Thursday, June 9, 2016

TEDxDePereMiddleSchool videos now available!


A few weeks ago, on May 27, I was able to participate in one of the most amazing experiences of my professional career. Thanks to the brilliance of my coworker, Josh Gauthier, De Pere Middle School hosted its first ever TEDx event- TEDxDePereMiddleSchool. During our event, 20 selected students and five community members gave the talks of their lives from our very own stage in the LMC based on the theme "my unique contribution to the world." TEDxDePereMiddleSchool was a day filled with so many highs as these students amazed me with the passion behind each of their messages. The variety of topics- everything from girls in stem to redefining the word "nerd"- showed not only that middle school students care deeply about the community and world in which they live, but it also showcased the great heights our students can achieve when we push them to discuss subjects that engage them.

If you were not able to view our event via our livestream link, you can still view all of our student and community talks on YouTube. I hope that you will be just as inspired by them as those of us who were physically in the audience.

While preparing for this event was a huge endeavor, it was worth every extra minute spent planning, coaching students, and organizing the day. Our students got to be the stars, and as an educator, nothing could have made me prouder.

Friday, June 3, 2016

What should I read this summer?

Summer vacation is almost here! In three short (school) days, we will all be free to relax. sleep, and enjoy the leisure activities that we do not have time for during the busy school year. For me that means tons of reading! If you are like me, you may be looking for some book suggestions to fill that precious relaxation time. Lucky for you, there were so many great books published in the past year. While I may not yet have had time to read them all, I have plenty of fun summer reads to suggest to fill any downtime that you may have!

In the presentation below, you will find not only great summer reading suggestions, but also information on how to download ebooks and audiobooks 24/7 from Overdrive and Follett Shelf, more about the Brown County Library's summer reading program, and a link to SYNC's free audiobook program. I hope that you will take advantage of these great opportunities!



I would love to hear your summer reading suggestions as well as learn more about what you are reading this summer. Leave a comment below or send me an email at dyoung@depere.k12.wi.us. 

Have a great summer and happy reading!

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Get ready for Battle of the Books 2017!

Summer is the perfect time to begin preparing for next year's Battle of the Books competition! The official list has been published, and there are some exciting titles just waiting to be read. Here are the books that have been selected for the 2016-17 school year by the Wisconsin Media and Technology Association:


  1. Alabama Moon by Watt Key
  2. Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
  3. Auggie and Me: Three Wonder Stories by R.J. Palacio (GA Intermediate)
  4. Booked by Kwame Alexander (GA Middle/Junior High)
  5. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Reader’s Edition) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
  6. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
  7. Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan (Newbery Honor)
  8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
  9. Heat by Mike Lupica
  10. House Arrest by K. A. Holt (GA Middle/Junior High)
  11. Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
  12. Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
  13. A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen
  14. Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
  15. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse ( Newbery)
  16. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson (Newbery Honor)
  17. The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
  18. Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana (GA Middle/Junior High)
  19. Untwine by Edwidge Danticat (GA Middle/Junior High)
  20. The War That Saved My Life - Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Newbery Honor)

Most of the titles can also be checked out electronically through Overdrive. A collection of available BOB titles has been added to the bottom of the Overdrive homepage.


Get a jump start on the competition this summer and read, read, read!

Need books this summer? Don't forget Overdrive!

Are you looking for some great free reads this summer? Do you have a device and want to access books 24/7 from the comfort of your home? Look no further than Overdrive!

You can access our DPMS Overdrive collection from our LMC online resources page.  Enter your student ID number to browse hundreds of ebooks and audiobooks.


Books can be read on any device using the Overdrive app or in your web browser using an Internet-linked device.

Between June 1-30 only: Overdrive provides free access to eight titles through their Overdrive Summer Read program.  You can find these titles listed at the top of our digital library homepage after signing in. Act fast! These titles will no longer be available after June 30.


If you have not yet given Overdrive a try, take some time to explore it this summer. Your library is right at your fingertips without ever having to leave the house!