DEAR 2013 ANNOUNCED

In case you haven't heard the news...

The British Columbia Teacher-Librarians' Association's Drop Everything and Read will kick off School Library Week 2013 in BC on Monday, October 28, 2013.

Stay tuned for more blogging in the months ahead!

Saanich (SD 63) Celebrates DEAR (and how!)

Thanks to TL extraordinaire, Jean Prevost, for an update on how SD63 (Saanich) celebrated DEAR 2012.

• Vivian Hicks, TL at Bayside Middle School reports: We enjoy 30 minutes of silent reading time every day at Bayside, but on Wear Red for Reading Day, (our "spin" on Drop Everything and Read Day),  everyone was "visibly" reading during that time -- as the photos show, even the administration. 595 staff and students were reading for DEAR at Bayside this year. See photos below!

photos courtesy of Vivian Hicks

• Sarah Windle, TL at Keating Elementary reports the whole school participated in a Family Read In.

• TL at Sidney elementary, Shannon Curtis invited families and guest readers into their school for a half an hour of buddy reading.  Ms Curtis made an Animoto of the event photos to share with students. 

• At Brentwood Elementary, they celebrated DEAR by inviting all adults and students in the school and at home to read at 12:15 for 20 minutes. Some classes invited parents into the classrooms to read in the morning.  The teacher-librarian, Donna Wende posted notices about the focus on reading on bulletin boards, on the School and Library websites, and sent it out in the Parent newsletter.

• At Cordova Bay Elementary, Jean Prevost reports 280 students and staff participated in a Wear Red For Reading Day as everyone read together to celebrate DEAR.  This event was noted in the school newsletter.

• At Parkland Secondary, students were outdoors reading and the principal and a helicopter were involved.  More to come!

Thanks to all TLs and their schools for AMAZING support of DEAR again this year! 

Saanich, you guys rock!

G.W. Graham DEARs It Up!

G.W. Graham Middle-Secondary in Chilliwack supported the cause last week, too!

Choo-Choo: A DEAR Reading Train

A DEAR Reading Train made a stop at J.W. Inglis Middle School in Lumby (SD22) last week. Here's a look at the action!

Kamloops School District Breaks DEAR Participation Record!

Congratulations to everyone in School District 73 (Kamloops) for breaking their old DEAR participation record with over 8500 students from across the district involved in last week's event! For more details visit the SD73 website.

Excerpt: SD73 teacher-librarians coordinated a variety of  events leading up to the day including pajama day, decorate your door for  DEAR, group and buddy reading activities, communicating with authors and  reading challenges. A number of special guests also visited schools  including: school trustees, Kamloops Blazers, Cat in the Hat and local media  personnel. Students read a variety of choice material such as magazines,  nonfiction materials, picture books, stories on e-readers, comics, webpages,  articles on ipads and print newspapers.


Many thanks to district teacher-librarian, Andrea Wallin, and all SD73 teacher-librarians, administrators, and staff that supported the event this year!

Randerson Ridge Gets Clipper-ed for DEAR

Thanks to teacher-librarian, Val Martineau, the staff at Randerson Ridge and the Nanaimo Clippers for their participation in this year's DEAR. Form more pictures visit the Randerson Ridge library blog.

Principal Gary Mazzei breaks for DEAR

RR Teachers taking part in DEAR

Photos courtesy of Val Martineau

KLO Middle School & DEAR

Over 600 students at KLO Middle School in Kelowna read along with their mascots, Freddy and Katniss, last week during DEAR.

Mascots Freddy and Katniss lead KLO for DEAR 2012

Photo courtesy of Wynter Oakes

Glenwood Elementary DEARs!

Glenwood Elementary in Maple Ridge celebrated DEAR by reading in their school house teams. Here's the Purple Merpeople reading in the music room at the school!

Photo courtesy of Lisa Nerpio

South Nelson Elementary: DEAR and Pyjama Day!

Photos and article submitted by Kim Jones, principal, from South Nelson Elementary.

