As a Middle and Upper School Librarian at Shipley, one of the most crucial aspects of my role involves supporting students in the development of critical thinking and information literacy skills and helping them navigate the complex and confusing landscape of online information. In an effort to reach as many students as possible, I have been partnering with teachers across all disciplines to integrate library research into their course projects, allowing time for formal information literacy instruction. This involves guiding students in evaluating sources and discerning credible information, with a focus on authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and relevance. The goal here is to empower students to make informed decisions about the reliability of the information they encounter.
A key part of teaching information literacy is instilling in students the habit of questioning what they find online, encouraging a reflective approach to information consumption. This critical mindset is crucial for identifying and challenging misinformation. Mere fact-checking is no longer sufficient; there is a need to analyze online content for bias and uncover potential misinformation tactics hidden within the text. We need to talk to our students about how biases can influence information and underscore the importance of recognizing and understanding various perspectives.
Equipping students with the tools needed to discern credible information from misinformation is no easy task. Recent studies show that the majority of teens and young adults get their news from social media, many citing TikTok as their main source for information (Pew Research Center). My primary area of instruction revolves around academic research, where the influence of social media is not a significant factor. Fortunately, the information literacy skills we cultivate at Shipley extend beyond the classroom and have real-world applications.
Real-Life Learning
In 6th grade SEED, I did a lesson that I like to call “Plagiarism in the Real World,” where I show the class examples of copyright issues that involve popular culture. In my experience, framing these important and often challenging topics in a fun, can you believe it?! way helps kids develop a deeper understanding of what’s really at stake here. I can teach them the fundamentals of copyright all day long, but showing them a fake Vogue with Drake on the cover has them talking about it with their friends, thinking about why it matters.
In 9th grade History, I had the chance to introduce a few library database and search tips to help the students with a research paper. Part of my presentation included a discussion on evaluating websites. I showed the class a few sites and asked them to try and quickly determine if they were trustworthy after just a cursory inspection. I choose websites that I know will be tricky—some look amateurish and silly but have quality information, and others look sleek and professional but do not include any information on the author or publisher. This is always a fun exercise because, more often than not, they guess wrong and we start clicking our way through the site to look for clues.
🇮🇹 Last month, 13 students and 2 teachers had the trip of a lifetime in Italy, exploring Paestum, Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Naples' Museo Archeologico Nazionale, and Rome's historical sites and museums, experiencing Italian culture, history, and art!
12 Shipley Spanish students had an unforgettable adventure in Spain, exploring Madrid, Zaragoza, and Barcelona, and immersing themselves in local culture and iconic landmarks. ¡Recuerdos para toda la vida! 🇪🇸
At Shipley, students are supported in pursuing their passions beyond the classroom, as showcased by eighth-grader Anne Martindale, whose imaginative costume designs for the Middle School’s production of Alice in Wonderland transformed the stage, blending artistic vision with the encouragement of dedicated teachers.
Shipley is pleased to welcome Steve Lisk as Interim Head of School for the 2024-2025 school year. Steve Lisk served as the 10th Head of School at Lancaster Country Day School from 2008 to 2022. His 14 years at LCDS made him the second-longest tenured head in the school’s 100-year history. Across 34 years in independent schools, he has served also as an executive coach, division head, department chair, dorm head, classroom teacher, advisor, and athletic coach.
Affinity groups at Shipley help to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, empowering students of diverse backgrounds to build authentic relationships, celebrate their identities, and grow into confident, compassionate global citizens. Learn more about our Lower School Affinity Spaces.
After 34 years of dedicated service to The Shipley School, Kay Weinstock is retiring as College Counseling Assistant. Her meticulous attention to detail and genuine kindness have shepherded thousands of Shipley students through the college admissions process.
The Upper School Administration recognized the outgoing and incoming student leadership officers and presented students with academic, athletic, and leadership awards at the annual Closing Awards Ceremony.
Shipley's Director of Libraries, Jennifer Phiambolis, collaborates with teachers to integrate library research into course projects, fostering students' critical thinking and information literacy skills. This approach empowers students to discern credible information and challenge online misinformation.
A quiet powerhouse in Shipley’s Athletic Department, Katelyn manages the moving parts of anywhere from 12-15 teams per season. While that may seem chaotic—she sticks to her spreadsheets and checklists, plans for various scenarios, and thrives under pressure, all while presenting a calm demeanor.
Christine Greenwood held various roles at Shipley, spanning a tenure of 36 years, most notably as an art teacher and the advisor of The Beacon and the Yearbook. She will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year.
Shipley's beloved PreKindergarten teacher Tina Wattles will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, leaving a lasting mark on the community. Her energy and smile will be greatly missed by her students and colleagues alike. "For a generation, Tina has planted acorns that have grown into mighty oaks. Her work will reverberate for years and years to come,” said Head of School Michael Turner.
Discover how Shipley School's music program nurtures young musicians from Lower to Upper School, fostering confidence, creativity, and collaboration. Learn how students find their musical voice and achieve professional-level performance through this comprehensive education.
Anna Dejdar ’04 is set to embark on a new journey, leaving behind a legacy that spans over two decades. As she prepares to assume her new role as Head of Upper School at Stratford Academy in Macon, GA, in the 2024-2025 school year, we reflect on her invaluable contributions and the indelible mark she has left on our School.
Shipley's Middle and Upper School Science Olympiad Teams earned many medals at the Pennsylvania Southeast Region Science Olympiad Tournament on March 8 at Penn State Abington.
This year’s alumni exhibition features work from the Sky Paintingsseries by Shipley alum Peter Makela ’04 and will be on display in Speer Gallery from April 9 to May 5. Celebrate the fine arts at Shipley with an artist reception in Speer Gallery on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Alumni Artist Reception is part of Alumni Reunion Weekend and is open to family and friends of the Shipley community, we ask that you please register online or contact alumni@shipleyschool.org with any questions.
Discover how our theater program nurtures student voice, confidence, and leadership. From sixth grade silliness to Upper School self-awareness, our students learn to express themselves with empathy and creativity, embodying our mission of compassionate participation.
The son of a North Philly cop and South Philly educator, Shipley alumnus Robert "BJ" Glenn III ’07 demonstrated prowess as an athlete and as a student. Knowing the importance of a good education, BJ's parents enrolled him in Kindergarten at Shipley where he soon made his mark in class, and later on Shipley’s playing fields in lacrosse, baseball, and other sports. But it was at daily recess at age 6 when he discovered a sport that perfectly blended his budding speed and agility with a strong leg: soccer.
Shipley Middle Schoolers Anderson Knipe ’28 and Lily Pressman ’28 presented their joint research on young stellar objects at the 243rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society held January 7-11 in New Orleans, Louisiana
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.