[aisle] Advocacy Letter to your Administrator

[Linda Sawyer]

Thank you for putting this great letter together. Thank you AISLE for all
you do to support us.

Linda

Linda Zeilstra Sawyer
School Librarian/Information Specialist
St. Francis Xavier School
808 Linden Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-0644



On Mon, Jul 6, 2020 at 5:48 PM Advocacy AISLE via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> As librarians all over the state become increasingly concerned over the
> plans being formulated in their buildings, the language of the ISBE
> reopening guidelines and their roles shifting to classrooms as we move
> forward to students reentering buildings, AISLE Advocacy has crafted a
> letter for library staff to use to reach out to their administrators.
>
> This letter is not a statement by AISLE and it is not necessary to use it
> as it is written.  It is a guideline for language that you may want to
> consider moving forward.  Please feel free to use it verbatim, change it to
> make it match the culture of your school or district or to cherry pick what
> you would include in reaching out to principals, curriculum directors or,
> even your PTO.
>
> In the weeks ahead, AISLE Advocacy will be working hard to put together a
> “one stop” location for advocacy in your building.  If you are being
> advised of changes to your position or budget or have concerns, please
> don’t hesitate to reach out to advocacy at aisled.org.
>
> We are here for you in this deeply concerning time.
>
> Dawn Scuderi
> --
> Dawn Scuderi
> Advocacy Manager
> Association of Illinois School Library Educators
>
> June 30, 2020
>
> Dear Administrator,
>
> Although no one could have predicted the end of the 2019-2020 school year,
> the response to it is an indication of what we at our school have always
> known.  Our administration, teachers, support staff, families and students’
> perseverance and grit in the face of the COVID-19 crisis and the
> determination to do whatever is necessary for our students to continue to
> learn and grow has been evident as we strive to do what is best for
> students.
>
> As guidelines are shared and important decisions are made about how to
> safely and effectively bring students back into our buildings, I would
> respectfully ask that you please consider the important role of the library
> in providing students equitable access to materials of all kinds, a
> highly-educated information specialist and, possibly most importantly, a
> safe space, particularly for disenfranchised and socially isolated
> students.  Please keep in mind that school libraries, school librarians and
> staff are vitally important to the success of students both inside and
> outside the walls of our school.
>
> Understanding that budgets may be tight in the coming months, please
> remember that resources carefully curated by library staff may be the only
> accessible resources that teachers have to build online lesson plans and
> that students will rely on as they read for information. Our print and
> digital collections support the curriculum by providing opportunities for
> students to engage in learning that inspires them, discover the lives of
> others through fiction and nonfiction and encourage empathy and
> understanding of our complicated world.  I ask that we continue to meet
> the needs of students and faculty by allowing these resources to continue
> to be funded and that we continue the commitment to grow the library both
> physically and virtually.
>
> As we move forward to reopening our school, please know that I am eager to
> provide input into how the library can continue to serve students and staff
> as well as our stakeholders.  As you are meeting with district or building
> groups, I am available to bring my voice and skill set to help shape the
> 2020-2021 school year.
>
> Thank you for your consideration of the role of the library as we
> transition back to face to face learning in the Fall.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Your School Librarian
>
>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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