Islands High School
IHS Learning Commons
The Islands High School Learning Commons is dedicated to fostering student learning and engagement. Our space invites students to collaborate, read, and explore new hobbies. We strive to create a welcoming environment where every student feels supported by our staff, enhancing their readiness for research, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Staff: Lauren Fuquea, Media Specialist & Jeffrey Marks, Media Clerk
Hours: 7am-3pm Monday through Friday
Books
Online Catalog
Students and adults can search our online catalog by visiting DestinyDiscover.com and typing in the name of the school.
Anyone may browse; to reserve books and read e-books, students should use the Savannah-Chatham Single Sign On option after clicking Log In.
eBooks & Audio Books
The Learning Commons uses the online platform SORA for its eBooks and audio books collection.
Browse here: soraapp.com/welcome/login/360067
and use your ClassLink account to access the library.
Don't see what you're looking for? Use this link to request what you want: forms.gle/sfiZrwebVaCZ1bgg7
Find a new book you're sure to love with our genre stickers!
Fiction books in the Learning Commons now have a genre sticker on the spine so you can find something you're sure to love. Like The Hunger Games? Check out any book with the Dystopian sticker! Like Percy Jackson? Check out something with the Mythology sticker! Like Harry Potter? Choose a Fantasy book today!
Research and Writing Support
Evaluating Sources
"...more people are fighting for the opportunity to lie to you than at perhaps any other point in human history." - Charlie Warzel, NYTimes opinion writer
Online Tools
The MediaWise Teen Fact-Checking Network (TFCN) publishes fact-checks for teenagers, by teenagers: https://www.poynter.org/news/tfcn/
The CRAAP Test guidance from academic library https://libguides.cmich.edu/web_research/craap
6 criteria for evaluating internet sources from public library: https://tinyurl.com/3f7jtscs
Online Verification Skills Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBU2sDlUbp8&list=PLsSbsdukQ8VYy88IiSJhz4NyBxxtLzsNr
S.I.F.T. Model of Evaluation
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Stop
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Investigate the source
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Find a better channel
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Trace information back to original source
Research Tools
Many resources exist online that can support your research and writing. The links below are commonly accepted as offering credible information.
BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine)
Directory of Open Access Journals
Live Oak Public Library Catalog
Writing Tools
The resources below are designed to help you throughout the writing process by providing sample essays and general guidelines. The Writing Process slideshow also offers pro tips for making the most of your time and energy.
University of Purdue Writing Lab
Harvard College Writing Center
Chromebook Trouble Shooting Tips
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My school Chromebook was lost, stolen, injured. Stop by the Learning Commons as soon as possible. This applies to lost chargers as well.
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When I try to log into my Chromebook, it asks me for my old password but my old password doesn't work. You can move past this screen by clicking "Forgot Old Password" and selecting "Proceed Anyway" on the next screen.
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My password works for logging into a Chromebook but not for ClassLink, Brightspace, or PowerSchool. If your password works for logging into the Chromebook, then it should work for all these platforms as well. Try clearing your browser history, cache, cookies and stored passwords. Entering the wrong one too many times will trigger a lockout, so please avoid the "try every password I can think of" approach. There's only one at any given time, and it's supposed to work for everything.
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I don't know my password. Any of your teachers can provide your password.
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I cannot log onto the school wifi on my personal Chromebook, tablet, or laptop. Guest devices must connect to the sccpss-hotspot network. After selecting this network, open a browser to access the login screen. It will be a yellow screen where you can enter your student username and password to be connected to the internet. Try clearing your browser history, cache, cookies and stored passwords if you are unable to login with your SCCPSS credentials.
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I'm signed into my personal device, but I can't get stuff to open. Students using personal devices should ALWAYS be signed into Chrome with their student account, not a personal Google account. If you have linked accounts on one profile, the student account must be the primary.
