Writing is an essential skill used in nearly every job and everyday life. Literacy Nova Scotia invites adult learners to think about Adult Learners' Week's theme Opening Possibilities through Learning by putting words to paper as we prepare to celebrate UNESCO's International Adult Learners' Week, March 1 - 7, 2010.

• Written entries of up to 500 words in the form of an essay, a poem, or a short story will be accepted.
• Video entries of 1 to 2 minutes and posted on You Tube will be accepted.

Only individual submissions will be accepted, i.e. no group submissions will be accepted.

As part of the celebration of International Adult Learners' Week, LNS will publish all entries, with the author's name and program on the internet in an electronic booklet.

The contest winners' entries, names, photographs and videos will also be published on our website and in the next issue of The Learning Beacon.

By entering the contest you give permission for Literacy Nova Scotia to use your name and your entry to promote adult learning.

Our contest for Adult Learners' Week was very successful in 2008 and 2009.

To view the contest winners from past years: http://www.ns.literacy.ca/alw.htm

2009 Electronic Booklet: http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/lns/alw09/cover.htm

2008 Electronic Booklet: http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/crlearn/crlearn.pdf

The Learning Beacon, The LNS e-zine:
http://www.ns.literacy.ca/TheLearningBeacon/index.html

Who can enter the contest?
Anyone enrolled in an Adult Learning Program can enter. One entry per person. We hope to hear from learners in adult high schools, community based programs, NSCC Adult Learning Programs, seniors' literacy, English as a Second Language, and workplace education programs.

How do I enter the contest?
Written entries must be submitted electronically to Marie David at marie.david@nscc.ca
Video entries must be posted on You Tube and the link emailed to marie.david@nscc.ca


Three things must be sent with your submission:

1. Your name, address, and telephone number.
2. The name and telephone number of the program you are attending.
3. The Category you are applying under:

• Community-based
• Adult high school and community college
• Workplace, family, and seniors
• Video

By entering, you agree that the submission (a) is your own work and (b) does not include anything that would require the permission of another person for you to use.

Deadline for entries: noon on February 15

How will the winner be chosen?
The entries will be reviewed by a committee of adult learners, LNS staff and board members.

One winner will be selected from each of the four categories:
1. Community-based
2. Adult high school and community college
3. All others, including workplace, family, and seniors
4. Videos

The four winners will be contacted on Monday, February 22.
The decisions of the judging panel are final on all matters relating to the contest.

What are the prizes?

• All expenses paid trip to Halifax for you and your guest. This will include one room for overnight in a hotel, meals and travel costs from your home to Halifax. LNS staff will be on hand to help you get to the planned events. (For winners from Halifax a gift certificate will be given)


• You will be guests of honour at the Adult Learners' Week Reception where you will read from your story to the audience.


• Each winner will receive a DVD recording of the event.


• Your submission and the Adult Learners' Week video will be included in next issue of The Learning Beacon


• A totebag loaded with goodies!


• Other surprises!

Literacy Nova Scotia acknowledges and thanks the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development for their funding support to make this event possible.

LNS is pleased to announce that we have a new colleague.
Cindy Stevens has been hired as the new Administrative Coordinator. Welcome Cindy!

The learner and practitioner surveys have been completed. LNS like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey on line or sent us their responses. We received responses from 273 learners and 120 practitioners. This is an excellent response and indicates the great interest the literacy field has shown in this important project.
Thank you.

The Teaching Toolbox is a collection of videos featuring adult literacy practitioners. Each short video outlines a teaching technique-a practitioner tells how to use it, how it helps learners, and when and where it's most useful.

We all know a special adult literacy practitioner...

• A tutor or instructor who has a special way with learners
• Someone who has a great technique for teaching a particular concept
• Someone who gets results by using a particular approach to a subject
• Someone to turn to for help or inspiration

We need that expertise for the Teaching Toolbox! Nominate someone today.
New Deadline: January 29, 2010

Click here to download the pdf poster: http://www.ns.literacy.ca/docs/Wanted_poster.pdf

For more information contact Jayne Hunter, Project Manager at Jayne.Hunter@nscc.ca

Twenty two practitioners are taking part in the pilot phase of the Practitioner Training project. They are separated into two groups for Module 3 Integrating Information Technology (IT) into Your Teaching. This module focuses on computers and the Internet and how literacy practitioners might use them in their work, both to teach literacy and numeracy skills, and to help learners use technology for their own purposes.

Module 6 Communications: Learners in Transition will begin the last week of January with 16 participants.

