Literacy Nova Scotia held its Annual General Meeting on June 15th. We are pleased to welcome Donna MacGillivary to the board. The LNS executive remain the same for the upcoming year. The annual report will be sent to members and posted on the website shortly. We continue to support learners, practitioners and their organizations and have highlighted some of this work in an impact page.

Our proposal has been submitted to the Department of Labour and Advanced Education to continue our major programs for the next two years. These include the Practitioner Training (PT), provincial practitioner conference, PD Fund, the LNS Resource Hub, PGI grants, and Adult Learners’ Week. We will also be applying for the development of the PT module on supporting learners with mental health challenges. This is an important topic which will be the theme of this year’s conference on November 15 & 16.

LNS continues its work with our Atlantic partners on the Essential Skills for Fisheries. Meetings and training were held in Moncton the latter part of June. Colin Bawn will be pulling together a Community Advisory Committee and scheduling a meeting in early September.

LNS was asked by the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills to submit a concept paper for a potential national project to develop a framework for professional development for essential skills practitioners. We were one of three to make a submission. We should hear in two weeks if we are to proceed with a project proposal. This would be for a four year national project involving many of our partners across Canada and within Nova Scotia.

We are pleased to announce the date for the NSPGI for literacy event is November 19th. This will be a learner celebration held in Kentville. We’re leveraging an important donation from 100 Men Who Give a Damn Annapolis Valley and the efforts of the Valley region community learning organizations. We’ll raise money; enjoy music, words and laughter; learn about the importance of literacy, and celebrate the successes of adult learners.

Our office will be closed August 6 – 10th. Enjoy the warmer days of summer!

Carson Fraser received the 2018 Gary Mason Learner Achievement Award at the LNS AGM on June 15th, 2018. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of an adult learner in Nova Scotia who attends Levels 1, 2, or 3 of an Adult Learning Program and who plans to continue in the learning program. Carson attends upgrading classes at the Dartmouth Learning Network as well as tutoring through the Halifax Community Learning Network. "His attendance and effort is excellent and his improvement staggering," says one of his tutors. Janice Mason, wife of the late educator Gary Mason, presented the award to Carson: "This is an achievement you should be very, very proud of."

The lazy days of summer are finally here, and it's time to have fun reading! LNS held another successful Summer Reading Book Giveaway on June 29, 2018 at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester's "Kids Day Out at the RECC" at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro. LNS fundraising coordinator Gina MacCallum gave away over 200 books for children and youth. Congratulations, teachers and students on another great year of learning! LNS would like to thank the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, Fulton's Insurance and The Truro Lions Club for making the Summer Reading Book Giveaway possible. A special thank you goes to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester for letting us be part of their 40 year celebration of serving children, youth and families in our community.

November 15 & 16, 2018 - Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre, Truro NS
LNS invites knowledgeable presenters with experience in adult education facilitation to submit proposals for 90-minute workshop sessions allowing for presentation, interactive activities and discussion. Click here to see the complete list of topics. Workshop proposals must be submitted using the online form.
Deadline for proposals: July 6, 2018
For more information, contact Marie David

LNS Scholarship and Bursary Awards are available for adult learners. Application deadline is October 19, 2018.

Register now for Practitioner Training (PT) Modules offered in the Fall 2018:
• Literacy, Adult Learners and YOU! - October 8 to November 2
• Teaching Math: Keeping It Real - October 8 to November 2
• Integrating Information Technology (IT) Skills into Your Teaching - November 5 to 30
• Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing and Spelling - November 5 to 30
• What's Your Message? Relating to the Adult Learner - November 15 or 16 in Truro
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, and tuition schedule. Email Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203.

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. Email Elaine Frampton to request an account registration code.

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. 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.

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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July 5 to August 23, 2018
75 shows and workshops are scheduled in public libraries across the province this summer. This year’s Public Libraries Summer Tour also includes two different workshops aimed at providing children with hands-on activities and exposing them to STEM learning and the arts. Read more

July 6, 2018 from 12 noon – 1:00pm at Provost & Forbes St, New Glasgow NS
'Viola's Way' is a street named after Viola Desmond, who broke barriers and provided inspiration for Canadians around social justice issues. Meet Viola's sister Wanda Robson, enjoy entertainment, refreshments and a view of the new Canadian $10.00 bill with Viola Desmond's image. Viola Desmond was featured in LNS' The Learning Beacon.

July to September 2018
The Cape Breton County Bookmobile serves many rural areas across Cape Breton County, offering convenient access to those who cannot visit one of CBRL’s 12 branch locations. Check the schedule to see when the bookmobile is in your area! Read more

July 10, 2018 from 10am to 12noon at Truro Public Library
For this Executive Director Network meeting for the Northern region, the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia (CSCNS) will highlight two individuals involved in Nova Scotia's community sector. Register

August 20 - 22, 2018 at the University of Prince Edward Island
The Institute offers plenaries, panel discussions and workshops designed to develop a whole society approach to promoting child and youth mental health in Atlantic Canada. Register

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Nova Scotia public libraries will keep children, teens and families learning, reading and engaged over the summer with everything from gaming to Lego robotics, craft programs, outdoor activities, engineering challenges, reptile exhibits, cooking, contests, prizes and more. Read more

The unveiling of two library kiosks at Halifax Stanfield Airport — one located pre-security, the other post-security — will provide travellers, airport staff and local residents with the opportunity to check out a varied collection of between 350 and 400 books. Read more

HCLN's 2018 Yearbook features stories about the joys of learning written by adult learners, practitioners and supporters of literacy. Resource

Kids can track their reading throughout the summer, create an online notebook and read great ebooks. Resource

Find out about workshops and events happening this summer for children at libraries in Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Liverpool. Resource

This family literacy calendar from Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education offers tips and ideas for daily literacy activities every day in July and August. Resource

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ABC Life Literacy Canada News - June 2018
As I Was Saying - June 2018
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Northern Region - July 2018
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - July 2018
NWT Literacy Council - June 2018
Tamarack Institute - June 2018
Tech Tips - June 2018
Transforming Lives - June 2018
Volunteer Canada News - June 2018