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Adult Learner Spotlight:

Read about one of our 2017 Bursary Recipients
Cameron Milner

Kylie Powder

February 2017   |   Volume 14   |   Issue 6
News From Literacy Nova Scotia
Executive Director's Message
2017 has been a very busy year so far and it's only February! We're very excited about our new projects funded by NS Labour and Advanced Education:

A new Practitioner Training module for adult literacy practitioners who teach English as an Additional Language (EAL) students will be developed, piloted and available to the public by May 2017. LNS is seeking a curriculum writer to create content for the module. Application deadline is February 6th, 2017.

We are also working on a new NSSAL Practitioners Website. Our advisory group will view and give input on initial mockups of the new site on February 14th.

Our Family Literacy Celebration and Book Giveaway at Dartmouth North Community Centre on January 28th was a smash success! There were over 300 people in attendance, including special guests HRM Mayor Mike Savage, Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie, Senator Terry Mercer, authors Sheree Fitch and Starr Dobson, HRM Councillor Tony Mancini, Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard, and HRM Poet Laureate Rebecca Thomas. We gave away over 2000 Disney / Pixar books and sold over 30 new LNS memberships. After the event, volunteers delivered boxes of books to 30 organizations across Nova Scotia. Huge thanks go out to LIFE on LIFE Network for their ongoing funding support and their volunteers who helped us set up for this event, First Book Canada for the book donation, and to the media who provided coverage and helped promote the event. View the Google album.

We need YOU to Giv'er for Literacy! Team LNS is looking for new members to walk, run or wheel the Lifemark 5K race at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Charity Challenge fundraiser in Halifax on May 20th. We had a lot of fun last year!

NSPGI 2017 is on June 18th - 19th at the Bell Bay Golf Club in Baddeck, where it was held 20 years ago with PGI founder Peter Gzowski in attendance. Preparations are underway for another rollicking great time that includes dinner and entertainment on the the 18th, and a day of golf and an awards dinner on the 19th. Net proceeds from NSPGI 2017 will be used by LNS to support adult learners. Register Now!   Poster

Information on the 2017 PGI grants and other opportunities will be emailed soon to the community learning organizations who are eligible. Please watch for the notices.
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Employment Opportunity: Practitioner Training Curriculum Writer
Literacy Nova Scotia is seeking an experienced curriculum writer for the content of an online module specific to teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) as part of the Nova Scotia Practitioner Training and Certification Program (PT). The goal of the module will be to provide training for adult literacy practitioners to support EAL students (especially Syrian refugees, and others) who need support in EAL as well as literacy and essential skills. Application deadline is February 6, 2017 at 9:00am. Read more

Join the Literacy Nova Scotia Scotiabank Blue Nose Charity Challenge Team
On May 20, 2017, Team LNS will meet in Halifax to walk, run or wheel the ScotiaBank Charity Challenge Lifemark 5K race. Register now and join us! You can also enter the 10k or a half or full marathon. You don’t have to be an athlete to join our fundraising team! All you need is a passion for literacy because that’s what unites us and carries us all over the finish line. Read more

What's New
Opportunities for Learners
Enter your story about how improving your literacy skills has made a difference in your life. Your stories inspire others to continue learning. All eligible submissions will have the chance to win an iPad Mini and be published in the ALW 2017 ebooklet. ALW 2016 ebooklet

Opportunities for Practitioners
Register for Practitioner Training (PT) Modules starting February 5th:
Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing, and Spelling: Feb 5 - Mar 3
Teaching Math: Keeping It Real: Feb 5 - Mar 3
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for more details on the program, modules, and tuition schedule. The program is tuition free for members of Literacy Nova Scotia who are with a NSSAL funded program. Anyone can take the training.
Registration Form for NSSAL Participants
Registration Form for Non-NSSAL Participants (Tuition Payers)

Practitioners: Save the date! Week of April 24 – 28th. Dr. Pat Campbell will be holding training sessions on The Canadian Adult Reading Assessment (CARA) in 4 locations across the province. Read more

Is there a PD opportunity that would benefit your learning organization?
Apply to the PD Fund. You can read about what others have learned through training funded by the PD Fund. All practitioners (tutors, instructors), coordinators, and board members are eligible for funding up to $1000 per year for professional development relevant to their role at their community-based learning network. To date, there is approximately $2400 remaining in this fund.

