Literacy Link - Leamos
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Literacy Link - Leamos Newsletter |
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May and June 2006
Inside This Issue
Coordinator’s Column
Project Let’s Read
NMCL Conference
Sharpen Your Skills
Basics and Beyond
Spring Fling
Calendar of Events
GIVE: Get Involved~ ~ Volunteers Energize!
* Literacy Link – Leamos:A community of motivated learners and dedicated volunteers promoting literacy, learning, and the love of reading throughout Grant County.
Literacy Link-Leamos 515 W. College Avenue Silver City, NM 88061 (505) 388-0892 Website:http://www.gilarangers. com/Leamos
Literacy Link – Leamos is partially funded by the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy
Michelle Detterick, Coordinator |
Coordinator’s Column
Ah, late spring in New Mexico…you know it’s arrived when you are pleasantly surprised by days that are not windy! Things are on the move at Literacy Link – Leamos but they are not wind-powered. They are volunteer-energized! Some of the impact you as an integral part of Literacy Link – Leamos are having on our community are highly visible, i.e. the 12, 000 plus books given to local children. A mom came into Thursday’s English conversational class expressing her delight and that of her daughter when she got off of the school bus while toting three wonderful new books. The mom relayed “Look what I got at school!” and “I saw your teacher, Mom!” as the first words out of her daughter’s mouth. Significant impacts of our program however remain in the shadow of the quiet realm, not as easily seen but nonetheless very important and what we are all about*. Following a first tutoring session for a family with teens, a parent telephoned their gratitude to us, “The kids’ tutor is a God-send. Thank you so much!” During an interview with an adult learner to assess progress, I received her permission to share with you some of her comments about what tutoring has done for her. “My tutor knows how to open my mind (to reading)...She never shames me….I listen as I sound out the word and I hear the word. Now I am reading!…It is like a blind person getting new eyes.…The help I get at home is important…I can now order things from a menu….Reading makes me proud….I don’t feel helpless….I want to learn more!” A shout of hurray echoed in the realm of the quiet…Thank you!
Michelle Detterick
You can find happiness if you seek and find how to help others. Albert Schweitzer |
Project Let’s Read : Declared Successful
Book distributions are underway! Elementary school students are selecting books to have as their very own from the 12,000 plus books obtained, labeled, and delivered by LL-L volunteers and friends. Thanks to the generous gift from the Target foundation and local contributions a good selection of books will be going home with local students as they enjoy their summer vacation. Head Start children have tucked three books in their backpacks throughout the past school year, given to them by some of our VIP classroom readers. WIC participants and young children in childcare homes and centers have received wonderful board books, durable for handling by little hands. Project Let’s Read is impacting our whole community! A big THANK YOU to dedicated project chair Caroline Baldwin for spearheading this literacy outreach and to each volunteer who has labeled, delivered, and distributed books this year.
Life is nothing but meeting challenges and solving them. K.C. Jones
You’re Invited
The Annual Meeting & Conference of the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy will be held in Rio Rancho, on June 1-2. The twentieth anniversary gala of the NMCL will include a reception with guitarist Roberto Capocchi, a banquet with author Michael McGarrity, and dancing with the Chris Abeyta Band. Speakers during Friday’s conference include Janet Green and Dr. Garrey Carruthers. For additional information or to register, visit the NMCL website: www.nmcl.org Make plans now to attend!
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Sharpen Your Skills
Computers are very effective learning tools to use while tutoring adults and families. A 15 minute segment during an hour long weekly tutoring session can be very beneficial for learners, as a variety of activities is essential to master any skill. Computer time can provide needed motivation for learners, as games and reinforcement drills are challenging and fun. Through funds received from the Southwest Area Workforce Development Board, the Silver City Rotary Club, and PNM Foundation, we have purchased a variety of software, computers, and laptops. We have a program to enhance the learning for virtually every LL-L learner. Frank Avallone, our computer trainer, is helping us become familiar with the programs, as well as increasing our computer knowledge and skills. Frank is working with 3 or 4 tutors every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 1 to 2:30 pm in the small conference room. Sign up for computer classes by calling the LL-L office. Classes will continue only through the middle of June. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Also, funds are available to purchase additional software. Do you have a suggestion? Your input is appreciated!
Stay In Touch
Opportunities to give often come up with short notice. Like a picnic in June? Stay informed by keeping an eye on announcements posted in the tutoring room, the LL-L bulletin board and office, and our website. Please report all volunteer and tutor hours at the end of June.
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Training: Basics and Beyond
Hands-on and experiential learning were the primary themes of the recent two day ProLiteracy workshop combining Basic Literacy & ESL Tutor Training. More than a dozen experienced and new volunteers attended April’s training by Andrea England, ProLiteracy trainer and director of the literacy program in Roswell. Having experienced tutors in the workshop willing to share practical tips with tutors new to our program enhanced the training for everyone. Among the skills presented to increase language skills were flashcards, poetry, pictures, journal writing and using hand signals and body movement that coincide with verbal language. I could tell by the energy expended that the volunteers will use the information to help their learners in accomplishing their goals. - Andrae England New and recertified tutors include: Marilyn Berry, Jon George, Mary Jaworski, Joe Krzyzanaski, Pat Gaerttner, Marie Gearhart, Josephine Lambert, Cotton Pierce, Margaret Plant, Carmen Campbell, Gwynne Unruh, Robin Hines, Harriet Juricich, and Betty Burns. Thank you and we welcome you to Literacy Link – Leamos! Did you know??? Famous GED graduates include: comedian Bill Cosby, Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, Delaware’s governor Ruth Ann Minner, U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado and Wally Amos, Tallahassee’s own Famous Amos of chocolate chip cookie fame. Wally Amos is continuing an effort begun in the 1970’s to fight adult literacy by promoting a campaign that encourages adults to read to children. Mr. Amos states, “If we create generations of kids who can read, illiteracy goes out the window.”
Congratulations to LL-L learner Anthony Torres on getting his GED. Way to go!
You can begin to achieve when you begin to believe---in yourself. Anon.
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Time for Spring Cleaning
LL-L’s second annual Spring Fling rummage and bake sale, held in conjunction with the Celebration of Spring at the Big Ditch Park, is May 13th from 8 to 1:30. We will be at the parking lot of the Visitors Center on Hudson Street. Start cleaning your closets, garages, and attics now and donate all those things you know you should get rid of. You can drop them off on May 12th at the warehouse behind the Silver City Food Coop on 6th Street, or bring them to the sale early Saturday morning. If you just can’t deliver them, call Marilyn Berry, 534-0231 for pick-up. Our bake sale did very well last year so please bring your favorite baked goodies again for this year’s sale on Saturday morning. Thank you so very much and we will see you there!
A spring cleaning mantra from Anon.: Pleasant memories are the most precious possessions because they can not be stolen from you or used up.
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