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Program Update
In mid-December 12 literacy volunteers were trained and attached to English as a Second Language students, Adult Basic Education students, GED (General Educational Development) candidates and learning disabled adults. The newly trained tutors are well qualified, enthusiastic and extraordinary in many ways. We welcome them!
A very well attended January Tutor Support Meeting addressed "Learning Disabilities". A workshop will be held in late spring, and a Tutor Support Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13. "Language experience", a method of teaching literacy students, will be highlighted.
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Future Dates
Wednesday, March 13, 2002--Tutor Support Meeting--7 P.M. Language Experience, methods, newspapers, new materials available. Continuing Education.
Monday, April 8, 2002--Tutor Support Meeting--7 P.M. English as a Second Language. Teaching methods, materials available. Continuing Education.
Monday, April 15, 2002 and Tuesday, April 16, 2002--Spring Tutor Training 6:30-8:45 P.M. Both nights mandatory!
Tuesday, May 14, 2002--Tutor Support Meeting--7 P.M. Adult Basic Education-reading, writing, spelling, math Computer software, videos and materials available. Continuing Education.
Wednesday, June 12, 2002--Student Tutor Reception--7:30 p.m. Celebrate student achievements and recognize tutors at a gala reception. Come one, come all!
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Winter 2001--Tutor Training Graduates
June Segal
Marie Guilardi
Adrian Connolly
Nancy Feldman Kirsh
Susan Ann Freda
Melvin Krawitz
Ed Goldberg
Frances Reaman
Katie Gorman
Shirley Sagin
Karen Irgay
Howard Segal
Congratulations, and may your literacy association be a gratifying, positive and memorable experience. Welcome!
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Project Progress
Adult Literacy Advisory Board--Representatives of Abington Free Library, Abington Memorial Hospital, Eastern Center for Art and Technology, Penn State Abington, Abington Township Schools, and Rydal Park Retirement Community comprise this committee. A meeting was held in January at the library and another is scheduled on April 10 when several new members will be welcomed.
Assessment Committee--Lois Bachman, Doris Kalan, Annabelle Folk, Carolyn Hendrickson, Marcia Jacoby and Marlyn Cohen oversee procedures for the TABE and BEST tests. Pre-test and post-test outcomes are analyzed and reported. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires administration of these standardized tests.
Citizenship Committee--Doris Kalan, chairperson, will lead U.S. Citizenship candidates from their green card to full-fledged citizenship. She is available to answer any questions about necessary U.S. requirements. Call 215-885-5183.
Conversation, Please! The daytime class continues to meet Tuesday morning 10:30 till noon under the supervision of four volunteer teachers. Ann Gaugler, Edis Hall, Marion McCallum and Marlene Bookbinder welcome ESL students and help them to feel comfortable while learning the language and culture of America.
Conversation, Please! Each Monday evening at 7:15 Mary Doug Maisenhelder, Gladys Weiss, Beverly Willett and Doranne Smith lead an English as a Second Language class for foreign-born students at the library. Many countries are represented. English only is spoken here.
EQUAL--(Educational Quality for Adult Learners) Marcia Jacoby (practitioner), Marlyn Cohen (Administrator), Annabelle Folk, and Carolyn Hendrickson work toward program improvement. Marcia and Marlyn attended several workshops with EQUAL state leaders at Bucks Community College..
Family Literacy--An eight-week session on Friday mornings will constitute the Spring Family Literacy program. Led by Annabelle Folk and literacy volunteers, three and four year olds and their parents and care-givers will share books and pre-school activities in preparation for reading and kindergarten.
GED Advisory--Lois Bachman, GED advisor, is available to answer GED 2002 questions regarding new GED requirements, materials and testing sites. Please call 885-5183 for information.
Literacy Bridge League--Mary Doug Maisenhelder, chairperson, will happily add you to our growing list of intermediate and advanced bridge players. We meet at the library the last Wednesday of each month, 10 A.M. to noon. Call 215-885-5183 for more information. Come and join the fun!
Literacy Live--A talented group of performers are eager to spread the literacy word through a live, script-in-hand performance at your club, service organization, school, church or synagogue. What does it take to be a volunteer, how does a student feel about needing help, how can we help as tutors? They answer the myriad questions from the volunteers and the students. Our troupe is talented and inspirational. Please call 885-5183 to volunteer your talents or inquire about a performance.
Master Tutors--Three Master Tutors (Lois Bachman, Annabelle Folk, and Doris Kalan) are available to answer your questions regarding students, programs, materials and all literacy matters. Please utilize this superb resource for any special needs. Call 885-5183.