Opportunities for Organizations
Community-based learning organizations can apply every year for free computer systems and laptops. Organizations should be replacing older systems each year. Apply today! These come with Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010 installed. Other computer accessories are also available through our partnership with Computers for Schools. Laptops and desktop computers with software included are now available on a first come, first serve basis. Organizations will be limited to 2 computers/laptops. Organizations must be LNS members.

Community-based learning organizations funded under NSSAL can apply for ipad minis and other assistive technology. To date, there is approximately $1000 remaining in this fund.

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In The News
Removal of GED Test Fee Inspires North River Man
The announcement that there would be no charge for writing GED tests was just the incentive Evan Muise needed to go back to his studies.The Nova Scotia government removed fees for GED testing on January 1, 2017. I still have the GED book so I’m going to go through it and re-educate myself.” Read more

Employment Opportunity: GED Instructor
Western HRM Community Learning Network is looking for a qualified adult education instructor to teach GED prep one evening per week in Prospect from February until June 2017. It is an individualized program format for small class. Call Deborah Ratcliffe for more information at 902-826-7482.

Provincial Volunteer Awards
Do you know an outstanding volunteer who deserves recognition? You can nominate them for a Provincial Volunteer Award in the following categories: Representative Volunteer Award, Youth Volunteer Award, and Family Volunteer Award. Deadline for nominations is February 24, 2017. Read more

Want to Live Longer? Read!
Reading is a source of pleasure and much more; it empowers critical thinking, increases self-worth, reduces barriers to access, preserves culture from generation to generation, and allows people to be active citizens. A British study found that reading for just six minutes reduced stress by 60 per cent in some participants. Read more

New Ways to Think About Treating ADHD
New studies show many people with ADHD are drawn to new and exciting experiences. They can be very impatient and restless with routine activities. A life filled with activities that require focus, such as sitting in a classroom or working at repetitive tasks, is hard for a person with ADHD. Read more

How Finland Broke Every Rule — and Created a Top School System
Spend five minutes in Jussi Hietava’s fourth-grade math class in remote, rural Finland, and you may learn all you need to know about education reform. Instead of control, competition and standardized testing, try warmth, collaboration, and highly professionalized, teacher-led encouragement and assessment. Read more

Inside the Podcast Brain: Why Do Audio Stories Captivate?
The increasing popularity of audio storytelling owes a lot to technology, as smartphones allow people to consume books and shows on demand anywhere. What is it that makes some audio storytelling so engaging? And what happens in the brain when someone hears a really compelling story? Read more


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Events
Learning Mondays: Workshops for Volunteer Adult Literacy Tutors
February 6, 13 and 27, 6:30 to 8:30pm at Halifax Central Library
February 6: Sharing Resources. February 13: Do the Math - Tips on Teaching GED Math. February 27: Moving On Up to Online Learning.
Registration is required. Call 902-422-7648 or email info@hcln.ca

Webinar: Digital Skills for Employment, Further Education/Training & Independence
Tuesday February 14, 4:00 - 5:00pm AST
What digital skills do employers expect? What digital skills are essential for success in post-secondary? What digital skills do we need to navigate the world every day? Register

Low Budget, Big Impact Communication for Nonprofits & Social Enterprise
February 15, 2017 from 9:30am – 4:00pm at Captain William Spry Community Centre, 16 Sussex St., Halifax
Learn how to create an effective, low cost communications strategy for your organization. Registration includes a comprehensive workbook. Register

Save the Date! CARA Workshops Presented By Dr. Pat Campbell
April 24 at NSCC Strait Area Campus
April 25 at NSCC Truro Campus
April 27 at NSCC Lunenburg Campus
April 28 at NSCC Annapolis Valley Campus
This practical, hands-on workshop will guide you through the steps of administering and interpreting The Canadian Adult Reading Assessment (CARA).


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Resources
Book Club for Kids: Tips for Reluctant Readers
This website offers ideas for encouraging young readers (and writers). Resource

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