eNews
In This Issue
Quick Links


Adult Learner Spotlight:

Read about one of our 2017 Bursary Recipients
Kylie Powder

Kylie Powder

January 2017   |   Volume 14   |   Issue 5
News From Literacy Nova Scotia
Executive Director's Message
Welcome back everyone! Hope you had a great holiday. Learning something new is a great New Year’s resolution. The level of literacy and essential skills needed to succeed demands that we must all be lifelong learners. Let literacy change your life!

We love to hear from learners – whether it be about their challenges so we can identify how we can better support them on their learning journey or whether it be about their successes and overcoming their challenges. Their success stories inspire others to continue learning. Learners can send us stories about the difference learning has made in their lives. The stories will be published in the Adult Learners’ Week ebooklet and be entered in the draw for an iPad mini.

A great example of a learner overcoming challenges and striving to reach her goals is Kylie Powder, our 2017 Bursary recipient from Yarmouth.

Great news! Writing the GED test is now free for learners thanks to the Nova Scotia government covering these fees. Last year almost 550 Nova Scotians earned their General Education Diploma (GED).

Literacy Nova Scotia will be celebrating Family Literacy Day this year with the help of Claude Hamilton and his LIFE LEADERSHIP network of volunteers. We will be holding a public book giveaway event in Halifax on January 28, from noon to 4pm. There will be new books for ages 0 – 18. We’ll have new Disney books from First Books Canada, activities, entertainment, and lots of fun for the whole family. More information will be available next week.

We are busy with several new projects including the development of the practitioner website as well as a new module in the Practitioner Training Program which focuses on teaching English as Another Language.

Thank you to Michelin in Granton and Jennifer MacNutt for nominating Literacy Nova Scotia to be one of the 21 organizations to receive money raised by their staff.

If you would like to support the work of Literacy Nova Scotia, you can get involved in upcoming fundraisers: Blue Nose Marathon, Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament or by donating. We appreciate all our many supporters, funders, partners, and colleagues. Happy New Year to you all!
* * *
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 January 8th:
Literacy, Adult Learners and YOU!: Jan 8 – Feb 3
The Beginning Reader - Basics: Jan 8 – Feb 3
Teaching Math - Basic Principles: Jan 8 – Feb 3
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)

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

* * *
In The News
It's Now Free for Nova Scotians to Take Their GED Test
Nova Scotia has eliminated the fee needed to get a general education diploma (GED) in the province. Previously, students were required to cover about 60 per cent of the cost of a test, while the province handled the remaining 40 per cent. Students paid about $67 to take all five GED tests, even with the government's contribution.
Read more

January 27th is Family Literacy Day
By reading to children and engaging in fun literacy activities, parents are actively keeping their own skills sharp, while strengthening their children's literacy skills. Here are some family literacy activity ideas from ABC Life Literacy Canada. Read more

8 Skills Everyone Should Have By Age 18
In the spirit of New Year's resolutions, here is a list of skills needed to function independently that adults, young and old, can work towards in 2017.
Read more

New Study Suggests That Reading Books Might Help You Live Longer
You may have already heard that reading reduces stress, makes you smarter, and can help you become a more empathetic, generous person. New research provides us with yet another great reason to burrow our noses in a book: It might help us live longer lives. Read more

Literacy Challenges Facing Today’s Young Reader
What are the major challenges to literacy in this modern age? Three experts share their insights. Read more


* * *
Events
Literacy Nova Scotia Family Literacy Book Giveaway
Saturday January 28th, noon to 4:00pm in Halifax
Join us as we celebrate Family Literacy Day! We’ll give away new Disney books from First Books Canada, and there will be family literacy activities, entertainment, and lots of fun for the whole family.

Programs & Special Events at Pictou-Antigonish Regional Libraries
Pictou-Antigonish Regional Libraries offer over 100 regular library programs per month. Something for everyone, from the very young to the young at heart! All library programs are free. Events calendar

Leadership Lab: Support for Executive Directors
January 17, 2017 from 9:30am – 12:00pm
Participants will explore how to help support Executive Directors in their work. Do they need an ED school? Do ED's need coaching and mentoring? What kinds of tools and resources could help ED's do their best work? Read more

Webinar: Managing Volunteer Risk
February 14, 2017 from 8:30 - 11:30am
The session explores risk management tools, the volunteer management cycle and appropriate screening measures for your organization that will help you to build a volunteer orientation process that’s right for your organization. Read more


* * *
Resources
Rocket Languages
Rocket Languages is an interactive program that allows users to learn conversational language at their own pace with access from anywhere and downloadable lessons that are accessible on all MP3 compatible devices. Resource

Online Fraction Calculator
This fraction calculator that can perform addition, subtraction multiplication or division of two fractions. The calculations can be shared or saved for reference. Resource

WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a way people talk to each other all around the world. It is for text messages, video and phone calls over the internet. It is free, safe, and easy to use. Resource     Article

Newsletters