Mike Harris received the NSPGI 2018 Nova Scotia Learner Award at the NSPGI Learner Celebration in Wolfville on November 19, 2018.

Happy New Year!
Literacy Nova Scotia is very pleased to announce Lockheed Martin as the presenting sponsor for the NSPGI 2019 Gala Dinner and Auction on April 30th at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront. We are looking forward to a successful event as this is our major fundraiser for the year and are excited about the many changes being implemented. We’ve moved from holding a golf tournament to a gala dinner and auction and have an awesome committee working with us on sponsorship, auction, and dinner ticket sales. Thanks to our sponsors, we are able to offer two learner achievement awards, one for $500 and one for $1,000. As part of the fundraising efforts for this event, we are launching an online 50/50 lottery. Our goal is to raise $20,000 to use specifically for PGI grants for community learning organizations. These will be separate from the current PGI grants which will be rebranded as the NSSAL Community Grants. The current grants funded by NSSAL have evolved over the years and are no longer connected with the PGI for literacy event. Renaming the existing grants to acknowledge the funding and criteria from the Department of Labour and Advanced Education allows additional grants to be offered by Literacy Nova Scotia with money raised through the PGI. This is an exciting new initiative for us.

As part of the NSSAL review, the various programs funded by LAE are being reviewed:

• A committee is meeting this month to review the LNS Resource Hub to ensure it is being fully utilized. The documents from the PD Conference have been uploaded and are available on the Hub.
• The next PD conference will be held on October 24 & 25, 2019. We’ll be announcing a theme and looking for practitioners to join the planning committee in February.
• The Learning Plan will be incorporated as an activity of the practicum for the Practitioner Training Program.
• The PD Fund review committee will meet the second Tuesday of every month to review applications. Feedback from the last review resulted in a request for more information provided on the applications. Specifically, further description about the training/workshops as per the evaluation criteria as well as the qualifications of the facilitator/instructor.

The Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) project is gearing up to commence the first week of February in Barrington. Interviews for this free program are taking place this month. See our website for more details on this "training for employment" opportunity.

We’ll be looking for adult learners, past or present, to speak at the 2019 Adult Learners' Week celebration on April 1st at the Halifax Central Library. Let us know if you have someone to recommend.

The deadline for receiving nominations is May 24th, 2019 at 4:30pm.
More details about the nomination process. Elections will be held on May 31st if needed to fill any vacancies. The new terms will begin following the next Annual General Meeting on June 14, 2019.

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. Here is a list of recent uploads:

• Mindfulness in Action: An Introduction to Mindfulness and Practical Applications
• Exploring UDL & Adult Learning Principles to Create Inclusive Digital Spaces for All Learners
• NSSAL Review: Design and Implementation - Phase III
• DEARMAN Worksheet: Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
• Check the Facts: Emotion Regulation Worksheet
• Learning Centres that Use a Multiliteracies Approach in Adult Education Contexts
• Reaching out: Best Practices for Teaching Employability Skills and Financial Literacy to Individuals with Mental Health Challenges

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

Literacy Nova Scotia is excited to announce their first 50/50 online raffle. E-tickets will be available with just a few clicks from your mobile device. Tickets are $10.00 each with 5000 tickets available. The winning ticket will be drawn at the NSPGI for Literacy Gala Dinner and Auction at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel on April 30, 2019 at 7:00pm with a live Facebook broadcast.

Monies raised will support community-based learning organizations and allow adult learners in your community access to the services and support they need to achieve their goals. LNS would like to thank you for your support and encourage you to purchase tickets and tell people about this fundraising opportunity. Share links through your social media and email and help us make this a success. Like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and ticket purchase links as they become available. LNS website

Join Literacy Nova Scotia's team for the 2019 Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon being held from June 6 - 9, 2019 in Halifax NS. Run, jog, walk or stroll. With so many runs to choose from there's something for everyone including a 2km youth run and a virtual run so you can participate wherever you are! Discounted registration fees for a limited time, so join our team at LNS and register now!! Help us to continue our efforts to support literacy programs in your community. For more information email Gina MacCallum or call 902-897-2444.

Adult Learners' Week 2019: 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 2019 ebooklet. ALW2018 ebooklet

Applications for 2019 NSPGI Adult Learner Achievement Awards are Available.
These awards will be presented at the NSPGI for Literacy Gala Dinner and Auction to be held on Tuesday, April 30 in Halifax.
Maritime Travel Learner Achievement Award ($500)
Teacher's recommendation
Nova Learning Achievement Award ($1000)
Teacher's recommendation
Application deadline for both awards is Friday, March 29 - 4:30pm.

The Learning Beacon: Here's an opportunity for adult learners to have their stories published in the 2019 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@nscc.ca by Friday April 26th.

Register now for Practitioner Training Modules offered in January & February 2019:
• Learning Challenges: Jan 7 to Feb 1
• Supporting English as an Additional Language Adult Literacy Learners: Jan 7 to Feb 1
• Literacy, Adult Learners and YOU!: Feb 4 to March 1
• The Beginning Reader - Basics: Feb 4 to March 1
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, and tuition schedule. Email Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203.

Survey: Literacy as a Poverty Reduction Strategy
Frontier College and the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) invite practitioners to complete their survey by January 31, 2019. The information you share will help shape their National Report, and will help inform the future of adult literacy in Canada.

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 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.

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Tuesday April 30th, 2019, 5:30pm to 9:00pm at the Halifax Marriott Harbourview Hotel
Join us for a fabulous evening of fun, entertainment and food, and hear the inspiring stories of adults who changed their lives by returning to learning! Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Order tickets online   For more information, email Marie David or call 902-897-2444.

21 Acadia Street, 2nd Floor Library, Amherst, NS
CAN-U offers a range of upgrading opportunities, including the Adult Learning Program, GED preparation, Math Club, and a variety of technology-focused and employment skills programs. Call 902-660-3095 or 902-661-0153, or email can-u@ns.sympatico.ca. Read more

January 15, 2019 from 9:30am to 12:00pm at the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 2158 Gottingen St, Halifax NS
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise™ is a workshop that engages people's minds and hearts in understanding why the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is often broken and how we can take action together. Register

January 24, 2019, 10:00am to 12:00 noon at 7 Mellor Avenue, Unit 5, Dartmouth NS
Executive Directors in the Halifax/Central region are invited to join the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia's ED Network. Connect with peers, advocate for change and engage in learning & professional development. Read more

January to April 2019 at Acadia University, Wolfville NS
Acadia Lifelong Learning offers courses and events designed for the community, from music and literature to painting, photography, birding and making homebrewed beer. Read more

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Jayne Hunter broke out into a large smile. She had just heard Literacy Nova Scotia, where she’s the executive director, was chosen as the latest recipient of the 100 Women Who Care Truro’s donation. The December meeting was the 19th for the group, who had given away more than $180,000 in the 18 similar gatherings prior. Read more

The Boys and Girls Club of Cape Breton is hoping to expand its literacy skills program for 2019 and they need volunteers to do so. The Whitney Pier Youth Club (WPYC) Literacy Program started in November 2017 as a pilot project after an anonymous donor gave the club the funds needed to do so. Read more

ABC Life Literacy Canada is offering free new downloads for celebrating Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2019, including a poster, activity sheet, bookmark and promotional materials. Resources.

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ABC Life Literacy Canada News - December 2018
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Central Region - January 2019
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - December 2018
Tamarack Institute - December 2018
Tech Tips - January 2019
Transforming Lives - December 2018
Volunteer Canada News - December 2018
World Education / U.S. - January 2019