enews
October 2016   |   Volume 14   |   Issue 2
News From Literacy Nova Scotia
Executive Director's Message
LNS board members and staff attended a strategic planning session on September 24th. With the support of Wendy Johnston, Northern Convenor for the Community Sector Council, we developed a Theory of Change as part of this process. We will continue to focus our efforts on supports to learners, practitioners and organizations as our contribution to raising literacy levels in Nova Scotia.

Changes are being implemented in the Practitioner Training and Certification Program. For any registrant not graduating on November 17, 2016 an additional requirement for certification is the completion of a math module.

We’re offering the provincial PD Conference in the Fall as requested on previous conference evaluations. CLOs who have not yet requested their subsidies must do so today. Any remaining subsidies will be given on a first come first serve basis to eligible registrants.

LNS memberships expired on August 31st. If you have not renewed or have not previously been a member, purchase a membership today to ensure you have access to our programs and services. Member organizations are invited to highlight their programs in our monthly enews. We will also share information on their behalf, such as upcoming events, job postings, etc. Submissions to the enews must be received by the last Friday of the month for distribution on the first Wednesday of the month.

LNS experienced technical difficulties with our listserv – a mail management feature that we’ve used for years has now become obsolete. We will now be communicating via mailchimp only. Encourage others to subscribe to ensure you aren’t missing out on opportunities and important messages.

It's time for Fall cleanup. If you have a used vehicle and are wondering what to do with it – consider donating it to LNS through Car Heaven.
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What's New
Fashion Show for Literacy
October 30th, 2016 at 1:00pm, Holiday Inn Truro
Join us for an afternoon of ladies' consignment fashions, prizes and shopping! Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the LNS office. All proceeds will be used to support adult literacy in Nova Scotia. Poster

Literacy Action Week is November 6 - 12, 2016

Last year Literacy Action Week was a huge success with lots of activity on social media! Literacy Nova Scotia was able to raise awareness about the importance of literacy through the help of many supporters. The LIFE Leadership network, the Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton County, Guysborough County Adult Learning Association, Dartmouth Learning Network, Shelburne County Learning Network and many other organizations along with public dignitaries took part. We encourage you to do the same this year.

During the week of November 6 – 12, 2016, we will be posting photos of adult learners, literacy practitioners, LNS members, community members and literacy supporters. Everyone can participate; there are no age restrictions. If you feel passionate about literacy in Nova Scotia, we urge you to get involved. It is easy. All you have to do is:

1. Print off the LAW Poster in color or black and white.
2. Fill in the blank. Think about the question: "Why is supporting literacy important?"
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 either email the photo to us or post your picture on Facebook and write a caption including what you wrote on your paper. Don’t forget to tag #LiteracyNovaScotia. All pictures collected for LAW awareness will be posted on our social media, and they will be made available on our website.
#LiteracyChangesLives #LAW2016
Opportunities for Learners
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

Here's an opportunity for adult learners to have their stories published in the Fall 2016 issue of The Learning Beacon: Please encourage your learners to write stories for the Student Writing feature. Email them to Marie.David@nscc.ca by Friday October 7th. The Fall 2016 Issue will be online in November.

Opportunities for Practitioners
Register Now for Practitioner Training (PT) Modules starting October 30th:
Integrating Information Technology (IT) Skills Into Your Teaching: Oct 30 - Nov 25
Communications: Learners in Transition: Oct 30 - Nov 25
Learning Challenges: Oct 30 - Nov 25
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. 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)

Professional Development Conference for Practitioners:
Supporting Learning Needs of Adults
November 17 — 18, 2016 at Holiday Inn, Prince Street, Truro
The Professional Development Conference for Practitioners is open to all practitioners and coordinators who are looking for professional development to help them better support under-skilled and under-employed Nova Scotians. In particular, we invite practitioners and coordinators from the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (community-based, adult high school, NSCC), work activity programs, career resource centers, workforce development programs and others. Online Registration Form
Deadline for registration: November 8th.
Share your best practices, knowledge and expertise. We are looking for presenters at the PD Conference. Contact Marie.David@nscc.ca.

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 $5500 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 10 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 $2000 remaining in this fund.

