Sometimes, like some of you, I get discouraged about negative comments about our students, so I wanted to share some non-data-based information that no standardized test can measure!
For at least 7-8 years, the school library has not had a budget … meaning that the only time we get new books/magazines is when they are donated to the library. Some really kind teachers have donated magazine subscriptions, so that we finally have a nice mix of magazines in the library. (Thank you!)
Because this is my first year to be the librarian, I wasn’t sure how many students were actually checking out books and reading in the past. I have been so pleasantly surprised! I have not used a standardized test to measure what this means right now, but I do know that we all should be proud of our students who truly love to read and are begging for more current books. (Some teachers/parents/mentors along the way have done a great job.)
This is what I need from you: (1) Anytime you have popular books someone in your family has finished reading, please consider donating them to our library; (2) If you have children who read, consider ordering books from scholastic.com. I can give you a code that will give our library extra points from your purchases. When we receive extra points, I am able to “purchase” books from those points.
I have several students who are really “into” the P.C. Cast/Kristen Cast “House of Night” series, the Hunger Games series, anything by Nicholas Sparks, Vampire Academy series, etc. It’s the greatest feeling in the world for a student to ask me, “Do you have the next one in this series?” I’d love to be able to find it for them!
Thanks, y’all!
Stefani Cooper
Jonesboro-Hodge High School
Librarian/Media Specialist
10/16/2012 at 10:04 pm |
Can’t they get these books from the Jackson Parish Library?
10/17/2012 at 8:09 am |
Yes, if they (1) don’t owe fines and (2) if they have transportation. Many of my students don’t have transportation to the library … or transportation to get the books back on time. This results in fines that prevent them from checking out future books. I love Jackson Parish Library, and I would love for every student to be able to check out books there; however, that’s not always possible.
10/17/2012 at 11:59 am |
can’t they walk to the library, come on, it’s within a few blocks of any child that lives within the town. They are over the age of 13 so shouldn’t they be responsible for getting the books back on time. What about the library assistance program, they provide book delivery to those that are home bound, couldn’t they network with some of those people and get books delieverd and picked up timely. Sorry, but it appears you are just trying to find excuses for their lack of responsiblity. If you want it bad enough, you will find a way to get it, without depending on someone else to get it for you.
10/17/2012 at 11:06 am |
How about the high school librarian taking books that are due to be returned to the Jackson Parish Library and picking up more on a daily basis?
10/17/2012 at 11:58 am |
Because the books would be checked out in my name *and* because I’m not independently wealthy, I would not agree to receive and pick up books on a daily basis. I would be responsible for any lost books because they would be in my name. While I appreciate the suggestion, I would not be willing to be responsible for 250 or more library cards for each of our students.
10/17/2012 at 12:03 pm |
You shouldn’t be responisble for them, that’s the problem now, they aren’t being held accountable or responsible for their OWN actions or in this case, inaction.
I appreciate your plea on their behalf, but they need to take some measures to help themselves.
10/17/2012 at 12:14 pm |
Well, here’s the deal with students and the Jackson Parish Library: not all of them can use it. Many of the students in Jackson Parish (especially J-HHS) are from families at or below poverty level. Those of us who have cars and free time that we take for granted often forget about those who don’t. Many of these students have never made, nor will they ever get the chance to make, their way down to our Parish library. Assuming they did, and the library has one, maybe two copies of the same book, what is the student to then? Parish libraries are great for serving the variety of citizens in a parish; but, less-suited for school students. The school libraries here often in invest in multiple copies of the same books, or a book series, specifically because of the demand by the students for a particular book/series. Again, this is not something a parish library does, as it strives to host a variety of reading material, rather than a larger volume of a particular kind.
Follow a modern high school student into a library today and watch them get lost. Card catalogs and the old Dewey Decimal system are archaic. Nothing wrong with them, they’re just not longer an integral part of the lives of our youth today. Their unfamiliarity with such a place like a large library can easily dissuade them from going. However, consider a school library, on your campus, where you can be accompanied by friends/teachers that you know, and you’ll see where this is more appealing to students.