"Our entire staff and student population went to the gym on Friday (Monday didn’t work for us!).  We combined it with Pyjama Day. I read the book “Pyjama Day” at an assembly using the Avervision. In keeping with the theme of the story about a boy who forgot to wear his PJs to school on Pyjama Day, we presented 2 staff members (who also forgot to wear their pyjamas!) with a pair of PJ pants which they donned at the assembly, much to the children’s delight."

Photos courtesy of Kim Jones & Jeff Hammerich

Aberdeen Elementary Celebrates

Many thanks to teacher-librarian, Rae Carter, and the students and staff and Aberdeen Elementary in Kamloops for their contribution to DEAR 2012.

Photos courtesy of Rae Carter.

KSS Owls Hoot for DEAR

Kelowna Secondary School, always a strong supporter, got into the swing with DEAR this week!

For more KSS DEAR photos visit their DEAR Picasa gallery today. Photos courtesy of Al Smith.

Media Coverage for DEAR

It probably goes without saying that school library advocacy and getting the word out to our politicians, senior administrators, school administrators, and of course parents and the public at large, is everyone's responsibility. BCTLA would like to thank all those school library advocates, administrators, teachers, and teacher-librarians' that contacted their local media outlets to spread the word about the celebration of about school libraries, literacy, and the vital role that they play in developing lifelong lovers of reading that value literacy.

From the Nelson Star

From the Kamloops Daily News

Did you arrange for local media coverage? Did you send a write-up and/or photo (or two) to your local newspaper or digital news outlet? Did you hit the airwaves to promote DEAR and school libraries in your neck of the wood?

We want to know about it!

Please share your public stories and email Jeff Yasinchuk, VP advocacy, at jyasinchuk@gmail.com.

Minister of Education Helps Celebrate DEAR

Once again, a big THANK YOU to the Minister of Education, Mr. Don McRae, (and his Ministry) for their support of the BCTLA Drop Everything and Read event this week.

Here's the Minister reading with students from Cindrich Elementary in Surrey. LOVE that t-shirt, too!

DEAR PICTURES NOW AVAILABLE!

Please visit our Flickr DEAR Photostream for our slowly growing gallery of DEAR action from around the province. 

Got pictures?

Please send them to us at jyasinchuk@gmail.com or let us know where they are posted so that we can link them to our blog and help share the wealth.

Blair Elementary Celebrates DEAR

The Dragon's Lair was a busy place on Monday as the Celebrated DEAR. For photos and more please visit Blair Elementary Dragon's Lair.

Photos courtesy of Janice Novakowski

Dancing It Up Over DEAR!

At Canyon Lister Elementary, Puss 'n Boot (aka Principal David Falconer) dances for joy after being asked to participated in DEAR 2012.

Got a video you want to share? Let us know and we'll add it to the DEAR YouTube channel!

BC Celebrates DEAR, Literacy, and the Power of Reading!

Reading is a beautiful thing, but heck, so is this...

The Minister of Education, Don McRae, helps celebrate DEAR. 

And hey...LOVE the t-shirt!

Get the full story of DEAR in Surrey HERE.

Many thanks to:

• Jacqueline van Dyk, Libraries and Literacy Director; 

• Honourable, Don McRae, Minister of Education; 

• Honourable, Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Social Development; and 

• BC Superintendent of Reading, Maureen Dockendorf 

• British Columbia Libraries Association; and

• British Columbia Teacher-Librarians' Association

for their support of Drop Everything and Read 2012.

Surviving DEAR and Cat Fights, Too!

At Canyon Lister Elementary School near Creston, they take their DEAR seriously. 

The Principal, David Falconer, admitted that it "got hot in the costume, but [sic] managed to survive the dance fight with the Cat in the Hat."

Canyon Lister Elementary celebrates DEAR with a little touch of Seuss.

What some people will do to get noticed for their DEAR!

DEAR Celebrates 10th Annual National School Library Day

Happy National School Library Day 2012!

We are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of NSLD with our 6th Annual Drop Everything and Read event all across BC! Last year nearly 55 000 students, teachers, and volunteers participated in DEAR!

