Welcome back! We’re looking forward to another year serving our membership and supporting the literacy field in Nova Scotia!

LNS continues to provide supports to adult learners, practitioners and learning organizations, as well as working to expand our partnerships. Our goal is to have a sustainable organization which allows us to offer our current programs and expand to meet additional needs. Many of our current programs would not be possible without the funding support received from the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. LNS has been funded to offer supports to NSSAL’s community learning organizations through various programs including the PGI grants which will be reviewed tomorrow by the Committee.

LNS connects with literacy groups across Canada. We participate in several national literacy network discussions hosted by CUPE, ABC Life Literacy, and PGI Foundation for Literacy and offer support to the remaining literacy coalitions. We continue to work closely with the Atlantic provinces on the Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries project.

We have been involved with the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia since its inception and I have taken on the role of chair for the final year of my board term.

We will be holding our NSPGI event in Kentville on November 19th. The dinner will be a celebration of learner achievement. We are especially pleased to have a former learner of VCLA, Ron Edmunds as the musician. Plans are already underway for NSPGI 2019 which will be the inaugural Gala Dinner and Auction on April 30th in Halifax. Chuck Cartmill and Mayor Mike Savage are co-chairs for 2019.

The LNS board will be meeting on September 21 and 22.

Have a great year!

LNS membership fees were due on August 31, 2018. Renewal notices were emailed to members over the past two months. If you haven’t already renewed, please renew your membership or become an LNS member to retain access to our programs and services. These include supports to learners, practitioners, and organizations, printed resources and subscribed informational emails. Your support helps Nova Scotians access quality literacy and essential skills programs. It also ensures paid and volunteer practitioners have the skills they need, supports adult learners’ participation and promotes the value of literacy and essential skills to all Nova Scotians. Learners enrolled in a community learning organization for upgrading will not be required to pay the $5 membership fee. Thank you for your support!

The Essential Skills for the Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) project is moving forward and is in the initial planning stage. Many community partners have been engaged and are excited about the project. Closing the gap between potential employees and employers in the Fishing Sector is being organized through the upgrading of Essential Skills. This project will give people the tools to be successful to maintain employment. A Community Advisory Group (CAG) has been formed and will be meeting on September 17, 2018 in Barrington. If you wish to have any information on the Project or would like to participate on the CAG, please contact Colin Bawn, ESAF Project Coordinator. Read more

November 15 & 16, 2018 - Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre, Truro NS
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.
Registration information TBA.
For more information, contact Marie David

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 for Literacy Learner Celebration at the Cornwallis Ballroom in Kentville. Teacher's recommendation
Application deadline is Friday November 2nd, 2018.

Register now for Practitioner Training (PT) Modules offered in October 2018:
• Literacy, Adult Learners and YOU! - October 8 to November 2
• Teaching Math: Keeping It Real - October 8 to November 2
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.

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) and coordinators are eligible for funding up to $1000 per year for professional development relevant to their role at their community-based learning network.

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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September 8th, 2018
International Literacy Day will be celebrated around the world with the theme ‘Literacy and skills development’. Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist, and at the same time, the demands for skills required for work evolve rapidly. Read more

Starts September 17th, 2018 at Nova Scotia Works in Guysborough NS
This is a 10 week program designed for people aged 55+ who need help finding employment and who are interested in training and improving their workplace skills. For more information, call 902-533-2805.

September 18, 2018 at 2:30pm AT
This webinar will present a holistic approach for maximizing the impact and efficiency of all training courses/activities (versus a single course/program) by aligning training with clients’ missions/goals and operational requirements. Register

September 21, 2018 from 1:30 to 3:30pm at Claire Marie Centre, Antigonish NS
This workshop is open to local community members, community-based organizations, health care, educational institutions, government/non-government agencies and those who work with diverse populations. Preregister by September 17. Email jubanti@awrcsasa.ca or rachel.chisholm@nshealth.ca or call 902-318-3985.

September 21, 2018 at 1:00pm AT
Learn more about Money Matters, ABC Life Literacy Canada's free financial literacy programs for adult learners. The webinar includes information on their new online booking process and ways to celebrate Financial Literacy Month this November. Register

New Glasgow, Pictou, River John, Stellarton, Trenton and Westville
PARL offers literacy activities and programs for adults and children.
Fall 2018 Program Schedule    PARL website

October 1, 2018 at 12:00pm AT
Learn about ABC Life Literacy Canada's free adult literacy programs for adult learners, Money Matters for Newcomers and New Canadians, and UP Skills for Work. Register

October 11, 2018 from 9:30am to 3:00pm at Thomas H. Raddall Library, Liverpool
Presented by the Lunenburg Queens Volunteer Partnership. Cost: $10 for 1 person, $20 for an organization (4 persons). To register, email recreation@chester.ca or call 902-275-3490.

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The recipients of the 14th Annual Council of the Federation Literacy Award have been announced. Presented in each province and territory, the Award celebrates outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy. Nova Scotia's recipient is Samia Eldik, who was one of our NSPGI 2014 Learner Achievement Award recipients. Read more

Funding recipients include the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning, which provides programs ranging from basic literacy to high school completion. There is also money available to encourage employers to hire Nova Scotians for their first job, and for agencies providing assistance to citizens seeking work. Read more

When the reading brain skims texts, we don’t have time to grasp complexity, to understand another’s feelings or to perceive beauty. We need a new literacy for the digital age. Read more

These free resources from Health Canada can help reduce the potential harm associated with the consumption of opioids.   Opioids Toolkit

This resource from Community Literacy of Ontario provides an overview of why literacy and basic skills programs matter, and highlights the links between literacy, poverty, and employment.   Resource

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ABC Life Literacy Canada News - August 2018
As I Was Saying - August 2018
Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, Northern Region - September 2018
Dartmouth Learning Network - August 2018
Frontier College - August 2018
Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick - September 2018
Literacy Matters - Fall 2018
Tamarack Institute - July 2018
Tech Tips - August 2018
Transforming Lives - September 2018
Volunteer Canada News - August 2018
World Education / U.S. - August 2018