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SEES media center open house Friday
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South Effingham Elementary School Media Specialist Peggy Helmly and the SEES media program was recognized last spring by the Georgia Department of Education as a 2008 Exceptional Library Media Program.

Helmly, SEES Principal Cheryl Christain and Superintendent Randy Shearouse traveled to Atlanta to receive the award at the June 2008 State Board of Education meeting.

“It was a wonderful affirmation that not only are we doing things right in the South Effingham Elementary media center,” Helmly said, “but we’re also performing on the same level and better than our peers in the wealthier metro Atlanta schools.”

One of the award criteria was being able to prove a high level of quality and quantity of the services that the school’s media program provides its students, staff, parents and community. In response to this challenge, Helmly stated the following in her narrative:

“The South Effingham Elementary Media Center is the heart of our school. Not only is the media center physically located in the center of the school building, it is the center of activity for students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and community members alike.

“On any given school day, the South Effingham Elementary Media Center will host hundreds of patrons, including students, teachers, and parents who have come to check out books, browse the library collection, ask for advice, participate in instruction, hear a story, or use the equipment. It is home to the impromptu teacher meeting, the volunteer group gathering, the class research project, the college student/professor interview, and the small or individual tutoring session. After the school day is over, the media center is the gathering place for student research and multimedia project creation, professional learning opportunities, faculty meetings, parent guidance, and school clubs. What is even more important is that the South Effingham Media Center is at the heart of the instructional programs that take place at our school.

“Through the collaborative effort of the media specialist, administrators, the instructional supervisor, the counselor, support staff, teachers, parents, and students, the media center provides the books, materials, facility, and services that have contributed to the academic success the school has enjoyed over the past years.

“It is the hope and mission of the SEES media center to provide life not only to the SEES school community but to give life to the love of learning for many years to come.”

Drop by the SEES Media Center today between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.