Join us this year by 'sacrificing' twenty minutes of your time to drop everything, pull out that book, magazine, newspaper, whatever, and just...READ!

Reading is a beautiful (and very empowering) thing, too!

DEAR VIDEO TESTIMONIAL CONTEST (redux)

For many students and teachers across British Columbia, their school library plays an integral role in their learning--a place to work, get research assistance from trained teacher-librarians, check out the hottest new fiction, create digital media projects, collaborate and carry out inquiry-based projects--just to name a few!

STUDENTS, we want to hear from you. 

What would your school be like without a library?

Why do you love your school library? 

What does your school library mean to you?

What is the best thing about your school library?

CREATE A VIDEO TESTIMONIAL (under two minutes) and submit it to Jeff Yasinchuk, VP Advocacy, BCTLA at jyasinchuk@gmail.com. 

We'll post your video on our YouTube channel and it will be voted on by teacher-librarians from across British Columbia.

Deadline for submissions is November 30, 2012.

First place prize includes a $150 Chapters/Coles/Indigo gift card for your school library. The student that submits the winning video will also receive a $50 gift card!

So, get creative and get that school library testimonial submitted!


The video testimonial contest is sponsored by the British Columbia Teacher-Librarians' Association.

DEAR Whenever You Can!

We've received a great deal of feedback about the need to hold DEAR on Monday, October 22...

Nope!

The BCTLA wants you to have your DEAR whenever it works best for you, your school, and your students this coming week.

So breathe easy. Relax.

But more importantly, make sure to report your DEAR 2012 participation numbers so we can better track and support those chapters, districts, school libraries that need help getting DEAR established. Complete the form below or click HERE to enter your numbers.

If you have any questions please contact Jeff Yasinchuk at jyasinchuk@gmail.com.

CARE TO SHARE? (DEAR 2012 Photostream)

Did you 'drop everything and read' with your school this year? 

Care to share? 

To add your 2012 DEAR photos to our Flickr photostream, please contact Jeff Yasinchuk at jyasinchuk@gmail.com to obtain the 'special email' upload address and help us to build a collection of memories from around BC!

DEAR @ BCTLA Conference 2012

Thanks to everyone that dropped by to say "Hi!" at the BCTLA Conference yesterday in Port Coquitlam. We sold nearly 100 DEAR t-shirts and the bookmarks and posters went like hotcakes. Yee-haw! Here's a little taste of what you missed.



Video streaming by Ustream

For more tidbits from BCTLA 2012 please visit our official UStream channel!

SO, HOW MANY?: DEAR 2012 Participation Results

If you are not a member of the BCTLA Google group, please include your school participation numbers in the form below. Make sure to include all pertinent information!

Minister of Education to Participate in DEAR 2012

To help celebrate DEAR and recognize the important role that school libraries play in our students' learning experience, the Minister of Education, Honourable Don McRae, will be reading to over 400 students in Surrey at the new City Centre Library (10350 University Drive). 

The event is being organized be the Ministry of Education, Libraries and Literacy Division. If you're in the area around 11:00 feel free to drop by, bring a book and join us to 'drop everything and read'.

For media requests and details please contact Jacqueline van Dyk, Director, Libraries and Literacy at 604.992.4348 or jacqueline.vandyk@gov.bc.ca.

BCTLA VP (advocacy), Jeff Yasinchuk, is also available for media interviews and can be reached at 250.505.4451 or jyasinchuk@gmail.com.

2012 DEAR Bookmarks (keep a book company will ya)

You asked for them, and, heck, we listened! 

Please download and send to your favourite printer.

Having trouble with resolution? You can also get higher resolution version on our BCTLA advocacy page.

VIDEO TESTIMONIAL CONTEST: What Does Your School Library Mean to You?

For many students and teachers across British Columbia, their school library plays an integral role in their learning--a place to work, get research assistance from trained teacher-librarians, check out the hottest new fiction, create digital media projects, collaborate and carry out inquiry-based projects--just to name a few!

So, we want to hear from you. 

What would your school be like without a library?

Why do you love your school library? 

What does your school library mean to you?

What is the best thing about your school library?

