Family Literacy Day

After introductions and a reading of the proclamation by the mayor, the children broke into groups, climbed into the tents, listened to some great stories, then rotated in groups to the next tent. The morning ended with a snack around the campfire and a singsong. At least 75 children, more than 100 people altogether, attended the event.

In the evening, Fay Cassidy, a Playgroup Partners mom who also works in Reading Recovery at the elementary school, gave a workshop presentation to parents on reading to children. LPM provided a display and snacks for this event.

Selkirk
The Selkirk Regional Library held a pyjama party from 2 to 3 p.m. to celebrate Mayor Bud Oliver’s proclamation of Family Literacy Day there. In the evening the Selkirk Rhyme and Reason group demonstrated techniques for family literacy.

Flin Flon
The Flin Flon Public Library and the Read to Me Family Literacy Program held reading circles for 100 guests. Good used children’s books were donated to the Hospital and to the Read to Me program (See p.11).

Thompson
The Thompson Reading Aides Corporation, launched the book bags for families campaign at the City Centre Mall, where they had a Family Literacy Display. Volunteers stuffed book bags to be given away to the first 50 babies born on and after 27 January. Included in the bags were the inter-generational book Where Did You Get Your Moccasins? by Bernelda Wheeler, family reading tip sheets, and bookmarks. The bags were donated to the Burntwood Regional Health Authority for distribution at the Thompson General Hospital.

MacGregor
In Western Manitoba the MacGregor Family Literacy Program offered a family reading day for parents and their children.

Brandon
The Brandon Friendship Centre Adult Literacy and the Aboriginal Headstart Program partnered to offer a Family Fun Day. At a pancake breakfast, local MLA Scott Smith flipped pancakes with learners, tutors and teachers. Sports celebrities read stories throughout the day.

During the week, students at the Samaritan House Training Centre researched the Internet for safe and family-friendly sites. Then in February they were able to explore these sites with their children as part of their “I Love to Read Month” activities. These activities were featured in the Brandon Sun.

Mom pins PF badge on Mirna van Derveen

Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Public Library, in partnership with Literacy Partners of Manitoba, hosted an Undercover Reading Night at five branch libraries. Children and their families enjoyed seeing books come alive with celebrity readers, including children’s entertainer and author Al Simmons at Transcona; Sam Katz of the Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club at Louis Riel; Sue Proctor of Clownwise fame at the Cornish; Royce Jeffries of the Winnipeg Cyclone Basketball team at West Kildonan; and children’s entertainer Len Udow at the St James Assiniboia Library. Many thanks to hosts Suzy Shepherd, Monica Laurence, Susanne Magyar-Chapiel, Judy Baker, and the fabulous WPL librarians and staff Shelly Saunders and Lorraine Douglas.

Librarian and volunteers at Cornish Library

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg purchased multiple copies of Robert Munch’s Love You Forever for each child born in Winnipeg’s three maternity wings on January 27, 2000. Hospital staff distributed the books along with a letter and a bookmark. The Reading Council hopes this incentive will help families to value reading for life. Thanks to Barbara Wynes for her leadership of this project.

The MS Society launched their Read-A-Thon contest. Prizes included two $300 home libraries sponsored by LPM and the Manitoba Association of Optometrists. Kim Lachuta will announce the winners of these prizes in April.

Thanks to Light Talk staff for inviting LPM as featured guests on a one-hour television call-in show on family literacy. The program logged the highest number of public responses ever! More than 50 follow-up calls were fielded by the learn-help line, WVRA, and other literacy organizations.

Thanks also to our new community partners, Dufresne Furniture, The Knowledge Tree, and Global TV for initiating a Books for Kids drive. LPM will assist the committee to distribute books to family literacy programs and schools.