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Learning About Library Resources at Waterloo Schools

One-on-one learning at West High's library aka The Space

Whether students are looking to relax with a good book or dive into an assignment, the library is full of resources to help Waterloo Schools students succeed. 

East High’s Technology Integration Specialist, Meghan Sullivan, and West High’s IMC Integrationist, Alyssa Bruecken, were full of helpful information about the high schools’ student programs, technology, and winter book recommendations. 

“Reading over winter break can give teens an important outlet from everyday stressors and keep their imaginations turning while school is out,” said Sullivan. 

Thankfully, all Waterloo Schools students have access to the online resource Discover Destiny which connects them with their school’s library catalog and downloadable e-books and audiobooks through MackinVIA. Sullivan says the system continues operating over winter break for students who are looking for digital reading material while school is out of session. 

Throughout the school year, teachers and students rely on several other applications found within Discover Destiny to research academic topics and learn from high-quality online research databases such as JSTOR, Britannica, The New York Times, and more. 

Bruecken says the opportunity to learn this research methodology helps students to prepare for their future academic pursuits and enables them to decipher the credibility of various sources. 

“Research helps students to develop inquiry skills and seek out answers in a variety of situations using a variety of sources,” said Bruecken. 

Additionally, for students who are looking to supplement their online research, Waterloo Schools partners with the Waterloo Public Library to assist students in obtaining local library cards. This partnership opens students up to a wide range of physical materials, as well as a much larger database of e-books and audiobooks through the app, Libby. 

This winter is full of exciting new books for students to dive into. For high school students, Sullivan, Bruecken, and their teams recommend the following books: 

E-Books 

  • Dear Evan Hansen, by Val Emmich
  • (Don’t) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health, by Kelly Jensen
  • Hey Kiddo, by Jarrett Krosoczka

Audio Books

  • All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds
  • All This Time, by Mikki Daughtry
  • The 57 Bus, by Dashka Slater

Physical Books for Check-Out 

  • A Thousand Pieces of You, by Claudia Gray 
  • Ace of Spades, by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
  • And We Rise, by Erica Martin 
  • Attention Hijacked: Using Mindfulness to Reclaim Your Brain, by Erica B. Marcus
  • Charm, by Tracy Wolff (book #5 in the Crave series) 
  • She Came to Slay: the life and times of Harriet Tubman, by Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Learning About Mental Health Resources with Autumn Scrage, LISW

According to school-based mental health therapist, Autumn Schrage, LISW, depression and anxiety are the two most commonly diagnosed mental health issues for adolescents and teens today. With the compounding effect of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic, she says the trend of comparison culture without the participation of in-person interaction has given rise to the increase of mental health issues across the country. 

“Comparison culture is where people are comparing themselves to other people their age,” said Schrage. “Often making them feel less than or that they are not living up to the same standards as other people their age.” Overall, she cites this as a key factor to the unrealistic expectations students often begin to hold for themselves, leading to significant distress and potential feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, poor sleep habits, and nervousness. 

While the effects of mental health issues can be trying to work through alone, there are support resources for both individuals and caregivers through school and community programs. Schrage’s first recommendation for a student who is experiencing mental health issues is to encourage them to share that information with a parent or caregiver. “If they would prefer to talk with a school staff member, I would recommend that they reach out to their guidance counselor or administrator,” said Schrage. “They can get them connected to a variety of different mental health services and resources.” Mental health therapy sessions are available to all Waterloo K-12 Schools students.

For individuals who are in an active crisis, Schrage recommends using the newly established 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This is a 24/7, free, and confidential service available to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, concerns with substance abuse, thoughts of suicide, or any other kind of emotional distress. Services can be accessed by calling or texting 9-8-8 or through live chat at www.988lifeline.org/chat. Either way, the person will be connected to a trained crisis counselor who will listen, assess their needs and concerns, provide support, and get them connected to appropriate resources in their area. It is important to note that the calling option is available in 250 languages whereas the texting and chatting options are only available in English. All of these options are available to those who are experiencing a mental health crisis or someone who is concerned for another. 

For parents who want to discuss mental health with their children, Schrage says it’s important to listen. “It is important to remain calm and listen non judgmentally. It is better to ask and be wrong than to not ask at all.”

While many discussions can lead to an open dialogue about ongoing mental health, if a child or teen reports having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, assess whether they are in immediate danger, and if so, seek emergency services right away. If there is not an immediate risk, encourage them to speak with a professional. 

Within the schools are Resource Navigators and other professional staff that can also assess students’ needs and provide them direction to the proper resources. “To receive mental health therapy services, a parent or guardian will need to provide consent for the child,” said Schrage. “If a student is 18 or older, they can consent to therapy services without a guardian’s permission.” 

Schrage notes that the pandemic has created immediate and lasting effects on the mental health of people of all ages. “Many young people and their families have been significantly impacted by the pandemic due to job loss, isolation, death of loved ones, loss of relationships, and health concerns.” She says that all of these factors can lead individuals to feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, grief, increased sadness, sleep disturbances, and/or increased anxiety. “Clinically, I have seen an increase in social anxiety with more students who are nervous about being in public places because they feel they do not have the social skills and friendship they once had.” 

While mental health issues continue trending upwards, thankfully mental health awareness and understanding are trending upwards with it. 

Autumn Schrage, LISW is a Lead School-Based Mental Health Therapist at Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center – Unity Point. 

Reading 20 Minutes a Day: The Impact of a Lifetime

Did you know that a child who begins reading with a loved one for only twenty minutes a day in kindergarten will hear approximately 1.8 million words a year? And then, if the child continues reading twenty minutes a day up to sixth grade, they will have collectively read for 851 hours! Just imagine how many worlds, experiences, and stories 1.8 million words can create. 

Children’s books such as Rainbow Fish, Oh the Places You’ll Go, and Stacey’s Extraordinary Words, inspire students at a young age to explore their imaginations and create excitement and kindness throughout their lives. Later on, young adult fiction stories like, You Should See Me in a Crown, Turtles all the Way Down, and Tuck Everlasting, give readers a resounding message of ‘You are not alone,’ in a time when young people need to hear it the most.

“Reading is relaxing,” commented Roxxane Kincaid, West High Library Clerk. “Books can take you into your own world and take you anywhere you want to go. With books, everyone can relate to their own experiences.” Edna Kovac, West High Student and Library Co-op Participant, agreed, adding, “Yes! I feel like reading helps calm me down when I’m stressed.”

In addition to helping teens and children learn more about the world around them, reading for twenty minutes a day is also shown to help improve reading skills as measured by the school’s standardized tests. 

Thankfully, our schools’ Media Specialists are ready to help our students each step of the way, finding books and authors that are relatable, informative, and geared toward students’ individual reading preferences. 

West High School: Edna Kovac, Sierra Meeks, Alyssa Bruecken, and Roxanne Kincaid

“Students look for books that reflect their experiences,” said Bruecken, Library Integrationist. 

 

East High School: Meghan Sullivan & Denise George

“Reading helps students feel more connected, less isolated, and more engaged,” commented Sullivan, Technology Integration Specialist

 

Bunger Middle School: Kristen Hinders

“Books can build trust and help kids open up through their individual interests,” shared Hinders, Technology Integration Specialist. 

 

Madison Heusinkvelt – Poyner Elementary 

“If we can make kids interested in being lifelong readers, then we are also helping them to become lifelong learners!” noted Heusinkvelt, Media Specialist. 

Whether it’s getting inspired with books about life experiences, enjoying graphic novels that share heartwarming stories, or re-reading old favorites before they make their big screen debut, we all read for a variety of reasons. Kincaid may have said it best, “Reading helps us all come together.” 