CREATE A VIDEO TESTIMONIAL (under two minutes) and submit it to Jeff Yasinchuk, VP Advocacy, BCTLA at jyasinchuk@gmail.com. 

We'll post your video on our soon to be launched YouTube channel and it will be voted on by teacher-librarians from across British Columbia.

Deadline for submissions is November 30, 2012.

First place prize includes a $150 Chapters/Coles/Indigo gift card for your school library. The student that submits the winning video will also receive a $50 gift card!

So, get creative and get that school library testimonial submitted!


The video testimonial contest is sponsored by the British Columbia Teacher-Librarians' Association.

Your Mission, Should You Choose It: DEAR 2012

Here's a video courtesy of Parkland Secondary in Saanich that was created for DEAR 2011. Thanks to teacher-librarian extraordinaire, Bonnie McComb, for her leadership and support of this project.

Got an idea for a DEAR video? See the post above for details!

DEAR 2012 Official Press Release!

Here's the OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE for DEAR 2012. Feel free to down your copy and send to any and all local press outlets, MLA, and municipal officials.

For PRESS INTERVIEWS please contact Jeff Yasinchuk, VP Advocacy, British Columbia Teacher-Librarians' Association at jyasinchuk@gmail.com or call him at 250.354.5400.

DEAR 2012 Press Release

Copyright: British Columbia Teacher-Librarians' Association (2012)

DEAR at BCTLA in Coquitlam

We'll be at the BCTLA conference in Coquitlam on Friday, October 19th selling DEAR t-shirts in English and French. Shirts are selling for $20 each with $5 going to help our dear colleague Karen Lindsay's former school in Tunis that was attacked by terrorists this past summer. The school library was completely destroyed in the ensuing violence.

Make sure to look for our table and drop by and say "Hi!"

PS it's still not too late to order your bulk DEAR t-shirts! See our September 20th blog post for details! Hurry time is running out!

DEAR ON FACEBOOK

We'll being posting photos and links to various videos and events from around the BC on Monday, October 22 on our Facebook page. Make sure to find us "Drop Everything and Read BC" and "Like" us today! You'll be glad you did!

DEAR ON TWITTER

We're Tweeting when we can! Make sure to join the conversation in preparation for DEAR 2012 on Twitter.

Q: How are you planning to celebrate DEAR this year?

Get the conversation rolling at www.twitter.com/BCTLA_DEAR

IDEAS to Celebrate DEAR

We're often asked, "Hey, how can we celebrate DEAR in our school?"

So, here's an unofficial 'DEAR toolkit' (of sorts):

• Host a 'read-in' with students in the main lobby of your school;
• Host have a pyjama and book day ("Flashlight Reading") or some other theme day like a "Dr. Seuss Day" or "Harry Potter Day";
• Invite the local junior hockey team (or other well known group) to read with students;
• Invite seniors (Grades 11 & 12) to buddy read with younger students;
• Invite your local MLA and/or municipal politicians to join your DEAR event;
• Create a video: "Why my school library is important", "Why I love my teacher-librarian", "Random Acts of Reading", etc. that can be uploaded to the DEAR YouTube channel;
• Invite a school trustee and/or superintendent to join your school event;
• Organize a flash mob focusing on the school library (remember capture it on video) to upload to our YouTube DEAR channel;
• Host a draw, for example: "Why I love my library" and offer iTunes or Chapters gift cards as prizes;
• Invite a local author or poet to read to students;
• Invite a member of local First Nations band to do a storytelling session

HINT: To make the most of your event and publicize it within your community, make sure to contact your local media outlets (press release to be provided)--radio, print, digital--and invite them to attend (or send a brief article and a photo or too) your event. DEAR is as much about celebrating school libraries (and the important role that they have) as it is about reading and literacy.

HAVE AN TO CELEBRATE DEAR? Feel free to leave a comment below.

PLEASE email copies of photos or videos to us or let us know where you have them posted so that we can link them (or embed them) in our DEAR Flickr account.

If you have any questions please contact Jeff Yasinchuk, VP Advocacy British Columbia Teacher-Librarians' Association (jyasinchuk@gmail.com).