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CK-Express spins for a long time. When you try to load a page and you see this, there's nothing you can do but wait. Closing a tab and opening a new one will just reset the wheel, as will signing out and back in. CK will run on every separate Chrome extension as well. (Feel free to close those tabs unless you actually need Grammarly or Screencastify, for example.) The good news is that once it runs successfully, it shouldn't do that every single time you try to load that page again UNLESS have to reset the student's account or their device.
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I can't connect to public or home wifi networks on my school Chromebook. Security features of CK-Express sometimes prevent access to networks outside the school. Setting up a multifactor authentication (MFA) should resolve this issue. To set up MFA,
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Go to My Account (microsoft.com).
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Click on “Update Info” link in Security info section.
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Click on “+ Add sign-in method“.
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Click on “Choose a method” and choose one or both of the following options:
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Alternate Phone
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Use Cell phone to receive and verify MFA
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Email
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Use your email to receive your MFA code.
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Note: You must use an email outside the organization.
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FAQ
How do I reserve a Chromebook for my student(s)? Parents should visit the Parent Portal for PowerSchool to access the device loan form. Log into the Portal, click Forms, choose Student Device Loan Form, fill out required fields, and indicate if you plan to purchase the Family Protection Plan for the device(s). You may also print a hard copy to return from the Forms page on this website.
When will my student(s) receive their Chromebook? Chromebooks will be distributed to students after their parent or guardian has completed the Loan Device Form by the Library Learning Commons. Students will return the Chromebooks at the end of the school year. Return schedule is TBD.
What is the Family Protection Plan? SCCPSS is offering a Family Protection Plan (FPP) to offset repairs and/or replacement for the technology device that will be issued to students. A one-time, non-refundable charge of $25 will cover 2 incidents of accidental damage or up to 2 device replacements for each school year. For families with more than four students, the price will be capped at $100. Without the plan, parents/guardians are responsible for the full cost of repairs and or replacement costs as stipulated in Administrative Regulation ECH-R: Authorized Uses of Equipment and Supplies.
*Please note that FPP must be purchased within 10 business days of checkout and is not active until purchased.
How do I pay for the FPP? Payment for the FPP should also be done through the our online payment system School Cash Online, which can be accessed at sccpss.schoolcashonline.com
Is the FPP required? The FPP is an optional insurance plan that is not required; however, it is strongly encouraged.
How much are repair costs without the FPP?
Chromebook screens = $90
Chromebook keyboard = $90
Chromebook charger = $30
Device replacement = depreciated value of purchase price; typically between $150-$280.
Can my student bring a personal device rather than borrowing a school-issued device? Students may bring a personal laptop, Chromebook, or tablet for classroom use. However, personal devices must be connected to the sccpss hotspot for internet service, which is an unsecured network. Use of all technology in the classroom is allowed only at the discretion of the teacher.
How do I check out a book? Students and teachers may check out a book by bringing it to either circulation desk in the Learning Commons.
How many books can I check out at once? Borrowers may have a maximum of two books checked out at a time.
How long can I keep the book? Check out periods are typically two weeks, but checkouts can be renewed by visiting the Learning Commons and speaking to a staff member.
How can I find the book I want? Library staff is always happy to help patrons find a specific book or books. Users may access our digital catalog at DestinyDiscover.com, and e-books can be accessed through the SORA app on ClassLink.
What if I want a book you don't have? Patrons are encouraged to share their wishlist with library staff! Stop by to share your recommendations or click here for the online request form: https://forms.gle/sfiZrwebVaCZ1bgg7
Can students work independently in the Learning Commons? Students are always welcome with a pass from their teacher! Students may work before or after school without a pass during business hours. Students may not be in the Learning Commons during their lunch period.
How can I get something printed? Email or share the document with the library staff, and they will print for you.
How much is printing? 10 cents a page for black and white; 50 cents a page for color; 3 dollars for a 18"x24" poster. Posters that require a lot of ink to print may cost more.