In summary, the Jackson Parish Library suits the needs of the parish very well; this is why it’s called just that: the “Jackson Parish Library”. However, the “Jonesboro-Hodge High School Library” also exists for a a specific function: serving the literary needs of the students of Jonesboro-Hodge High School. Each library has their own, unique purpose and audience, and each has a vital need to be equipped as well as possible to best-suit the needs of their patrons. The only difference is that the Parish library receives direct funding from constituents that allows it to purchase books. The schools, however, do not. What little money they receive is often wasted on such foolish things as new tracks, sports equipment, and other aesthetic venues, while the book shelves remain bare. I could get on this soapbox all day long; but, I digress…
Here’s the simple choice: donate books or don’t. If you think an advanced reading skill is a vital to student’s success, give. However, if you feel that the ability to read ain’t not never helped not nobody in any way and them words ain’t importunt and they’s stupid and u don’t not like ‘em, they don’t donate. It’s pretty simple.
Just remember this before you complain: these same students will be the doctors, lawyers, judges, teachers, and politicians of our future. Invest wisely…
10/17/2012 at 3:06 pm |
Or might I add, without books, they may be the very people that sit at home, lazy, and on welfare and use up all government funding so others will not be able to have access to social security when they need it. Teachers are trying to educate all children so they can be leaders in our society. Some people are so heartless. I am around these kids daily and I see their struggles.
10/17/2012 at 12:37 pm |
The last time I checked there is a bookmobile
10/17/2012 at 1:07 pm |
yes there is a pretty bookmobile, it comes to Quitman and we use it regularly.
10/17/2012 at 12:41 pm |
How about this instead of their IPhones get them a kindle.
10/17/2012 at 1:04 pm |
The town has not grown since I taught, so children then walked to the Library and did just fine. That was before the cell phone, and other computer information was invented, and just so you know, I took my class to use this computer at the Jackson Parish Library.
Why does the need to mock others spelling ability because they disagree with your opinion about the question of the “responsibilty” of students to make an effort to obtain the material necessary to become a doctor or lawyer or even a carpenter draw such sarcasm? I agree, buy them a kindle, forgoe the cell phone.
Poverty level has nothing to do with putting on your shoes and getting exercise to the Library, now does it? If you care to look around there are plenty of available shoes and clothes for people at or below poverty in Jackson Parish, one is on Main Street, so if they can walk to the game at JHHS and walk to the Dance and even to the Store then they are capable of walking to the Library. If trhey don’t have shoes to walk then how do they attend school? I just don’t see the attitude that we OWE students because they won’t get their books back on time or pay the fines they owe.
That behaviour has been the precursor to the mindset that you don’t have to pay traffic fines or taxes or any other responsiblity that comes with being a Citizen of the United States of America…… that everyone else OWES it to you to do it for you. Those of us old timers that did our tour of duty at JHHS knows all the tricks of the trade, so it’s a little late to come now and try to change our minds.
10/17/2012 at 1:06 pm |
Soyloco318, thank you.
The ironic part of this topic is that I submitted this letter (in the form of an email) only to the teachers and administrators at Jonesboro-Hodge High School. It was no major plea or whine to receive books. I honestly sent the email on a last-minute thought for the day … I was feeling so optimistic about having students use the library! We have some new teachers this year, so I just wanted to make them aware that I would gladly accept donations.
I was asked permission to send my email to this site, and I thought “Sure … I want the community to see the good in these kids.” And here I sit … trying to defend my simple request for used books from teachers at my school and bonus redeemable points from items the teachers are already purchasing for their own children.
I love my students. I know them. I have a rapport with them created by my listening to them and knowing their interests. I taught many of these students in the classroom before becoming the librarian. I am learning what they love to read.
So, step back. Breathe. Maybe even read a book. I have no political agenda!
10/17/2012 at 1:29 pm |
The J-HHS librarian is trying to assist students and does not deserve criticism. My child loves to read but does not live close enough to the parish library to walk there safely and timely. He reads only the books that the J-H library shelves and those that Mrs. Cooper purchases with her own money at Rolling Hills. I’ve seen her there buying books for the library. If you only have negative things to say about her endeavor(s), please keep them to yourself!
10/17/2012 at 1:59 pm |
If you go to Rolling Hills then why don’t you take your child to the Library, isn’t that in Ruston? If you live within the town, then you could walk with him if you thinks it’s an unsafe walk. If he is a bookworm, he needs to have exposure to all the fine literature that the Library offers, so don’t depend on the School and most especially the School librarian to provide your son the necessary tools to be a productive citizen or doctor or lawyer. No one is criticizing her endeavor(s), just disagreeing with being the resource instead of requiring responsibility.
