Next week is Literacy Action Week (LAW). Literacy Nova Scotia was fortunate to win CreatAthon and receive marketing expertise and products. The group produced LAW materials and we will continue with our poster campaign on social media. You can include your logos on the posters and promote the importance of literacy through social media.

I attended the National PGI forum over the weekend which is a professional development opportunity for those who hold PGI events. A highlight for me was hearing Shelagh Rogers talk about Truth and Reconciliation. We are so pleased to offer the Blanket Exercise at our PD conference. My colleagues who have participated in it have talked about how powerful the experience has been. Shelagh also recommended the free on-line Indigenous Canada course we mentioned in last month’s enews. Here’s the link again if you missed it.

We believe we have a terrific lineup at this year’s PD Conference and look forward to seeing you there. Please note: All registrants received an email confirmation indicating the days and meals you registered for. During dinner, we will celebrate graduates of the Practitioner Training program and adult learners who received scholarships and bursaries awards from Literacy Nova Scotia. In response to feedback received on evaluations of past conferences, we are offering a social activity during the evening - Paint Night. This will provide an opportunity to relax, unwind, and have a few laughs as well as to raise funds for adult learners in Nova Scotia. This activity is open to the general public and pre-registration/payment is required.

Over the last couple of years, many of our supporters have helped Literacy Nova Scotia to raise awareness about the importance of literacy during Literacy Action Week through social media campaigns! We encourage you to get involved this year. We have some new posters and you can add your logo in the upper left hand corner to raise awareness of your programs/organization as well.

During the week of November 5 – 11, 2017, we want you to post photos of adult learners, literacy practitioners, community members and literacy supporters. Everyone can participate; there are no age restrictions. If you feel passionate about literacy and learning in Nova Scotia, we urge you to get involved. It is easy. All you have to do is:

1. Print off the LAW 2017 poster in color or black and white.
2. Fill in the blank. Think about the question: "Why does literacy matter to you?"
3. Get a friend to take a picture of you holding your paper, or take a selfie!

After you have taken your picture, you can post your picture on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or email the photo to us. Write a caption including what you wrote on your paper. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #LiteracyMatters or #LAW2017, and tweet to @literacyns1. All pictures collected for LAW awareness will be posted on our social media, and they will be made available on our website.

November 16 at 7:00pm, Holiday Inn Truro
$40 per person, includes all supplies needed. Registration is required for this event at literacyns@nscc.ca. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to help adult learners in Nova Scotia.
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Congratulations to our 2017-18 Scholarship and Bursary Recipients:
James Foggoa – $1500 Scholarship Winner, NSCC Akerley Campus
Ryan Perrin – $1500 Scholarship Winner, Dalhousie University
Susan Shaw – $1500 Scholarship Winner, NSCC Kingstec
Beverly Brace - $500 Bursary Winner, NSCC Truro Campus
Twyla Doucet – $500 Bursary Winner, Yarmouth County Learning Network
Read more

Register Now for Practitioner Training (PT) Modules offered from November 12th to December 8th:
• Literacy, Adult Learners, and YOU!
• Teaching Math: Basic Principles
• Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing, and Spelling
• What’s Your Message? Relating to the Adult Learner: Nov 17 at Holiday Inn Truro Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for more details on the program, modules, and tuition schedule.

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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.

New PD Fund online application forms are now available. There are separate forms for individuals (maximum $1000/year) and groups (maximum $4000/year). The Department of Labour and Advanced Education has topped up the PD Fund with an additional $5,000. There is approximately $4500 remaining in this fund.

Are you a learning organization that needs refurbished computers? We offer our LNS members laptops, computers, printers, monitors, keyboards, cables, etc. Place your orders today.

Nova Scotia Works offers workshops on career planning, job search, resume essentials and more. Calendar

RBC Learning Centre, Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax
Halifax Learning Community Network (HCLN) is offering the following free workshops:
Spending Plans, Wednesday November 15 at noon
Banking Basics, Wednesday November 22 at noon
No registration required.

Monday November 27th, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax
Join Linsey Hope of the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning for a workshop to share resources, ideas, and teaching strategies. To register, please call 902-422-7648 or email info@hcln.ca.

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Nova Scotia’s recently-announced education consultant wants feedback on how the public views the province’s education system. The province wants public feedback on what administrative changes should be made to the education system to ensure the focus is on the needs of students. Read more

Explore the Canadian Financial Literacy Database for resources and events in your community. You can also access the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s (FCAC) budgeting tools, tips and a student budget worksheet. Read more

The 2016-2017 Public Accounts was recently tabled in the House of Commons. While Parliament approved spending of $18,009,000, only $8,457,994 was actually spent by OLES. This means that $9,551,006 was left on the table, likely returned to general revenues. Read more

Schoolchildren who read and write at home with their parents are not just building their literacy skills, but other important life skills, a study found. In the study, parents were asked to rate their children’s ability to pay attention, set goals, control impulses and regulate their activity level. Read more   Plain language version

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has produced material to help organizations participate in the promotion of Financial Literacy Month (FLM) 2017. Resource

This resource from ABC Life Literacy Canada helps learners develop key employability skills through free workshops and downloadable workbooks. The topics covered are: Motivation, Attitude, Accountability, Presentation, Teamwork, Time Management, Adaptability, Stress Management, and Confidence. Resource

This online foundational reading skills game was developed for grades PreK to 2, but can be useful for EAL learners and those who want to improve their reading. Resource

One Minute Math Games is a series of one minute videos using paying cards, dice, coins, and other materials to learn addition, multiplication, fractions and long division. Resource

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ABC Life Literacy Canada News - October 2017
As I Was Saying - October 2017
Canadian Society of Association Executives - October 2017
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Valley Region - October 2017
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - October 2017
NWT Literacy Council - October 2017
Tech Tips for Teachers - October 2017
Volunteer Canada News - October 2017
World Education / US - October 2017