Welcome to November and Literacy Action Week (LAW)! During LAW, we raise awareness about the importance of literacy. Tell us why you believe literacy is important and we'll add your voice to our own. We share the personal stories of those who have benefitted by improving their literacy skills. Literacy is important for many reasons, and employment is only one.

We held the NSSAL PD Conference on October 24 - 25 in Truro. Feedback is extremely important to the conference planning team. Please send in your evaluations if you haven't already done so. We've been receiving positive feedback from the participants:

• "A lot of valuable information packed into a short period of time - yet it flowed effortlessly."
• "We were spoiled for choice, as each of the sessions had something I would have loved to learn. I was impressed by the standard of speakers/presenters overall."
• "I got a lot of practical information to use in our CLO."

Congratulations to the 21 Practitioner Training graduates and the scholarship and bursary award recipients! We enjoyed meeting Linda Ramsay and Millie Lambert at the PD Conference.

I've just returned from a forum with my colleagues from across Canada who hold PGI events for literacy in their own province or territory. I am pleased to report that our PGI Dinner and Auction in 2019 was the most successful fundraiser nationally. We are fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate committee led by co-chairs Chuck Cartmill and Mayor Mike Savage. Proceeds from NSPGI for Literacy ensure our programs and services, supporting 3620 adult learners, continue. In early February, LNS will be announcing a new grant program for learning organizations using funds raised at the 2019 event. We will be holding the next NSPGI for Literacy Dinner and Auction on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront.

Jonathan Baha’i, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director, eXeBlock Technology, Inc.

During the week of November 4 - 8, 2018, we encourage 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 one or all of the LAW 2019 posters in color or black and white.

• I think literacy is important because...
• Because I improved my literacy and essential skills, now I can...
• Literacy matters to me because...

2. Think about the question on the poster and fill in the blank.

3. Get a friend to take a picture of you holding the poster, 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 poster. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #LiteracyMatters or #LiteracyChangesLives, and tweet to @literacyns1. All pictures collected for LAW awareness will be posted on our social media, and they will be available on our website. Read more about LAW

An incredible $75,000 was raised at the 2019 NSPGI for Literacy Gala Dinner and Auction for Literacy Nova Scotia!
New date: Tuesday March 31, 2020 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.
More information TBA

Congratulations to our 2019-20 Scholarship and Bursary Recipients:
Linda Ramsay — $1500 Scholarship Recipient (NSCC Truro)
Millie Lambert — $500 Bursary Recipient (NSCC Cumberland- ALP)
Alicia Goodman — $500 Bursary Recipient (Dartmouth Learning Network)
Janice Doubleday — $500 Bursary Recipient (Queens Learning Network)
Read more

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for November 2019:
• Integrating IT Skills into Your Teaching: Nov 4 – 29
• Techniques for Teaching, Reading, Writing and Spelling: Nov 4 – 29
• What's Your Message? Relating to the Adult Learner: Nov 16 at Halifax Central Library, Room 301, 10:00am to 3:30pm   Learning Outcomes
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, tuition schedule, and how to register for modules. The new schedule of modules for November 2019 – June 2020 is available. Questions? Contact Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203.
 

NSSAL 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 NSSAL PD Fund. New PD Fund online application forms are now available. There are separate forms for individuals (maximum $1000/year) and groups (maximum $4000/year).

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.
 

November 7 in Dartmouth  Register     November 8 in Truro  Register
November 12 in Bridgewater Register    November 14 in New Minas Register
November 20 in Sydney  Register     November 22 in Antigonish  Register
This hands-on workshop will help build your organizations’ capacity to manage effective Strategic Planning, a crucial element in adapting to sectoral and organizational change. All workshops are from 9:30am - 3:30pm.

World Education Services’ (WES) White Paper Beyond Academic Credentials: November 14 at 1:00pm AT — WES’ recent white paper will be introduced as a starting point towards a more holistic approach to assessing and recognizing immigrant talent.
Current RPL Research from Around the World: November 26 at 1:00pm AT — Themes and questions that have emerged from current RPL research and possible implications for practice will be discussed.
Cost: $150 + tax for CAPLA members, $225 + tax for non-members    Register

November 14, 21 and 28, 2019
Clients may come to career services with a history of trauma, including intergenerational trauma, which may occur when the trauma events of one generation influence subsequent generations. In this webinar series, intergenerational trauma is explored, particularly its impacts on Indigenous jobseekers. Register
 

November 15 from 6:30 - 9:00pm at Volta, Maritime Centre, Halifax
Join us for a very fun (and very funny) kitchen-party style night of drinks, games, and trivia, all with a distinctly East Coast flair. Compete onstage against some of Halifax’s most beloved personalities. Or simply sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy the show! Admission $22. Register

November 18 from 9:00am - 12:00 noon at Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
This is a workshop that explores the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Register

November 20 - 22, 2019 at the Radisson Hotel, Richmond BC
This is an opportunity for literacy practitioners, outreach coordinators and anyone interested in literacy to network, share ideas, and learn promising practices. Register

The Regional Manager will identify needs and gaps in services, implement initiatives, and manage staff, programs and key relationships. Interested candidates should send a resume and covering letter to Melanie Valcin at mvalcin@frontiercollege.ca    Read more    Closing date: November 6, 2019

Encounters With Canada is a unique opportunity for Canadian teens to meet other young people from across the country. Participants spend an adventure-filled week in Ottawa while exploring career options. The program costs $750 for the full week, covering travel, accommodation, meals, activities and tours. Read more

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. Recently uploaded resources:

• NSSAL Update
• Boost Learning With Blended Learning
• Intro to Structured Reading Techniques for Struggling Readers
• Tips for Designing an Effective Presentation
• Unconscious Bias

If you don't already have an account on the LNS Resource Hub, email Elaine Frampton to request an account registration code.
 

Volunteer NS is a free searchable website connecting Nova Scotians with volunteer opportunities across our province. They are committed to connecting the right volunteers with the right volunteer opportunities in community based organizations. Website

Confidence can make a huge difference in the workplace. Help your learners build confidence during an #UPSkillsforWork workshop using this new workbook on confidence. Resources
 

ABC Life Literacy Canada invites Canadians to discover new ways to become more savvy with their money. They offer free financial literacy resources. Resources
 

ABC Life Literacy Canada News - October 2019
As I Was Saying - October 2019
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Central Region - November 2019
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - October 2019
NWT Literacy Council - October 2019
Tamarack Institute - October 2019
Volunteer Canada News - October 2019
World Education / U.S. - October 2019