Technology Committee (Learning Center) Computers, TV-VCR, and cassettes are all available in the literacy office. Our "techies", Marcia Jacoby and Joan Schwerin, are ready to help--call 215-885-5183.
Tutor Support Committee--We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers responsible for mailing the Literacy Link and calling the tutors regarding meetings, special events and program information. We meet on Mondays once a month and have a delightful time, too!
Workplace--Rydal Park Retirement Community is the site of a Tuesday afternoon class for employees who need literacy help. Doranne Smith, Peg Cheney, Ingrid Rivel and Milton Saloman work together to produce fine results in the workplace.
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Classifieds--Help Given, Help Wanted and Orchids!
Orchids--to Jeanette Andrews, Karen Burnham, Rick Guyton and Nancy Hammeke for typing, layout, printing and editing this edition of the Literacy Link. Many, many thanks!
Orchids--to the many literacy tutors working one-on-one who give their time and energy unstintingly with terrific results. You are the mainstay of the literacy program.
Help Wanted--A new sign-out book on the desk in the literacy office has an alphabetical index. Please look for the first letter of your last name (T=Taft) to sign your name, the date, and the title of the material taken (if it is to be returned--no need to sign out workbooks to be consumed). When material is returned, find your name and then cross out.
Help Wanted--Many of our special projects can use new members and new ideas. If you are inclined, please call 885-5183 and you will be contacted with more information. For a good overview, please review Project Progress in this issue.
Orchids--To our remarkable class teachers. Conversation, Please! evening and Conversation, Please! daytime, the workplace (Rydal Park), The Learning Center (technology), and Family Literacy - these classes fulfill many program needs and enrich our tutors and students.
Help Wanted--Please continue to complete the monthly attendance sheets and deposit them in the brown envelope at the circulation desk. And don't forget to sign in at the circulation desk in the black sign-in book. The hours you spend are important for the library and the literacy program. We appreciate your cooperation.
Orchids--To all the committee members--Tutor Support, EQUAL, Assessment, Family Literacy, GED, Citizenship, Workplace, Master Tutors and previously mentioned classroom teachers. Everyone is important and appreciated! Thanks.
Help Wanted--Genuardi tapes supply extra money for the Adult Literacy Private Funding. These funds supply money for programs not available through our State grant. Reimbursement for outside speakers, special workshops, equipment and educational needs are paid for through private funding. The tapes enable us to cover expenses.
Help Wanted--Please plan to attend Tutor Support Meetings and workshops. These are designed as continuing education programs for your enrichment, and they are a time to connect and learn.
Orchids--To student Sonia Vargas who has become an associate professor at Temple Dental School.
Orchids--To the Abington Free Library Board of Directors for their interest and support of the literacy program.
Orchids--To Marcia Jacoby and Joan Schwerin for the superb presentation at the Abington Free Library Staff Meeting. The library staff was made aware of the literacy program and its operation. Their Power Point presentation explained computer use and general program organization. A future presentation is in the works for the library board. Orchids to Marcia and Joan!
Help Wanted--Please call 885-5183 if your student was not tested in November or December. TABE (for American-born) and BEST (for ESL students) should be given as a pre-test for your student. If you know they weren't tested, please call.
Help Wanted--Please submit your articles or a student's for use in a future newsletter. Your experience as a tutor can be valuable for others. Student writings are inspirational. All are welcome.
Orchids--To The Hartford Insurance Company's Customer Services Group for their $320.04 check to Abington Free Library Adult Literacy Private Funding.
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The Long and Short of It
June Reception
June 12 may seem far away, but it is not too soon to plan your and your student's attendance. We honor our tutors by dedicating a set of reference books to the library collection. We will award certificates of achievement to students at that time. You may write their achievements to be recognized and we will present a meaningful, attractive certificate that evening. We would like your written recommendation by June 1. Please read the instruction sheet in the newsletter. Whether it's improvement in English, reading to a child, gaining employment, finishing a workbook, preparing for the GED, receiving a driver's license or just general reading improvement, they are all success stories!
May Testing
Another form of the TABE and BEST tests will be placed at the circulation desk with simple instructions in May. You will be called ahead so you may plan accordingly. This is a state requirement and we need full cooperation.
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Inspirational Quotes
"All things are difficult before they are easy."
John Morley
"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimension."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Eleanor Roosevelt
"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it,
but what they become by it."
John Ruskin
"Progress always involves risk, you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."
Frederick Wilcox
"All glory comes from daring to begin."
Eugene F. Ware
"A will finds a way."
Orison Marden
Have a joyous, inspired springtime!
Marlyn Cohen, Program Supervisor
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