March 2016   |   Volume 13   |   Issue 7
News From Literacy Nova Scotia
Executive Director's Message

We’ve set the date for Adult Learners’ Week in Nova Scotia as the week of April 3 – 9, 2016. We’ll start our celebrations early with the PD Conference for Practitioners on March 31 and April 1. We’ve received many registrations and will be sending out confirmations after March 10th. We’re looking forward to hearing from some adult learners at the conference.

We’re pleased to announce that Brenda Lavandier has been contracted as the new Practitioner Training Program Facilitator. Brenda was involved in the piloting of the program in 2010 and has experience both as an adult learner and as a practitioner in the community-based learning organizations. The modules will be resuming March 13th.

Some of you noticed the error on the PGI grants factsheet (I forgot to update it!). The PGI grants will be for the period of April – March (pending PGI grant funding). Let us know if you need to adjust your application. This is a transition year for LNS with a fiscal year-end of March 31st and revised project timelines.

Thank you to the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Centre Truro for their donations. LNS was the recipient for donations during their 2015 Gives Back Campaign.

We are highlighting four of our members this month: Digby Area Learning Association, Eastern Shore Musquodoboit Valley Literacy Network, South Shore Work Activity Program, and The Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association.

* * *
What's New
Opportunities for Learners
Literacy Changes Lives iPad Mini Draw 2016
Send your learning story in for your chance to win an iPad mini. Entry form
The deadline is Friday, March 4 at noon.
To be eligible for the draw: Your learning story is written - up to 500 words in the form of an essay, poem, or song or a video - one to two minutes and posted to YouTube.

Applications for 2016 NSPGI Adult Learner Recognition Awards Available
These awards will be presented on June 8th at the NSPGI Golf Tournament for Literacy:
PGI Learner Achievement Award - Application deadline is May 13, 2016
Nova Learning Nova Scotia Learner Award - Application deadline is May 13, 2016

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
REGISTER NOW - Practitioner Training (PT) Modules in March:
Integrating Technology (IT) Skills Into Your Teaching: Mar 13 – Apr 8
What’s Your Message? Relating To The Adult Learner: March 31 at Holiday Inn Truro, Spruce Room, 1:00 - 4:45pm
Modules postponed in February will be offered in April, and modules postponed in March will be offered in May:
Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing, and Spelling: Apr 10 – May 6
Teaching Math - Keeping It Real: Apr 10 – May 6
Communications - Learners in Transitions: May 8 – Jun 3
Learning Challenges: May 8 – Jun 3
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.

We’re looking forward to the PD Conference on March 31st and April 1st.
We have an exciting lineup of presenters. We’ll be kicking off with the keynote,
Nolan Pike and ending with an intercultural awareness workshop, BARNGA.

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.

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


* * *
In The News
Celebrating Lifelong Learning: Marcia Jeffers
Going back to school was one of the scariest decisions that 2009 Adult Learners' Week Contest Winner Marcia Jeffers ever made, but it also proved to be one of the best. Since graduating from the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning six years ago, she has become a champion for higher education. Read more

Essential Skills You’ll Need for the Jobs of the Next Five Years
Demographics, cultural trends, and new technologies are rapidly changing the job market. People are living much longer than we used to. New technologies and automation are rapidly replacing repetitive jobs. New communication tools and more advanced media literacy skills are required for most new jobs. Read more

Statistics Canada Study: The Association Between Skills and Low Income, 2012
Lower levels of literacy are associated with a higher likelihood of low income, even after accounting for other factors that are known to increase the incidence of low income. This finding is included in an article titled "The Association Between Skills and Low Income". Read more

Parents Must Help Educate Kids About Financial Literacy, Says Expert
A financial literacy expert says it is more important that ever for young people to have a strong financial literacy backbone. "Life is so much more financially complicated than it used to be," said Gary Rabbior, the president of the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education. Read more

