Judy,
Our administration has deferred to us on this policy. We are the ones
questioning whether the policy is serving students as intended. I think
there are solid reasons for allowing video games in the library and also
for not having them. I would recommend being transparent upfront with admin
and having those conversations and the reasoning behind your decisions
sooner than later.
Best,
Julia
Julia Chambers
Middle School Librarian
Research & Communications teacher
6th grade advisor
Prospect Sierra
960 Avis Dr.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
www.prospectsierra.org
direct line: 510.809.9040
On Thu, May 9, 2019 at 7:42 AM Judy Cha <jccha34@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
After I read this post, I started allowing students to play games on the
computers in the library during their free time (before school, during
recess, during library time). I know our vice principal is opposed to this.
Is your school's administration against video games in the library? I think
our principal may be more open to it. If I ever had to explain the
reasoning why I allow gaming in the library, does anyone have any ideas how
I should go about this? Also, if the vice principal tells me to stop
allowing gaming in the library, should I try to go around her by explaining
to the principal? Does any other school deal with this issue?
On Fri, Apr 26, 2019 at 11:17 AM ReAnna Gailes <rgailes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
After a data research project lead by our Middle School students, we are
probably going to pilot a video game program during lunch/recess time. I am
planning to limit the games to Wii Sports and a dance game (Dance, Dance,
Revolution or similar) as they are at least active and I feel that teachers
and parents will have fewer issues with them. If people have experience
with this, I'd love the feedback as well.
On Fri, Apr 26, 2019 at 11:08 AM Lori Deibel <lori_deibel@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi Julia,
We are also a 1:1 school, and I agree that we allow games as long as
they’re not disruptive. Where I have put my foot down, however, is playing
any violent, graphic game in the Library. After the Stoneman Douglas
shootings last year, we had an assembly to discuss the topics of gun
violence and school safety. Immediately after that, I came across a table
of sophomore boys playing Fortnite on their laptops in the Library. At that
moment, I made the decision to be THAT adult, and shut them down. I have
since then had the same discussion, several times, about how it is
disturbing to me, that as a culture we need to look at how these games
should be viewed in light of events, and then I encourage them to go home
and tell their parents that the librarian is now prohibiting them from
playing these games in the Library.
Lori Deibel, Librarian
The Branson School
(415) 455-7133
*From: *<baisl-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Joanne Melinson <
jmelinson@xxxxxxxxxx>
*Reply-To: *<baisl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Date: *Friday, April 26, 2019 at 10:15 AM
*To: *<baisl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject: *[baisl] Re: Video Games in the Library
Hi, Julia,
We're 1:1 now so we don't have library computers anymore. We don't have
specific rules about playing games on computers, but we do have a rule
about being disruptive in the library (we are by no means a quiet library,
however, certain times of the year the gaming can get intense). So the
simple rule is that if I am hyperaware that you are playing a game (because
there's a group behind you cheering you on, you're arguing with another
student about it, or there is general loudness around it) then you need to
stop. A version of that rule might be helpful if you decide to continue to
allow games on library computers.
Hope that helps.
Jo
On Fri, Apr 26, 2019 at 10:00 AM Julia Chambers <
jchambers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
We're debating this question and would love to hear current thinking
among our colleagues. Currently, we allow students during recess breaks to
play Scratch-type video games on our 4 desktops, visible so we can monitor.
This has led to some positives like cross-grade community building. It also
sometimes leads to conflict when out "gaming etiquette" (turn-taking,
playing only approved games) is violated. Please share your thinking about
the positives vs. negatives (for instance, enabling more screentime) --
whether you currently allow gaming in the library or not. Thank you!
Julia Chambers
Middle School Librarian
Research & Communications teacher
6th grade advisor
[image:
https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B0Lro4liFUMnTVFaR0w5S2NydVU&revid=0B0Lro4liFUMnWnhuZllQUmd3cDFvY29IN2tYU3hBdVJvUzM0PQ]
Prospect Sierra
960 Avis Dr.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
www.prospectsierra.org
direct line: 510.809.9040
--
*Jo Melinson*
Middle/High School Librarian & Literary Magazine Adviser
*Sacramento Country Day School*
PK-12th Grade Independent Education
2636 Latham Drive, Sacramento, CA 95864
<https://maps.google.com/?q=2636+Latham+Drive,+Sacramento,+CA+95864+916&entry=gmail&source=g>
916.481.8811 <(916)%20481-8811> x341 • www.saccds.or
<http://www.saccds.org/>g
Matthews Library
https://saccdslibrary.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/saccdslibrary
Think Critically. Live Creatively. Act Compassionately.
--
*ReAnna Gailes*
*Director of the Learning Commons*
Mark Day School
39 Trellis Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
Pronouns: she, her