Participants of the pilot have been diligent in providing feedback, showing great enthusiasm for the training. Following the completion of Module 1, they were asked to complete an evaluation. We have heard some comments about "getting lost in the fun of it". Kate Nonesuch, the curriculum writer, was very pleased with how the first online module was received: "They found the activities valuable because it asked them to reflect on themselves as learners and practitioners, and they placed a high value on the assignment". The evaluation report has been posted for the participants to review and a final evaluation report will be available for all following the completion of the pilot.

The PD Fund committee, consisting of representatives from the Adult Education Division and Literacy Nova Scotia, as per its mandate, met recently to conduct a yearly review of the ALP Professional Development guidelines and application process.

The committee made changes to who can apply for funding, as well as increasing the amounts for both individuals and groups. All changes and an updated application form, which asks for more detailed budget information is available on our website: http://www.ns.literacy.ca/pdfund.htm

Please note the following changes which will take effect immediately.
Who can apply to the PD Fund:
Community learning organizations funded under the Nova Scotia School of Adult Learning can apply for funding for their staff and volunteers but not adult literacy learners. The PD Fund covers PD activities for individuals and groups within the organization.
This includes opportunities for:

• Practitioners - tutors and instructors
• Coordinators
• Board members

The PD opportunity must be directly related to the applicant's responsibility within the community learning organization.


Maximum amounts for funding:

• Individuals may be funded to a maximum of $1,000 per fiscal year. Preference will be given to individuals who have not received previous funding. This limit will not affect an individual's participation in local or regional group PD opportunities.
• Group PD activities may be funded to a maximum of $4000 per fiscal year for PD activities within their region.

from Rachel Wernick
Director General, Office of Literacy and Essential Skills

I am pleased to announce the launch of the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills' re-designed website:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/oles/olesindex_en.shtml

We are very excited about some of the new features on our site, the most important being the development of a publicly accessible project database. The database is a searchable web tool that provides users access to information on all OLES-funded projects since 2006. By making detailed project information easily and publicly available, we are increasing the transparency of program funding decisions and providing partners invaluable information to inform the development of future proposals. I invite you to familiarize yourself with its content and capabilities.

We are also introducing a special feature called "Spotlight On ...". This will be our opportunity to showcase particular projects of interest or best practices. It will be updated regularly throughout the year so check back often.

The site also includes information on OLES and such topics as funding opportunities, literacy and essential skills tools and performance measurement information.

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills has as its mission to become an acknowledged centre of expertise on "what works" in improving the literacy and essential skills of adult Canadians. Part of our efforts to meet this goal requires the ability to provide concise and timely information to as wide an audience as possible. Our new website does just that. Like any website, it is a work in progress that will reflect the constant change in literacy and essential skills issues in the workplace and in our communities. We will strive to provide the most current and complete information as possible.

In order to help us 'get the word out', I would ask each of you to share our website address with your members, partners and wide-ranging networks. The more traffic and feedback we receive, the better the site will evolve.

We hope that you will visit regularly and we welcome any comments and suggestions you have in improving the quality of our site.

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C'est avec plaisir que je vous annonce le lancement du nouveau site Web du Bureau de l'alphabétisation et des compétences essentielles.
http://www.rhdcc.gc.ca/fra/competence/bace/olesindex_fr.shtml

Nous sommes très enthousiasmés par quelques nouvelles caractéristiques de notre site, la plus importante étant la mise en place d'une base de données des projets accessible au grand public. Cette base de données est un outil Web avec fonction de recherche qui permet aux utilisateurs d'accéder à des renseignements sur tous les projets subventionnés par le BACE depuis 2006. En rendant les détails des projets faciles à consulter et accessibles au grand public, nous augmentons la transparence des décisions de financement des programmes et offrons aux partenaires des renseignements précieux pour informer l'élaboration de projets futurs. Je vous invite à vous familiariser avec son contenu et son fonctionnement.

Nous ajoutons également une fonction spéciale « Pleins feux sur... ». Cette dernière nous permettra de mettre en valeur des projets d'intérêt ou des pratiques exemplaires en particulier. Nous la mettrons à jour régulièrement pendant l'année et vous invitons à aller y faire votre tour de temps en temps.

Ce site contient également des détails sur le BACE et des sujets comme les possibilités de financement, les outils d'alphabétisation et de compétences essentielles, et des détails sur la mesure du rendement.

