OBOB communication to participants


Sent May 11th, 2012:

For the 2012-13 school year, the Oregon Battle of the Books Committee seeks qualified and willing volunteers for the position of Question Coordinator. This position is imperative in basic operations of OBOB and can be shared by two people. Question Coordinator(s) support the grade level division question managers, create templates and guidelines, read most of the OBOB books for working knowlege of the titles, create timelines and question cards, and most importantly: distribute questions (by email) to schools and other competitions. Additionally, the question coordinators should have comfort using: Word, Excel, Google Docs, etc. After six years of tremendous growth and success, Oregon Battle of the Books is in a time of transition, and the ongoing viability of the program is dependent on the willingness of individuals in the school-library and greater library communities to step forward and assume leadership/coordination roles. Interested individuals must fall into one of the following categories: professional librarian, teacher-librarian, library media specialist, library media assistant, certified teacher, retired librarian, retired library media assistant, retired teacher. If you are interested or have questions about OBOB or these positions, please contact outgoing OBOB chair Debbie Alvarez at oboblsta@gmail.com.The three chairperson positions have been filled. Thank you to Elke Bruton (Chair 1), Lauren Smith (Chair Elect) and Carson Mischel (Chair 2) for agreeing to manage our wonderful program. Communication will continue at this email address and webpage will continue on the OBOB WIKI.

Details on chairperson position:  

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yp-XE4F0E4QkZUGXZSYai53ApMY1yGRFAehIF3ceNlg/edit

 

Details on the Question Management position:

 

Question Coordinator:

Communicate with Division Managers.

Create Templates & Guidelines

Refer writers to Division Managers. 

Create Timelines. 

Create Question Cards

Distribute Question Cards to schools  & other competitions.

Sent April 29th, 2012:

This will be one of my final emails to all 2011-2012 OBOB participants. 

Congratulations to everyone who participated at OBOB Regional and State levels. Results of competitions are here: 

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/51676903/2012%20OBOB%20Regional%20and%20State%20Results

 

OBOB Titles have been selected for 2013! Here is the link to title information (some documents might be edited, titles are now officially selected and will not be changed.) If there is a concern with a title selected, please remember that this is an optional program and that a school is welcome to not include a book if that is necessary in their community.

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/53190401/OBOB%20TITLES%202013

 

OBOB Registration and Grant Applications for 2012-2013 will be available in late August, no earlier.

  

OBOB Future: I've volunteered as the OBOB Chairperson for 6 years. I now am taking a wonderful job opportunity and my family is moving to Hong Kong. I will work as a teacher librarian at an International school in Hong Kong. Although I'm excited about the future, I am concerned about OBOB. I will no longer continue as the OBOB Chairperson. We need people to seriously consider the following: 

For the 2012-13 school year, the Oregon Battle of the Books Committee seeks qualified and willing volunteers for the positions of chair-elect (three-year commitment), co-chair 1 (two-year commitment), and co-chair 2 (one-year commitment). Please see attached for a detailed description of responsibilities of each position. After six years of tremendous growth and success, Oregon Battle of the Books is in a time of transition, and the ongoing viability of the program is dependent on the willingness of individuals in the school-library and greater library communities to step forward and assume leadership/coordination roles. Interested individuals must fall into one of the following categories: professional librarian, teacher-librarian, library media specialist, library media assistant, certified teacher, retired librarian, retired library media assistant, retired teacher. If you are interested or have questions about OBOB or these positions, please contact outgoing OBOB chair Debbie Alvarez at oboblsta@gmail.com

Details on chairperson position:   

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yp-XE4F0E4QkZUGXZSYai53ApMY1yGRFAehIF3ceNlg/edit 

Thank you for your participation in 2011-2012.  

Debbie Alvarez, Outgoing OBOB Chair

 

Sent April 3rd, 2012:

Hello OBOB Participants!

Thank you so much for all your support, enthusiasm, and book celebrations this year. Thank you to the OBOB Regional managers who completed running them! Congratulations to all the teams who participated in Regionals this year. Hopefully, students and school participants can reflect back on the celebration of books and teamwork, that is our goal when running the program. We presently have a partial OBOB list of books selected for your promotion and use: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/50087518/2013%20Initial%20OBOB%20Titles
Additionally, the OBOB Executive Committee is meeting at the end of April and selecting new titles, if you wish to provide feedback for initial titles OR titles under nomination (there are new titles there since ORCA and BCCCA titles were nominated for 2013) please follow through on communicating your thoughts on these comment forms - especially instead of emailing me, much appreciated- comments will be reviewed and discussed:

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202012-2013

OBOB State 2012 update: VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED PLEASE: We need high school & adult volunteers on Saturday, April 14, 2012 for the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) State Tournament @ Chemeketa Community College. Contact Christy Sander sander_christy@silverfalls.k12.or.us
2012 State Competition information is here:  http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653627/OBOB%20Regional%20and%20State%20Updates

