Programs are well under way and our work at Literacy Nova Scotia has certainly ramped up!

We’ve been working closely with the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. As part of their NSSAL review, they are looking closely at the LNS programs they fund to support the community based learning organizations. We have been tweaking programs such as the PD Fund, PGI grants, IT Fund, and the PD Conference to improve these offerings and have been communicating directly with the CLOs.

We’re also busy planning the Valley events funded by the 100 Men Who Give a Damn which will culminate in the NSPGI Learner Celebration on November 19th at 5:30 PM at the Old Orchard Inn, Wolfville. Deadline to purchase tickets will be October 19th. We are very pleased with the number of learners who will receive financial awards through sponsors such as Nova Learning Inc., LED Roadways Inc., and Maritime Auto Parts. Our board treasurer, Darren Googoo has also sponsored an award designated for a First Nations learner. We would like to thank the sponsors for their contribution to this event!

Be sure to nominate an adult learner who has completed GED or NS Adult High School Diploma and is now attending post secondary for the Nova Learning Inc Nova Scotia Learner Award. Application deadline: Friday November 2, 2018 at noon. These learners can also apply for a $1500 scholarship. Deadline is Oct 19th for complete eligibility criteria.

For learners currently attending adult learning programs, who do not have a high school diploma, they are eligible for $500 bursary. Deadline is October 19th for complete eligibility criteria.

The new year of Practitioner Training is starting! For anyone new to adult literacy, you should be signing up for Literacy, Adult Learners and You! This is great for your volunteers, including board members to gain a deeper understanding of our work in adult literacy.

Make sure you’ve renewed your LNS membership. Memberships expired the end of August and to be eligible for our programs you need to be a member. Individual membership is $5 and learners are free.

I was very fortunate to participate in a Decolonization Learning Journey in September with the Community Sector Council. October is Mi’kmaq History month and I’ve included some resources that were recommended from the three days in Membertou.

Practitioners, we want to make sure the LNS Resource Hub is meeting your needs as a place to share and co-develop teaching resources and to discuss best practices. We need your input! Please complete the survey by Friday October 5th.

LNS will offer four writing workshops for adult learners in October and November 2018.
Register to host a workshop by October 9th. Read more

Location: Barrington Area
Main tasks and responsibilities: Under the direction of the Executive Director, this position is primarily responsible for developing, coordinating, delivering and facilitating the classroom component of the Essential Skills in the Atlantic Fisheries project. The project goal is to strengthen the attachment of low-income individuals to the labour market by improving their literacy and essential skills and providing them with job-related training, thereby providing a better skill match to available jobs in the fisheries sector. Job Description
Please submit resume and cover letter to the Project Coordinator at colinbawn@gmail.com Closing Date: October 26, 2018

LNS Scholarship and Bursary Awards are available for adult learners. Application deadline is October 19, 2018.

Application for 2018 Nova Learning Nova Scotia Learner Achievement Award is available. This award will be presented on November 19th at the 2018 NSPGI Learner Celebration at the Old Orchard Inn in Wolfville. Teacher's recommendation
Application deadline is Friday November 2nd, 2018.

Register now for Fall 2018 Practitioner Training (PT) Modules:
• Literacy, Adult Learners and YOU! - Oct 8 to Nov 2
• Teaching Math: Keeping It Real - Oct 8 to Nov 2
• Integrating Information Technology (IT) Skills into Your Teaching - Nov 5 to 30
• Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing and Spelling - Nov 5 to 30
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, and tuition schedule. Email Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203.

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. Email Elaine Frampton to request an account registration code.

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.

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.

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2018 NSPGI Learner Celebration will be on November 19th, from 5:30pm to 9:00pm at the Old Orchard Inn in Wolfville. Join us for a fabulous evening of entertainment and food, and hear the inspiring stories of adults who changed their lives by returning to learning! Schedule:
5:30 pm: Reception
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm: Guest Speakers and Award Presentations
Tickets $50.   Order tickets online.   Sponsorships Available!
For more information, contact Marie David at marie.david@nscc.ca or 902-897-2444.

October 11, 9:30am — 3:00pm at Thomas H. Raddall Library, Liverpool NS
Cost: $10 for 1 person, $20 for an organization of 4 persons. To register, email recreation@chester.ca or call 902-275-3490.

October 18, 1:00 — 4:00pm at Peoples Place Library Community Room, Antigonish NS
In this free workshop, participants will explore how they can create and modify their workplace cultures, and become familiar with ISANS resources. To register, email jubanti@awrcsasa.ca or call 902-318-3985.

Wednesdays Starting Oct 10, 9:00 — 10:30am at Hants Learning Network Association, Windsor NS
This course uses the NS Drivers Handbook to help learners prepare to write the beginners' licence drivers test. To register, contact Christine at 902-472-3133 or chooper.hlna@hotmail.com

October 22, 2018
CSL applauds the brilliant work that school libraries accomplish every single day across Canada, and they invite educators and students to acknowledge how the Library Learning Commons is making a difference. Read more

Benefits of a Diverse Workplace Culture: October 24, 9:00 — 11:00am
Leveraging your Workplace Culture: October 26, 9:00 — 11:00am
Webinar Cost: Free within Nova Scotia, $99 to other areas. Read more   Register

November 1, 9:30am — 3:00pm at Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre, Bridgewater NS
Cost: $10 for 1 person, $20 for an organization of 4 persons. To register, email recreation@chester.ca or call 902-275-3490.

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Educational field trips provide a refreshing change of scenery for learners and instructors. Through a 2017 PGI Grant, staff and students at the Cunard Learning Centre in Halifax were able to take a trip to the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park and Victoria Park in Truro. Read more

All month long, libraries and library partners across Canada are raising awareness of the valuable role libraries play in Canadians’ lives. More than just a place to find books, libraries promote cultural awareness, engage in the community, provide educational programs, support freedom of expression and so much more. Read more

Every October, public awareness about Mi'kmaw culture and heritage for all citizens of Nova Scotia is promoted. Here are some resources you and your learners may find useful. Resource list

VolunteerNS.ca is a brand new free service available to ALL not-for-profit and volunteer organizations from across Nova Scotia. This free searchable database allows organizations to create free profiles and post vacant volunteer opportunities, as often as they need to. Resource

Frontier College is a national literacy organization that works with volunteers and community partners across Canada to give people the skills and confidence they need to reach their potential and contribute to society. 2018 Annual Report

This new family literacy resource from NWT Literacy Council provides recipes and activities for engaging kids in every step of the food/cooking process. Read more

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ABC Life Literacy Canada News - September 2018
As I Was Saying - September 2018
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Halifax Region - October 2018
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Northern Region - October 2018
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - October 2018
Literacy Matters - Fall 2018
NWT Literacy Council - September 2018
Tamarack Institute - September 2018
Tech Tips - September 2018
Transforming Lives - September 2018
Volunteer Canada News - October 2018
World Education / U.S. - September 2018