Hello!

Welcome to the May 2016 edition of the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick newsletter. We've got some updates about the organization, news related to literacy in New Brunswick and much more. There are lots of exciting things happening at The Coalition; here are a few updates!

Help us make our vision a reality!

Literacy Coalition Update

Has it been a month already? Amazing how time flies! Here's some important information from the Literacy Coalition:

LCNB Moving to a New Location!

As of May 27th, The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick's head office will no longer be located at the 921 College Hill Road address! If you need to contact us, or simply want to stop by and say hello, we will be located at our new office at 212 Queen Street, suite #303.

Don't miss a thing!

Want to keep up with the LCNB on a regular basis? Be sure to check out our Facebook page for regular updates about the Coalition, and lots of great articles, stories, professional development opportunities and more!

Children's Literature Conference

A Children's Literature Conference will be held on Friday evening, October 21st and Saturday, October 22nd at UNB's Marshall d'Avray Hall (Fredericton campus). The conference will include presentations by such authors as: Sheree Fitch, Nicola Campbell,Alan Syliboy, Freida Wishinsky and Barbara Reid. Contact Caroline Marygold for more information at: eccentre@unb.ca

Register early to ensure your participation!

Introducing the LCNB Book of the Month!

The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick is pleased to introduce our latest section to our monthly newsletter, the LCNB Book of the Month! We are fortunate to have many talented local authors within our province, and we will be featuring their works in our newsletter. If there is a local author you enjoy and would like to see featured, let us know by contacting us on Facebook/Twitter!

"A Measure of Light” by Beth Powning is our chosen book for this month. To read more, please go the bottom of the newsletter.

LCNB Says Farewell to Ben

It was with mixed feelings that we said good-bye to Ben Whitney who left his position as Communications Officer with the Literacy Coalition on April 28th. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Ben for his important contribution to the Literacy Coalition, especially in the advancement of our social media presence. Thank you, Ben, for a job well done! We know you have a promising career ahead and wish you much success as you pursue your new work experience and your degree in law.

Our New Staff Member

It is a pleasure to welcome our new Communications and Program Director, Matthew Garneau, to our team. Matthew brings strong technical and social media skills to the position, combined with a real interest and commitment to working in the field of literacy and learning. He has just completed the second year of his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at the University of New Brunswick. He has worked and studied abroad, having attained a one-year Language Study certificate at Qufu Normal University, Shandong China where he was also employed as an English language teacher for grade 10 students. Matthew is excited to be working with the Literacy Coalition and is looking forward to meeting our Board members and many partners.

In The News

The news has certainly been interesting in the last month. Here are a few stories we think are worth reading.

Free Comic Book Day Draws Young Readers.

CBC News,
May 7th, 2016
Phillip Drost

It was free comic book day at Strange Adventures Comic book store in Fredericton, but that wasn't the only thing bringing in new customers to the store.

People lined up waiting for the store to open quickly snatched up comic books related to Captain America and the Suicide Squad. It's no coincidence that Captain America Civil War movie came out Friday, while the Suicide Squad movie is set to hit theatres this summer, on Aug. 5. Strange Adventures manager Jason Arnold says when these movies succeed in theatres, it helps gain interest for comic books that spawned them.

"Well, of course people want to check out what the source material was for all the popular movies so when they come down, they see their Captain America comics. They can give that a try," said Arnold.
Young movie fans are most often interested. Often, a superhero movie is a child's first step into the comic book universe. With many of these movies coming out, children are more likely to see them and then want to read the comics.

Movies bring in new comic book fans

But it doesn't end there. As new comic book buyers come to the store to check out material from a movie they just watched, Arnold gets the chance to introduce them to comics they might not have looked at before "While they're here, they may see three more comics they want to see," said Arnold.

The next big comic book movie to come out is X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, which already has Strange Adventures stocking its shelves with related material.

Indigo Love of Reading Foundation Announces $1.5 Million in New Grants to 25 High-Needs Schools, Total Donations Exceed $23 Million Since 2004

Indigo Love of Reading Foundation
May 11, 2016

Since its inception in 2004, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has donated more than $23 million to more than 2,600 schools, benefiting more than 750,000 Canadian children.

"We love to know that these grants are nurturing a passion for reading and are helping Canadian children become richly literate," said Heather Reisman, President, Indigo Love of Reading Foundation.

Exposure to books at an early age sparks creativity and critical thinking. Without proper access, kids are less equipped to become lifelong readers.