OBOB FUTURE: There are numerous key participant OBOB Executive Committee positions opening for 2012-2013, including my position as the OBOB Chair. The OBOB Committee will put together job summaries and be adjusting how OBOB job positions responsibilities are distributed. IF YOU ARE WILLING to help keep OBOB running next year, this is an essential time to speak up and volunteer your time. Thank you very much- PLEASE THIS IS THE CALL OUT FOR HELP, if you have participated in OBOB for years, thank you for doing so, we now need more participants stepping up to key management positions. If you are interested, please fill out this QUICK survey form below. Thank you! Thank you everyone for your time, it is appreciated! Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

Volunteer form link: 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGJWbm91R0ZBUi1Td2FGSUJ6VzNtYXc6MQ

 

 

Sent January 10th, 2012:

Hello OBOB Registered Participants, there are a few schools that still are finishing OBOB registration payment, but for the most part we are almost complete on registration.  This means that almost every school has received their OBOB Questions.

THANK YOU to Judy Kulluson and Angela Lattin- OBOB's Question Committee Co-Chairs.  They managed all our wonderful OBOB volunteer question writers and editors and additionally patiently have distributed an incredible set of questions, helpfully numbered and well organized for our use this year.  Hopefully, your school is celebrating books with preparation and battles.  Anyone having feedback or questions for the question distribution team, PLEASE use this form to communicate your needs, thanks:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?pli=1&formkey=dGVCSmh4dk1ra0d1OS1xSVRVYThndkE6MQ#gid=0

Have you heard from your Regional Manager yet?  I know this is a busy time, but please reply to your regional manager if they ask for information from you, it will be quite appreciated.  http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653627/OBOB%20Regional%20and%20State%20Updates

The OBOB State Executive Committee will be meeting quite soon to select a partial list of books for 2012-2013.  This means that if you have opinions on the books, please share them immediately.  Here is the link where you can provide your feedback:http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202012-2013

For those newer to this OBOB emailing, please refer to the Archived news postings as there were necessary pieces of information shared in past months since June.  I've tried to be as consistent and clear as possible.  Additionally, I tried to also answer questions and concerns in an efficient manner.  I appreciate your respect of communicating your questions, concerns, and needs through this email address.  http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/30385984/OBOB%20communication%20to%20participants
I have one note from an OBOB participant who ran an unofficial OBOB practice question creation/distribution this year: The first attempt at sharing the task of writing practice questions have been very successful.  The elem. questions are done; we have just one or two books needing questions written for the upper levels.  If you participated and didn't yet receive your practice questions by email, please contact Mary at livermore_m@4j.lane.edu.  Let's do this sharing again next year!
 
Wishing you a wonderful celebration of books as you manage your local battles.
Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

 

Sent December 16th, 2011:

Happy Holidays everyone!

1.  Hopefully you received your questions yesterday from Judy Kulluson and Angela Lattin (OBOB Question Committee Co-Chairs), thank you to the OBOB Question team for volunteering your hours reading, writing 80+ questions per book, editing, and organizing for everyone across the state!
2.  Please remember that the OBOB Team is looking for YOUR feedback for the titles we're reviewing for 2012-2013 school year.  Please go to this page and review the PDF book lists and enter your nomination feedback as well.

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202012-20132013 Grades 3-5 Oregon Battle of the Books Title Nomination Feedback:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHpGMjZ4UnJhcVlrenFTZW5uWFJycnc6MA

2013 Grades 6-8 Oregon Battle of the Books Title Nomination Feedback:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHo0S1ZzWXVFdVI0MU5pLVJ6THJuaGc6MA

 

 2013 Grades 9-12 Oregon Battle of the Books Title Nomination Feedback:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dC1hZURiY0hfRmVISndjeFZvcG85ZGc6MA

3.  Not official OBOB Business but communication:

The first attempt at sharing the task of writing practice questions have been very successful.  The elem. questions are done; we have just one or two books needing questions written for the upper levels.  If you participated and didn't yet receive your practice questions by email, please contact Mary at livermore_m@4j.lane.edu.  Let's do this sharing again next year!

 
4.  If you didn't receive your questions, perhaps you haven't paid your school fee yet:

 

not paid yet
 
Bend Senior High
Buckingham
Catlin Gabel School
Gordon Russell MS
Harrison Elementary
Miller Elementary  (Salem)  (check sent)
Rosemont Ridge Middle School
Sherwood Charter
Westview High School


Have a wonderful holiday break everyone,Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

 

Sent November 30th, 2011

Hello OBOB Participants.  

Thank you for investing your time and celebrating books with your students and community with OBOB.
Welcome to newly registered schools receiving an email from me for the first time!  I advise that you review my "OBOB Communication to participants page":

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/30385984/OBOB%20communication%20to%20participants

This email confirms that presently you are registered with OBOB.  Please look below to see if you are on the "need to pay" school list.  You are completely registered if your name is not on the list below.  The overall OBOB participant list is available (sorted by school name) through this link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuUWg1tKqTyLdDVPMXhlTnBkNXdoSldaYmJ5MTNUX1E#gid=0

OBOB Registration is closed for 2011-2012 school year.  We have 370 schools participating this year in OBOB.
OBOB Regional managers have been waiting for registration to close before beginning their communications with your school.  Please do not email if you haven't heard from your manager yet.  They will likely email before the end of December or early January.  *For clarification on which Regional your school is participating in, please read the very bottom of this email, thanks.*  For Regional/State Competition information presently available, please refer to the OBOB webpage with this information: 
http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653627/OBOB%20Regional%20and%20State%20Updates

School level questions will be distributed only to paid schools and will occur soon.