Call for Submissions: National Poetry Month
Literacy practitioners: do you use poetry in your adult or family literacy program? If so, ABC Life Literacy Canada wants to hear about it! They are collecting your stories and resources about using poetry in the classroom in order to share them in a special edition newsletter in celebration of National Poetry Month. Read more

ABC Health Matters
ABC Health Matters is a new health literacy pilot program created to empower Canadians to manage their health more effectively by increasing their confidence when talking about and making decisions regarding health issues with family, friends and health professionals. Read more

'Guys Read' Program Models Literacy for Fourth-Grade Boys
When he hears buddies say “reading isn’t cool,” 9-year-old Markus Worthen can point to 67-year-old Rob St. Clair and prove them wrong. “When he reads, I follow along with him sometimes, and it helps me read,” said Markus. “When you’re reading right, you’re imagining what is happening and it’s fun.” Read more

Call for Submissions: Justice, Art & Youth Initiative
The project invites young people aged 15-30 to create artworks that address justice from the vantage point of the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools, the overrepresentation of Indigenous and African Canadian youth in the criminal justice system, intimate partner violence, and bullying of LGBTQ youth. Read more


* * *
Events
Red Bear Healing Home Benefit
Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 7:00 to 11:00pm at Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Centre, 2158 Gottingen St., Halifax NS
All proceeds from this fundraiser go to Red Bear Connects free voice mail for people experiencing poverty in Nova Scotia. Read more

Silver Economy Summit
March 8 - 9, 2016 at Pictou County Wellness Centre
Nova Scotia is proud to bring together business and community leaders, academics and the public sector to discuss ways to address the challenges and opportunities of our aging population. Read more

Presentation: Registered Charity vs. Non-profit Organization
March 30, 2016 from 9:00 - 10:15am at Oyler Consulting, Halifax NS
Learn about the differences between registered charities and non-profit organizations which are often referred to as NPOs. Read more

Presentation: Obligations of a Registered Charity
March 30, 2016 from 10:30am - 12:00pm at Oyler Consulting, Halifax NS
Learn about the responsibilities that accompany registered status such as devotion of resources to charitable purposes and activities, the filing of the T3010 Annual Information Return and more. Read more

Step Up to Leadership Courses
March to May 2016 in various locations in HRM
Halifax Volunteer Services offers a free 10 session course which was developed by volunteers for volunteers. The course covers a wide range of topics and is intended to help develop leadership skills and build strong communities. Read more

Fashion Show for Literacy
May 15th, 2016 at Holiday Inn Truro
Enjoy an afternoon of fashion, shopping, desserts and prizes. More information coming soon!

Scotiabank Blue Nose Charity Challenge
May 20 - 22, 2016 in Halifax NS
Walk the 5k or 10k, propel your wheelchair, or run the marathon! Your participation in this exciting fundraiser will help ensure that Nova Scotians have access to literacy, essential skills, and lifelong learning programs. Read more

Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada Conference
May 25 - 28 at the Delta Halifax
This year’s conference ‘Beyond the Waves: the Potential of Volunteer Management'. is about exploring new ideas, sharing tools and techniques, and gaining new perspectives. Read more

23rd Annual Nova Scotia Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy (NSPGI)
Wednesday, June 8th at The Links at Penn Hills in Shubenacadie NS
Please plan to join us once again for NSPGI, our main fundraiser! For more information about your sponsorship and to register a golf team, visit the NSPGI website or call 902-897-2444. Read more


* * *
Resources
GCF LearnFree.org Technology Tutorials
Whether you are new to the computer, returning for review or just want to gain more 21st century skills, GCF LearnFree.org free computer tutorials can help. From computer basics and online safety to social media and using the cloud, they have a wide range of free technology tutorials to choose from. Resource

TechSoup Canada: Discounts for Nonprofits
TechSoup Canada provides Canadian charities, nonprofits and libraries with donated software and technology resources for minimal fees. Resource

Talking is Teaching Literacy Resources for Parents
Check out these literacy resources, organized by age and topic, for tips on what you can do to nurture your child’s development during the first 36 months. Resource

Newsletters