Here are the shocking realities of today's literacy crisis in Canada:

In today's high-needs schools the average age of library books is over 16 years old.ⁱⁱ
On average, schools that apply for Literacy Grants have annual budgets of less than $8 per student – far below the minimum spend to ensure a healthy school library.ⁱⁱⁱ
If reading is not mastered by grade 3, this may lead to failed grades and early drop outs.^iv
Early childhood literacy is one of the greatest indicators of success later in life.^v

The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation believes every child should have access to books so they can reach their full potential. As a result of this year's literacy grants, 8,200 students across the country will have funds to purchase more than 200,000 books over the next three years.

The 2016 Indigo Love of Reading Foundation Literacy Fund Grant Recipients (by province):

Annie Foote School, Calgary, Alberta
Cardston Elementary School, Cardston, Alberta
Evansdale School, Edmonton, Alberta
Fairview Community School, Nanaimo, British Columbia
Khowhemun Elementary School, Duncan, British Columbia
Terry Fox Elementary School, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Strathcona Community School, Winnipeg, Manitoba
St. George School, Winnipeg, Manitoba
École W.-F.-Boisvert, Rogersville, New Brunswick
St. Matthew's School, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
West Colchester Consolidated School, Bass River, Nova Scotia
Kugaardjuq School, Kugaaruk, Nunavut
David Maxwell Public School, Windsor, Ontario
Daystrom Public School, Toronto, Ontario
Elia Middle School, Toronto, Ontario
Oakridge Junior Public School, Toronto, Ontario
Queen Victoria Elementary School, Hamilton, Ontario
St. Angela Catholic School, Toronto, Ontario
St. Dunstan Catholic School, Scarborough, Ontario
Stilecroft Public School, North York, Ontario
Summerside Intermediate School, Summerside, Prince Edward Island
École Du Trait-D'Union, Ste-Thérèse, Quebec
Gaspé Elementary School, Gaspe, Quebec
Imperial Community School, Regina, Saskatchewan
Queen Mary Public School, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

Indigo Love of Reading Foundation & First Book Grant Day Partnership

In addition to the 2016 Literacy Fund grants, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has once again partnered with First Book Canada, which provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books. As part of this partnership, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation and First Book Canada will provide more than 1,500 new books to each of the 20 runner-up schools that applied for the Literacy Fund Grant, a donation of more than 30,000 books in total. This year books will be generously donated from Disney Worldwide Publishing, Marvel Press, Disney Press, Lucasfilm Press, and Hyperion Press.

About the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation

Indigo Books & Music Inc. founded the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation in 2004 to address the underfunding of public elementary school libraries. To date, the Foundation has committed over $23 million to more than 2,600 schools through its signature programs. This year, the Foundation is granting $1.5 million to 25 high-needs elementary schools so they can transform their libraries with the purchase of new books and educational resources. To date, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation's Literacy Fund has committed $18 million to more than 215 schools nationally. The Foundation's annual grassroots Adopt a School program unites employees, customers, schools and their communities to raise funds and put even more books into the hands of children. Over the past seven years, the program has raised over $3.7 million so 600,000 children have a book to call their own. To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.loveofreading.org

® Indigo Love of Reading Foundation

Newfoundland and Labrador rural libraries could be taken over by towns, says Dale Kirby

CBC news
May 2nd, 2016
Mark Quinn and Stephanie Tobin

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dale Kirby says it's still possible the libraries up for closure could stay open.

Kirby said Monday that some of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries branches are in a location that could allow for an easy transition for the municipal government to take them over. He also said that a number of public libraries that are in schools may not close.

Kirby said after funding from the provincial library board is cut, schools may chose to keep those libraries open, although he said they will no longer be accessible to the public.

"People have the misconception that school libraries are closing and that's not true," said Kirby.

Last week, the province announced funding to 54 of the province's 95 libraries is going to be cut.Of the 54 libraries the province has up on the chopping block, 25 of them are within municipal buildings. In those cases, the towns could take over the operation and cost of the libraries.

Another 20 are within schools in the communities, The remaining nine are in stand-alone buildings. Over the weekend, Liberal backbencher Scott Reid suggested on Facebook that the government should reconsider public library cuts. Speaking with reporters Monday, Kirby said that will not happen.

"The budget is not going to be reconsidered," he said.

"What's in the budget is in the budget — that's my understanding. Education and Early Childhood Development's budget is not under reconsideration."

According to Kirby, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District will work with local groups to provide public access at 20 school libraries. Kirby added the province has twice the number of libraries per capita, but half the funding, than other jurisdictions.

He said the library cuts are a "devolution exercise" more than closures.

Kirby added none of the decisions for his department outlined in the 2016 budget will be changed.

© 2016 CBC News Canada

Touchstone Academy's Amazeatorium Proves Fun for the Whole Family!

(2016 Touchstone Academy's Amazeatorium Featured Above).