 

A few people around the state have been emailing me their OBOB questions and concerns to my work email address. Please don't do this.  I prefer to address all questions through this OBOB email address.  Since being the OBOB Manager is a volunteer job that I do on my own personal time, having OBOB emails at my full time job is distracting and additionally may be overlooked.  Thank you for respecting this request.


Thank you for your participation, I'm excited to "officially" be done with the school registration stage so that OBOB volunteers can now completely focus on question management, regional/state competition planning, OBOB 2012-2013 title selection and various other responsibilities.  


Have you provided your input about titles nominated for OBOB 2012-2013 lists that the OBOB committee is reviewing?  Our policy is that we review all comments at our next meeting in January and we do value and reflect on what is shared.  Scroll down on this page link to find the PDF list of books that were nominated and additionally the form we are using for title feedback.  Do not email personal comments to me, the form on the following page link is the proper way we will accept the feedback: 

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202012-2013

Thank you again, Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chairperson

 

Here are schools that need to still take care of their payments so they can receive the OBOB local questions:

Please do not to pay for overnight shipping. If your school payment needs to be mailed, follow the procedure of sending the check with the paperwork through normal mailing.

Follow the procedure explained through this link please:

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/39166482/2011-2012%20Participant%20and%20Grant%20Registration

Online registration but haven't paid yet:
 
Bend Senior High
Catlin Gabel School
Central Elementary School  (La Grande)
Creative Science School
Dexter McCarty MS
East Sylvan Middle School
Gladiola
Gordon Russell MS
Gray MS
Harrison Elementary
Hayhurst
Heritage Elementary
Kinnaman Elementary
Laurel Elementary
Miller Elementary  (Salem)
Newby Elementary School
Rosemont Ridge Middle School
Sherwood Charter
Stafford Primary
Terretorial Elementary
Westview High School
Whiteaker MS

 


These are the incomplete payments due to no OASL member.  (Need to send $25 in.)

INCOMPLETE PAYMENTS
Evergreen MS
Juniper Elementary
Rogue River Elem

 

 

Schools paid but not online yet:
La Creole MS
Lee MS
Oak Grove Elementary
Patton MS


Region Clarification, don't know which OBOB region you are in?  Check your registration to see which region you registered in!  Also, see below the counties for each Region:

Registered school list (which includes your school registration information (sorted by School Name)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuUWg1tKqTyLdDVPMXhlTnBkNXdoSldaYmJ5MTNUX1E#gid=0 

 Region 1: Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Washington
 Region 2: Benton, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Yamhill
 Region 3 North: Lane County
 Region 3 South: Coos, Douglas
 Region 4: Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, Sherman, Wasco
 Region 5: Curry, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake
 Region 6: Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa
 Region 7: Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Wheeler

 

 

Sent November 17th, 2011

Hello OBOB Participants!

For those wondering, local questions for you to use in your school battles will be distributed mid-December.  Also, if you haven't paid your registration fee (see below) then you don't receive questions.  Payments are due by November 30th.  Also, registration for OBOB closes on November 30th.
Registration information page: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653630/Participants%20and%20Grant%20Recipients
Interested in OBOB title selection for 2013?  Here is your opportunity to provide feedback for title selection, go to the forms below- they include all titles nominated by grade level and you fill out the form.  Also, please remember that as an OBOB Committee we have an agreement that we will have at least three people read each book selected for the OBOB booklists and also that with 3rd-5th grade division we have a balance to appeal to all three grade levels (as we do with all 3 divisions).  Here is our statement we will include with the annotated booklist for families and facilitators to reflect on when reviewing the book list:

Oregon Battle of the Books Division 1 is open to third, fourth and fifth grade students. However, the titles are selected with the reading level and maturity of fourth and fifth graders in mind. You may feel that the content and/or theme of one or two of these titles are inappropriate for your child. We recommend that you read and discuss these books with your child. A book that stretches a child’s thinking is a great opportunity to discuss world events and your family’s values.

 

2013 Grades 3-5 Oregon Battle of the Books Title Nomination Feedback:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHpGMjZ4UnJhcVlrenFTZW5uWFJycnc6MA

 

2013 Grades 6-8 Oregon Battle of the Books Title Nomination Feedback:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHo0S1ZzWXVFdVI0MU5pLVJ6THJuaGc6MA

 

2013 Grades 9-12 Oregon Battle of the Books Title Nomination Feedback:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dC1hZURiY0hfRmVISndjeFZvcG85ZGc6MA

Thank you for your OBOB Participation!
Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair
Registration/payment information update will be online and also here:

 

Update on school participation payments for OBOB as of 11/16/11:

These schools are incomplete in payment and owe another $25.00

Isaac Newton Magnet
Juniper Elementary
Riverdale Grade School


These schools are registered online but have not paid anything.

