In pre-COVID times, the library has been a popular spot before school, during lunch, and after school. Many students come to the library to work, collaborate on projects, find a quiet nook to read or decompress, draw, play games, use computers, and print. While we can't currently accommodate students in all the same ways we used to, we have worked hard to make books and virtual resources even more accessible than before.
Like most communities experiencing the losses of the pandemic, we have become increasingly aware of just how important it is to focus on mental health, and after grieving the loss of two members of our educational community to suicide in the last year, we are working hard to find creative ways to bring SEL resources and support to students on our campus.
With our student population of over 1,700 using the library in various ways, whether virtually or in person, I see various cross-sections of students outside the context of a specific class or content area. Our student community is amazing! They are motivated, resilient, creative, funny, kind, inquisitive, empathetic, and intelligent. I'm looking forward to seeing students fill the library space with their energy again soon!
My Project
Like most communities, our students and families are struggling under the weight of the pandemic, as well as grieving suicides in our district. It's become more clear than ever that we need to provide students with ample mental health resources. My main goal as a teacher-librarian is to provide as many resources in the library as possible, and I am specifically looking to update our mental health fiction and nonfiction. After providing students with quality reference eBooks on a variety of mental health topics, I have turned my focus to books to add to our collection.
I have selected novels and nonfiction that will provide affirmation, start conversations, provide support and resources, and contribute to the safe space of our library.
Through Penny Kittle's BookLove Foundation, I came across "Gracie's List," a powerful list of mental health awareness books curated in honor of 16 year old Gracie by her family, including award-winning YA novelist A.S. King. I used this list to build my own, and am hoping to bring these books to my library.
Not only will the books benefit students, but their very presence in the library will send the message that mental health is a priority, that no student is alone, and that the library is a safe place for compassionate conversations.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Sarginson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"CA","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":4,"name":"High School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/promoting-mental-health-in-the-library/5396701/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":999,"isEquityFocusV1":false,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Sarginson","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"732134447","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Chico","teachersOnPage":[3253816],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":5396701,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":73509,"schoolName":"Pleasant Valley High School","authorIds":{"3253816":{"owner":"Mrs. Sarginson","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[5396701],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3253816_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1528385289892","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":20677927,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":3253816,"schoolCounty":"Butte","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"CA","name":"California"}}