10/17/2012 at 1:47 pm |
The point is, if the parents can buy a IPhone and pay for a Data plan. And living off my tax dollars. They can take their kids to check out some books. Oh I bet they also, have Internet at home get E-book.
10/17/2012 at 2:04 pm |
The situational irony about anyone opposed to this is that they owe their ability to read to such a book-donation program. Anyone who went to a Louisiana public school is the byproduct of Huey Long’s efforts as governor to make Louisiana one of the first states to provide FREE textbooks to its students. He didn’t think the state “owed” them anything, he merely pushed to support all students, including those who may or may not have been able to afford their books. To criticize giving away books to a school, and using your ability to read/write to do so, is, quite simply, hypocrisy at its best. Fostering a desire to read in today’s youth is near-about the closes thing to a miracle that we can accomplish. Their dependency on technology has all but ruined their ability to read/write proficiently, and I applaud anyone involved in promoting literacy. Those of us reading and writing these comments owe our abilities to someone who devoted their time and resources to us; if only we were as ready and willing to give the same to others.
Big shout out to the Jackson Parish Library, by the way, for stepping up and filling in the literacy gaps that the local school libraries are unable to provide for. All libraries (school and public) in our area go far above and beyond their calls of duty to assist local students, and we should be thankful.
Let not your hearts be trouble, dear librarians:
“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” — Groucho Marx
10/17/2012 at 2:12 pm |
No one has criticized giving away books to the school. The only criticism is the fact that responsibility is needed, instead of excuses. Hypocrisy is best defined by one that won’t take responsibility to provide the necessary tools to help their children but will point their finger at the School Librarian when the child doesn’t have the book on the shelf they want to read.
Speak only for yourself in regard to giving to others, you know not what or how I have given to others, so be slow to judge anyone that uses their knowledge to voice an opinion.
Big shout out to all the Parents of Jackson Parish that take their children to the Library and most of all teach them about being responsible.
10/17/2012 at 2:28 pm |
To each his own. Those parents who work after library closing hours and on weekends understand the pangs associated with this difficulty. You sound like a devoted parent. Kudos to your efforts.
10/17/2012 at 4:09 pm |
Amen
10/17/2012 at 2:23 pm |
I drive to Rolling Hills in my employer’s car (I sit/care for an elderly woman) when I take her there. My son is not with me when I am at work. I do not own a car or a computer (my employer allows me to use hers). I am a single mom trying to provide for my son. Everyone’s situation is different, but if you have any other suggestions, I will entertain them.
10/17/2012 at 3:13 pm |
Wanting to help these kids is great but I would bet you that at least 95% of these kids and 100 % of their parents have a cell phone, a computer with Internet, cable tv and multiple cars. Stop whining and tell them to get off their sorry butts and do something about it. I’m a somewhat successful business owner I got where I am today from making good decisions and from working my butt off guess what it didn’t kill me.
10/17/2012 at 4:14 pm |
Amen. And I have 3 jobs not just 1. And I have 2 kids, and my son when he was in the 6th grade could read on a college level, and it wasn’t because, of the school, it was because of me the parent.
10/17/2012 at 5:33 pm |
Thank goodness for good parents like you. Unfortunately, not everyone is that fortunate. Your child is blessed. What a wonderful world it would be if all parents taught their kids and raised them. Unfortunately, many times teachers have to teach and be a parental figure.
10/17/2012 at 5:44 pm |
Yes I understand they have to be more than a teacher now days. But the parents need to step up.
10/17/2012 at 8:13 pm |
Complaining on a website won’t fix anything. What’s your solution for fixing the problem?
10/17/2012 at 6:09 pm |
and I bet you walked to the Library and paid your dues and most of all were responsible and never looked for a handout or excuse.