Everything from dry ice, to live animals, musical performances, dance, robots, and most of all, LEGO activities were on the floor May 7th, allowing kids to imagine, invent and create to their heart’s delight! Saint John's Harbour Station was transformed for the day into a fun-filled interactive learning fair, including workshops, demonstrations and hands-on activities of all kinds.

All attendees had the wonderful opportunity to meet Robin Sather, Canada’s only LEGO Certified Professional Builder! Kids and their families helped Robin build a massive LEGO creation unlike anything they have ever seen before! This event

Writer from Keswick Ridge is part of the latest book from Chicken Soup for the Soul

Fredericton Daily Gleaner (Telegraph Journal)
May 17th,
Lori Gallagher

A local author is sharing her story about the joy of less in the latest book from Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Kelti Goudie of Keswick Ridge has been writing stories for Chicken Soup for the Soul for a couple of years.

“They have a variety of topics online and if you have a story that fits within the genre, you’re encouraged to submit,” she said. “If it’s up to the quality and the right angle they’re looking for, then they’ll publish it in their book, and that’s what happened with this project.”

As soon as she saw the topic for this book was The Joy of Less, she knew what she wanted to talk about.

“I didn’t know how I wanted to come at it, because I have quite a few stories about minimalism in my own life, but I decided on this backpack,” said Goudie.

She admits at this point, the blue backpack featured in One Bag Rule is pretty much dead.

“I just used it and wore it out and I was fighting with myself because I kept saying I have to throw it out, it’s dead, the zippers don’t work anymore, and I can’t do it,” she said.

“That’s where this story came from, the idea that this bag means a lot more to me. It’s not just a bag, it’s actually part of my memory and part of my experience in simplifying my life.”

That blue backpack really changed her perspective.

“It helped me understand the idea that you can have more with less,” she said.

That lesson is one that Goudie has continued to follow.

“In the story, I talk about the one bag rule and that’s still something I do today. I tend to have a bit of a temper tantrum if I have to go somewhere with more than one bag,” she said, laughing as she adds. “Even if it’s a giant thing that I can fit two human bodies in, it tends to work better for me.”

Looking back, she can’t believe all she once felt she had to carry with her every day.

“I’d usually have one bag, but it was this huge thing that I could barely put on my back,” she said. “I keep thinking, when I look back at that, why did I do that to myself? I didn’t need all of that stuff. I just thought it was the whole be prepared [thing], but it was more like I was prepared for a zombie apocalypse.”

This isn’t the first story Goudie has had published, but it’s her first with Chicken Soup for the Soul and her first international publication.

“I have been writing stories for Chicken Soup for several years and it’s a really big deal for me to finally accomplish that,” she said. “As well, it’s a story that means a lot to me. Even if I never get anything published for the rest of my life, I fell like I’ve said a lot about my life.”

Chicken Soup for the Soul books have helped her in the past, she said, and she’s hoping this one will help others.

“Maybe my story will be part of that,” she said.

Goudie knows there are a lot of kids in high school that don’t feel like they fit in, and the same is true for some in university as well.

“By sharing my story about not fitting in, mostly because I was trying to plan for everything, people can understand that you don’t have to have every possible consequence laid out ahead of time,” she said. “If you just go along with it and relax, a lot of times those things take care of themselves.”

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Less came out in April and Goudie has gotten positive feedback on her story from family and friends. She hopes this won’t be the last of her stories to appear in the book series.

“I’m definitely going to keep writing towards Chicken Soup and any other publication I can get my hands on,” she said. “That’s just part of being a writer, I guess.”

© 2016 Telegraph Journal

Community Update

MAY AT YOUR LIBRARY (Fredericton)

The library is now open on Sundays from 10:00-5:00!

Community
Library Café : Mondays at 10:00am
Enjoy a cup of coffee on us.
Pathway to Employment: Thursday, May 12 at 7:00pm
An Eastern College info session and résumé tips.
Library Quest : Saturday, May 14th at 12:30pm
A day of board games and role playing games. Register for role playing games please contact
460-2482 or ftonpub@gnb.ca

Arts & Crafts

Knifty Knitters: Sundays at 1:30pm

Join our drop in knitting group. All welcome.

Henna Party: Sunday, May 22 at 2:00pm

Join the Asian Heritage Society of NB for a henna party as part of Asian Heritage Month. Learn about the history and traditions behind henna and try it yourself with the help of seasoned pros.

Mayworks-Gallery: Month of May

Come see the Mayworks Festival art exhibition.

Technology

Computer drop-in: Mondays, from 10:15 to 12:15pm

Computer questions? Stop by our drop-in computer help sessions

Languages
English Table: Fridays, at 12:30pm
Practice your conversational English with the help of a trained facilitator.

TELL YOUR STORY: A CREATIVE MEMOIR-WRITING COURSE FOR AGES 50+ (Fredericton, June 2016)

UNB’s Andrews Initiative is pleased to launch the first event for our Year of Creativity & Inspiration!

