Agenda Item
a. School Library Month – DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Library Media Specialist of the Year and Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Winner Recognitions
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Whitney McGinniss, Board Member - District 2,
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education proclaim the month of April as School Library Month in the DeKalb County School District and recognize the contribution of school libraries, their teacher-librarians/school librarians, and library support personnel to the teaching and learning process.
It is also requested that the Board of Education recognize the DCSD 2023 Library Media Specialist of the Year, Ms. Sarah Sansbury, teacher-librarian at Montclair Elementary School and recognize Lakeside HS as the first-place winner of the high school level of the 2023 Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Metro Regional competition and first-place winner of the 2023 Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl State competition and first-place winner of the 2023 Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl State competition.
Why: DeKalb County School District recognizes April as the month to celebrate school libraries, library personnel, and the Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl competition winners.
Details: School Library Month exists to:
Recognize the contribution of school libraries and their teacher-librarians to the individual growth and development of all students while fostering both excellence and equity in education;
Celebrate the unique learning environments and opportunities available to our students and communities through the work of school librarians and reading competition;
Promote intellectual freedom by providing materials to meet individual needs, varied interests, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds and maturity levels of students served; and
Encourage lifelong learning as developed through library media programs in our elementary and secondary schools.
Financial impact: None
Contact: Mrs. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0731
Dr. Lenisera Barnes-Bodison, Executive Director, Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0137
Ms. Lummie Baker, Director, Educational Media & Instructional Materials, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.2424
Effective: April 17, 2023
Status: Attorney approval not required.
P R O C L A M AT I O N
WHEREAS:
WHEREAS:
ATIIOONN
PPRROOCCLLAAMMAT School Library Month
April 2023 has been designated as the annual National School Library Month with the theme
Making Connections @ Your School Library ®; and
The teacher-librarians and library media assistants of DeKalb County have dedicated themselves
to work for quality library programs for all students; and
WHEREAS: The Board of Education has entrusted the teacher-librarian in each school to teach the skills of
locating and using information through traditional resources and new technologies, to provide
literature appreciation activities, and to guide and encourage content and recreational reading to
every student; and
WHEREAS: Library media centers promote intellectual freedom by providing materials to meet individual
needs, varied interests, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds and maturity levels of the students
served, while fostering both excellence and equity in education; and
WHEREAS: The DeKalb County School District recognizes Ms. Sarah Sansbury of Montclair Elementary
as Library Media Specialist of the Year (LMSOTY) 2023. Her leadership is evidenced by her
collaboration with teachers and community partners, integration of technology into instruction,
and celebration of student reading; and
WHEREAS: On Saturday, January 28, 2023, 61 elementary, middle and high school teams competed in the
24th annual DeKalb County School District’s Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl competition at Miller
Grove High School. Of the six first and second place teams who advanced to the Regional
competition, Lakeside High School advanced to the State competition and won the State
competition on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
THEREFORE: By this action, let it be known that the DeKalb County Board of Education does hereby proclaim
April 2023 as School Library Month in the public schools of DeKalb County and calls upon school
administrators, teachers, and citizens of DeKalb County to recognize and support this action
and to participate throughout the month of April in celebration of School Library Month. It is so
proclaimed and in official recognition whereof, we hereby affix our signatures, this 17th day of
April 2023.
Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Chair Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Vice Chair
Mr. Diijon DaCosta Sr., Board Chair Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Vice Chair
Mrs. Cheryl Watson-Harris, Superintendent
Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent