Library Online Databases

In the past weeks. Library duty has continued, and I've continued to forget to go almost every other week. (sheepish face) I realised that I tend to miss duty on week 1, cuz I have a free period before my duty and just stay at the IB center until break (that's when I have my duty) ends. >.>

Other than that, we actually had a student librarian meeting thing on Wednesday after we were all required to complete a survey on the online resources (this organised by a few, in my opinion, unfortunate student librarians chosen for the task - EXTRA WORK!!)

I walked away from the meeting with the task of making a table of all the online resources I've bookmarked over the years. >.> Troublesome, and I am inclined to be selfish and want to keep them all to myself. >.> However, as has been proven in the past when I shared resources with my GCSE English class, I still enjoy sharing the wealth. I hope it actually helps, or I'll spend who knows how long bemoaning wasted effort...

Feedback has partnered with 50NFR. And is launching; at last.

New site design! Well. For a while now, considering as I haven't updated in a long time... Oh, and articles are lagging. Darn it, I keep getting ideas for articles but then not having the time to write them.

Anyway. Progress. Some time ago, when we met with Mrs. Curran (we still meet as a team weekly! :D), she pointed out a big flaw with our system of inviting new writers. We need to really formalise our writing guidelines along the lines of those of true journalistic publications, so that he articles we get are appropriate for a general audience, as that is our aim. Thus, we've developed a working model, which can be found here: http://feedback-sis.com/writing-guidelines/

Also, when we tried to launch a few weeks back, we were faced with some extra difficulties. First, there was the issue of sustainability. Quite a few student publications in the past have simply puttered out after the original group graduated. Secondly, there's another group, 50NFR, doing something similar too. It was suggested we partner with them, or merge.

After meeting with them twice, most recently this Thursday, we have come to an agreement. As our two groups have different aims in terms of what sort of publication our projects will be, including the target audience, will not be able to merge. However, Feedback will have a page dedicated to 50NFR where we will post a "Preview" of each successive 50NFR issue, while 50NFR will have a section of select Feedback articles chosen by their editors. Also, 50NFR readers will be able to go on Feedback to post comments on 50NFR articles. This will work to promote our respective publications to the other's readers.

Feedback launches next week. I believe it's something to be excited about.

Poetry Slam update

In the past few sessions, there have still not been any new members. Only Katrina, Sam, Audrey and me. Even when we put up a notice offering free food... D:

Audrey and I met with the English Department to sell the idea of the Poetry Slam. They said it was a good idea, and we left with the task of compiling a slideshow presentation of some sort to introduce the activity to students.

Here it is (or rather a cropped screenshot of the mac preview of it, since I still haven't figured out how to upload keynote files to blogger):

After that, still no new members.

We continued to run the activity. We continued to plan. The structure has been finalised.

(copied from doc):

SIS Poetry Slam

Name: Slam!
Annual Event.
Straight Finals, in anticipation of low rate of participation

If many people: Heats after school, OR just have scheduled auditions for each entrant at lunch times, depending on number of people who sign up.

Friday afternoon, April 1, in (preferably) Hall.
Split event into age-based sections: Senior Division (y10-13), Junior Division (y7-9)
Split into sections for cover performances and own compositions
Enforce rule of at least 1 person from each tutor group?

As the event gains prestige and competitors year by year, it can perhaps be allocated an evening, like the Winter and Spring concerts, school plays, Innovation, and International Evening.

Rules and Judging

• Split sections: cover performance and own poems?
• Any genre of poetry
• No props, costumes or musical instruments.
• 3 minutes (w/ 10-sec grace period) to read 1 poem. If the poet goes over time, points shall be deducted from the total score.
• Judged by 5 judges
• Judges give scores from 0 to 10 based on content and performance. 5 for content, 5 for performance.
• Lowest and highest scores dropped, middle 3 added to give a total out of 30.
• Audience encouraged to respond to the poets or the judges in any way they see fit. Gives the event a much more sport-like atmosphere and encourages more energy and enthusiasm. No poet is beyond critique; all are at the mercy of the audience.

Awards and Prizes

• Trophy and Certificate for Winner. Certificate for runner up. (Mr. Kane organise)
• Congratulated in a Whole School Assembly (ask Head Prefects after actual event)
• House Points

Raise Awareness

• The Feedback Blog (in the works)
• Bulletin notices (achieved - recycle)
• English classes (in the works)
• House Assemblies (Schweitzer achieved, )
• Whole School Assembly?
• Posters around school (From early-mid March?)
• Start an afterschool activity in term 2 (achieved - need more members)

Participation
CAS hours incentive. And as something to put into one's college app.

The word "poetry" tends to arouse a lot of bad feeling in SIS students. How can we overcome this?
-> Ask Mrs McKee to email House Captains to tell Houses to have min 1 participant from each tutor group

Posters (designed by Katrina) and a facebook group were used. (We need to put up more posters, actually.)

Now, the actual date of April 1 is drawing nearer. Looks gloomy...