As we near the end of the year, we feel very grateful and blessed to be able to continue to provide support to the learners, our members and supporters in the literacy field. We have many wonderful highlights to report, especially from our activities in November.

Thanks to all those who participated in Literacy Action Week. Photos

We’ve produced a new issue of the Learning Beacon which features learners, stories, quizzes and more! A special thanks to Erika Sullivan for her development of the Waste Diversion feature.

Thank you to LAE for funding the two day PD Conference for Practitioners: Reducing Barriers, Opening Doors in Truro which supported 80 practitioners to attend. Photos from the conference. Also thanks to the Planning Committee for ensuring a worthwhile learning opportunity enjoyed by all. The committee included: Juanita Bruneau, Marie David, Gerald Gloade, Wendy Kraglund-Gautier, Simone Le Gendre-King, Ann MacDonald, Sylvia Pariss-Drummond, Stephanie Patriquin, and Lynne Wells-Orchard. The conference presentations and resources have been posted on the LNS Resource Hub.

We’re pleased to be working with Gidney Fisheries on the Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries project, as well as our other community partners in Digby County. We are looking for a facilitator for the training program. Job Posting

Please ensure you have updated our contact information. To contact the office staff: info@literacyns.ca ; Heather.Lauther@literacyns.ca ; Marie.David@literacyns.ca ; Jayne.Hunter@literacyns.ca

Happy Holidays everyone! The Literacy Nova Scotia office will be closed on December 20th and will re-open on January 2nd.

The Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) project wrapped up Cohort #1 this past spring in the Municipality of Barrington area. This cohort was very successful as people from the community obtained full-time employment, local employers received training to help with retention of their employees, and the community was abuzz and engaged with sharing resources.

The project is now moving to the Digby area of the province for Cohort #2. We are in preliminary talks with community members (DCS, NS Works, and Gidney Fisheries). Gidney Fisheries has signed on as the employer and we are firming up dates, locations and referrals. The project has a tentative start date of February 1. More information will be available in the next month. We are currently seeking a facilitator with a deadline for applications of December 18, 2019. Job Posting    ESAF Poster

The NSPGI will be held on Tuesday March 31, 2020 at Halifax Marriott Harbourfront. You will hear powerful, personal accounts from adult learners whose lives have been changed for the better because of the work of Literacy Nova Scotia and its partners. More info
NSPGI Sponsorship Brochure     Sponsorship Order Form     Ticket Order Form

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.

Learners in Liverpool, Truro, New Glasgow and Windsor have participated in our Adult Learners' Week writing workshops this fall. We will be announcing the opportunity to submit learning stories for the #ALW2020 ebooklet in January. All eligible submissions will have the chance to win an iPad Mini.

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for January 2020:
• Learning Challenges: Jan 6 – 31
• Supporting English as an Additional Language for Adult Literacy Learners
(EAL ALLs): Jan 6 – 31
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 January 2019 – June 2020 is available. Questions? Contact Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203.
 

NSSAL IT Fund: Community based learning organizations can apply for up to $1,000 per year. Funds are to be used for equipment and resources necessary for the delivery of NSSAL’s Adult Learning Program. This can include computers, printers, software, laptops, ipad minis, and assistive technology software. Technical support will be considered and cell phone expenses may be considered. 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. New PD Fund online application forms are now available. There are separate forms for individuals (maximum $1000/year) and groups (maximum $4000/year).

Computers for Schools: Does your learning organization need refurbished computers? We offer our LNS members laptops, computers, printers, monitors, keyboards, cables, etc. Place your orders today.
 

December 9, 6:15 - 8:30pm at People’s Place Library, Antigonish   Register
December 10, 9:45am - 12:00pm at Membertou Trade & Convention Ctre   Register
The Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia is holding Community Consultations to collectively identify current and emerging issues they need to engage in over the next 3 to 5 years. Your participation is vital to help the CSCNS develop new strategic directions and priorities.

Volunteers contribute significantly to building communities, connecting people to one another and providing valuable services. Forms for nominating a youth or family can be found on the Provincial Volunteer Awards website. Nominations close February 25th, 2020. The award ceremony will be held on April 27th, 2020.

StFX Master of Adult Education will be offering the Master of Adult Education in Women's Leadership and Community Development Program online starting in Spring 2020. Deadline for applications is December 15, 2019.
For more information, email Carole Roy.   Website    Flyer    Schedule

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:

• Understanding Micro-aggressions
• Human Rights Awareness Education
• The Native American Geometry Workbook
• NSSAL GED Prep
• NSSAL Learning Plan - Fillable PDF

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

Issue 16 of The Learning Beacon, our enewspaper for adult learners has four features: Literacy Action Week (LAW), Waste Diversion in Nova Scotia which includes fill in the blank and drag and drop quizzes, Adult Learners' Week 2019 contest winners and the 2019 Community Map. Resource
 

Grass Roots Press publishes high-quality resources for adult basic education and English as a Second Language communities, including wordless picture books. They also publish assessment tools, workbooks, photostories, biographies, and literature - publications that enhance adults' literacy skills.   Website    2019 Catalogue
Seasonal Flyer
 

ABC Life Literacy Canada News - November 2019
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Central Region - December 2019
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - November 2019
NWT Literacy Council - November 2019
Tamarack Institute - November 2019
Tech Tips - November 2019
Volunteer Canada News - November 2019