enews
March 2017   |   Volume 14   |   Issue 7
News From Literacy Nova Scotia
Executive Director's Message
We have asked Premier MacNeil to proclaim the week of April 2- 8th as Adult Learners’ Week (ALW) in Nova Scotia. LNS will be celebrating ALW with the opportunity for learners to submit their stories and enter a draw to win an ipad mini. Please remind your learners to submit their stories by March 3rd. Their story can also be used if they are applying for the PGI Learner Achievement Awards.

We use MailChimp as our method of communication. We send an enews the first Wednesday of each month about general opportunities and at other times to eligible groups with specific opportunities. If you are not reading the messages, you are missing out on opportunities! Please share these opportunities by forwarding to others in your organization, especially messages about PD opportunities.

We are working with our various partners on the new EAL module for the Practitioner Training Program, the resource website, and registering participants for CARA training. The PGI grant reports and applications are due on March 31st. Eligible groups will receive more information by next week.

We are pleased that Senator Hubley has launched an inquiry into the importance of literacy. I’ve been keeping our Nova Scotia Senators and MPs informed.

Congratulations to LNS Board Member, Darren Googoo on his appointment to the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board.

We are grateful for the ongoing support from Life on Life Network as well as new donations from the Lions’ Clubs across Nova Scotia and the Better World Books Association of the NSCC Libraries.

Get involved, have fun, raise money to support literacy with Team LNS at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Charity Challenge or at the NSPGI.
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What's New
Opportunities for Learners
Literacy Changes Lives iPad Mini Draw 2017
Send your learning story in for your chance to win an iPad mini. Entry form
The deadline is Friday March 3, 2017 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. All written submissions will be published in the ALW 2017 ebooklet. ALW 2016 ebooklet

Applications for 2017 NSPGI Adult Learner Recognition Awards are Available. These awards will be presented on June 18th at the NSPGI Golf Tournament for Literacy:
Gary Mason Learner Achievement Award
Teacher's recommendation
Nova Learning Nova Scotia Learner Achievement Award
Teacher's recommendation
Application deadline for both awards is Friday May 19, 2017.

Opportunities for Practitioners
Register for Practitioner Training (PT) Modules starting March 5th,
ending on the 31st:
•   Integrating Information Technology (IT) Skills Into Your Teaching
•   Communications: Learners in Transition
•   Learning Challenges
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.
Registration Form for NSSAL Participants
Registration Form for Non-NSSAL Participants (Tuition Payers)

Dr. Pat Campbell will hold training sessions on the Canadian Adult Reading Assessment (CARA) in 4 locations across the province from April 24th - 28th. Dr. Pat Campbell will hold Canadian Adult Reading Assessment (CARA) training sessions in 4 locations across the province from April 24th - 28th.

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 $673 remaining in this fund.

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. Laptops and desktop computers with software included are now available on a first come, first serve basis. Organizations will be limited to 2 computers/laptops. Organizations must be LNS members.

Community-based learning organizations funded under NSSAL can apply for ipad minis and other assistive technology. To date, there is approximately $1000 remaining in this fund.

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In The News
LNS Board Member Darren Googoo is the First Mi’kmaq School Board Representative in Nova Scotia
Darren Googoo was appointed chair of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board by the governing council in February. He is the education director for Membertou Mi'kmaq First Nation and has held that position for the past 19 years. Read more

Pantry Outgrows Space
Pictou County Continuous Learning Association (PiCCoLA) has established the PiCCoLA Pantry, a room filled with shelves stocked with non-perishable food items, personal care items and gently used clothing. PiCCoLA Pantry will complement services already provided by the food banks in the area. Read more

Since When are Libraries No Longer Considered Pillars of Literacy?
"We need our children to get onto the reading ladder," wrote author Neil Gaiman. "Anything they enjoy reading will move them up, rung by rung, into literacy." That ladder is firmly grounded in public libraries, where they have free and equal access to reading material, and a safe space in which to read. Read more


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LNS Events
Scotiabank Blue Nose Charity Challenge
May 20, 2017 in Halifax NS
Join the Team LNS and walk, run or wheel the Lifemark 5k race on May 20th in Halifax! Your participation in this exciting fundraiser will help ensure that Nova Scotians have access to literacy, essential skills, and lifelong learning programs.
Read more

24rd Annual Nova Scotia Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy (NSPGI)
June 18 - 19 at Bell Bay Golf Club, Baddeck NS
NSPGI returns to Baddeck, where it was held 20 years ago. Join us for a rollicking great time at NSPGI 2017! The NSPGI Awards Gala is on June 18th and golf day is the 19th. To register a golf team, visit the NSPGI website or call 902-897-2444. All proceeds will be used to help adult learners in Nova Scotia.

Other Events
An Introduction to Moving on Up
March 6, 6:30 - 8:30pm at Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd
This hands-on workshop will show you the new and improved Moving On Up elearning platform for adult learners. Please bring your own device — laptops, tablets (no smartphones please) — and be prepared to get to work and have a little fun! Register

Workplace Initiatives Program Learning Lab
March 2017 in Truro, Westville, Antigonish and Port Hawkesbury
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia and LAE are offering learning labs to assist organizations to be competitive employers and build on the skills we need to succeed in the workplace. Read more

Frontier College National Forum on Literacy and Poverty
April 26, 2017
This important forum will examine the challenges faced by individuals, employers, and communities, and address the role of literacy in alleviating poverty. This conversation will be webcast live to satellite conferences in cities across Canada. For more information, contact literacy@frontiercollege.ca. Read more


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Resources
Learn Touch Typing
This online typing tutor program works on ipads and tablets. Improving typing skills can recrease productivity when using digital devices. Resource

Special Needs Apps
Here are apps for teachers and parents of kids with learning disabilities.
They are arranged into four main categories: dyslexic learners, autistic learners, visually impaired learners and learners with writing difficulties. Resource

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