Library, Technology, & Media
In the OCS Library, students are instilled with a joy for reading through the excitement of discovery and a lifelong love of learning. This environment nurtures elevated thinking, inspiring curiosity, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. At its heart, the library is grounded in eternal Truth, guiding students to recognize God’s presence woven throughout every story, idea, and moment of growth.
The spacious, split-level brick library holds over 10,000 volumes and is beloved at Overbrook Catholic School. The mission of the Overbrook Catholic School library is to connect with students as individuals by providing resources and instruction for differentiated learning styles and ultimately facilitating self-motivated, life-long learning, as well as providing a peaceful area to read, write, and reflect.
The Overbrook Catholic School library media center offers a wide range of resources to support students and faculty. Additionally, the library comes to life through events such as the annual book fair and student presentations, where parents and family members are invited to celebrate student achievement.
Resources
Adopt-A-Shelf Program
3rd-6th grade students have the opportunity to pick a bookcase that they are responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and setting up the display. This program helps to teach them responsibility and leadership. At the end of the year, students gather with Mrs. Crouch in the library for an Adopt-A-Shelf breakfast as a reward for their hard work.
Computer, Technology, & Media
Computer, Technology, and Media Courses are taught once per week per grade level for grades 1st-6th. Each class is framed from the point of view that God has granted us technology as one of his many wonderful gifts, and therefore students must learn to use it in a way that honors Him. 1st and 2nd grades use school-issued iPads, while 3rd-6th grades use school-issued laptops.
The school year typically begins with each grade level receiving age-appropriate lessons in digital citizenship emphasizing responsible device and app use, with topics including Media/Life Balance, Common Online Risks, and Analyzing Personal Media Choices. Each grade level also receives robust and regular keyboarding lessons using Typesy’s Keyborading and Interactive Curricula throughout the school year, and student’s progress within Typesy’s programs stays with them as they promote through each grade level and enhance their curriculum.
1st and 2nd graders also begin to explore algorithmic thinking and problem solving through an introduction to block coding with several apps, including Kodable and Tynker. 3rd-6th grade benefit from an introduction to the Microsoft Office Suite, including foundational projects and in-class workshops utilizing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in order to set them up for a future of success.
