On behalf of the Board, we’d like to inform our partners and friends that we have hired a new Executive Director. Her name is Alison O’Handley and she comes to us with a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector. We feel fortunate to have her leading our team.Louise Pothier
Chair of the Board
Dartmouth Learning Network
Over the past four years, Lesley’s initiatives have helped to move the Network forward.
Over the next few months, we will be conducting a search to find the new Executive Director of DLN. We will share this job announcement soon and ask for your help in identifying candidates who can lead DLN on a continued successful trajectory. In the interim, Community Learning Program Coordinator Zoë Mitchell will assume some of the responsibilities of the Executive Director.
The Board would like to thank Lesley Dunn for her contributions, and wish her well in her future endeavors.
Dartmouth Learning Network has opportunity to meet and talk with Minister Jason Kenney;"/>
Dartmouth Learning Network has opportunity to meet and talk with Minister Jason Kenney;"/>
Dartmouth Learning Network has opportunity to meet and talk with Minister Jason Kenney;"/>
- Skills In Canada - First Results from PIAAC - Council of Ministers of Education, Canada
- Literacy and Essential Older-Adults Fact Sheet
- Literacy and Essential Skills Family Literacy Fact Sheet
- Literacy and Essential Skills Justice Fact Sheet
- Literacy and Essential Skills Learning-Disabilities Fact Sheet
- Literacy and Essential Skills Low Literacy Poverty and Health Fact Sheet
- Literacy and Essential Skills Persons with Disabilities Fact Sheet.pdf
- Literacy and Essential Skills Poverty Fact Sheet
- Literacy and Essential Skills Role of Libraries Fact Sheet
- Literacy and Essential Skills Workplace FactSheet
- Literacy and Essential Skills Citizenship Fact Sheet
- Literacy Reading Future Planning to Meet Future Literacy Needs in Canada Report
- State of Learning in Canada No Time for Compacency 2007
- Future Literacy in Canadas Largest Cities 2010
Television, of course, is a great replacement for the hard work of learning to read and write, but, if you think about it, so are autocratic governments and dogmas that eliminate choice. Unguided reading is a real threat, because unguided reading leads to uncomfortable questions.
Teach someone to read and you guarantee that they will be able to learn forever. Teach an entire culture to read and connections and innovations go through the roof.
Source: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/07/literacy-and-unguided-reading.html
+ Information Morning Interview July 1 2014
+ The Chronicle Herald Nova Scotia - Ottawa ink skills and training deal
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1219463-nova-scotia-ottawa-ink-skills-and-training-deal
+ The News John Brannen Stellerton June 30 2014
+ Canada-Nova Scotia Job Fund Agreement FAQ read more here
Wait List for Kids to Get Help Uo to 3 Years
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1216027-wait-list-for-kids-help-up-…
Nova Scotia School System Suffering from Mathphobia
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1217075-nova-scotia-school-system-s…
Reading, Writing and Affluence
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1217351-reading-writing-affluence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqYb4yMiosk
Read News
The story starts at 3 minutes 30 seconds into the broadcast.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/LMA-Works/1431737620379968?ref=hl
Head of Darmouth Learning Centre says funding change will 'impair' job prospects
http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/#!/content/1.2544078/
Lesley Dunn Executive Director DLN Supports Right to Literacy
A Nova Scotia Champion for Literacy by Sarah Dobson Dartmouth Learning Network Volunteer.docx
For Madiba : "Asimbonanga" (We Have Not Seen Him)
On-line print version available at http://globalnews.ca/news/1010836/adult-learners-showcase-reading-progress-through-performance-of-christmas-tale/
Actual broadcast available at http://globalnews.ca/video/1010914/morning-news-headlines-for-thurs-dec-5
David Campbell with LAE Minister Kelly Regan
LAE Minister Kelly Regan with Phil Van den Heuvel
2013 Nova SCotia School for Adult Learning Volunteer Award Phil Van den Heuvel.docx
http://www.oecd.org/site/piaac/Skills%20volume%201%20%28eng%29--full%20v8--eBook%20%2801%2010%202013%29.pdf
OECD The Survey of Adult Skills Reader’s Companion
http://www.oecd.org/site/piaac/Skills%20volume%201%20%28eng%29--full%20v8--eBook%20%2801%2010%202013%29.pdf
OECD 2013 Skills for Life Key Findings from the Survey of Adult Skills
http://www.oecd.org/site/piaac/SkillsOutlook_2013_ebook.pdf
OECD 2013 Technical Report of the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC)
http://www.oecd.org/site/piaac/All%20PIACC%20Technical%20Report%20final.pdf
There were no camera's and no throngs of media, just a great humanitarian visiting a Community Learning Network to visit with learners and staff and learn more about the work we do. Mr. Lewis took time to hear about our Declaration for the Right to Literacy Campaign and our goal of working towards a coordinated literacy, learning and essential skills framework for Nova Scotia and Canada; the ultimate goal 100% literacy. We were thrilled that he signed our Declaration, his signature beside one of his dear friends Jian Ghomeshi.
