Spring 2003
Program Update
After a grueling winter that challenged us all, we are enjoying a joyous springtime. And with the better weather, the Literacy Program continues to flourish and grow. Several new classes have formed. The Adult New Reader Book Discussion group was reborn after several years and will meet on the last Tuesday of each month through June. Write It Right resumed on December Thursdays, and Help With Homework began in March and will continue through May. In April we will train new tutors, we look forward to two more continuing education sessions, and to our June Reception. We are presently serving 142 students one-on-one and an additional 56 in classes at the library and Rydal Park. Our staff, volunteer tutors and students came to the library despite the cold and the black ice. Cheers to you all!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future Dates
(Please mark your calendar!)
Monday, April 7, 2003 and Tuesday, April 8, 2003
Spring Tutor Training 6:30--8:45 P.M. Both nights mandatory
Monday, April 21, 2003 Tutor Support Meeting 7 P.M.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Materials and methods for individual tutoring and classroom. Continuing education program credit.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003 Tutor Support Meeting 7 P.M.
Learning Disabilities--film, discussion, continuing education program credit
Wednesday, June 11, 2003 Student-Tutor Recognition Reception 7:30 P.M.
Come one, come all!
Tuesday, August 26, 2003 Tutor Support Meeting 7 P.M.
New materials, ESL, ABE, videos, CDs, computer, 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 1-2:30. 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 Klafter, 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 members.
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 U.S. requirements. Call 215-885-5183
Conversation Please! The daytime class continues to meet Tuesday mornings 10:30 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), and Marcia Klafter 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--An Upper Dublin honor student, Jennifer Cohen, coaches kindergarten through sixth grade students from 4-5 p.m. each Thursday through May.
Library 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? They answer the myriad questions from the volunteers and the students. 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. Ruth Epstein and Judi Rosen 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 any unused materials? Please.
Orchids--to the Family Literacy committee members. They will begin an 8 week Spring session in April for 3 and 4 year olds each Friday morning.
Orchids--to Ann Gaugler and Edis Hall for their attendance at an all day workshop on a snowy January day in Bethlehem for ESL. That's dedication!
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.
Help Wanted--Has anyone seen our maroon 2003 sign in book? Please take a good look around.
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 Nancy Hammeke Marshall, our Library Director, on her recent marriage to James Marshall. Very best wishes.
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 and information for certificates for June 11. 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.
Orchids--To Arlene Franco, Donna Hower and Mary Doug for re-starting the book discussion group.
Orchids--to Jennifer Cohen for giving her time and effort helping with homework. She followed through on her terrific idea. Good luck, Jenn!
Orchids--to all the tutors for their cooperation in administrating post-tests to students taught 40 or more hours.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Long and Short of It
Success Stories
Many Student Recognition Sheets were received. If you did not complete a sheet, another is included in this Literacy Link. Please take the time to record any achievements you want to share. Our ultimate goal is to create a “success story” booklet.
Student-Tutor Reception
It is not too early to think about recognizing your student at the June 11 program. He or she will receive a certificate for any accomplishment made. Encourage your student to attend that evening to receive a certificate in his honor or come to be inspired. Fill in the appropriate sheet and return it. Tutors will be honored with the dedication of a set of encyclopedias which will be added to the library collection.
A Tribute to Annabelle Folk
A very talented, hard-working literacy volunteer passed away suddenly in January, and she will be sorely missed. As a teacher in the Family Literacy Program, as a Master-Tutor helping and advising tutors and students, as a committee member on the Literacy Advisory Board, EQUAL, the assessment committee and the Tutor Support Committee and as an exemplary one-on-one tutor, she was always enthusiastic, knowledgeable and extra-ordinary. We really miss her, and, in her honor, carry on as a tribute to her!
July Hiatus
Conversation, Please! Write It Right, Adult New Reader Book Discussion and Rydal Park classes will not be held in July but will resume in August. All one-on-one tutoring will continue year round.
Have a joyous springtime. See you at the Library!
Marlyn Cohen, Program Supervisor
|