Le Bureau de l'alphabétisation et des compétences essentielles a pour mission de devenir un centre d'expertise reconnu sur les « pratiques gagnantes » permettant d'améliorer le niveau d'alphabétisation et de compétences essentielles des adultes canadiens. Une partie de nos efforts pour atteindre cet objectif exige que nous soyons capables de fournir une information concise et à jour au plus vaste auditoire possible. C'est en plein ce qu'offre notre nouveau site Web. Comme tout site Web, il s'agit d'un travail continu qui reflétera l'évolution constante des dossiers d'alphabétisation et de compétences essentielles en milieu de travail et dans nos communautés. Nous nous efforcerons de fournir l'information la plus actuelle et la plus complète qui soit.

Pour « passer le message », nous vous invitons à donner l'adresse de notre site Web à vos membres, partenaires, et à votre réseau de contacts. Plus nous aurons de trafic et de commentaires, plus le site pourra évoluer. Nous espérons que vous consulterez le site régulièrement et vous invitons à nous faire part de vos commentaires et suggestions pour en améliorer la qualité.

The Board of Directors of the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) is pleased to announce the creation of the NALD Innovative Technology Award. The nomination process is now open and submissions will be accepted until March 1, 2010.

The award recognizes outstanding achievement in developing and implementing a technology initiative that contributes to the advancement of adult literacy and essential skills. Specifically, the product, project or service should promote, support and/or facilitate knowledge exchange within the adult literacy community.

For more information on the NALD Innovative Technology Award, read the nomination criteria ( PDF) and the application form ( Microsoft Word).
You may also phone 1-800-720-NALD (6253) or write to contactnald@nald.ca .

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and The Royal Conservatory's Learning Through the Arts program are partnering to raise awareness of literacy by creating a new song in honour of Family Literacy Day (January 27, 2010). The new literacy song will be written and composed by Toronto-based grade six students from The Royal Conservatory's Etherington and Vukets Music Champion Program with guidance from singer/songwriter/educator, Ciara Adams. Read more

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, January 12, 2010 - The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced the launch of Canada Summer Jobs 2010, which supports work experiences for students and helps provide important community services.

Applications will be available on February 1, 2010, and must be submitted by February 26, 2010. Interested employers can apply online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/csj2010 or at their local Service Canada Centre. Members of Parliament will be invited to provide input into determining specific priorities for their communities as well as validating the list of projects recommended for funding.

Press release: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?m=/index&nid=505059

NALD Headline News: News flashes, media releases, announcements, call for papers and new information from the Canadian literacy community and elsewhere. http://www.nald.ca/info/whatnew/headline/headline.htm

The modules on the Literacy Basics site are self-directed training. Everyone can access and use the website training modules. Each training module is covered at the entry level. The modules contain supplementary readings and Internet resources as well as "questions for reflection".

The training is not date sensitive. Literacy Basics is designed to benefit you if:

• You are new to the literacy field
• You are already working as a literacy practitioner and want to upgrade your skills
• You are a literacy practitioner with new responsibilities or a completely new job description
• You are a volunteer in a literacy program
• You are a board member who wants to learn more about literacy training

For more information, go to http://www.nald.ca/literacybasics

Do you know a volunteer within your organization/group or community that deserves recognition? If so, Recreation Nova Scotia wants to hear from you!

Recreation Nova Scotia is seeking nominations for the 36th Annual Provincial Volunteers Award Ceremony. Four specialty awards will be presented in the categories of Youth, Family, Corporate and Community.

For more information and to obtain nomination forms go to http://www.recreationns.ns.ca or contact Michelle at 425-1128. Nominations are to be submitted to Recreation Nova Scotia on or before March 4th.

Recreation Nova Scotia also carries a selection of Volunteer recognition items that are available for sale.

New this year - All youth nominee's will attend a luncheon with the Minister of Volunteerism, Justice and Community Services.

Your support and consideration of these volunteer awards is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to circulate this information to anyone you think may be interested.

Family Literacy Day (FLD) is less than a month away! Here is a quick update on what's happening for FLD 2010.

Sing for Literacy - Free videos available!
This year's theme for Family Literacy Day is Sing for Literacy. We are encouraging groups across the country to participate by hosting and participating in sing-along FLD events in their communities.

All you have to do to participate in Sing for Literacy is host a sing-along at your FLD event. It doesn't matter if it's karaoke or campfire-style! We have partnered with The KARAOKE Channel to provide free karaoke videos (English and French) for you to use at your event. Check out the videos!

Download the Sing for Literacy Toolkit to help you get started, or our FLD Event Guide for all the information you need for your Family Literacy Day and Sing for Literacy event. Don't forget to register your sing-along online!

Pledge to Sing
In a year when funds are needed more than ever to support literacy across Canada, why not turn your Family Literacy Day event into a fundraiser? Encourage participants to have fun asking friends and family to pledge them to Sing for Literacy at your event. It's easy - visit our website, follow the three simple steps, and then start singing!

