Professional educators from Georgia and Alabama visited the Heard County Middle School Media Center March 15 for the media program’s open house. The HCMS media program is one of only three media programs in Georgia to be deemed ‘Exceptional’ in the middle school category by the Georgia Department of Education. Courtney McGough (Galileo), Bobbie Limbers (Saint James High School, Montgomery, Al.), J.C. Barb (Barnes & Noble), Sabrina Thompson (Temple High School Media Specialist), Glovis South (HCMS Media Specialist), Jerry Prince (Heard County School Superintendent), Nikki Robertson (Auburn High School Media Specialist), Ben Myers (Follett Library Services) and Mike Roberts (HCMS Principal). Photo by Donna Haralson/The News and Banner.

Media Program ‘Exceptional’ at HCMS

Professional educators from as far away as Americus, Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama came to Heard County Media Center’s open house Thursday (March 15). The HCMS Media Center is one of three middle school library media programs to be selected by the Georgia Department of Education as an “Exceptional Library Media Program” for 2011.

More than 60 visitors, including Rep. Randy Nix, Heard County Commission Chair June Jackson and Heard County School Superintendent Jerry Prince attended the event. Educators from Carroll County, Pike County, Haralson County, Troup County and Alabama were among the guests who attended the event.

The event was hosted by HCMS Principal Mike Roberts, Media Specialist Glovis South and Media Assistant Janet Scott. Barnes & Noble, Follett Library Resources, Galileo, Renaissance Place, Scholastic and Surpass (library software company) were featured in professional learning stations set up in the media center. Visitors were able to scan QR codes for links and information and were able to ask questions to representatives from B&N (J.C. Barb), Follett (Ben Myers) and Galileo Support Services (Courtney McGough). A special learning station was set up with iPads and eReaders for a Words With Friends tournament between the top student readers and administrators.

Visitors were particularly interested in procedures for checking out eReaders (Nooks, Kindles) to students and how iPads are being used to teach technology and information literacy skills. For information about the media program at HCMS, go to http://bravesread.net. Follow Mrs. South @BravesRead and Mr. Roberts @MikeRoberts1973 on Twitter.

Auburn High School Media Specialist Nikki Robertson (@NikkiDRobertson) posted these comments on her blog: “When I arrived at Heard County Middle School I immediately understood why Heard County Middle School received such a distinguished award. The office staff greeted me with such warmth and kindness.  Then I arrived at Glovis South's (@Bravesread) exceptional library and saw students playing Words With Friends on iPads (acquired with a grant) with principal, Mike Roberts aka: @mikeroberts1973, school superintendent Jerry Prince and Representative Nix. Students can earn access to the Internet Cafe located in the library where they can play games on iPads, enjoy beverages and other perks. …”

Prizes, including a gift basket from B&N, were given throughout the day. Scholastic donated an autographed hard cover book by Brian Selznick. The school’s news crew members and WWF team spoke to visitors throughout the day about the media center’s reading and technology elements.