Winter 2003-2004
Program Update
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new volunteers. The majority are tutoring students one-on-one in the Abington Free Library Adult Literacy Program. May their experience in the program be rewarding for them and their client.
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Several students are involved in writing their autobiography, one finished an entire adult reader book for the first time, another became a United State Citizen, another passed the GED and an international driver's license was upgraded to a United States driver's license. Many more goals were reached regarding jobs, diplomas and school enrollment. Congratulations to the students and welcome to the new tutors. They are:
Andrew Carlson
Pat Abbott
Michelle Massarso
Sandra Barnum
Julius Mindlin
Robert Blumenthal
Larry Pierson
Nora Boardman
Diane Shrager
Bernard Greenberg
Gail Snitzer
Marlene Greenberg
Joyce Tibbett
Elizabeth Hanby
Denise Williams
Jessica Leonard
Sanford Wilk
Allen Michlin
Grace Michlin
Viola Minilozzi
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Future Dates--Please mark your calendar!
Monday, December 15, 2003--7 P.M. Tutor Support Meeting Job-related materials for ABE (Adult Basic Education) and ESL (English as a Second Language) students. What jobs are available? How to get a job? How to keep a job? Excellent and extensive materials available. Guest speaker from Career Link. Tutors and students invited. Program continuing education credit.
Monday, March 8, 2004--6:30-8:45 P.M. Tutor Training and Tuesday, March 9, 2004--6:30-8:45 P.M. Tutor Training Both nights mandatory! R.S.V.P. 215-885-5183
Tuesday, March 23, 2004--7 P.M. Tutor Support Meeting. Tutoring Tips for ABE, ESL, GED. Practical suggestions for teaching--methods and materials. Program continuing education credit. Guest speaker.
Monday, April 19, 2004--7 P.M. Tutor Support Meeting. Language Experience Method and newspapers for ESL and ABE students. What is language experience?
How can reading and writing improve using this method? Program continuing education credit.
Wednesday, May 12, 2004--7 P.M. Tutor Support Meeting. Learning Disability. What is dyslexia? Can it be overcome? Book Review Overcoming Dyslexia by Dr. Sally Shaywitz, a new compendium of latest research and current conclusion on the subject. Program continuing education credit.
Wednesday, June 9, 2004--7:30 P.M. Tutor--Student Reception. Certificate of achievement for students, dedication of encyclopedia set to library in honor of literacy volunteers and special awards to 5- year+ volunteers. Students and literacy volunteers invited along with family and friends.
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Project Progress
E--Quality Program Improvement Committee--Lois Bachman, Selma Dafilou, Arlene Franco, Doris Kalan, Marcia Klafter, Marcia Jacoby and Marlyn Cohen work together toward program improvement. How can our tutors and students be better served?
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Classifieds: Help Wanted, Help Given and Orchids!
Orchids to Arlene Franco, Donna Hower and Mary Doug Maisenhelder for re-starting the monthly Adult New Reader Book Discussion. Good luck to you and your students.
Orchids to Marcia Klafter for her attendance in September at a reading-writing workshop at King of Prussia. She will be sharing ideas in the Literacy Link.
Orchids to the E-Quality Program Improvement Committee who have met several times to recommend and implement areas in need - Marcia Klafter, Lois Bachman, Arlene Franco, Selma Dafilou, Doris Kalan and Marcia Jacoby.
Help Wanted--please sign out all materials in the brown sign-out book on the desk under the first letter of your last name. When returned, cross out. Workbooks written in by students do not have to be signed out or returned. Please return all materials!
Orchids to Nancy Hammeke Marshall, Jeanette Andrews, Karen Burnham and Rick Guyton all responsible for typing, word processing, editorializing and printing the Literacy Link. A great job!
Orchids to our Master Tutors--Lois Bachman, Marcia Klafter and Doris Kalan for suggesting, informing, cajoling, resolving and encouraging tutors and students. Bravo!
Orchids to Jack Starrantino and the Abington Junior High School volunteers who have faithfully given Thursdays from 4-5 for Help with Homework.
