EMS Learning Commons Procedures 2020-2021: Home

The Learning Commons' procedures for the 2020-2021 school year provide a safe, welcoming environment for students and staff.  Please be aware of the following operational changes and always reach out with any questions.

Scheduling Checkouts

We can accommodate one class at a time in the Learning Commons. To schedule your class for a visit, go to Room Booking System.  Select East Middle School and the block / time slot you wish to sign up for.  After being returned, books will be quarantined for three days before being re-shelved.  At this point, makerspace items and other shared materials will not be available. Shakopee Online students may check out books from the Learning Commons by visiting Print Book Pickup for Distance Learners.

Technology Support 

Call Pilar or Ahmed (Ext. 5100) first to make sure they are available, and then send one student at a time with a pass.  If no one answers the phone, help the student submit a Shakopee Web Help Desk ticket and a tech assistant will respond to the issue. Teachers should continue to use the Shakopee Web Help Desk for technology help. 

Study Hall Use of the Learning Commons

Study hall students are not allowed to work in the Learning Commons at this point but can visit for book checkout and tech support.  Study hall teachers can visit Room Booking System to check the current status of the Learning Commons.  You may also call Media Assistant Katie Patton at extension x4576 to ensure there is space, and then write a pass for your student.  

When a class is not signed up for the Learning Commons, we can accommodate up to two students from each study hall for book checkout (8 total students in the space, unless accompanied by staff member).  Please make sure to call Katie before sending students to ensure there is space.

Before and After School Use of the Learning Commons

Per building guidelines, students will be reporting directly to their first period class at the beginning of the day.  Students will not be allowed to hang out in the Learning Commons before or after school unless accompanied by a staff member.  For students who wish to check out books before school, teachers can call Media Assistant Katie Patton (x4576) to see if there is space in the Learning Commons (8 student capacity unless accompanied by staff member).  

Reader Advisory (Connecting Students with Great Books!)

Sandy Reishus and Katie Patton are happy to provide 1:1 help to students for finding a "just right" book that matches their interests or assignment needs.  Students can also request personalized recommendations from Sandy for print books, eBooks, and audiobooks by filling out the Request a Book Recommendation form.

For both IHD and Shakopee Online classes, Sandy can create online reading guides for both print books, ebooks, and audiobooks based on theme, genre, or a specific project. (Example 1, Example 2)

Research Instruction

If your classes are doing research, Sandy can put together a brief mini-lesson that shows how to use the best research tools for the project.  She can also put together research guides that you can link to your Canvas pages (example).