Download your free FLD promotional items!
Don't forget to download your free FLD promotional items from our website! You can also download our new FLD activity book, as well as other great tips and activities on our tips and activities page. Please note that these downloadable items are the only promotional materials available for FLD 2010.

Announcing the 'Munsch at Home Contest' Winner
Congratulations to the Jordan family of Scarborough, Ontario! They were selected as the winners of the 'Munsch at Home Contest' for their original story Myles the Rockstar, as selected by best-selling author and Family Literacy Day Honorary Chair, Robert Munsch. Read their winning story, and the other nine finalists' stories on our website.

Don't forget to register your FLD event!
Way to go, Canada! We already have over 38,000 people registered to take part in FLD 2010. Help us reach our goal of 300,000 Canadians by registering your FLD event on our website. It's easy to do, and it helps promote your event to people in your community. Register by January 8, 2010 and be eligible to win a FLD prize pack!

Need volunteers? Want to volunteer?
This year's registration form allows you to indicate if you need volunteers. Potential volunteers can visit the FLD Event Listings Page online and search for FLD events needing volunteers in their communities.

Work with Honda!
Honda Canada has been the Family Literacy Day Founding Sponsor since 1999. Why not contact your local Honda dealership and see if they would be interested in participating in your event? Ask them to be a guest reader, put up posters for your event, or better yet, work together to run a joint event, such as a book drive or a Sing for Literacy event.

Stay tuned to www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca for last minute FLD news!

Pictou County Continuous Learning Association
Wednesday, January 27th is Family Literacy Day in Canada. In recognition of this day, the Nova Scotia government has chosen to spotlight PiCCoLA (the Pictou County Continuous Learning Association). PiCCoLA is one of approximately 30 adult learning networks in the province that work on improving literacy with Nova Scotia's adult population. On January 27th, PiCCoLA will host a literacy celebration at the NSCC Pictou Campus (Stellarton) from 3-5pm. Included in the activities will be folk singing, celebrity readers and refreshments. All are welcome.

For more information, contact:
Carollynne Nemecek
Literacy Coordinator, PiCCoLA
902-485-7014

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Great Village Community Association
is holding a Family Literacy Day event on January 30, 2010 at 10:00 am- 3:00 pm in the Great Village School Gym.

• Join us to be amazed by Mr J the Magician
• Experience Science Experiments by Mad Science Maritimes
• Read and get autographs from the Truro Bearcats
• Listen to stories told by local Author Lisa Light-Mason
• Inquire about Bonnie Mae Chapman's new book
• Be enchanted by Rosalee Peppard's voice
• Tattoos, book give aways, ticket give aways

This is a free event and everyone is welcome!
Brought to you by Great Village Community Association and funded by Along the Shore Health Board.

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Family Literacy Day at the Windsor Library
Location: Windsor Library, NS
Come to Windsor Library on Jan.27th at 3pm and "Sing for Literacy". Parents and children can join in sing-a-long stories, activities and refreshments. This year's "Open the Trunk" writers will read their stories...All welcome!

Contact Information:
Call 902-792-6754 for more information or email hantslearning@hotmail.com

During 2009 and 2010, a unique, intensive professional development experience in grassroots philanthropy is being offered by the Tatamagouche Centre and WinterGreens Consulting.

There are three parts to this in-depth experience:

1. Introductory Workshop on Grassroots Philanthropy to get your Board, staff and volunteers to start thinking differently about how you raise money. Half-day workshops will be offered between October 2009 and March 2010

2. Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times with Kim Klein - a legend and pioneer for nonprofits of all sizes and types. One day workshop is offered in HRM on Thursday, April 29, 2010

3. How Your Organization Can Build Renewable Income Streams - an intensive weekend with Kim Klein to deepen your hands-on knowledge at the Tatamagouche Centre from Friday, April 30 to Sunday, May 2, 2010.

For more information, go to: http://www.recreationns.ns.ca/files/Tatamagouche%20fundraising_brochure.pdf

As a member of the Charity Law Information Program Advisory Committee, the Foundation for Rural Living is pleased to forward an opportunity for your organization, its Executive Directors, CEOs, Boards of Directors, finance people, fundraisers and other interested parties to participate in complimentary webinars that focus on compliance issues for charities.

Visit www.capacitybuilders.ca/clip and register for a free e-newsletter and complimentary webinars.
The coupon code - b2y8v6n7y1 - is valid until January 31, 2010).

