P.A.L.S. TalkOctober 2013 Newsletter

Activities and Events

October

October 19 Math Literacy Tutor Professional DevelopmentOctober 26 Thank You Pot Luck Weiner RoastOctober 30 Math in Science Circle beginsOctober Book Club, Sing A Long, Computer Literacy begins

November

November 11 P.A.L.S. Office is closed for Remembrance DayNovember 13, 14, 15 Math Test Preparation ClassesNovember 16 Outcomes and Round Table WorkshopNovember 23 Financial Literacy WorkshopNovember 30 Hey Self! Where is my esteem?

December

December 7 Literacy Tutor Professional DevelopmentDecember 10 Happy Holiday PartyDecember 14 Christmas Lights Tour

Raise Funds for P.A.L.S. Programs

European Chocolate Bar - 100 grams. Cost is $2.00.

Office number 41, 9912 - 106 Street T5K 1C5 Phone: 780-424-5514 Fax: 780-425-5176

Student WorkshopsStudent, volunteers and family members are invited

Hey self! Where is my esteem?

Saturday, November 30 at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

C Learn about self-esteem. C Make a self-esteem t-shirt.

This workshop is led by Reaching New Heights, P.A.L.S. studentgroup.

Register at the office by November 28.

Financial Literacy

Saturday, November 23

C gain skills and confidence in handling money, C learn vocabulary and strategies for understanding financial

information, C improve your abilities to manage money, C become aware of financial dangers and risks

Please contact Monica Das, