instagram account too, for more creative inspiration!

Summer Reading Discussion Groups

The 9th and 10th grade classes met in their book groups this morning to discuss their summer reading! A lot of great discussions were had, and it was refreshing to see so many students enjoying their book discussions :) A huge thank you to our staff members, and 11th &12th grade volunteers, for leading our groups!

Summer Reading Groups Meeting on 9/15

The 9th and 10th grade summer reading discussion groups will be meeting Thursday, 9/15 during the extended advisory. Please see Mr. Hanna's memo next week for your room locations and stay tuned for an email from one of our principals indicating the agenda for the morning. Not finished with your book yet? You still have 6 more days! You can do it :) Enjoy your discussion groups!

The New Library Space!

The 2016 - 2017 school year at HHS is off to a great start! Thanks to a generous grant from the Hopkinton Education Foundation, the HHS library has a new look! Gone are the crowded stacks, and uncomfortable furniture (most of it), and in their place are modular pieces that allow us to rearrange the room on a whim to meet a class's needs. The remaining collection has been reorganized, and outdated materials have been weeded. The makerspace received a more prominent location in the space, and the large whiteboard additions have been instrumental in student brainstorming sessions. See some pictures of our progress! More changes and pictures coming soon...

Before:

and...

After:

Stop by and check out our new digs!

Summer Reading - Classes of 2019 and 2020

The list of summer reading titles for the incoming 9th and 10th grade students (classes of 2019 & 2020) is now posted! Please take some time to review the list of choices - there are some great books on the list. The only summer reading assignment requirement for 9th and 10th grade students is to read and enjoy their book, and be prepared to discuss their book in the student/staff discussion groups we will be holding in September.

Ms. Fournier and Ms. Belcher will be visiting the 9th grade ELA classes next week, to assist students in signing up for their book. We can answer any questions about summer reading at that time as well. If you'd like to preview some of the books - we do have limited copies in the HHS Library. Come check them out!

And for those students who think they'd like to read more than one book this summer, don't forget to pick up your "Book Bingo" card for the summer! Those with completed bingo cards by the end of the summer are invited to attend a celebratory pizza party at the HHS library, to recognize all of our reading efforts! More details at the circulation desk...

Happy Reading everyone!