Mr. Lewis reminded us that making change happen can be an arduous task, our role is not to give up.
Stephen Lewis visits DLN
Stephen Lewis signs Declaration for the Right to Literacy
Federal Labour Market Ministers release report yesterday (Sept. 24, 2013) called "Building Skills Together" urging Federal Government to rethink changes to current labour market agreement. Download this report: Click here.
- PREMIER DEXTER RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY LEARNING ORGANIZATIONS CALL TO MEET RE CANADA JOB GRANT
- Community Learning Organizations Launch Business Awareness Survey on Canada Job Grant
- PROPOSED CANADA JOB GRANT WILL HURT LITERACY AND ESSENTIAL SKILLS PROGRAMS IN NOVA SCOTIA
- Community Learning Organizations Hopeful Cabinet Shuffle Will Impact Proposed Canada Job Grant
Left to Right: Dana Atwell, Chair of the Board of Directors, Dartmouth Learning Network Premier Darrell Dexter Lesley Dunn, Executive Director, Dartmouth Learning Network
The Dartmouth Learning Network was thrilled to be asked to participate in Premier Darrell Dexter’s Roundtable on July 10, 2013 prior to his attendance at the Council of the Federation of Premiers meeting in two weeks which he chairs.
Topics Covered Included:
- EI Changes (very applicable to DLN)
- Canada Job Grant (another area of interest for DLN)
- Expression of Interest Model-Immigration Changes (somewhat of an interest area when it comes to the work we do with ESL learners)
- Changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (very applicable to us as we try to get our learners attached to the labour market)
A major focus for DLN right now is the Proposed Canada Job Grant and its impact on literacy and essential skills programs.
DLN went prepared with a full briefing package representing not only ourselves but also the interests of the 27 community learning organizations working together under the umbrella group of The Association of Nova Scotia Community Learning Organizations (ANSCLO). We were also able to provide those in attendance with a snapshot of the very preliminary data from our current survey on business awareness of CJG.
Our Press Release for this was picked up by the Daily Business Buzz
The Premier’s office has asked that we put together another interim report on the Business Awareness Survey regarding the Canada Job Grant for end of next week that can be incorporated into his notes for the Council of the Federation of Premiers.
We have just passed the 50 day mark in our attempts to be included in a Federal Canada Job Grant roundtable, we have not been contacted by any member of Minister Finley’s office. Premier Darrell Dexter responded to our request within 24 hours with a date and time to meet. We are grateful someone is listening to our concerns.
Yours in literacy and learning,
Lesley Dunn
DLN Executive Director
Janet Smart First Dartmouth Literacy Network Co-ordinator 1986
Literacy Nova Scotia received 83 submissions, including 6 videos from across the province. The Dartmouth learning Network submitted 16 submissions by our learners, 20% of the total submissions. Great job DLN learners!
A new feature this year included a chance to win an iPad Mini in a draw of all the eligible submissions. Paul Mailman of South Shore Work Activity Program was the lucky winner.
Contest winners will read their submissions and present copies to officials on behalf of the Province and Department of Labour and Advanced Education at Literacy Nova Scotia's Adult Learners’ Week Celebration.
Winners
Community-based, Levels I & II Category Winner:
Ryan Maisonneuve - Halifax Community Learning Network
Adult High School, NSCC, & Community-based - Levels III & IV Category Winner:
Nancy MacDougall - NSCC Marconi Campus, Sydney
Workplace/Workforce Category Winner:
Ariel Harper Nave - OWL (Older Wiser Labourforce) Program, Halifax
ESL, Seniors’ & Family Literacy Category Winner:
Rukhsora Sangova - Cunard Learning Centre, Halifax
LNS received 83 submissions, including 6 videos from across the province. A new feature this year included a chance to win an iPad Mini in a draw of all the eligible submissions. Paul Mailman of South Shore Work Activity Program was the lucky winner.
Contest winners will read their submissions and present copies to officials on behalf of the Province and Department of Labour and Advanced Education at Literacy Nova Scotia's Adult Learners’ Week Celebration.
