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An uncommon place (7 photos)

New concept for school libraries is catching on; St. Paul learning commons area is biggest of its kind at Sault elementary school level, officials say

Gone are the days when elementary school libraries were occupied by one class at a time during a school day, along with the constant ‘shushing’ of a librarian with horn-rimmed glasses.

Now, school libraries are increasingly becoming known as ‘learning commons,’ comfortable places for several classes at a time to read, do homework and even conduct science experiments while sitting on comfy furniture.

The concept is not new to Sault Ste. Marie schools, but Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) trustees were treated to a video presentation of what the St. Paul Catholic School Learning Commons has to offer at the board’s meeting Wednesday.

“The difference here with this school is that the administrators, the superintendent, the principal, the vice principal and myself, all made a commitment to making this the hub of the school, to bring the learning beyond the classrooms, beyond the library to one common place that is like the centre of a wheel that spokes out into the classroom…in an inviting and welcoming space,” said Roberta Chiarello, St. Paul system teacher librarian.

“Rather than students being in separate silos, it allows learning to happen in a larger, more open, more fluid area, and we can even have two or three classes in at the same time,” Chiarello told SooToday.

The St. Paul commons can accommodate about 80 students at a time, Chiarello estimated.

It’s the only one of its size at the elementary level in Sault Ste. Marie, the librarian said.

“It’s very comfortable, nothing bad goes on here,” said one St. Paul student.

“I enjoy coming here because I can come here during class time if my teacher allows me to, to work on projects…there’s so much space, you don’t really have to worry about not being able to sit somewhere,” another student said.

“Converting our library to a learning commons has been one of our major projects this year,” said Frank Guzzo, St. Paul vice principal.

School administrators first looked through the board’s furniture storage facilities for comfortable furniture to encourage students to work closer, together.  

Fundraisers, such as pasta lunches, were organized by the school’s council to raise money for purchases of different types of furniture.

Everybody has ‘bought in’ to the commons concept at St. Paul, Chiarello said.

“We have everybody learning together, we have teachers teaching students, students teaching teachers, working together and teaching each other.” 

Items used in the St. Paul commons were spread out on a table in the middle of the board room for administrators and trustees to view at Wednesday’s meeting, including books (of course), as well as Dash and Dot robots which can be programmed (as a catalyst for students to learn coding) and modern furniture, even drones.

“The books are always there, but now we have technology, comfortable furniture and a flexible, comfortable space,” Chiarello told the board.

The commons concept tends to build relationships between different types of students, Guzzo said.

“There are students who would shy away from intramurals like basketball who are in the commons along with kids who do play basketball, so it’s building relationships among kids that normally wouldn’t hang around with each other.”

“We’re looking at expanding to bring in younger students as well (having started off with Grades 7 and 8 students),” Chiarello said.

Commons time slots have to be booked ahead.

“It fills up quickly…there isn’t a whole lot of down time,” Guzzo said.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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