 
Athey Creek MS
Camas Valley
 
Central Elementary School
 
Clear Creek Middle School
 
Columbus Elementary
Condon School District
Dexter McCarty MS
 
Evergreen Middle School
Gordon Russell MS
Grandhaven Elementary
Harrison Elementary
Irvington
Kelly MS
Kinnaman Elementary
Lee Elementary School
Lenox Elementary School
M.A. Lynch
Newby Elementary School
 
Ponderosa Elementary
 
Rogue River Elementary
Scappoose High School
Sherwood Charter
South Middle School
St. Agatha
Stafford Primary
 
 
Toledo Elem
Willamette Primary
William Miller


These schools have paid but are not registered online.

Central Elem (Albany)
La Creole MS
Lincoln Street School
Maupin Elem
Patton MS

 

 

 

Sent October 17th, 2011

Welcome new OBOB participants!  This is your "official" letter stating that you are registered.  Reminder to all, OBOB registration fees are due by November 30th.  Check if your school's registration is paid here:  http://goo.gl/WPlO5
Past communications with OBOB School Participants: http://goo.gl/rMP9X


Suggestions:  Review/download OBOB Rules/Procedures and Handbook: http://goo.gl/RwX0x

Also, use the OBOB suggested timeline resource to guide yourselves through the year:http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653629/OBOB%20Resources 
 

 

Nominate books:  This is your chance to have your voice shared.  Deadline is November 1st. Nominate titles for 2012-2013 NOW:   http://goo.gl/xchIH

 

If you have any comments, accolades, or concerns about 2011-2012 OBOB Titles, please provide feedback ASAP for OBOB team discussion:  http://goo.gl/PKdGA

 

Thank you for your participation and support, as always, I highly suggest that you join the OBOB Wiki and receive email updates since there are various updates that occur throughout the month including new resources added throughout the months: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653620/FrontPage

Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

Sent October 5th, 2011

 

Hello everyone, welcome to OBOB to new participants!  I will be emailing monthly with important notes for the month:
My name is Debbie Alvarez, I am the volunteer OBOB Chairperson.  I respond to questions as I have answers and time to do so.     Thanks, Debbie
1.  Past communications with OBOB School Participants: http://goo.gl/rMP9X
2.  Spreadsheet of participant registration information: http://goo.gl/sN7JS
** This has the updated list for participants who have paid, presently, many schools need to pay their registration fee by 11/30.  Alphabetized by school name.  Address for payments and form to include with payments on the OBOB webpage: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/39166482/2011-2012%20Participant%20and%20Grant%20Registration
3.  Nominate titles for 2012-2013 NOW:   http://goo.gl/xchIH
4.  Take advantage of your resources:  http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653620/FrontPage
5.  OBOB will be distributing bookmarks, posters, and handbooks to attendees of the OASL Conference at Seaside, Saturday, October 15th.  Please ask your friends to pick up your resources.  Last year I managed mailing over 100 envelopes to schools which was costly.  I might ask some OASL Region Representatives to also take some of the resources with them for distribution.
6.  Title feedback for 2011-2012 accolades/concerns should be submitted to this address:  http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/44438620/OBOB%20Selected%20Title%20Feedback
7.  Resources from state library for students who qualify: http://www.tbabs.org/OSL/TBABS/or_bob.shtml
8.  Regions 2 and 4 both need volunteer Regional managers, Locations, and dates selected.  If you are in the region and willing to help manage a location/Regional, we need your help.  We will provide support and resources for those volunteers/locations.  Thank you.
9.  Interested in sharing/creating practice questions?  Mary Livermore, livermore_m@4j.lane.edu - Library Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator at South Eugene High School is stepping up to manage practice question creation.  Please email her with your interest (not me- Debbie Alvarez) livermore_m@4j.lane.edu

Dear OBOBbers,  It's that time of year:  time to start to think about writing practice OBOB questions.  Are you interested in sharing the task?  Instead of multiple regions reinventing the wheel, I propose we work together.  I'm willing to organize the task for all three levels (elem., middle, high), if you're willing to write eight to ten questions for one or two books.  Everyone who's willing to chip in to write questions can share in the bounty.
If you'd like to share the task of writing practice OBOB questions, please drop me a note with "OBOB Practice Questions" in the subject line.  Let me know your first three or four choices for titles.  To those interested, I'll send guidelines on formatting and question writing.  
Happy (Almost) Fall, Mary Livermore, Library Specialist & Volunteer Coordinator: livermore_m@4j.lane.edu               

 

Sent September 10th, 2011

Hello Registered OBOB Schools!

 Welcome back to a new school year.