To ensure consistent delivery of important programs and services for Nova Scotians and their families, the province will increase user fees and charges by 5.8 per cent.
The increase, which reflects the cumulative rate of inflation (3.8 per cent in 2011 and 2 per cent in 2012), will take effect April 1.
"Nova Scotians rely on the important services to which these fees are connected," said Finance Minister Maureen MacDonald. "We are working hard to improve quality and find more effective and efficient ways to deliver the services Nova Scotians value."
The fee increase will apply to most services, licensing and regulatory functions by departments. Fees for government service organizations, such as school boards and health authorities, will not be affected.
"To protect Nova Scotia's most vulnerable, fees associated with public housing will stay the same and ambulance fees will still be waived for low-income Nova Scotians," said Ms. MacDonald.
Other fees that will not increase include requests for information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act and those where third parties receive revenue instead of the government, such as online campsite reservations and cancellations. Sport fishing licences will not increase until the 2014 season.
There are about 1,400 fees charged by government departments. This increase will generate about $11.6 million in additional revenue. The last fee increase was in April 2011. All fees will end in 5 or 0 to reflect the federal elimination of the penny.
Some increases will be implemented at a later date because of notification and system requirements.
A detailed summary of user-fee increases, including effective dates, is available at http://novascotia.ca/finance .
Increases are as follows:
Registration – from $41.41 to $43.80
Transcript – from $17.76 to $18.80
Additional copy if ordered at the same time – from $11.88 to $12.60
Copy of official certificate – from $17.76 to $18.80
Addition copy if ordered at the same time – from $11.88 to $12.60
Additional charge each time a transcript and/or certificate is faxed to an educational institution – from $5.55 to $5.90
Please view the following links (Press Release & User Fees & Government Charges 2013-14).
Thanks to a grant from the Peter Gzowski Golf Invitational administered by Literacy Nova Scotia and financial support from the Dartmouth Learning Network Bridge Club, DLN was able to assemble 300 learner kits to be distributed to each learner as they register for our programs.
Returning to a learning environment can be stressful at any age. Many DLN learners lack the financial resources to obtain basic learning supplies whether for classroom use or in one-on-one learning sessions in the community as they are focused on providing for their family and purchasing school supplies for their children and not for themselves.
The DLN Learner Starter Kits help remove the stress associated with starting a new academic program and allow the learners to settle into their studies with the necessary learning supplies. Each kit contains:
- 1 Scientific Calculator
- 1 USB Drive
- Hilroy One Subject Notebook
- Dictionary
- 2 pencils
- 2 pens
- 1 ruler
- 1 Eraser
- Daily Planner
It doesn’t take a lot to make a difference, imagination and a desire to get it done works just fine, thank you PGI Grant and the Dartmouth Learning Network Bridge Club for helping us assemble all these kits, our learners are overwhelmed when they are presented with one as a welcome to our programs.
For more information on the Nova Scotia Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy please visit
Thanks to the generous support of the Chronicle Herald’s Raise-A-Reader Fund, and the Excellence in Literacy Foundation, the Dartmouth Learning Network launched their REACH Program. The REACH programs builds upon the natural bond between a child and their parent (or primary caregiver) to strengthen their joint literacy skills, 30 Family Story & Activity Kit are being assembled and a series of family activities will allow DLN learners a fun way to enjoy books and reading with their children. This program will also create a greater understanding for the DLN learner of their position as role models for their children learning new skills.
For more information on the Chronicle Herald Raise-A-Reader Program visit http://www.ns.literacy.ca/docs/RaiseaReader_factsheet.pdf
For information on the on the Excellence in Literacy Foundation visit
The Dartmouth Learning Network Bridge Club is always on hand to support the Dartmouth Learning Network. The volunteer driven Math Basics Program has now expanded to five classes and with that comes the demand for more teachers. To ensure the volunteer teachers have all the supplies they needed to teach their class the Dartmouth Learning Network Bridge Club provided the financial support to help DLN assemble 5 portable teaching kits. Each kit contains:
- A dry erase marker kit
- Staple, staples, and staple remover
- Scissors and tape
- Ruler, hole punch, pens, pencils, sharpies, erasers
- Post-it notes and post-it flags
- Scientific calculator
- Notebook
- To Do List Pad
- Daily Planners
All contained in a great grab-and-go box.
Thank you to all the members of the Dartmouth Learning Network Bridge Club for this great addition to our Math Basics Classes. These five classes receive no government funding to deliver we rely on the generosity of people such as yourselves to help meet this important need in the community.
