2020 iPad Mini Draw: LNS Board Chair Danny Cavanagh (right) drew the name of our contest winner: Krystina Latham, a learner at Shelburne County Learning Network. She will receive the ipad mini. Congratulations Krystina! (left: LNS Executive Director Jayne Hunter)

We continue to monitor and act in accordance with the recommendations from the various health agencies on the spread of COVID-19.
In the best interest of our staff and board of directors, a decision was made to close the LNS office and have staff work from home until further notice. Please be assured that we will do everything we can to continue our services and respond to inquiries in a timely manner. We will update you on social media, through email and on our website when we have more information to share.

All LNS public events or gatherings have been cancelled or moved online. The cancellation of our major annual fundraiser, the NSPGI Dinner and Auction, will impact our organization greatly. We would like to thank the supporters of the NSPGI event who have graciously agreed to donate their financial sponsorship contribution to LNS. Because of this support, the NSPGI learner financial awards were still able to be issued to both recipients Amber and Randy Williams. Although the public event of Adult Learners’ Week has been cancelled, the celebration itself has not. We will be highlighting many adult learners through our social media posts and the Ebooklet. Congratulations to Krystina Latham (Shelburne County Learning Network) who is the winner of the ipad draw. We will hold our upcoming board meetings virtually or via teleconference until it is safe to meet again in person.

For specific activities and projects this has resulted in modifications. For instance, our online Practitioner Training program is proceeding as usual as long as we have enough participants who have the ability to continue to learn from home. We understand that there are additional challenges for some given family situations, technology abilities and general anxiety during these uncertain times. We are pleased to be able to offer you a virtual community of practice. The What’s Your Message workshop is now being offered as an online module. The ESAF cohort two began in early February. We were able to complete the participant classroom portion and are looking at offering the mentor training online. The circumstances in the fishing sector are changing daily and we are working closely with our partners. We recognize that practitioners may find online training opportunities and the PD Fund committee will meet to review applications as frequently as required to support these efforts. We would like to remind you of online resources for learners such as the LNS Learning Beacon and Dartmouth Learning Networks’ Moving on Up.

The LNS Grants review committee reviewed the applications. Letters advising the status of your grant will be emailed in the coming weeks. We have temporarily moved to processing payments electronically through E-interac or direct deposit in order to provide timely financial support.

Connections with family, friends and colleagues are so important at this time. We’ve shared numerous online opportunities for this support below. I especially value Debbie Lawrence of Abundant Living and recommend her videos for leaders of learning organizations. This is a time to reflect and dream about the possibilities and find inventive ways to move forward. My supportive colleagues are essential to my process, whether it be from my organization, across the province, or across the country.

We recognize these are uncertain times with many disruptions. Our goal is to continue to support the literacy field and continue business as usual and implement innovations where possible. We are here for you. Be kind to one another, stay safe and stay informed. A comprehensive list of all provincial government action taken can be found here.

Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia invites you to complete a short survey about the impact of COVID-19 on your organization. Their goal is to get a snapshot that reflects the early impact of the pandemic on the nonprofit and voluntary sector so they can help government and other stakeholders make informed decisions about how to best support the sector. Responses to this survey will be kept confidential. The survey closes on April 2, 2020.

Adult Learners' Week: March 29 – April 4, 2020
Adult Learners’ Week (ALW) celebrates adult learners across the province and the importance of literacy and learning throughout life! You are invited to join the conversation online and share your learning success stories on social media. How did adult learning change your life?
Read more   #ALW20 Social Media Guide

The Learning Beacon: Here's an opportunity for adult learners to have their stories published in the 2020 issue of The Learning Beacon. Please encourage your learners to write stories about their hometowns for the Community Map feature. Creative writing by adult learners could be included in a Student Writing feature. Email your stories to marie.david@literacyns.ca

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for April and May 2020:
• Integrating IT Skills into Your Teaching: Mar 30 – Apr 24
• What's Your Message? Relating to the Adult Learner: Mar 30 – Apr 24
• Techniques for Teaching, Reading, Writing and Spelling: Apr 27 – May 22
• Teaching Math: Basic Principles: May 25 – Jun 19
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, tuition schedule, and how to register for modules. The schedule of modules for April – June 2020 is available. Questions? Contact Marie David.
Funding from the Department of Labour and Advanced Education (LAE) ensures free tuition for participants from NSSAL who are LNS members.

Save the Date: PD Conference for Practitioners
Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6, 2020 at Holiday Inn Truro
This annual professional development conference, funded by LAE, is for practitioners within NSSAL’s community learning organizations.

NSSAL IT Fund: There is a small amount remaining for community-based learning organizations to purchase equipment and resources necessary for the delivery of NSSAL’s Adult Learning Program. Read more information on criteria and application process. Funds provided by LAE.

Is there a PD opportunity that would benefit your learning organization?
Apply to the NSSAL PD Fund. Online learning opportunities are eligible. Funds provided by LAE and applications will be reviewed as necessary over the next month.

Computers for Schools: In light of the current COVID-19 situation, Computers for Schools has closed their office until further notice. All current computer orders will be put on hold until they return to their normal operations.
 

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Thursday, April 30 at 2:00pm AT
This webinar focuses on how new approaches to career ownership and the relationships between employers and employees are impacting the sector. Register

Thursday, May 7 at 2:00pm AT
In this webinar, participants can learn how to integrate engagement marketing into their fundraising practice. Register

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CSCNS sent a letter to the Premier requesting his attention to the unique needs of nonprofit and voluntary sector organizations across the province as we deal with the rapidly changing, and very challenging context presented by COVID-19. "On behalf of the nonprofit and voluntary sector, we are calling on your government to implement steps to address the impacts of COVID 19." Read more

"COVID-19 is an unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation, and I recognize this is a scary time for Nova Scotians. During this state of emergency, we must all work together to help prevent the spread of COVID-19." English   French

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LNS Resource Hub is the place for literacy practitioners who teach, tutor or mentor adult learners in Nova Scotia to share and co-develop teaching resources and discuss best practices. Recently uploaded resources:

• Wage Subsidy for Employers
• Time to Press the Restart Button
• Community Links COVID-19 Response and Funding documents
• Essential Skills Starter Kits:
  
  • Recognizing Life's Work
  • Use Digital Technology
  • Soft Skills - ABC Upskills (Life Literacy)
  • Money Matters

If you don't already have an account on the LNS Resource Hub, email Elaine Frampton to request an account registration code.
 

Weekly episodes include an interview with a nonprofit subject matter expert, discussing challenges, trends and strategies that relate directly to your small nonprofit. Each episode is approximately 35 – 45 minutes long. Resource.

Moving On Up provides online lessons in reading, writing, math, GED prep and employability. Now adult learners have access to education 24/7 – all they need is an internet connection and access to a computer, tablet or cell phone. Resource.

During times of crisis and self-isolation, why it is important for organizations to continue running literacy programs, and how is that best accomplished? Blogger Brigid Hayes has found learning tools that are used by organizations to support learners online.
Read more

We do not know how long COVID-19 will affect our financial and job situations. This website offers financial literacy tools that will help you develop your budgeting skills and track your expenses.

Imagine Canada has compiled a list of resources that Canadian fundraisers will find useful while dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. Resources

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ABC Life Literacy Canada - March 2020
As I Was Saying - March 2020
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia - April 2020
Inspiring Communities - March 2020
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - March 2020
Tamarack Institute - March 2020
Transforming Lives - March 2020
Volunteer Canada News - March 2020
World Education / U.S. - March 2020