Online registration is currently up and running!
Visit http://www.nsldconference.ca/ and preview the schedule and renowned speakers they have lined up for the next conference. Register early to ensure you get into your first choice of sessions! Also, take note of their special Early Bird Registration Draw information on the website!

National Family Literacy Conference:
Cultivating Connections, Global Perspectives & Practices in Family Literacy
July 15-17, 2010
Shaw Conference Centre
Edmonton, AB
Website: http://famlit.ca/ccc/
Conference postcard: http://www.famlit.ca/Conference_Postcard_09.pdf

Halifax Regional C@P Association (HRCAP) will be hosting a panel of experts in the Alderney Landing Theatre on Sunday 24th 2010 at 10:15amto discuss the state of the internet, and it's access around the world, and how we measure up locally. This is a response to CBC Radio Maritime Noon's recent phone-in "Who is shaping your digital future?"

There has been increasing alarm that Canada has become the "Digital Third World" and that we will be facing an unprecedented national emergency as our Information Technologies simply no longer keep up with the rest of the world (this decline is estimated to begin within 24 months).

Who is shaping your digital future? How prepared are your communities for Digital Citizenship? In an era with technology evolving faster than any example in history, where does the Digital Divide really hurt the most? These are important questions as they prepare to steer Nova Scotia into a Digital Divide legislation.

For more information, go to: http://www.halifaxcap.ca/the_halifax_regional_cap_association
This panel discussion will be filmed, podcast, as well as used in a documentary film on the Digital Divide.

The Human Rights Commission conducts workshops on provincial human rights legislation as it applies to various workplaces.Following the success of two human rights education workshops in the fall of 2009, they have planned two new one-day workshops for spring 2010.

This year they are conducting one workshop in the Annapolis Valley and one in Halifax.Dates for our one-day workshops are:
Halifax - Wednesday April 21, 2010
Kentville - Wednesday April 28, 2010

They are also starting to book for their five-day "Creating Cultural and Organizational Change" workshop which will take place from June 14 to 18, 2010 in Halifax.

If you are interested in participating in any of these workshops, or for further information on registration, location and cost of workshops, please contact:
Barbara Holmes, Administrative Support
Ph: 902-424-7282
E-mail: holmesbe@gov.ns.ca

Please note that they have room for 20 participants in each workshop, so booking early is important.
Please visit their website for more information on our training products:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/humanrights/education-training-workshops.asp

Their previous participants have recognized the benefits of the information we provide and recommend it to others. A testimonial:
"It was worth our time, energy and money. It was a great week of training, we all had our eyes opened a bit more and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We feel more comfortable .... this can be attributed to the Commission's ability to focus on our needs."

Former participants in their workshops include: HR professionals, managers, private consultants and community members, all seeking to increase their knowledge of human rights as it applies to their personal and work lives.

Summer Institute 2010: Workplace LES: What Counts? and Why?

Mark your calendar!
Thei next Summer Institute will take place at Dawson College in Montreal on June 28-30, 2010
Click here to download the Brochure.

Aboriginal Adult Literacy: Nourishing Their Learning Spirits is a literature review on Aboriginal literacy from the perspective of Aboriginal literacy worker Ningwakwe George.

The documents used in the review were written by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal literacy practitioners and health, science and adult education professionals on topics related to the holistic and healing approaches to education, literacy and life. This paper is designed to provide information and possibly direction for the Aboriginal literacy field and its stakeholders, as to the efficacy of comprehending and nourishing the Learning Spirit.

Click here to read this report.

The Healthy Aboriginal Network has updated their website with the books they have in stock and their mailing address.

They're working on a website where you can download the low resolution previews automatically, peruse the focus group shorts without accessing YouTube and pay electronically. You can find the site at www.thehealthyaboriginal.net

Please note they have suicide awareness, mental health and gang awareness comic books in stock. If your fiscal year end is March 31st, please consider getting an order in early. We are running low on inventory but there is still time to re-print books in stock or very large orders of the sold out books.

In honour of Family Literacy Day 2010, The Bread and Roses Writing Program produced an information sheet entitled Ideas For Helping Children Learn (even in rough times)

You can also find it on their website http://www.learningandviolence.net/changing/BreadandRoses.pdf

Lack of Canadian experience often means new Canadian immigrants struggle to find positions at their level of expertise and education. This report from CCL's Work and Learning Knowledge Centre explores how some employers, sector councils and immigrant settlement agencies valorize the prior foreign work experience of immigrants.

Click here to read the Report.

The HR council for the Voluntary & Non-Profit Sector Newsletter, January 2010
http://www.hrcouncil.ca/newsletter/january-2010.html