Orchids to our loyal ESL teachers at "Conversation, Please!" classes Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Donna Hower, Beverly Willett, Mary Doug Maisenhelder and Doranne Smith alternate Monday evening and Edis Hall with Ann Gaugler teach Tuesdays. These classes serve as a most important introduction to literacy at the library for ESL students.
Orchids to our "Books are a Beginning" family literacy teachers. Dawn Kantor, Marla Benjamin (and guitar), Ann Sickles, Marcia Klafter and Doris Ann Cannon are responsible for the great 8 week Fall program. They made it look easy, but it was hard work! A big thank you to all.
Orchids to Lois Bachman, our resident test-scorer and GED consultant. Her GED October program for tutors and students was informative and inspirational for tutors and students in attendance. A packet of print-outs compiled by Lois gave A-Z info about the new GED.
Help Wanted--We are always in need of committee members for many program projects. If you feel you would like to volunteer, please call 885-5183. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Help Given--the library staff, circulation, reference, children's and technology are genuinely helpful and supportive regarding students and tutors and we all appreciate your regard.
Help Wanted--Please take a minute to call 885-5183 and leave your name and the number of years you've been associated with Abington Free Library Adult Literacy Program over 5 years. You will be specially recognized June 9 at the tutor-student reception. See flyer.
Orchids to John Raffaele who passed the GED this summer with the help of Sandy Wilk, a literacy tutor. An orchid to you, Sandy.
Orchids to Jackie McCaffery who received her United States Citizenship this summer. Maria de la Torre, her tutor, and Doris Kalan, citizenship chairperson, were wonderfully helpful!
Orchids to all who filled out the Student Recognition Sheet. We appreciate the jump start towards a "success story" booklet. We are including it in this issue and looking for more replies. Thanks!
Help Wanted --A gentle reminder! Please mark your calendars for future dates to June. Come to monthly Tutor Support Meetings for program continuing education credit and be attached to the program and the people.
Orchids to Sande Barnum, newest member of Tutor Support Committee as of December, 2003. Welcome. She also tutors a student in the program.
Orchids to our exemplary tutors, classroom teachers, students and staff for their special literacy effort.
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The Long and Short of It
Success Stories
Again, we are adding a Student Recognition Sheet for additional replies. Our goal is to compile this information in a "success story" booklet. Many years ago the tutors and students wrote of their accomplishments in "Success Reads Success". Please take a minute to fill it out and return it to the circulation desk brown envelope or the literacy office or call 885-5183 and leave a message.
Reply Requested
Please call the literacy line (215-885-5183) to leave your name and the number of years (over 5) you've been associated as a tutor, classroom teacher or volunteer in the Abington Free Library Literacy Program. We want to give special recognition.
And please send questions you have for Dr. Richard Cooper who will be providing a Learning Disability Workshop. Look for an announcement regarding date and time. "Ask the Doctor" on a 3X5 card. Deposit in the brown circulation desk envelope!
Spring Literacy Link
We welcome any special news, stories, poetry or anecdotal accounts to be included in our Spring Literacy Link. The deadline is Mid-March. May we all enjoy a mild, peaceful, healthy and happy winter season. Enjoy every minute. See you at the Library.
Marlyn Cohen, Program Supervisor
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Tutoring Tidbits
We all have the joy of working with adults who want to learn. How can we make each session as productive and satisfying as possible? Some helpful hints...
- Begin each session with a brief overview of what you will be doing and the goals for that day. This gives your student a positive sense of what can be accomplished in a short period of time.
- Ask your student if there are some specific things that he/she would like to add to this "agenda".
- Briefly review what your student mastered in the last session and "re-teach" if necessary (you be the judge).
- Sit next to your student...being across the table creates a gulf between you. Adjust this for possible cultural preferences.
- Watch for student "fatigue" or frustration. Vary activities to increase chances for success and enjoyment.
- Vary your positive responses: Words, facial expressions, gestures for work well done. Praise is a powerful reward.
- End each session by reviewing what your student accomplished and provide a preview of the activities and goals for the next session.
Tutors: Please take a moment to read and fill out.
Name
Number of years as a literacy volunteer
Students taught/committees served
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