 Updates for you:

 The OBOB  webpage has updated Handbook and Rules/Procedures for 2011-2012.http://oboblsta.pbworks.com

News items for you presently:

 1.  OBOB Titles- some might be concerned with books that have been republished and titles changed.  The expectation is that title/author listed on the OBOB bookmarks will be the requirement for students to provide for the battles.

 2.  All regions are guaranteed at least one team at state per grade level division.  The additional teams representing regions at state will be determined in January.

 3.  Repeating message sent from last year, OBOB will not provide district questions any more.  Therefore, if your district wishes to use OBOB questions, you must immediately identify District question sets when you receive questions in December/early January.

4.  Please review Handbook/Rules and Procedures.  Clarifications and a few changes came in: Tiebreakers, question procedure, and Challenges.   http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653621/Handbook%20and%20Rules-Procedures

5.  New school?  Just beginning?  Please refer to the OBOB Handbook for some suggestions and additionally go to this Resources page for Timeline ideas: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653629/OBOB%20Resources

6.  Some people from the 3rd-5th grade division found this Livebinder useful for preparation, remember, if you create something, please share it on the OBOB Wiki page!:   Resources, summaries, links for each 3rd-5th grade book:LiveBinders created by Beth Essex: http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=118197 

Other important notes:

I'd like to encourage anyone who is interested to please register yourselves as a writer on the OBOB Webpage- it is a WIKI which can be written on by anyone registered.  The benefit is that if there are new updates, you've receive an email alerting you to such.  Recently I updated the book resources and participant page.  The sources posted were shared by OBOB Members and volunteered to share with the whole group.  Last month, the OBOB Team met and we edited the Handbook and the Policy and Procedures files.  Those edited documents are posted.  The information about regionals and regional managers is also posted on the webpage.  If you create something you think other schools would benefit from using, please add it to the page!

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/

The OASL Fall Conference will be occurring quite soon.  OBOB will be distributing bookmarks and posters in conjunction with the OASL table this year.  Additionally we will present during a Saturday session.  We hope that registered schools interested in picking up bookmarks/posters will have someone pick up their resource for them, thank you.  OASL Conference information (it is a terrific conference, please attend)  https://sites.google.com/site/oasl2011seaside/

 We are very grateful to receive an ongoing LSTA Continuing grant which will help support some of our basic operational costs.  Your participation fee supports the rest and is part of the reason we received the continuing grant.

Book Recommendations for 2012-2013- link will be emailed to you soon for your recommendations.  There will be a nomination limit of 4 titles per division per person.  Start generating your title list now!  Recommendations are welcome from teachers and librarians.  Suggestions from authors or publishers are not accepted.  More information will come soon.  

We look forward to accommodating needs for this 2011-2012 year.  Please remember, this is a volunteer run program, we try to accommodate and answer questions as efficiently as we are able. Thank you for your participation, Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair


 

Sent June 14th, 2011

Hello OBOB 2011-2012 Participants,

 42 school grant recipients were selected to receive two sets of books for one grade level division which will be distributed to schools in mid-September.  

List of recipients here: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653630/Participants-and-Grant-Recipients

 


OBOB hopes to distribute more grants in the fall- would be in mid-October but this depends on funding possibilities currently being investigated.


There will be bookmarks and posters purchased for participants and distributed at the Fall OASL Conference and also sent on to schools by request in the fall.


There were a few questions about the 6-8 grade Division titles- here is quick clarification:  In regards to:  Kingdom Keepers- we selected book one only.  Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo- republished as The Gateway, OBOB team will discuss in August about naming adjustments, as it stands, these are listed on bookmarks: Kingdom Keepers  by Ridley Pearson  Fantasy   and    Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye   Fantasy   


Wishing everyone a wonderful summer, happy reading and preparation.-Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

Sent May 4th, 2011

Hello OBOB 2010-2011 Participants!  I will be emailing this group only a few more times since I am starting up the new 2011-2012 participant group soon.

The OBOB titles for 2011-2012 are now released and resources will be posted on the webpage as they are available.  Please go to:

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653620/FrontPage

Then refer to the Book Resources link!  Additionally on the OBOB Webpage, there is the 2011-2012 Registration/Grant Application ready for schools to fill out!
Have a wonderful May,
Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

 

Sent April 4th, 2011

Hello OBOB Participants!  We're nearing our OBOB 2011 State Tournament time- congratulations to those attending at Chemeketa Community College on Saturday, April 16th!

Thank you for filling out the survey form for OBOB in addition to all the other work you've done this year!
If you meant to but forgot, here is the link: 

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHg2UFVHOHhZbnJGb01JMDRaWFBZb2c6MA

Also, for those advocating for school libraries around the state, author Rosanne Parry created this letter after speaking at a Beaverton School District Budget Listening Session. I thought it was quite eloquent providing another point of view about what Library Media Specialists have as a job.
It is nice to know that our Oregon Battle of the Books program can support a local author (who wrote such a wonderful book on our 6th-8th grade list for this 2010-2011 year) is a profound way. 
We will be selecting new OBOB titles for the 2011-2012 year and sharing them soon after our OBOB Board meeting on April 30th.  This is your LAST CHANCE to communicate if you have any comments about the possible titles.  We also are considering titles from the ORCA lists that were just released: http://www.olaweb.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=109508 (Notice that some of the ORCA books are already on the OBOB initial title lists!) -Here are the OBOB initial lists and also a link for comments on titles: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202011-2012
Take care all, Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

Sent March 15th, 2011

Hello OBOB 2010-2011 Participants!

