While the OPS Library Media Center may be quiet at the moment, our students and staff have been anything but!  Over the past month, we've been working together on a series of library assignments that have challenged the students to research ways to help save our oceans, try to break a Guinness "Try This At Home" World Record, and create a "Rube Goldberg Machine" designed to help us accomplish an everyday task, all while social distancing!  Phew!  Just thinking about it gets us tired, but not our students.  They jumped at the chance, and we'd like to share some of their work with you.

RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINES:
The students were tasked with brainstorming a design for a Rube Goldberg Machine using only items they had around the house.

Nolan's "Dog Feeder" Machine

Jacob's "Self-Making Lemonade" Machine

Owen's Dog Treat Machine

Luka's "Ice Cream Maker" Machine

Kathryn & Lea's "Rocket Launcher" Machine

Logan's "Feeding Time" Machine

Kaylin & Emily's "Marble Passing" Machine

Juan's "Toothpaster" Machine

Isabel's "Bell Ringer" Machine

Aarush's "Orange Server"

 TRY THIS AT HOME WORLD RECORDS:
The students were asked to describe a Guinness "Try This At Home" World Record they'd like to beat while "sheltering in place" at home.  Here are some of their attempts -

​Most M&Ms Eaten in 1 Minute Blindfolded Using Chopsticks - Record to Beat = 20 M&Ms
Lea's Attempt:

Most Trampoline Seat Drops in 1 Minute - Record to Beat = 59 seat drops
​Elizabeth's Attempt:

Most Socks Put On One Foot in 30 Seconds - Record to Beat = 28
Kathryn's Attempt:

Sean's Attempt:

Luka's Attempt:

Kathleen's Attempt:

Megan's Attempt:

Highest Jump Indoors - Record to Beat = 7 feet 11.6 inches
​Damon's Attempt:

SAVE OUR OCEANS POSTERS:
After listening to a read aloud of Kate Messner's book The Brilliant Deep our students were asked to research ways we can work to save the world's oceans.  Here are some of the students' posters:

Our Students: 
We are excited to kick off a new school year in the OPS Library Media Center by welcoming new students to our Oradell Public School community and getting reacquainted with all of our returning students.  It's always good to see new and old faces enjoying our OPS library.

New School Year, New Books:
We're thrilled to announce that we have over one hundred new books to share with our students beginning Monday, September 16th when we kick off our library borrowing for the year.  The new books include a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction titles ranging from biographies, natural sciences and history to realistic fiction, mysteries, and graphic novels.  We can't wait to share all of these new books with our entire OPS community.

Library Volunteers:
Are you interested in getting involved in our OPS school community?  Why not join our team of library volunteers?  It's a great way for parents and grandparents to get involved at OPS and interact one-on-one with students.  If you are interested please visit our OPS Library Volunteer Calendar to find out more about the program and sign up for available volunteer slots.  Please note that volunteers must complete a short thirty minute HIB (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying) training session prior to volunteering.  For more information please visit our OPS Library Volunteer Calendar or contact us directly in the library.

Reading Clubs:
On September 23rd we'll be kicking off another year of our OPS Library Reading Clubs.  These voluntary clubs are open to 1st - 6th grade students, and provide students with an opportunity to earn prizes for reading a wide variety of age-appropriate and award winning fiction and nonfiction literature.  Details for each club will be sent home with students the week of September 16th - 20th.  We will also be sharing information about the clubs with our students during their library class over the next week or so.  If you have any questions regarding the clubs please don't hesitate to contact Mrs. Lisa Santangelo.