Happy New Year!

January 27th is Family Literacy Day. It takes place to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. For more information, resources and materials, visit ABC Life Literacy Canada.

The Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) project is gearing up for its second cohort in the Digby area. A revised curriculum has been developed. We are interviewing potential facilitators and excited to start meeting with referrals to select participants for the project.

Plans are underway for our Spring activities, including the highlight of our year: Adult Learners’ Week. The week will kick off with the NSPGI Dinner and Auction for Literacy on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Halifax Marriott Harbourfront. Join Cindy Day and over two hundred others as we come together to support this worthwhile cause. 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. Chief Leroy Denny will receive the Purdy Crawford Literacy Champion award. Local author and artist, Jenni Blackmore, has been selected as Poet Laureate. A special appearance by town crier Will Brewer for Olde Town of Halifax. There are many ways to support, as a sponsor, by purchasing a corporate table, individual tickets or through donations. Information is available here. We are hoping it will be as successful as last year which raised the most of all events across Canada. The proceeds from this fundraiser are used for financial awards for learners. Applications for the 2020 NSPGI Achievement Awards are now available. Given the success of the 2019 NSPGI event, we are able to offer grants for learning programs. The LNS Grants Committee has been working on the criteria and details for a new grant program will be announced in February’s enews.

We are looking for recommendations of adult learners, past or present, to speak at the 2020 Adult Learners' Week celebration the first week of April. This is an opportunity to let others know the importance of improving our literacy and essential skills. We are also accepting submissions to the 2020 ALW ebooklet. All eligible submissions will be entered into a draw for an ipad mini.

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.

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. ALW2019 ebooklet

Applications for 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.
 

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.
 

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Mondays, 9:00 - 11:00am at Hants Learning Network, 90 Sandford Drive, Windsor NS
January 13: Intro to Tablets and iPads and January 20: More About Tablets and iPads
Call 902-472-3133 to register.

January 27, 10:00am - noon at Truro Library, 754 Prince St., Truro, NS
This ED Network will showcase technology designed to help non profit and voluntary organizations recruit, engage, and retain volunteers. Read more

January 27, 1:00 - 3:00pm at Four Points By Sheraton Hotel, 1496 Hollis St., Halifax NS
Meet face to face with hiring companies in Halifax. Recruiters, HR Managers, Hiring Companies, Associations, Employment Agencies. Read more

Tuesday February 4, 10:00am to 12:00pm at NSCC Akerley, Dartmouth NS
Experiential Learning is paid/unpaid experience provided by an employer or community organization, which allows students to learn by doing. Experiential Learning helps employers and non profit community organizations connect with exceptional student talent. Register

Monday February 24, 9:30am – 3:30pm at 5450 Cornwallis Street, Halifax NS
This full day workshop on Financial Sustainability represents the third offering of our workshop series on Nonprofit Organizational Core Competencies, and follows on from our previous sessions on Board Governance and Strategic Planning. Register

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Krystal Jackson, one of our Adult Learners' Week 2019 speakers, has completed her GED at Halifax Community Learning Network. Krystal has recently received even more recognition for her learning achievements. 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:

• Mi'kmaw Legends & Culture for Adult Education

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

Family Literacy Day takes place every January 27th to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. ABC Life Literacy Canada provides free resources to share at your Family Literacy Day event and with families year-round. Resources
 

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ABC Life Literacy Canada News - December 2019
Alphaplus - December 2019
As I Was Saying - January 2020
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Central Region - January 2020
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - December 2020
NWT Literacy Council - December 2019
Tamarack Institute - December 2019
Tech Tips - December 2019
Transforming Lives - December 2019
Volunteer Canada News - December 2019