Thank you for all of your energy and support celebrating Oregon Battle of the Books and literacy with your students and community.  OBOB Regionals are now complete!  Congratulations to all teams who participated at Regionals!  Additionally, congratulations to teams that qualified to represent their region at the OBOB State competition!    Qualifying teams are listed on this link: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653627/OBOB-Regional-and-State-Updates
Those teams will hear from OBOB State Managers quite soon.
Thank you to all who recruited volunteers AND volunteered at Regionals.  If you are interested in volunteering at OBOB State Competition, please email:

 

Contacts: Libby Hamler-Dupras hamler-dupras_libby@salkeiz.k12.or.us

Christy Sander sander_christy@silverfalls.k12.or.us

Lori Pedersen PEDERSEN_LORI@salkeiz.k12.or.us

We need ALL OBOB schools to fill out our OBOB survey.  The more feedback we receive, the stronger program we manage.  THANK YOU again for your time and support with OBOB, looking forward to the OBOB State competition! 

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHg2UFVHOHhZbnJGb01JMDRaWFBZb2c6MA

For those interested in OBOB 2011-2012 registration/grant applications, please be patient.  We will release information by the end of April.  This also will be when we announce our book selection lists for 2011-2012.
Thank you,
Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

Sent January 30th, 2011

Hello OBOB Participants!  We hope you're enjoying the use of the local questions and battles at your school.  Regional managers are busy with preparations and we're all looking forward to the Regional and State battles!

 

The OBOB Team met and selected HALF of the book titles for all three divisions for 2011-2012.  

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202011-2012

Please provide your voice, your opinion about the other titles we're considering for the rest of the list.  Please do not email me with your feedback, the link above includes a webpage for you to enter your feedback through, thank you.  Please know that we are waiting to also add titles from Oregon Readers Choice Award and Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award to the possible selection list and will update the webpage with these as soon as we know which titles we're considering.
The OBOB team thought it would be good to reiterate something I emailed participants about in October:  THE RULES WERE CHANGED for scoring In Which Book questions.  This is in the Rules/Procedures and Handbook for 2010-2011.  Also, our scoresheets (under Resources on the website) are updated reflecting this.
New scoring rule: 

"In Which Book" questions will be read first and are worth a total of 5 points.  In the case of a partially correct response, the first correct response (whether it be author or title) will be worth 3 points, and the second correct response will be worth 2 points.

Thank you for your participation!  Enjoy celebrating the books through battles!
-Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

Sent Jan. 15th, 2011

Hello everyone!

Hopefully you're enjoying management of local questions and battles.
We would appreciate your feedback on the titles we're considering for 2011-2012.  We appreciated a number of people already responding about one or two of the titles.  
Please take the time to help shape OBOB's book selections for 2011-2012.  We appreciate your extra support.  

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202011-2012

I hope you've heard from your Regional Managers about the competitions coming up.  Please remember everyone running OBOB is a volunteer.
Do remember to connect with your public librarian for support with OBOB.  In Washington County, the Cedar Mill Public Library had public librarians generate practice questions for grades 3-5, lead a practice session for students over winter break with 149 students in attendance from 14 different schools, and now is sharing those practice questions with others:  (Great resource for your students in grades 3-5!)

http://library.cedarmill.org/kids-teens/school-age-kids/oregon-battle-of-the-books.html

Thank you,
Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

Sent December 20th, 2010:

Hello everyone, questions were distributed by Judy Kulluson and Angela Lattin- OBOB Question Committee Co-Chairs yesterday.

Additionally, OBOB nominated titles that are being reviewed by the committee are listed on this webpage:
http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202011-2012
There is also a link for you to share your feedback on the titles, please review the titles and enter your opinions through the link.
The OBOB Committee will be reading the titles and work to review and create the future list with at least two OBOB Committee members reading each title.
Enjoy winter break.
Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

Sent December 12th, 2010:

Hello everyone,  

As of today, I'm including schools that need to pay the OBOB participation fee on this link and will update as I receive updates...
http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/33736973/2010-2011%20Fees%20Needed%20by%20Schools

 

Fee Information:

OASL member at school = $25 registration fee

No OASL member at school = $50 registration fee

Check payable to: OASL

Address to mail check to:

Oregon Battle of the Books

P.M.B. 5052

1030 W. Harvard Ave.

Roseburg, OR 97471

Have you filled out the form (link below) which is how you receive OBOB questions by email?

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGZkMHBicVU3bDdlWDUxYkhobUpCNEE6MQ


Thank you for your participation.
Here's the link to past communication to participants: 
http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/30385984/OBOB-communication-to-participants
Soon to be released:  Book lists under consideration for 2010-2011.  Once released, I'll email again with a link so participating schools can review the book lists and provide feedback.
-Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

Sent Dec. 10th, 2010:

 

Hello OBOB Participants!

