Fall 2003

Program Update

June 11 was a spectacular date for the Abington Free Library Adult Literacy Program. Forty-six students were presented certificates of achievement for diplomas they earned, job promotions, books they had read, improved writing skills, becoming U.S. Citizens, speaking and understanding English and many other accomplishments. Also, more than 150 volunteers and tutors were honored by the dedication of a complete set of American Eras Encyclopedias to be added to the library's reference collection. Two plaques were awarded--one to the family of Annabelle Folk in her memory and the other to Jennifer Cohen for initiating the "Help With Homework" program. It was a grand evening for students, tutors, library staff, friends and family members. Many, many thanks to all for making it so memorable.

Future Dates

(Please mark your calendar!)

Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - Tutor Support Meeting 7 P.M. New materials--ESL, ABE, videos, CD'S, computer-continuing education

Monday, September 22, 2003 and Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - Fall Tutor Training 6:30-8:45 P.M. Both nights mandatory!!

Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - Tutor Support Meeting 7 P.M. G.E.D. (General Education Development) What is it? G.E.D. Materials and G.E.D. test guest speaker

Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - Tutor Support Meeting 7 P.M. Learning Styles. Materials and methods individualized for specific learning styles. How do you learn? How does your student learn? --continuing education

Monday, December 8, 2003 and Tuesday, December 9, 2003 - Pre-Winter Tutor Training 6:30-8:45 P.M. Both nights mandatory!

Monday, December 15, 2003 Tutor Support Meeting 7 P.M. This Works For Me. Open forum. Share ideas, materials, objectives, methods, problems. --continuing education

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. Library representatives are Nancy Hammeke Marshall, Doranne Smith and Marlyn Cohen.

Adult New Reader Book Discussion Group-This class, led by Arlene Franco, Donna Hower and Mary Doug Maisenhelder, will read and discuss a book of their choice the last Tuesday of each month 7-8:30 P.M. American and foreign-born students and their tutors are cordially invited to learn in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

Assessment Committee-Lois Bachman, Doris Kalan, Marcia Klaffer, 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. Selma Dafilou and Arlene Franco are new committee members.

Citizenship Committee-Doris Kalan, Chairperson ,will lead U.S. Citizenship candidates through the process from their green card to full-fledged citizenship. She is available to answer questions about U.S. requirements only. Call 215-8855183.

Conversation Please! The Daytime class continues to meet Tuesday mornings 10:00 till noon under the supervision of two volunteer teachers. Ann Gaugler and Edis Hall welcome ESL students and help them 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, Doranne Smith and Donna Hower lead an English as a Second Language class for foreign-born students at the library. Many countries are represented, and only English is spoken.

EQUAL-(Educational Quality for Adult Learners) Marcia Jacoby (Practitioner) Marlyn Cohen (Administrator), Marcia Klafter and Lois Bachman work toward program improvement.

Family Literacy--An 8 week program in the fall and spring, meet Friday mornings at 10 for 3-4 year olds, and care-giver led by family literacy committee members.

GED Advisory--Lois Bachman, GED advisor is available to answer GED 2003 questions. Please call 885-5183 for information.

Help With Homework--Begun by Jennifer Cohen in the spring of 2003, this class for kinder-garteners through sixth grade students will continue to meet in September from 4-5 P.M. each Thursday. Volunteer literacy tutors will alternate as class leaders to supervise and teach. Ongoing weekly meetings will be available.

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. Call 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? Our group is talented and inspirational. Please call 885-5183 to volunteer your talents or inquire about a performance.

Master Tutors--Three Master Tutors, (Lois Bachman, Marcia Klafter 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 who mail the Literacy Link and call the tutors regarding meetings, special events and program information. We meet once a month on Mondays, and we have a delightful time.

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.

Write It Right--Students in need of extra help with grammar and writing skills are welcome Thursday afternoon from 1-2:30. Judi Rosen will lead this class with individual instruction where needed.

Classifieds--Help Given, Help Wanted and Orchids!

Orchids--to Jeanette Andrews, Karen Burnham, Rick Guyton and Nancy Hammeke Marshall for typing, layout, printing and editing this edition of the Literacy Link. Many thanks!

Help Wanted--Are you signing out materials in the brown book on the literacy office desk? And are you returning your unused materials? Please remember.

Orchids--to the Family Literacy committee members. They will begin an 8-week session in October for 3 and 4 year-olds each Friday morning.

Help Given--The Abington Free Library Staff are ready, willing and able to assist you and your student. They are the best anywhere.

Orchids--to Marcia Klafter on becoming a Master Tutor and for her "Tutor Tidbits". Please note her article. Many thanks for all you do, Marcia.

Orchids--to Marcia Jacoby and Joan Schwerin for their computer expertise. They are available to help you with hardware and software for the literacy program.

Orchids--to all the superb volunteer tutors working one-on-one who give their all to help their students reach their goals.

Orchids--to Doranne Smith and Babe Hernes for administering the BEST Test to new Conversation Please! students.

Help Wanted--Please complete the monthly attendance sheets and deposit them in the brown envelope at the circulation desk. The hours are tallied and transposed into the student records. This is important!

Help Wanted--Please fill in the student achievement sheet. They can be left on the literacy office desk or the brown envelope at circulation.

Orchids--to Mary Cope for the heartfelt notes to tutors and students to congratulate, extend sympathy and honor them on behalf of the literacy program. Her efforts are appreciated by all. Call 885-5183 with news.

Orchids--to Arlene Franco, Donna Hower and Mary Doug for re-starting the book discussion group.

Orchids--to all the tutors for their cooperation in administrating post-tests to students taught 40 or more hours.

Orchids--to Jack and Bernice Starrantino for their time and interest in the “Help With Homework Program". They continued through June. Many thanks for filling a need!

Orchids--to Peg Cheney, Beverly Willett, Babe Hernes and Marcia Jacoby for their help greeting attendees and serving refreshments at the June 11 reception.

Orchids--to the Folk family for their attendance June 11 to receive the plaque in honor of Annabelle, and to Jennifer Cohen who received a "Help With Homework" plaque.

Orchids--to the many tutors who are faithfully completing monthly attendance sheets for their students. We are recording hours and achievements. Keep them coming!

Help Wanted--"Help With Homework" is in need of volunteers for the Thursday 4-5 P.M. class. This is an opportunity to help children kindergarten to sixth grade to improve reading, writing and math skills. Please call 885-5183. A great opportunity to help children!

Orchids--to our classroom teachers who conduct Conversation, Please! (Monday evening and Tuesday morning) Workplace at Rydal Park, Write It Right, Help With Homework, and Adult New Reader Book Discussion. They deserve bouquets for their whole-hearted efforts to help clients who are ESL, ABE or GED. Couldn't do it without you all!

The Long and Short of It

Success Stories
We are compiling a "success story" booklet. Included in this Literacy Link is a Student Recognition Sheet. Please take the time to fill it out so that your student's achievements will be included. Though your student "graduated" from the program, we would like to hear about and include them. Please make a special effort.

Continuing Education Continues
Each month a Tutor Support Meeting is here to address topics relating to teaching adults. Materials, methods of teaching, latest research and program topics are presented in order to keep our volunteers and tutors abreast of new trends and knowledgeable and comfortable. Questions and sharing completes the session. Films and guest speakers are often featured. Take advantage!

Winter Literacy Link
The mid-year Literacy Link will include dates and events through June 2004. Students and tutors are invited to send material for the newsletter by mid-November. Any special news, stories, poetry or anecdotal accounts will be welcomed.

Have a beautiful Fall! See you at the library.

Marlyn Cohen, Program Supervisor