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In The News
Out-of-School-Time Learning Grants Will Help More Nova Scotia Students Succeed in Math and Literacy
Eight grants totalling $176,000 are available to help eligible community groups and organizations use innovative approaches to engage students outside the regular school day. Applications are also welcome from community-school partnerships that support family literacy. Apply by October 7th. Read more

Congratulations to Michael Hajnal, 2016 Council of the Federation Literacy Award Recipient for Nova Scotia
The award is presented to recipients from all 13 provinces and territories to celebrate outstanding achievement, innovative practice, and excellence in literacy. Michael Hajnal received the Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma for Adults in June. Read more

Employment Opportunity at PiCCoLA
PiCCoLA is seeking part-time instructors interested in working with adult learners. The successful candidates will provide instruction based on Levels 1 and 2 of the Nova Scotia Adult Learning Program, and GED preparation. Read more

One Book Nova Scotia Encourages Nova Scotians to Read Donna Morrissey's Novel 'The Deception of Livvy Higgs'
"We extend an invitation to every Nova Scotian to participate in a provincial reading initiative focused on literacy, community, and shared storytelling," says One Book Nova Scotia co-chair Maggie Neilson. "We encourage all community members to visit their local libraries and take part in the discussion." Read more

Win One of Twelve Virtual Gift Cards From First Book Canada Marketplace
Write a story, 300 words or less, about a time when First Book Canada put a smile on your face or on the face of a child you work with. What have you learned from your experiences with First Book Canada? Email the story to kburgess@firstbook.org by October 17th. Read more

Community Wellness Funds
Community Health Boards (CHB) of Nova Scotia, through the Wellness Funds, support projects addressing local community health plan priorities and the social determinants of health, such as income, education, social supports and early childhood development. Apply by November 1st. Read more

Bankruptcies Up in Nova Scotia: 6 Out of 10 Families Living Cheque to Cheque
With the cost of living in Nova Scotia climbing and wages falling behind, it’s getting more expensive to raise a family and many consumers have turned to debt. A bankruptcy trustee wants to see budgeting taught in elementary schools to boost financial literacy early on. Read more

Nova Scotia Students Should Consider Coding for Their Future
Nova Scotian high school students heading back to class should seriously consider preparing for careers in one of the province’s few growing industries. Over 3000 new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) positions will need to be filled in this province by 2019. Read more

As Kindergarten Ratchets Up Academics, Parents Feel The Stress
Kindergarten, where children were once encouraged to play and adjust to the rhythms of the school day, has long been evolving. Many parents new to modern-day elementary schooling are shocked to find their children in a pressure cooker of rigorous academics, standardized tests and homework. Read more   Plain Language Version

Why Use Handwriting When We Can Use a Computer?
Handwriting is an essential part of lifelong learning. Experts have found that our brain is more active during handwriting than during typing on a computer. The information written by hand is stored in the memory longer. When writing by hand, we generate more ideas and have a longer focus. Read more

Nordic Countries Have Highest Literacy Rates, According to Study
A new world ranking of countries and their literacy rates puts Canada 11th and the United States at 7th. Who’s Number 1? Finland. The study analyzes trends in literate behavior and literacy in more than 60 countries. Read more


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Events
Fashion Show for Literacy
Sunday, October 30th at 1:00pm, Holiday Inn Truro
Join us for an afternoon of ladies consignment fashions, prizes and shopping. All proceeds will be used to benefit adult learners in Nova Scotia. Tickets $15; available at the LNS office. Contact literacyns@nscc.ca or 1-800-255-5203. Read more

Sharing Stories Writing Workshops
October at the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library
Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library offers free writing workshops to celebrate our stories, and to prepare for National Novel Writing Month in November. Class size is limited so please call 1-866-779-7761 to pre-register. Read more

Learning From International Experience: Circle of Health Workshop
Saturday, October 15 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, Charlottetown PE
Learn about the Circle of Health from a panel of international and Canadian speakers sharing their experience with the Circle in education, research, policy and practice. Read more

Whole Lives Holiday Festival
November 25 - 26 at Bella Rose Arts Centre, Halifax NS
Micro-businesses, small and large businesses, new and matured, private, and non-profit businesses alike are what drives Atlantic Canada forward. This event is designed to celebrate and support local business that serve to enrich our lives. Read more


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Resources
ESL for Adult Literacy Learners (ALL)
When adult ESL learners who lack literacy skills are placed on the scale, they require unique supports as they gain the ability to communicate in an additional language. This resource describes the needs and abilities of adult ESL literacy learners. Resource

Word Mover iPad App
Word Mover allows users to create "found poetry" by choosing from word banks and existing famous works; additionally, users can add new words to create a piece of poetry by moving/manipulating the text. Resource

Remember the Milk Android App
This is a free organizational app for busy people. Get to-dos out of your head, and let the app remember for you. Get reminded via email, text, IM, Twitter, and mobile notifications. Share your to-do lists and give tasks to others to get things done faster. Resource

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