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LPM e-bulletin

January 31 , 2006

Manitobans celebrate Family Literacy Day across the province

It seems that in libraries, gyms and church basements everybody was reading on Family Literacy Day.

The Interlake

John HarvardLPM regional rep. Carol Goossen reports that at Winnipeg Beach the local school hosted an Undercover Readers' Adventure. Families from Beach Buddies and Playgroup Partners Family Literacy programs, the Winnipeg Beach Day Care and Kindergarten to grade 3 students attended the event. Teacher Michelle Poloski and her grade 6 and 7 helpers set up tents in the gym and organized the younger students. A very special guest this year was His Honour, the Honourable John Harvard, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, whose opening remarks emphasized both the fun and the importance of adults and kids reading together. (See picture) The Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Education, also delighted children with his reading. Other special guest readers included Paul Cuthbert, Superintendent of Evergreen School Division; Bev Pellick, Winnipeg Beach School principal; Cheryl Zelenitsky, trustee for Evergreen School Board; and Sid Barnes from the Royal Canadian Legion.

Readers were able to select stories from a collection of brand new children’s books made possible by Sylvia Gurniak. Through the CIBC Retirees as Ambassadors program, Sylvia received a grant for purchasing new books for the Playgroup Partners program library. Thank you for this special contribution. Children’s musical entertainer, Gary Eastman, concluded the celebration by involving all of the children in singing, playing, and dancing. Lorri Apps and Jan Graham were pleased to represent LPM at the event.

Fieldstone Ventures in Ashern celebrated the day by hosting a pancake breakfast for families in the literacy program. Cindy Mackay from the Interlake Spectator was on hand to take pictures and record events for the regional newspaper.

The Riverton Friendship Centre and the local school and day care hosted a presentation by Snappy the Clown, who performed a show that focuses on literacy.

Winnipeg

Margaret Banasiak sends news of the Family Literacy Day celebrations at the Luxton Family Program and the Open Doors Program. Guest readers followed a pancake and sausage breakfast at both programs. At Luxton, the school principal, Tom Rossi, wowed the children with the reading of three books.  At Open Doors, gym teacher Mr. Flint read one of his favourites, The Hungry Caterpillar. At each program, the children received stickers, tattoos, bookmarks, pencils and paper pads, and a special book to take home. 

Carman

Julie Ruban McDonald reports that the Carman Family Resource Centre hosted the 2nd annual Family Literacy Day Fiesta. The Centre partnered with the Carman Elementary School Parent Advisory Council to host this event. Over 30 families participated in hands-on learning activity centres which emphasized reading, math and having fun! The evening ended off with prize draws and a snack at the Family Literacy Cafe. A great time was had by all!

Minnedosa

Alexis Harvey tells us that Play First Family Literacy Program in Minnedosa celebrated on both January 25 and 29 when the musically talented Mary Dalton, alias Mother Goose, dropped in to sing some songs and chant some rhymes with morning groups.  The latter session with 3 - 5 year olds was especially a hit, while toddlers in the infant/toddlers (Wed session) were a tad shy. Meanwhile, children received handouts as well as a book. Parents also received  canvas bags bearing "Play First Family Learning Program".

Thompson

Trevor Surgenor reports thatThompson celebrated Family Literacy Day on January 28th and kicked off I LOVE TO READ month with a book bonanza at the City Centre Mall. Celebrity readers entertained crowds of youngsters and the Word Monster dropped by to hand out reading rewards. Our partners made it possible to distribute over 2000 children's books to families in our region. The Thompson Public Library partnered with the Burntwood Regional Health Authority and combined the show with a Teddy Bear Picnic where the nurses bandaged the plush buddies and handed out heathly snacks to kids. It was a very well received event and it continues to grow each year.

Dauphin

Esther Fyk writes that the Laverne Morrisseau Adult Learning Centre and Literacy Program students worked on story sacks to be donated to the Parent-Child program of the Dauphin Friendship Centre.  This program provides services to children from 6-12 years old.  In all, they made six story sacks and students who weren't able to be there on Friday continue to work on more sacks.

