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LNS Celebrates Our Learning Organization Members: Click on the logo to read about them.

PiCCoLA

Pictou County Continuous Learning Association
(PiCCoLA)



July 2016   |   Volume 13   |   Issue 11
News From Literacy Nova Scotia
Executive Director's Message
Although the NSPGI 2016 tournament was rained out, with the support of our sponsors and golfers, we were still able to raise over $56,000! Golfers left with a certificate from Links at Penn Hills for a day of golf, a boxed lunch from Masstown Market, and a new book to read. Connie Kaldor and sons performed a benefit concert in Tatamagouche the night before the tournament. Silent auctions were also held which included golf prizes and author readings to children by Sheree Fitch. Thank you to Sheree for generously donating her time. Bob White of Wildflower Vending & Promotions was chosen as the recipient of the Gzowski Spirit award. NSPGI learner award winners Dale Reddick and Hakim Ibrahim were interviewed on CBC radio and were presented with their awards. We’re looking forward to a sunny day next June 18 & 19th for NSPGI 2017 in Bell Bay, Baddeck.

The PGI Grant Review committee has completed the review of applications. Notifications will be sent by email on July 12th with cheques to follow in late August.

Literacy Nova Scotia hosted a meeting of the Maritime Literacy Coalitions and provincial government department representatives on June 29th. We will be working together in making a joint submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance by August 5th.

Literacy Nova Scotia celebrated Canada Day with a book give-away from First Book Canada. Over 2,500 books were selected by readers at the Creamery Square in Tatamagouche. Everyone was thrilled to receive a new book and are looking forward to it happening again next year.

We’re pleased to feature our member, Pictou County Continuous Learning Association in this month’s enews.

Deadlines to remember:
2015 PGI grant final activity reports are due on July 11 for any groups who had not spent all of the funds.

We’ll be sending out a membership reminder notice. Current memberships expire on August 31, renewal fees are due by September 1.

Our office will be closed on July 18 until August 19 inclusive.

Summer reading: if you have an eReader (or borrow one from a library) you can sign up for free books through BookBub!
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What's New
Opportunities for Learners
LNS Scholarship and Bursary Awards Available for Adult Learners
Three bursaries of $500 and two scholarships of $1500 (one of which is designated for a NSCC Truro Campus Student) are available.
Bursary Application - Application deadline is October 21, 2016
Scholarship Application - Application deadline is October 21, 2016

Opportunities for Practitioners
Practitioner Training (PT) Modules resume in October:
Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing, and Spelling: Oct 2 – 28
Teaching Math: Keeping It Real: Oct 2 – 28
Modules will not be offered during the summer months.
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. Email Marie David to register for these modules.

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 $7000 remaining in this fund.

Share your best practices, knowledge and expertise. We are looking for presenters at the PD Conference in Truro on November 17th and 18th. Contact Marie.David@nscc.ca.

Opportunities for Organizations
Community-based learning organizations can apply every year for free computer systems and laptops. Organizations should be replacing older systems each year. Apply today! These come with Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010 installed. Other computer accessories are also available through our partnership with Computers for Schools. There is a minimum of two per network at this time, but organizations may be able to order more in the fall 2016 if required.

Community-based learning organizations funded under NSSAL can apply for ipad minis and other assistive technology.


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In The News
New Public Library in CBRM a Natural Fit
The Nova Scotia government’s new Strategy on Literacy creates an expanded role for public libraries. Several observations can be made that confirm the importance of establishing a modern and futuristically equipped public library in Sydney, which will play an essential role in the literacy strategy. Read more

Civic Literacy Survey
Elections Canada and ABC Life Literacy Canada are partnering on this survey to help ensure their civic literacy resources fit the needs of your adult learners. Your answers will inform how they update their current resources, and what resources they create next. The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Family Literacy Day 2017 Theme and Materials Survey
As ABC Life Literacy Canada plans for the 19th Annual Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2017, we look forward to hearing your feedback on materials and theme for FLD. The survey will take less than five minutes. Survey

Want to Stay Healthy? Read Nutrition Labels
People look at nutrition labels on food packages for different reasons. Many consumers would like to know how to use this information more effectively and easily to make quick, informed food choices that contribute to a healthy diet. Read more
Health Canada Nutrition Labelling       Nutrition Label Quiz

Exercise Helps Kids Learn, Expert Panel Finds
Physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are good for brain development and function in children and that exercise sessions before, during and after school boosts academic prowess. Read more

Accommodating Volunteers with Disabilities
Accessibility and diversity are about accommodating everyone, not just people with disabilities or people from minority groups. You want to make volunteering as welcoming to the widest number of people possible. Creating accessibility for people with disabilities turns out to be helpful to everyone. Read more


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Events
Save the Date! Professional Development Conference for Practitioners
November 17 - 18, 2016 at the Holiday Inn Conference Centre, Truro NS
The Professional Development Conference for Practitioners is open to all practitioners and coordinators who are looking for professional development to help them better support under-skilled and under-employed Nova Scotians. Watch for more information and registration details in the fall! Subsidy confirmations and registration will be announced by early September.

strADDegies for Success Program
August 2016 in Halifax, Truro and Kentville
Transitioning from high school to university or college can be overwhelming for the best of students. This program will help students with ADHD or other 'Diverse-Abilities' make the most of their post-secondary education. Read more

2016 Atlantic Summer Institute on Healthy and Safe Communities
August 16 - 18 in Charlottetown PE
ASI 2016: Promoting Child and Youth Mental Health - Engaging all Generations! This Atlantic Canadian event will bring together individuals from across the region with an interest in child and youth mental health. Read more

Webinar: Money Matters for Newcomers and New Canadians
Thursday, August 25 from 3:00 — 4:00pm AT
In the webinar you will learn what this free financial literacy program covers, how newcomers can improve their confidence around money management, and how you can bring TD volunteers in to help you facilitate the workshops. Read more


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Resources
99 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom
Here are ways to make Facebook work in your classroom, some tried and true, and others that have evolved with Facebook: resources, assignments, and amazing uses for any type of classroom. Resource

Grass Roots Press Celebrates 20 Years in Book Publishing
To celebrate their 20th Anniversary, Grass Roots Press is offering a 20% discount on featured titles every month in 2016. Kick off your summer adult learning reading program with a Good Read! Resource

BookBub: Great Deals on Bestselling eBooks
BookBub alerts you to limited-time free & discounted ebooks matching your interests. It's free to join, you can read on any device, and the books are yours to own. Resource

Volunteer Canada Library
Volunteer Canada offers a wealth of resources and publications on a wide range of topics affecting volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations. Stay on top of volunteering trends and increase your knowledge on topics important to you and your organization. Resource

Factsheet: Employer Support of Volunteering
Statistics Canada has released a factsheet which explores to what extent employer support for volunteering is associated with an increase in employee participation in volunteer activities, and examines if employer support for volunteering varies by industry. Resource

Frontier College Has a New Website
Frontier College offers a variety of programs for adults and young adults who want to increase their literacy skills, from one-on-one tutoring to small classes. They are excited to share their new and improved website.

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