April 10, 2013

Dear Principal Harris,

When it comes to famous words, We the People is certainly a phrase
known by many Americans. Do they know why those words were written? Do
they know how, where, when, or what affect those words had on the early years
of American history? The history teachers of Oak Knoll are charged with
teaching their students this information. After the spring benchmark, I had a
conversation with the history teachers and they confided in me that their most
challenging task is teaching the content and concepts for their New Nation Unit,
or SOL USI.7.
According to our schools report card, 95% of our students passed the
history SOLS. While teachers have had success with the overall pass rates for
our school, there is always room for improvement. The recent benchmark
showed that only 68.5% of Oak Knoll students answered questions relating to
this SOL strand correctly. Oak Knolls average is even slightly lower than the
county average of 72.6%. This was the lowest reporting category for OKMS 6th
grade history students. When I reflected upon the collection analysis and how
the library could support my fellow colleagues and the students we educate, I
realized that the library is not adequately prepared to assist the history
teachers with SOL USI.7. I am pleased to report that 10% of the items in our
collection are for Geography and History in the 900 division. The best match of
resources in our collection to USI.7 is those found in the 970s, or General
History of North America. However, closer introspection reveals that only 8 (all
books) of the 833 items in the 970s are connected to SOL USI.7. This is less
than one percent of the total Geography and History collection. While all eight
books are in good condition and the average age of the items is 2001, the
diversity and quantity of the collection is inadequate. The books are for
average readers with few illustrations or pictures, with no other technological or
learning modalities represented.
I would like to institute a new program of collaboration between the
library and the 6th grade history teachers. It is called We the Students and
Teachers of OKMS! The resources needed to execute this program will
specifically address the concerns I listed above regarding the inadequacies of
the librarys resources. At this time of the year, money allocated for the library
has been spent. I am writing to ask for additional funding of $261.45. With
careful research and using reliable reviews, I have found 12 relevant and
diverse resources. This special request would increase the number of items
supporting SOL USI.7 from 8 to 20! Furthermore, the learning modalities and
diverse needs of our students will be better represented. With this money, we
will add six new books (several are specifically for low-level and struggling
readers), two dvds, two e-books, one multi-media collection, and one
professional educator resource.
I will anxiously await your response regarding funds requested for the We
the Students and Teachers of OKMS program! As a former history teacher
myself, I know how frustrating it is to see a weakness in your students and to
feel that you dont have the resources you need to improve it. The best news
is, if the additional funds are approved, resources may be purchased
immediately. We will have time to implement them as teachers review for the
SOL test in May and of course, for many years to come. Finally, we have the

data, we found a need, and now we have time to make a difference. Thank you
Principal Harris for reading this request! I look forward to hearing from you
soon.
Sincerely,
Alicia I. LeRoux