10/17/2012 at 3:26 pm |
Most JH students do not have internet. They do not have computers. Most of them don’t even have accurate phone numbers (land line or cell wise). Why? Parents buy prepaid phones. When the minutes are used up, they shut them off. As far as cars go, most have something that run. There are a few that have nice vehicles. Many of our students have parents that work double shifts, are on drugs, or just don’t really care. When students have these problems they have to worry about things like taking care of younger siblings, where they will find their next meal, and whether they will have heat in their home this winter. The teachers are trying to teach responsibility, a love for learning, making good choices, and giving the best work the first time. Why would anyone try to discourage and hinder the teachers at J-H? They didn’t ask for your negative comments. They asked for a gift from the heart if you are willing to give it. If you’re not, then move on, get a life, and go do something useful. Join a club, take part in community service, and quit trying to discourage those who are trying to model these students into the leaders of tomorrow. Better yet, create a club of mentors. Partner with J-H. Share your story with the students. Teach them responsibility. Use your energy for something good instead of something bad. I challenge you!
10/17/2012 at 6:07 pm |
poverty does not give one the excuse to fail, to beg or to depend on everyone else to take the responsibility to do the very best job they can.
10/17/2012 at 6:24 pm |
no one has tried to discourage anyone at JH. there are two totally differing views on this topic, one is poor students with evern poorer parents that won’t take the inniative to do their parental job and teach responsibility and a teacher that loves her students and wants to help them. Nothing more or less.
10/17/2012 at 4:40 pm |
The chain of poverty,Crime,and welfare dependency can be reduced thru education.Thank GOD for teachers and books.Thank you Stefani i commend you for your hard work under such declining conditions in our state education system due to budget cuts and such.Those of us in the education system deal with it everyday.Hold your head up with pride …You are making a difference. God bless you.
10/17/2012 at 6:15 pm |
Are you people serious? Do you realize that the intent of the letter from the very beginning was to acknowledge the fact that students at JHHS do like to read? Secondly, am employee who is dedicated to the school and students is reaching out to others to assist the students in their continued desire to read. Why do some of you take this opportunity to turn this into something different? Many of you complain that you have already paid your dues with your children and the schools spend too much already. Now someone takes another avenue and you complain again. For those that are not aware, the students today have to do more reading than ever before to graduate. Granted many of our students are not self motivated to do that but those that are we better continue encouraging reading. This only happens if they can find something of interest and not something that is required. Until you walk the halls of any school today and see the challenges the students and teachers face you should keep your negative comments to yourself. For you retired “educators” I am awfully glad that my child would not have you as a teacher. Education has changed and we are no longer able to force kids to “read or else.” Wake up and get caught up on the state of “current education issues”. Thank goodness for retirement opportunities for those who ONLY had a JOB and did not care about students lives. Your check must have really made you feel good. Not only are teachers today educators, they are role models, friends and often times parents. So with that being said, congrats to the teacher that went out of the box to not only help students but to acknowledge that JHHS is not a bad place. Great job!
10/17/2012 at 6:42 pm |
Are you serious? Where did anyone say that the schools had spent too much? Nowhere, they said that they were tired of excuses, Students today should do more reading than ever before in order to keep up with ever changing technology and business they need to improve and as having taught in a Foreign Country, we are still light years behind in education, so I am fully aware of the learning curve in America.
Children in third world countries don’t make excuses, they walk for MILES and are happy to be able just to borrow a book for a day to read or a piece of a magazine. The Native American children scattered about on the reservations in America are another prime example, They don’t have cell phones, computers, cars or McDonalds. Caring about students lives is what teachers do, they teach, mentor but they should never ever try to make an excuse for a parent that is too absent from their role as a parent to teach their own children what it means to work for what they achieve.
May the parents that chose to take on their role as a parent, to teach their children all facets of becoming a productive citizen and to give back twice as much as they take have the children that will be the leaders of tomorrow. We don’t need another generation of “you owe because I am poor”.
10/18/2012 at 11:22 am |
Amen!!!!!
10/17/2012 at 7:11 pm |
Stephanie, don’t be discouraged by some of these comments. I applaud what you’re doing and understand your plight. My love of reading was fostered at Westons library and encouraged by my mother, who, when she could, would take us to the Parish library. We used the Bookmobile when it came and I had several favorites that I checked out over and over again. There’s nothing that can compare to an actual book held in the hands while your imagination travels around the world with the story. Nothing ever created on film can compare to the images that one can form while deep into a story. That said, retiredteacher 1 and 2. anonymous and the rest of you trolls who post on here anonymously, get off your invisible soapbox and stop being such naysaying cowards. Your choice of anonymity versus posting your real name proves one thing. You don’t have the guts to reply for fear of being stood up to. She simply asked for someone to donate some books due to the libraries lack of funding. You don’t have to walk or run for donations. You don’t have to involve physical labor. Simply purchasing a new book and donating it to the library is all it involves. The school library sometimes is the only option some students will have to read a new book. Your litany of excuses for why no one should help really shows your complete lack of character and compassion. I guess when your up every one else deserves to be down, huh? Grow up trolls and go pick on someone using your real name. I’ll bet you won’t be as brave when you do that. No keyboard and pseudonym to hide behind then. Kudos Steph and keep up the good work. I’ll be by there next Monday with some of my favorite authors and hope some more “real” people do the same.
