Literacy – Spanning the US :: Cleveland OH :: Salisbury NC :: Belfast ME

Literacy: Spanning the US

@seedsofliteracy

✽ Graduation During Social Distancing

Seeds of Literacy Blog: 7.03.2020

Unlike previous years, the Seeds of Literacy 2020 graduating class didn’t have a huge party. There was no processional march of smiling grads, cheered on by proud family members as they entered the room. There was no stage with slightly uncomfortable chairs. There were no high fives, handshakes, and hugs. No dinner, no decorations. Staff didn’t scurry around the room making sure everything was ‘just right.”

Unlike previous years, COVID-19 closed the classroom doors in March and CDC guidelines limited gatherings in June.

But skipping Graduation was simply unthinkable. Seeds had to be flexible, and find an alternate way.

VIRTUAL CELEBRATION

The ceremony was a bit shorter, fewer people attended, but a celebration was held on June 24 when Seeds of Literacy took Graduation online.

More than 60 tutors and family members logged on for a presentation recognizing the achievements of the 71 adults who passed their high school equivalency tests during the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

“Even though we aren’t able to celebrate the way you deserve, we want you to know we are proud of you,” said President & CEO Bonnie Entler in her address to graduates. “Earning your GED is not an easy feat. Some of you have braved many personal challenges and losses, and still, you did not give up on your goal.”  WATCH 26:26

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Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

@RCLiteracy

Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service Goes to Doering for Rowan Literacy Council Tutoring

Salisbury Post: 7.05.2020

When Don Doering received the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service in the mail, it came as a “complete and total shock.”

He was nominated by the Rowan Literacy Council, where he volunteered a whopping 595 hours in 2019. That doesn’t include his new duties as board president, he says, as he did not log interactions with other literacy councils in North Carolina to find best practices, and late-night hours to rewrite other councils’ documents and make them relevant to Rowan.

Since he assumed the presidency, the board has rewritten the mission statement, increased awareness in the community and built partnerships with other organizations in the area. Most prominently, they’ve worked to develop other avenues for funding since not being awarded United Way funds last year. Since COVID-19 hit, he says, the board has not been very active, although many tutors are working with their clients via Zoom.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

Waldo Reads

Literacy Volunteers, FOOD Coordinate Book Drive, Food Distribution

PenBay Pilot: 7.05.2020

Do you remember how much you loved having stories read to you when you were a child? Do you have fond memories of being lost in the pages of a favorite picture book that took you away on a lovely journey?

“Many children are fortunate enough to have this experience daily to enrich their early years,” said Literacy Volunteers, in a news release.” But too many others, here in our local community, lack access to the joy and the solace of quality children’s books shared with them. Thanks to Literacy Volunteers of Waldo County, this will change.”

Literacy Volunteers has joined up with FOOD, the Feeding Opportunities & Outreach Directive, a multi-agency collaborative effort led by WaldoCAP as a lead partner and sponsor of the Federal Child Nutrition Summer Food Service Program. This initiative was begun in 2019 under the direction of the Community Food for Children Committee (CFFC), which includes Belfast Public Health Nursing, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, WaldoCAP, members of Belfast Garden Club, Literacy Volunteers, and other interested community volunteers.

Why does this book drive matter? According to Scholastic, “summer setback" often has its greatest impact on children from low-income families. During the summer, their reading achievement typically declines by an average of three months (McGill-Franzen & Arlington, 2003).

“The absence of regular classroom attendance due to the pandemic, added to this summer setback, makes this an especially important time to get books and reading aloud into the lives of families,” said  Denise Pendleton, coordinator of Literacy Volunteers. “Because reading aloud also strengthens relationship bonds by giving opportunities for quality conversation about feelings, facts, friendships and more, we are choosing titles that foster social and emotional skills and encourage exploration of the natural world.”  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)