Welcome to 2021! I hope you all had a restful break over the holidays. It was a time to reflect on all that was accomplished despite the trying times. And now, we are full speed ahead with planning for the spring.

We are very pleased with the success of the Webinar Wednesday series! It was decided during the committee’s debrief that we should consider offering these monthly starting in February. A survey below will ensure the timing and topics are most relevant to you. Please be specific in your comments to ensure the topics/speakers meet your needs. If you haven’t watched Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe’s recording yet on Everyday Resiliency in Ever-Changing Times, time is running out. We are able to display it until January 9th.

Congratulations to the scholarship and bursary winners! We didn’t receive award applications from learners attending the community based learning programs. We are interested in knowing why and how we can support their financial needs. Please reach out if you can shed some light on this.

We want to ensure a smooth transition to the new Practitioner Training Program learning platform. We’ve decided we need a bit more time for testing of the new site. The Learning Challenges module started on Monday and we have postponed the Beginning Reader module for a week.

We were fortunate to receive a grant through the Rural Communities Foundation of NS as part of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund. This funding ensured our work in the fisheries could continue after the completion of the Atlantic project on October 31 until additional project money is secured. We will be offering a 10-week contract for a facilitator. Deadline to apply is January 29th.

Don’t forget that 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.

We’ve begun preliminary discussions about Adult Learners’ Week activities and will be turning our thoughts to NSPGI2021 in the coming weeks.

Let’s take our learnings into the New Year, with renewed hope, new opportunities, and positive changes.

Literacy Nova Scotia received a short term grant to continue our important work in the fisheries sector in Nova Scotia following the completion of the Atlantic project on October 31, 2020 and prior to additional project funding being secured. The Empowerment for Employment Project is supported by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund and Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia. Read more    Workplace Essential Skills Facilitator/Instructor Job Posting

LNS will offer webinars in 2021 for practitioners within NSSAL’s community learning organizations. In order to design this professional development to meet your training objectives, we need your input! Please complete this survey and submit it by January 13th. We are able to continue these with support from LAE.

Charleen Gill-Gagnon — $1500 Scholarship Recipient (NSCC Ivany)
William Dupe — $500 Bursary Recipient (NSCC Marconi)
Karen Parkinson — $500 Bursary Recipient (NSCC Marconi)
Angel Patterson— $500 Bursary Recipient (Queens Adult High School)
These financial awards are made possible through sponsorships and donations to the NSPGI. Read more

Adult Learners' Week 2021 will be held in Nova Scotia from April 5 - 9. 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 be entered in a draw for a chance to win an iPad Mini and will be published in the Adult Learners' Week 2021 ebooklet. View the ALW2020 ebooklet. All ALW activities are funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support NSSAL learners.

The Learning Beacon: Here's an opportunity for adult learners to have their stories published in the 2021 issue. Please encourage your learners to write stories about their hometowns for the Community Map feature. If learners want to submit stories on other subjects, we could have a 'Student Writing' feature. Email the stories to Marie David.

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for February and March 2021:
• Communications - Learners in Transition: Basics: February 1 – 26
• Supporting English as an Additional Language Adult Literacy Learners (EAL ALLs): February 1 – 26
• Teaching Math - Basic Principles: March 1 – 26
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, tuition schedule, and how to register for modules. Questions? Contact Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203. These modules are funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support the NSSAL system.
Registration Form for NSSAL Participants
Registration Form for Non-NSSAL Participants (Tuition Payers) 

The 22nd Annual Family Literacy Day (FLD) is Wednesday, January 27, 2021 and ABC Life Literacy Canada will again provide Family Literacy Day materials on their website for the celebration for non-profit literacy groups. Families are always encouraged to take 15 minutes of Fun for FLD with new activity ideas and several new resources that the whole family can enjoy together.

NSSAL IT Fund: There are funds available for community-based learning organizations to purchase equipment and resources necessary for the delivery of NSSAL’s Adult Learning Program. Read more information on criteria and application process. The NSSAL IT Fund is funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support the NSSAL system.

Is there a PD opportunity that would benefit your learning organization?
Apply to the NSSAL PD Fund. Online learning opportunities are eligible. Applications received in November will be reviewed on December 8th. The NSSAL PD Fund is funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support the NSSAL system.

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January 2021
Teamworks Cooperative offers free employment webinars on job search, networking strategies, cover letter/resume writing and more delivered via Zoom. To register, email reception@teamworkbridge.org.

Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 4:00pm AT
You are invited to join the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia for a virtual celebration to reflect on the past year and celebrate the year ahead. Join the event via Zoom.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 5:30pm AT
In honour of Family Literacy Day 2021, award-winning children's author Barbara Reid will be doing a demonstration on how to use clay to create a picture. This event is ideal for children in grades 1 to 6 and their families. Register

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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. This resource is fully funded by Labour and Advanced Education to support the NSSAL system. Recently uploaded resources:

• Adult Basic Skills Instructor Training Manual - Teaching Writing
• Inspire a Life of Reading: Lesson Plans to Engage Adult Beginning Readers
• Use Digital Technology 'How-To' Sheets
• ABC Alpha pour la vie Canada - Manuels pour les compétences générales
• ABC Alpha pour la vie Canada et l'Association des banquiers canadiens: Votres Argent-Aînés
• ABC Alpha pour la vie Canada - Question d'argent
• Your Money Seniors Program - Canadian Bankers Association
• ABC Life Literacy Canada - e-Banking and e-Transfers

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

ABC Life Literacy Canada provides free downloadable FLD resources for practitioners including activity and tip sheets, an activity book, poster and bookmark. Resources are available in English and French. Learning organizations are welcome to register their FLD events. Find a 2021 FLD event

Grass Roots Press publishes high-quality resources for adult basic education and English language learners. Audiobooks are available for four series: Good Reads, Anna Sweet Mysteries, Soft Skills at Work and biographies. Read more

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ABC Life Literacy Canada - December 2020
As I Was Saying - January 2021
Digital Literacy Success Stories in Ontario's Community-Based LBS Agencies
Literacy Council of New Brunswick - December 2020
Tamarack Institute - December 2020
Volunteer Canada News - December 2020
World Education / U.S. - December 2020