Grab and Go Free Curbside Meal Program

Our Grab & Go Free Curbside Meal program is still going and runs every Monday/Wednesday/Friday through Friday, August 14! The schedule is the same for this week then starting Monday, June 8 the ESC location will move to Kittrell Elementary due to our staff returning to work and using the ESC parking lot:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday:
9-10am      Cunningham, Kingsley, and Orange

10-11am    Kittrell, Highland
11am-12pm    Becker and Lou Henry

12-1pm    Irving, Lincoln, Poyner

Ends Friday (6/5) at this location 9am-12pm    Education Service Center, 1516 Washington St. (site for Lowell)

Athletic FAQ

Waterloo Schools Athletics
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


(UPDATED 5.14.2020)

 

 

Please note this information is based on the best knowledge we have at the present time. As more guidance is given and/or information is gained, we will update as necessary.

 

Q:  What is the current status of High School Summer Sports – Baseball and Softball?


-Summer Sports Dates Suspended – Message from IHSAA/IGHSAU May 8, 2020
The baseball and softball seasons are suspended and no practice nor competition start dates will be announced until Governor Reynolds and/or Dr. Lebo share their assessment regarding a safe return to school facilities and/or a safe date to resume activities.  We expect an update on that information June 1.

Please note that school facilities remain closed so it is not permissible to allow softball/baseball athletes to use school-owned batting cages or other athletic facilities, even if coaches are not present.

IHSAA and IGHSAU are working on safety protocol guidance to share if/when baseball and softball seasons begin.

 

Q:  What is the current status of High School Fall Sports?


-Fall Sports Dates –  Message from IHSAA/IGHSAU May 8, 2020
If school begins with classes on or prior to August 23 – all practice/competition start dates, as well as post-season dates will remain as currently scheduled.
If schools are not permitted to begin until after August 23, practice/competition start dates may be adjusted as needed.

8/10/20 – 1st Day of Practice Football, B/G Cross Country, Volleyball, Girls’ Swimming & Diving, Boys’ Golf
8/10/20 – 1st Day of Competition Boys’ Golf
8/24/20 – 1st Day of Competition B/G Cross Country, Volleyball, and Girls’ Swimming & Diving
8/27/20 – 1st Day of Competition Football

 

Q:  How will the High School Scholarship Rule and athletic eligibility be determined for fall 2020 sports?


Scholarship Rule – Governor’s Proclamation – May 6, 2020
The regulatory provisions of Iowa Administrative Code rule 281-36.15(2), the scholarship rule for interscholastic athletics, have been suspended by Governor Reynolds. For summer sports and the fall semester, all student athletes will be deemed academically eligible. This suspension addresses the inequities between voluntary and required districts, a variety of grading policies and the student-athletes with a failing grade from prior semesters who may not have had the opportunity to serve their thirty-day penalty period. 

All other provisions of the scholarship rule (turning 20-years-old, eight semesters already completed, practicing with college squads) remain in place and would lead to a student being declared ineligible.

Please note that the Districts Good Conduct Policy will remain in effect.

Q:  Will Spring 2020 student-athletes be able to earn a Varsity Letter?
–Waterloo Schools Spring Sports Lettering Criteria

  1.       Any senior that went out for (Track & Field) or intended to/signed up for a spring sport will receive a 2020 letter in that sport.
  2.       Any other underclass person who lettered in the 2019 spring season and was out for (Track & Field) or intended to/signed up for that same spring sport that they lettered in during the 2019 spring season will receive a 2020 letter.
  3.       Any underclass person that didn’t earn a letter in the 2020 spring season and then earns a letter in the 2021 spring season will retroactively earn a letter for the 2020 season in that same sport.

Please note that this Lettering Criteria will apply to summer baseball and softball if those sports are not able to take place this summer.

 

Q:  What is the status of summer off-season training, camps and practices?
-When Governor Reynolds and/or Dr. Lebo share their assessment regarding a safe return to school facilities and/or a safe date to resume activities, we will begin summer training opportunities as permitted by guidance and policy. We expect an update on that information June 1, 2020.

 

 

 

 

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