June is a great month filled with graduations and completion ceremonies at many learning organizations across the province. Celebrate your successes and then make plans to continue whether it be in formal learning programs, workplace learning, community learning or on-line learning. Learning is a lifelong activity with many benefits. As Anthony J. D’Angelo said: “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”

We are looking forward to presenting the NSPGI Learner Achievement Awards at our AGM on June 15th. Normally we would give these out at the NSPGI event, which for more than 20 years has been a golf tournament. Unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel the Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy, scheduled to be held on June 18th, 2018 at Fox Harb’r Resort in Wallace due to low registration. Despite offering it at the gorgeous Fox Harb’r Resort and lots of publicity through the CKDH Radio in Amherst, golf tournaments seem to be a hard sell. So we’re moving away from golf and are planning an alternative PGI for Literacy event in the Fall.

The PGI Grants review committee will be meeting on July 11th to discuss the 2018 applications. CLOs will be notified regarding approvals shortly after that by email and will receive their cheques in early September.

Team LNS participated in the Scotiabank Blue Nose Charity Challenge for the third time. Thank you to Sandi Beckwith, Elaine Frampton, Dylan Ormiston, and Kaycee Hunter for your steadfast support. We welcomed new members to the team: Nancy Thompson and Gina MacCallum. We look forward to even more next year! We can partner with others who would like to raise money for LNS and their own learning organizations as well. This is always a great event.

We’re pleased to announce that Colin Bawn has been contracted as the new Project Coordinator of Literacy and Essential Skills at Work in Rural Coastal Communities. Colin has experience both as a program coordinator/developer as well as being an adult facilitator. He has successfully connected job seekers to employers for many years and is excited to bring his knowledge and enthusiasm to this project. Read more

November 15 & 16, 2018 at 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@nscc.ca

For 20+ years we have held the NSPGI Golf Tournament for Literacy as our major fundraiser which provides support to our adult learners and practitioners. Sadly, this year we had to cancel NSPGI due to low registration. Even though we are currently planning our new PGI for Literacy event to take place during Literacy Action Week this coming November, we still need to come up with other ways to raise funds in order to continue to make a difference for more than 2,000 adults enrolled each year in 30+ community-based programs across our province.
Make a donation to LNS during the Great Canadian Giving Challenge for the month of June, and we could win a $10,000 dollar donation gift provided by the GIC3 foundation. For every dollar donated until June 30th, 2018, we will automatically be entered the $10,000 dollar donation.

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. Contact Marie David at marie.david@nscc.ca or 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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Friday June 15th at 5:00pm, NSCC Truro
RSVP to Heather Lauther by Friday June 8th. Email literacyns@nscc.ca
Read more

Thursday June 7, 2018 at 3:00pm AT
In this hour-long session, participants will learn how to develop strategic fundraising plans that build on the assets they already have, identify new opportunities to generate revenue, brainstorm ways to fundraise more effectively, and consider how to go from planning to action. Register

Thursday June 7 at 2:00pm AT
Do you sometimes get caught up in day-to-day tasks and forget why you are really doing your work? This webinar will help you better understand your values and how they relate to more purposeful work. Register

Tuesday June 12th at 2:00pm AT
Learn more about how this exciting program uses stories and activities to bring families together to celebrate and practice their literacy skills and encourage daily learning. Resources are available in five languages: English, French, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog and Arabic. Register

June 15 - 16, 2018 in Antigonish NS
Competition events include pool, cribbage, nordic pole walking, bowling, darts, and more! Registration deadline is Friday June 8th. For more information or to register, email antigonishsgia@gmail.com    Read more

June 17 - 20, 2018 at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax NS
How We THRIVE is a four-day learning institute that weaves together big-picture thinking, hands-on learning streams, visits to the community, mindfulness, and lots of creative engagement. Read more

Tuesday June 19, 10:00 to 11:00am at Metroworks, Halifax NS
Thursday June 21, 10:00 to 11:00am at Dartmouth Learning Network, and
3:00 to 4:00pm at Hants Learning Network Association
This presentation is being offered in 3 locations and is open to local community, learning, newcomers’, nonprofit and Indigenous organizations.
RSVP to Erica at eruthkelly@abclifeliteracy.ca by June 11, 2018.

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

October 12 - 13, 2018 at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax NS
Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) in association with the Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education (CASAE) is pleased to offer this conference which will provide an opportunity for professionals and researchers working in adult education to explore current research and issues in the field. Registration information TBA.

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Hundreds of adults from Yarmouth to Sydney are receiving their adult high school diplomas this month, helping to connect them to higher education and better job opportunities at home. Close to 500 adults will participate in 19 adult graduation ceremonies over the coming weeks. Read more

Cape Breton’s elementary schools will no longer rely on library technicians for book loans. Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton County executive director Karen Blair says studies show that books are strongly linked to educational achievement. “There is a potential to have less books in a child’s home and that can affect academic achievement." Read more

A 39-year-old single mother of five living in poverty, Kim used to dream of being a social worker or a police officer. After dropping out of high school, she accepted that she would never have the education to do anything but unskilled, physical jobs, but Kim has fulfilled her dream. Read more

PEI Public Library Service is proud to announce its "Library of Things" Collection. This collection offers a variety of non-traditional materials that can be borrowed with a library card: Technology kits, adult fitness kits, yoga mats, ukuleles, and more. Read more

This updated resource from the Literacy Coaltion of New Brunswick offers family literacy activity ideas. Resource

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ABC Life Literacy Canada News - May 2018
Alphaplus - May 2018
As I Was Saying - May 2018
AWENS - May 2018
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Northern Region - June 2018
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - June 2018
Literacy Matters - Spring 2018
NWT Literacy Council - May 2018
Tamarack Institute - May 2018
Tech Tips - May 2018
Transforming Lives - May 2018
Volunteer Canada News - May 2018
World Education / US - May 2018