In the photo (courtesy Dauphin Herald), instructor Esther Fyk (3rd from right) and students display their story sack.

LPM meets with the Minister of Advanced Education and Training

Diane McGiffordLPM and literacy practitioners met with the Honourable Diane McGifford on January 23. Joan Embleton of Victor Mager, Terrie Moar of Bookmates, Terri Smith of LiteracyWORKS, Bob Thompson of Stevenson Britannia Literacy Foundation and Lorri Apps of LPM met with Minister McGifford; Acting Deputy Minister Dwight Botting, Senior Executive Director of Adult Education and Training Bob Knight, and Registrar of Adult Learning and Literacy Anna Beauchamp.

Practitioners raised important isssues, such as:

  1. the need for a consultative process with practitioners and learners on any key concepts that are being considered for literacy
  2. the overwhelming need for increased services for ESL learners who are turning to literacy programs when they have completed the ESL program
  3. the programs' dependence on volunteers who often are not able to provide the continuity that a salaried practitioner can, the importance of learner/practitioner relationships to the learners' success, and the difficulty in maintaining staff due to the salary levels available to literacy staff
  4. the need for a holistic perspective because of the changing dynamics in Manitoba communities – increased spaces in literacy programs, day care, social assistance.

The Minister encouraged LPM members to write to her fellow cabinet ministers responsible for the departments related to some of the information discussed. She assured the delegation that she will be speaking with colleagues about these matters. She also indicated that a steering committee will be developed with representatives from related departments and LPM.

West Region evaluates literacy materials for Black River First Nation

The West Region has been asked by Black River First Nation to evaluate a series of Early Reading Books and DVDs which they produced with a grant from the National Literacy Secretariat and the Black River First Nation. The project's objective was to produce three bilingual, stage 2, interactive reading materials that are culturally appropriate to First Nations and Aboriginal Literacy learners. LPM regional rep. Alanna Hillis has been presenting the books and DVDs to a series of participants and gathering their evaluations. Contact her if you or your group would like to view the material.

Write On! editor calls for contributions for spring issue

Editor Jan Graham plans to feature Family Literacy Programs in the spring edition of Write On! She invites instructors to share their different approaches to programming. She invites intructors to consider these questions:

What is your program like?
Who are your clientele?
What are some of the things that might be unique to your program?
What are your goals?
Who are the instructors and what is their background?
Where do you hold your sessions?
What are your dreams for the future of your Family Literacy Program and Family Literacy Programs in Manitoba … Canada?

Jan would like to feature an adult learner and their child who have really benefited from being involved in a family literacy program. Any suggestions? Would they be willing to have their story and photo shared with those who read Write On! ?

Please contact Jan Graham with your submissions by Wednesday, March 15. 

ABC Canada and Starbucks sponsor Gift of Words program

This program will fund school libraries, public libraries and not-for-profit literacy organizations to form a reading circle or to create or expand a children's book collection. Successful applicants for reading circle funding will receive $2,500, and successful applicants for book collection funding will receive $1,500. Click here for more information and registration form. Deadline is February 1, 2006.

Shelagh Rogers to attend PGI

Shelagh Rogers.jpgShelagh Rogers from CBC's "Sounds Like Canada" will be coming to the PGI in June. Shelagh, a long-time supporter of the PGI, is willing to help out wherever she is needed. The management team is currently discussing her role. We'll keep you posted. Visit the PGI webpage or contact Wally Stewart at pgimanitoba@literacy.ca for more information.

Upcoming Events


Invite your learners to join the Speakers' Bureau

Literacy Partners will once again be offering Learner Speakers' Bureau training for 10 to 12 literacy learners. The four-day training will be held on Thursday and Friday of two consecutive weeks. The final Friday afternoon will be the participants’ graduation and certificate presentation.

Date and Time: April 20 and 21, 27 and 28 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Place: 2nd floor, United Food and Commercial Worker Training Centre, 880 Portage Avenue

Please contact Learner Outreach Coordinator Jan Graham for more information. 

Visit our literacy events page to see more upcoming events: http://www.mb.literacy.ca/news.htm

Keep in touch

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