Please fill out the Google Form so that the school level OBOB questions can be delivered to the key person (who is running the competition) at each school in a timely manner. Fill out the form for each OBOB division in your school on a separate form. Question delivery date should be by December 17.

We need a form filled out for every school. Do not put "All of__________ District" in the school field unless you want all questions sent to you for that District, but we will still need to have a form for each school in that district. If you do that, the contact person for questions would be the same name for all the schools in that District, as this form is for question distribution.

The form is at:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGZkMHBicVU3bDdlWDUxYkhobUpCNEE6MQ

For more information email Judy Kulluson at jkulluson@gmail.com

 

Sent December 1st, 2010:

Hello 358 OBOB School Participants!  Welcome to newly registered participants.

We just closed the school registration for 2010-2011.  Expect to hear from your Regional Managers soon about your competitions.  Basic information at this point about your Regional is on this page: 

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653627/OBOB-Regional-and-State-Updates

The OBOB Team met in November and discussed numerous topics including Question Distribution, Regionals, school registration/fees, High School book amounts, and title selection.  Here is your update:
1.  Questions for local battles will be distributed to OBOB Registered schools in mid-December via email.
2.  Regionals:  Some have asked Regional managers about seeding and the amount of teams moving on to other rounds:
OBOB Team decision:  
Seeding will not occur at regionals initially, schools will be randomly matched up against other schools.  
The Regionals will be managed with every school battling twice.  After totalling points from those battles, eight teams will advance to final rounds.  *This decision was made after thorough discussion, reflection from all past competition feedback and coach feedback, and a full OBOB team vote.
Please remember, the fee we charge for OBOB supports coverage of location use and costs for managing Regional and State Competitions.  This is still a volunteer run program.
3.  School Registration/fees:  Registration is now closed BUT some schools have not paid their OBOB registration fees.  The OBOB team agreed to withhold local question distribution and participation in Regionals to those who have not paid the fee.  *Schools missing payment will emailed within a week.*
4.  The OBOB team agreed for the future years beginning with 2011-2012 that 9th-12th grade division will have 12 titles, the 3rd-5th and 6th-8th grade divisions will continue to have 16 titles.
5.  Soon, we will provide lists of books that are being considered for the 2011-2012 OBOB Lists.  There will be an opportunity for your point of views to be voiced through this link soon:

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/5653618/Book%20Recommendations%202011-2012

Did you watch the news report about OBOB? 

http://www.kptv.com/local-video/index.html?grabnetworks_video_id=4409450

I enjoy monthly lunches with my OBOB teams and can't wait to run OBOB local battles in mid-January!  Things my students enjoyed lately:  team photos, watching the news report about OBOB, reading the OBOB books, taking notes about the books in discussion as teams.
I'll probably be emailing soon again this month with new updates.  Thank you to those who registered on the OBOB Webpage/WIKI for updates.
Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

 

Sent November 2nd, 2010:

Hello OBOB Participants!

Welcome new registrants, we have over 330 schools registered now around Oregon celebrating books through Oregon Battle of the Books!  Please let colleagues know that the deadline for registering for OBOB is on November 30th, 2010.  That is when Regional Managers will begin their plans for competitions in the early Spring.  
To those who are wondering/not used to OBOB procedures, the OBOB question management team is gathering questions from over 40 question writers, editing the 80/90 questions for each title in our competition, dividing the questions between those we provide for local, regional, and state competitions, and organizing them into a PDF format for you to print/cut/prepare for your battles.  You will receive your local questions in mid-December.  The questions are not for practice.  We do not provide practice questions.  They are for managing battles at your school.
I hope everyone who wished to have a voice in the title selection for 2011-2012 nominated books they wished to see through the links I publicized this past month.  We will provide an update soon to share which books we're considering.  We won't have any official lists until late Spring since we try to incorporate ORCA - Oregon Readers Choice Award - books, BCCCA - Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award books, and read all the titles nominated to make a balanced selection of books.
If you are new to OBOB and would like to review past communications I've had with OBOB registered schools, here is archived communications link:  http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/OBOB-communication-to-participants
Are you registered on the OBOB 'WIKI'?  If so, you've probably seen updates lately which provide resources for those who are introducing the ORCA titles, AR levels sheet for OBOB books, an OBOB movie promotion update, and other updates such as the weekly school registration update.  This is the simple way you can see changes occurring through the webpage, at the frequency you wish when you set up your account:
Here's the link to join the WIKI: http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/request-access  
Also, we do have a Facebook communications group: Oregon Battle of the Books 
Have you read the new OBOB Rules/Procedures?  Reviewed the updated Handbook?  
These are for you to use as needed to prepare your students for the regional/state competitions.  
http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/Handbook+and+Rules-Procedures
Also, a few people asked how many teams they should bring to the OBOB Regional Competition.  Answer:  Your school is only allowed to bring one team for each registered grade level division, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th.  You will be asked for student names two weeks before your regional competition.  Please plan your battles accordingly.
Thank you for your participation.
Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

Sent October 13th, 2010:

Hello OBOB participants!