10/18/2012 at 2:16 am |
A few things, Stefani, I dont know if you have had much interaction with sites that allow anonymous posting but trust me when I tell you it is not a good idea to put anything with your name on it on a site like this. You have been lucky so far that this has not went way off course and bad. I hope it doesnt, but trust me in the future save yourself from the pain that comes along with your name being on a site like this. It never turns out good. I have nothing but the upmost respect for you and Mrs. Jan is awesome and she is one heck of a good person, so I pray this slips through the “bashers” radar.
Secondly, “retired educator 3″, you beat me to it. People, you all act like Jonesboro is a third world country when you talk about poverty. Let me tell you this! There is no one that can tell me about poverty! We are a one income family, we have one car, and we eat supper every other night, and then it is usually a sandwich at best. Do we run around begging and making excuses? No, we survive! We do what we have to so that our lights stay on. I wish and pray we had it as good as some of these “poverty stricken children” you speak of. I know because I too see them on a day to day basis. Them being able to get to the library is not the problem. Like someone else said, if they wanted to go, they would! I have seen kids as young as 11 & 12 walk from Jody’s store, at one end of the town, all the way to southside because of a “function” they wanted to go to! Their family not having a car is not an excuse, and the one good thing, “THEY” dont make it one!
Truth is they dont want to go to the library, or they would.
I ask you this question, Have you ever went to the parish library, grab a book, and have a seat where you can see alot of the building. Dont read the book you are holding. Just make it appear that you are. Just sit there and watch. Then come back and tell me, HOW MANY KIDS WALKED IN AND ACTUALLY WALKED TO THE SHELVES WHERE THE BOOKS ACTUALLY ARE? NOW, IN COMPARISON, HOW MANY WENT AND SAT DOWN AT ONE OF THE COMPUTERS SO THAT THEY CAN “SURF THE WEB”?
Newsflash people, the majority of the kids that go to the library aint going for books! They go for free movies, cds, and internet use! I see the same poor kids you talk about walk, day in and day out, all over town. I have never once seen a kid walking around town saying, “Man, I wish I could get to the library!” If they wanted to go, they would go! They wanna go to football games, THEY GO! They wanna go to southside for events they have, THEY GO! IF they wanted to go to the library, THEY WOULD GO!
Its a matter of “day and age” not of “poverty”. I have seen families that I would describe as in poverty, but much to my surprise, nearly everyone in the house can, at the blink of an eye, whip a cell phone out of their pockets! This whole “they cant go to the library because they are poor” is the saddest attempt at justifing why kids dont go to the library I have ever heard.
Truth is, if they WANTED to go…
….they WOULD go, so that they could surf the net, not for a book! Make me wrong, do what I have done! Go, grab a book, pretend to read but instead, observe. Then come back and tell me how wrong I was.
10/18/2012 at 9:36 am |
I am amazed that so many people will post negative comments about a high school library wanting / needing books. Regardless of how close Jackson Parish Library may be to some of these students a high school … any school needs a good library for their students.
People will complain about poor education, then complain because someone asks that you consider donating some books that you have completed, or IF you are going to purchase some books for perosnal use to consider using a website that will benefit out local schools.
I wonder how many of these posters went to schools without a library. I would guess that each and every one had a library at their school, that was stocked with books, many of which came from private donations.
10/18/2012 at 6:57 pm |
A big THANK YOU to those of you who left positive notes and said nice things about Stefani and me. Both of us are educators because we love kids and want them to succeed in life. In the 40 years that I have been an educator/counselor, many things about kids’ and parents’ values have changed, but we as educators are still “responsible” for educating them and helping in any way we can. As a result of Stefani’s message. 20+ gently- used books have been donated by cheerful givers. THANKS!