Our first activity will be a creative life-writing course, entitled Tell Your Story. The course will run on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 PM, for four weeks beginning on June 1. All classes (except June 15) will be held in Marshall D’Avray Hall, room 123. In the course, participants will work with instructors to begin producing a creative memoir.

Each session in the course will offer participants an opportunity to explore a different creative approach to memoir writing.

Cultural Expressions Festival 2016!

The Cultural Expressions Festival welcomes you to join us for 2 exciting days of entertainment from around the world to celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day. This year’s theme, Persepolis: Gateway to Cultural Journey will feature the rich Iranian cultures and showcase over 90 dance and music performances, displays, food, a parade and family activities, coordinated by the Multicultural Association of Fredericton Inc, in partnership with Fredericton’s ethno-cultural associations.

Friday, June 24, 5pm-9pm
Saturday, June 25, 11am-9pm (Family activities: 12-6pm, Parade: 5pm)

Officers’ Square, Downtown Fredericton
Rain venue: Capital Exhibit Centre

Free admission
WWW.CEFNB.CA

New Brunswick Book of the Month

New Brunswick is home to a great many local authors, be it poems or novels you can find it all right here at home. The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick is proud to shed light on the work of these talented people.

Our book of the month is A Measure of Light by Beth Powning. Beth Powning lives in New Brunswick, Canada. Her latest bestselling novel, A Measure of Light, was called by the Globe and Mail “shatteringly exquisite…extraordinary…visceral and intense.” Beth is the author of three novels and three books of literary non-fiction, as well as articles, essays and blog posts. She is also the winner of the 2016 New Brunswick book award.

For more information on Beth Powning and her works, please vist her website at: http://www.powning.com/beth/

Community Initiatives

Elementary Literacy Inc. (ELF)
If you are interested in working with elementary students to improve their literacy skills, consider becoming a volunteer with Elementary Literacy Inc. To find out more and to register as a volunteer visit their website.

Frontier College
Frontier College is Canada’s original literacy organization. Located in Moncton and Fredericton, they offer homework and reading clubs, youth programs, one-to-one tutoring, teen programs, an adult literacy program, summer camps and much more! To find out what programs are available in your area call Frontier College at 450-7923 or visit their website.

Adult Literacy Fredericton
As of April 4th, Laubach Literacy Fredericton will be operating as Adult Literacy Fredericton. The organisation provides a free one-to-one tutoring service to adults 18 and over who want to improve their reading and writing skills. Anyone who is interested in upgrading their reading and writing skills, or in becoming a volunteer, should contact the Coordinator at 458-1396 or by emailing info@adultliteracyfredericton.org

Learning Disabilities Association of New Brunswick (LDANB)
LDANB is proud to be offering the Barton Reading and Spelling System in the greater Fredericton area. This literacy program aims at improving the reading, spelling and writing skills of those who have a reading disability or reading difficulties. Barton is a specialized one-on-one tutoring system based on the Orton-Gillingham method that teaches the phonemic structure of our written language using a multi-sensory approach. LCNB is proud to support LDANB by providing funding for financial subsidies for low-income families to be able to participate in this program. To find out more click here.

Saint John Learning Exchange (SJLE)
The Learning Exchange is Saint John's leader in adult education, training, and career development. They are a non-profit organization that has become an authority on innovative programming that meets the unique needs of everyone that walks through their doors. If you or someone you know is looking for support to meet academic or employment goals, they have the programming and resources you need. To learn more about the Saint John Learning Exchange visit their website.

LCNB Calendar of Events
The Literacy Coalition has a website calendar available on which you to share your community literacy events. To submit events to our calendar please send event information to lcnb@nbliteracy.ca. To take a look at our calendar, click here.

Do you have community literacy initiatives you would like us to share?
If you are involved in or know of a literacy initiative that should be shared across the province we want to know about it! Send us an email or give us a call and we will include the information in an issue of our newsletter. We can be reached at lcnb@nbliteracy.ca or 1-800-563-2211.

Professional Development Opportunities

SkillsNB

The SkillsNB program provides free online training available 24/7 to the citizens of New Brunswick. With SkillsNB, New Brunswickers can improve skills, build on existing education and work toward career goals. The SkillsNB online library includes over 6,000 resources including courses, videos, simulations, and books, with content in English and French. SkillsNB resources cover the areas of Business, IT, Desktop, Leadership, Management, Well-being and more! Visit the SkillsNB website at and click “Register”. Follow us on Twitter @skills_nb. Questions about the program or registration? Call the Program Manager at 1-844-462-1203 or email skillsnb@skillsoft.com.

That's it for this edition of the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick Newsletter!

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Reach us by phone at:
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