DEAR T-SHIRTS: READY FOR ORDER

YES...

It's true. The wait is over! 

Our vendor is now taking orders for French and English versions of the official Drop Everything and Read T-shirt!

English version of DEAR T-shirts shown

The t-shirts are $10 each with a minimum order of 12 required. The price does not include PST and shipping.

TO ORDER please contact...

Out of the Blue Designs

p. 250.380.9179 or 1.877.311.0122

e. christina@outofthebluedesigns.com


Please allow 2-3 weeks time for delivery!

THEY'RE HERE!: 2012 DEAR POSTERS

Here they are! For DOWNLOADABLE 11 x 17 copies please visit the British Columbia Teacher-Librarians' Association Advocacy page. The posters come in three different designs both in English AND French.

Thanks to the BCTF and Jennifer Sowerby for their assistance with the design.

DEAR 2012 T-SHIRTS

Again this year, DEAR t-shirts will be made available directly from the vendor for group and advance purchases. 

There will also be a table at the BCTLA Conference in Coquitlam in October.

And new for 2012...French t-shirts!

Please stay tuned for more information on t-shirts and ordering in the weeks ahead!

Drop Everything and Read 2012 Gears Up!

We are in the early stages of planning for DEAR 2012 with some exciting announcements forthcoming.

Be sure to stay tuned!

DEAR 2012 will go Monday, October 22, 2012 following the BCTLA conference in Coquitlam.

FINAL DEAR 2011 NUMBERS

With over 145 schools checking in it looks as though over 58 000 students and 3900 staff participated in this year's Drop Everything and Read. Sadly, not all participating schools/school districts have recorded participation rates so it is probably safe to say that these numbers are very much underrepresented. Our best estimate is that over 120 000 students and staff participated this year.

Thanks again to EVERYONE that made DEAR 2011 the biggest so far!

Kamloops-Thompson Celebrates DEAR Challenge

School District 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) celebrated DEAR 2011 with over 7700 students and staff participating this year. Great little article (with pictures) by district library co-ordinator, Andrea Wallin. 

Thanks to everyone in SD73, especially, TL Rae Carter, for their continued support of Drop Everything and Read!

Tyee Elementary does DEAR Challenge

Tyee Elementary in Vancouver also celebrated DEAR. Here's on from the library courtesy of teacher-librarian, Chris Evans.

Seniors Buddy-Read with Little Ones in Nelson

A group of seniors for L.V. Rogers Secondary spent the morning buddy-reading with the Kindergarten class at Hume Elementary in Nelson in celebration of National School Library Day!

Final Numbers Coming Shortly!

OK. I've been asked by a couple of folks about the final DEAR 2011 participation numbers...

I hope to have these tallied by early this week. We just wanted to make sure that we had as many school results as possible. 

So stay tuned for details. We'll also post the results on our Facebook page via Twitter (@BCTLA_DEAR).

Thanks again to everyone that participated and to those that all logged their participation numbers!

Glenwood Elementary Celebrates DEAR House-Style

Glenwood Elementary in Burnaby celebrated DEAR with a 'Read in your House Teams' event. All of the house teams gathered together and read their favourite books. Their were lots of students wearing their house team colours for added festivity (and to earn house points!). Amazing participation, everyone!

Aberdeen Elementary Gussy Up Their Doors for DEAR

Aberdeen Elementary in Kamloops decorated their classroom doors a part of their DEAR challenged and celebration of National School Library Day! Way to go, guys!

Parkland Secondary Does the Mission Impossible!

The students and staff at Parkland Secondary in Sidney created a fantastic video for DEAR Challenge 2011! Great work guys, and thanks for sharing!

DEAR Goes at Glenmerry Elementary

At Glenmerry Elementary in Trail it was a busy morning at the DEAR Challenge!

Full Stop at Blair Elementary for DEAR

The entire staff and student body at Blair Elementary in Richmond dropped it all and read for DEAR Challenge 2011. Apparently, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop in the parking lot!

Photos courtesy of Janice Novakowski