LNS Executive Director Jayne Hunter (right) and East Hants Community Learning Association Director Tanya Burke were interviewed on CBC Mainstreet by Host Jeff Douglas on Family Literacy Day, January 27th, 2020 about family literacy programs in Nova Scotia.

We are very pleased to offer a new grant program funded by the NSPGI Dinner and Auction for Literacy.
The purpose of these grants is to fund projects which improve literacy of adults or increase access to adult literacy programs for the applicant’s community. The deadline for submitting the application is February 28th. Priority is given to historically unrepresented communities who have access to fewer adult literacy services and programs. Funding for future grants will depend on proceeds raised at subsequent NSPGI events. More information is below under Literacy Nova Scotia Grants.

I would like to invite you to participate in an exciting national project I am involved with. By answering a few questions by February 28th, you can help identify ways to support workers who have been displaced by events beyond their control. These events may be sector or workplace layoffs, industry slowdowns, natural disasters or other events. At your organization, you may serve displaced workers as clients, learners, or laid off community members concerned about their future. More information is below under Displaced Workers.

I enjoyed celebrating Family Literacy Day at the Halifax Central Library. It was wonderful to see the families enjoying songs and stories. The Department of Labour and Advanced Education provide funds for 18 family literacy programs across the province which serve 1400 participants. One of these programs is run by the East Hants Community Learning Association. Its director, Tanya Burke, joined me for an interview with Jeff Douglas on CBC Mainstreet.

Friday, April 3, 2020 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm at Paul O'Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax NS
Adult Learners’ Week (ALW) celebrates adult learners across the province and the importance of literacy and learning throughout life! You'll hear inspiring stories from adults who changed their lives by upgrading their literacy and essential skills. Refreshments provided.
RSVP by March 27th to 902-897-2444 or info@literacyns.ca   Read more  
This event is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education and in partnership with Halifax Public Libraries.

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.

Funding for these grants was raised through the 2019 NSPGI Dinner and Auction for Literacy. Purpose of Grants: To fund projects which increase access to adult literacy in the applicant’s community.

Who is eligible for the grant?

• Members of Literacy Nova Scotia
• Charitable organizations
• Historically unrepresented communities who have access to fewer adult literacy services/programs

The grants will:

• focus on adult literacy which is in keeping with the 2019 NSPGI literacy theme
• increase/build access to adult literacy in applicant’s community
• cover 75% (match contribution) of the project to a maximum of $3,000 project funding

A scoring rubric checklist will include:

• Are you eligible?
• Are you matching funds (25%)?
• What is the number of participants and breadth of community outreach?
• How will you measure the impact of the project? How will the project increase access to literacy?
• How is your project idea innovative or creative?
• How are under-represented groups benefiting (diversity, inclusion, rural)?

Literacy Nova Scotia Grants Application       Guidelines

Deadline to apply is February 28, 2020.

Literacy Nova Scotia is helping Decoda Literacy Solutions, BC’s literacy organization, explore the literacy and essential skills needs, available services and gaps for Canadian workers who have been displaced. The goal of this three-year research project is to find promising practices. Some of these practices will be beta-tested for future expansion.

By filling out this short questionnaire, you will help identify ‘hot spots’ across the country – places where Decoda can further explore, conduct interviews and identify potential beta-testing sites. Please complete the questionnaire by February 28, 2020. Your efforts will help define successful practices to help workers and their families get back on their feet. This project is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and is supported by partners Social Research and Demonstration Corporation and Learning Metrix.

Adult Learners' Week 2020: 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 Adult Learners' Week 2020 ebooklet. View the ALW2019 ebooklet
ALW activities are funded by the Department of Labour and Advanced Education (LAE).


Applications for the 2020 NSPGI Adult Learner Achievement Awards are Available.
These awards will be presented at the NSPGI Dinner and Auction for Literacy to be held on Tuesday, March 31 in Halifax. Your application must include your learning story and a recommendation from your teacher/tutor.
NSPGI Learner Achievement Award ($500)
Nova Learning Achievement Award ($1000)
Teacher's recommendation
Application deadline for both awards is Friday, February 28, 2020 – 4:30pm.

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. Email them to marie.david@literacyns.ca by Friday, May 1st.

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for February and March 2020:
• Teaching Math: Keeping It Real: Feb 3 – 28
• The Beginning Reader: Basics: Feb 3 – 28
• Literacy, Adult Learners and YOU!: Mar 2 – 27
• Communications - Learners in Transition: Mar 2 – 27
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 February – June 2020 is available. Questions? Contact Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203.
Funding from the Department of Labour and Advanced Education (LAE) ensures free tuition for participants from NSSAL who are LNS members.
 

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). Funds provided by LAE.

Computers for Schools: Does your learning organization need refurbished computers? We offer our LNS members laptops, computers, printers, monitors, keyboards, cables, etc. NSSAL funds the licenses for Windows and Microsoft Office that are included on the computer and laptop orders. Place your orders today.
 

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The Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia is offering full day workshops which represent the third offering of the workshop series on Nonprofit Organizational Core Competencies, and follows on from the previous sessions on Board Governance and Strategic Planning.
February 12, 9:30am - 3:30pm, 274 Main St, Antigonish  Register
February 20, 9:30am - 3:30pm, 9256 Commercial St, New Minas   Register
February 24, 9:30am - 3:30pm, 5450 Cornwallis St, Halifax   Register
February 25, 9:30am - 3:30pm, 14 Court St, Truro  Register

January to April 2020 at Acadia University, Wolfville NS
Acadia Lifelong Learning offers courses and events designed for the community, on genetics, history, craft beer making, video making on iphones, and more. Read more

Tuesday, March 31, 5:00 – 8:30pm at Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, Halifax NS
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

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After struggling with reading and writing her entire life, Islander Dianne Smith received the Peter Gzowski Award for literacy on Saturday afternoon. The award was given to Smith by the P.E.I. Literacy Alliance at a ceremony at the Confederation Centre in Charlottetown.
Read more

PGI Grants and the NSPGI Dinner and Auction for Literacy enhance learning for children, adults and the teachers in programs at Équipe. The grants provide funding for teaching resources and books. Read more

The 2020 African Heritage Month theme The Ties that Bind: Faith, Family and Community recognizes the essential traits that sustain the strength, resiliency and togetherness of the African Nova Scotian community. Read more

RESDAC is looking for a dynamic individual to lead the creation and management of a new Pan-Canadian organization for Literacy and Essential Skills in Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs). Email applications to adjointedg@resdac.net by 6:00 pm AT on February 24, 2020. Read more

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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 resource:

• Assembly of First Nations Adult Education Tool-Kit
• GED Tracking Sheet - Suggested Order of Organization

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

This report was funded by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). It is an important contribution to our understanding of the state of literacy and essential skills in Canada and how we got here, and is also available in French.

To help celebrate African Heritage Month 2020, Nova Scotia public libraries have pulled together a selection of biographies and autobiographies from notable African Nova Scotians, available at your local public library. Resources

Grass Roots Press publishes high-quality resources for adult basic education and English as a Second Language communities, including assessment tools, workbooks, photostories, biographies, and literature. 2020 Catalogue

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As I Was Saying - January 2020
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Central Region - February 2020
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Highland Region - February 2020
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - January 2020
Tech Tips - January 2020
Volunteer Canada News - January 2020
World Education / U.S. - January 2020