Visitors to the Dartmouth Learning Network show the books they were given as part of Family Learning Day
It was a busy day at the Dartmouth Learning Network - our first March Break Family Learning Morning. We used marshmallows and toothpicks to build 3-d shapes, traced letters in pudding, sand and gravel, played phonics games, board games, did puzzles, and coloured. Just when you thought the fun couldn't end we had story time led by level 2B learner Mona; once story time was over Mona presented each of our young visitors with a book to take home. Lots of happy faces, I think we will do this again.
Conference - Helping the Struggling Learner: What Works and How? April 25 – 26th 2013
Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre
437 Prince Street, Truro
Registration is open to practitioners of the community-based learning organizations, Adult High School (AHS), and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).
We have space for one participant from each organization which offers Level I and II within NSSAL, and 15 from NSCC (ALP) and AHS. Other registrants will be on a waiting list.
There is no registration fee for this workshop and meals are included.
All participants can attend the keynote and panel discussion. Other workshops are held as concurrent sessions with a maximum of 25 participants. Sign-up sheets for individual sessions will be available at registration on a first come first served basis.
Deadline for registration is noon March 22, 2013.
Confirmation of registration will be sent on March 26, 2013.
Registration Form for Community-based Practicioners
Going Where No DLN Learner Has Gone Before
By Lesley Dunn, Executive Director
An inquisitive phone call to Dalhousie University one day
Led to the Department of Physics Discovery Days
“If it’s science you’re looking for your learners to explore
We can help you out and so much more!”
We stated our needs and they listened real close
They provided us with information on three great educational shows!
“We’ll start with Liquid Nitrogen,” Dr. Payne explained
“Your learners will be amazed at the knowledge they’ve gained
We’ll show them how to make a green salad without using a knife no knife
How the behaviour of matter changes when exposed to temperature as cold as ice
They will eat marshmallows and crackers that have been froze
And watch the effect as they breathe smoke from their nose
Just when they think they have experienced enough
It’s off to see Wonder World to watch the weather unfold”
“The six foot globe will suddenly transform
As learners view animated images of tsunamis, and atmospheric storms
With everyone excited and driven to learn more
It’s off to the Planetarium and the night sky to explore
Here they will tour the changing night sky
See constellations and stars simply float by
The world around us is a magical place
And far more exciting when we see it from space”
Thank you Dr. Payne for the wonderful day
Everyone in the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science went out of their way
Our adult learners had such an amazing day
You expanded their knowledge in so many ways
You opened up windows and multiple doors
And invited our leaners to go where they had never been before!
That’s Learning!
Wonder World is Dalhousie University’s Department of Physic and Atmospheric Science’s 6 ft. video globe that allows visitors to explore the dynamics of the earth - in the crust, the oceans, and atmosphere.
All Nova Scotians with mental health concerns now have 24-7 access to mental health crisis intervention, with the expansion of the Mental Health Crisis Line.
The Mental Health Crisis Line is now available to all Nova Scotians by calling 1-888-429-8167
The crisis line is staffed by licensed clinicians, with a background in social work, nursing or occupational therapy. The clinicians will triage and assess each call for imminent risk and safety, and will help the caller cope with their issue.
IMPORTANT NEWS**
Beginning January 2014, the GED® test will move from a paper-based to computer-based format. Not only will test results be provided instantly, but studies have shown that adults who have taken the GED tests on computer find the test easier and also finish faster.
If you’ve already started the GED test, you’re almost there! Simply complete by paper before this change, or finish by computer in January 2014. The Department of Labour and Advanced Education will offer support through programs directed to adults who wish to complete their GED.
Please note, although the GED test in 2014 will be a computer-based format, the test content will remain the same – 5 tests, Language Arts, Reading, Language Arts, Writing, Social Studies, Science and Math. The GED test in Canada is expected to be updated in the year 2015 or 2016. If you have begun the GED® test and have not passed all the components of the test, you will need to do so before they expire in 2015 or 2016.
The future is calling. With the GED® test, you can earn a high school equivalency certificate to further your education or get a better job. Do not miss this chance to turn one small step into your next big opportunity in life. No other high school equivalency program is more recognized across the country—offering a diploma accepted by most schools and employers.
Please call 1-877-466-7725 for more information.
February 6, 2013 (Halifax, Nova Scotia)Plans are underway for Nova Scotia Adult Learners Week 2013 April 6-14, 2013. So mark your calendars! Learners and organizations from across the province are coming together to celebrate UNESCO’s International Adult Learners Week 2013. Read More
The Oxford Declaration was a call to action at the end of the 2012 World Literacy Summit in Oxford, England. Summit attendees were asked to outline key action points required to improve global literacy standards. Read More