The OBOB team enjoyed presenting at the OASL Fall Conference and distributing free books, bookmarks, posters, and handbooks to participants.  However, we know we didn't get to distribute books to all registered OBOB schools.  We are offering to those schools in need of 4 free books for the divisions you are registered for in OBOB.  No guarantees, if we run out, please understand, we are operating with a specific number of books to distribute.  If you'd like to receive books for your division, you simply reply to this email with your Name, grade level division(s), and complete address.  I will try to send the books through the ESD or regular mail.  If you would like specific titles please list them but NO GUARANTEES.  Also, as long as they last, I'll also try to put into your mailing handbooks, posters, and bookmarks- 3rd-5th grade bookmarks and posters are already gone.

Schools in Region 2 and 7, you should contact Libby Hamler- Dupras (region 2) and Amy Wilde (region 7) about your book distribution.  Please email me with a book request if you are unable to communicate with them.

Additionally, please remember that the deadline for entering YOUR book title suggestions for OBOB 2011-2012 is fast approaching.  If you wish to enter the book title you'd like to see on the list, please go to the following link and fill in the information.https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHVZZTZ2Q0xWdHU2OFZqMWw0WHhHR2c6MQ

 

 

Sent September 26th, 2010:

Do you want to have a voice in the future title selection of OBOB for 2012?  This is your opportunity.  Please prioritize nominating books by Nov. 1st.

Please refer to the OBOB WIKI file on past OBOB titles, we can use 2008 titles but no titles from 2009-2011.   Title archive OBOB.xls
Thank you for your participation in OBOB!  Check the OBOB Webpage for timelines, book promotions, and updated handbook.  http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/FrontPage  
Did you mark yourself on the participant map?  http://mapservices.org/myguestmap/map/OregonBattle
Have a wonderful month! - Debbie Alvarez, OBOB Chair

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online: 
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHVZZTZ2Q0xWdHU2OFZqMWw0WHhHR2c6MQ

 

Recommended titles for 2012 OBOB

 

Recommendations are welcome from teachers and librarians. Suggestions from authors or publishers are not accepted. These are suggestions for the 2011-2012 school year for Grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Please fill out as much information as is possible. Limit of three titles per division Submit by November 1, 2010.  Email questions to: Judy Kulluson - jkulluson@roseburg.k12.or.us

 

Sent September 9th, 2010:

Hello everyone!

Welcome to a new school year!  You are on my official list for participating in OBOB for the 2010-2011 school year.  **You may receive an extra email, I apologize for the repeat if that is the case.**
First off, I'd like to encourage anyone who is interested to please register yourselves as a writer on the OBOB Webpage- it is a WIKI which can be written on by anyone registered.  The benefit is that if there are new updates, you've receive an email alerting you to such.  Recently I updated the book resources and participant page.  The sources posted were shared by OBOB Members and volunteered to share with the whole group.  Last month, the OBOB Team met and we edited the Handbook and the Policy and Procedures files.  Those edited documents will be posted immediately.  The information about regionals and regional managers is also posted on the webpage.  If you create something you think other schools would benefit from using, please add it to the page!

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/

**There are changes to the battle procedures/point distribution for OBOB this year.  Additionally, we've more clearly defined job responsibilities for each volunteer and clarified the Judge position in relation to the coach.  Please review the handbook for specific details, thank you.
The OASL Fall Conference is occurring quite soon.  Here's the link:

http://www.oasl.info/conferences/2010/

The OBOB Committee will present on Saturday and we look forward to seeing you.  Additionally, we will distribute 3-4 books to all registered participants.  This WILL include grant recipients.  We will additionally have one free book basket raffle (1 copy of all titles in a level) for each grade level for registered participants to be entered into.  We also were able to purchase bookmarks and create posters for distribution.  We hope you or a friend will represent your school and pick up the books, posters, and bookmarks!  More information will be shared as it is available.  We are very grateful to receive an ongoing LSTA Continuing grant which will help support some of our basic operational costs.  Your participation fee supports the rest and is part of the reason we received the continuing grant.  Currently, we're investigating other grants which will provide funding for OBOB participant grants for 2011-2012.    Please remember, this is a volunteer run program, we try to accommodate and answer questions as efficiently as we are able.
We will need volunteers to help distribute the bookmarks, posters, and books to OBOB participants at the OASL Conference on Saturday, October 9th at 10:15-11am.  If you are interested in helping with distribution, please contact: Mary Beechler maryb@swasco.net Thank you!
Book Recommendations for 2011-2012- link will be emailed to you soon for your recommendations.  There will be a limit of 4 titles per division per person this year.  Start generating your title list now!  Recommendations are welcome from teachers and librarians.
Suggestions from authors or publishers are not accepted.  More information will come soon.
Have a wonderful fall,
Debbie Alvarez,
OBOB Chairperson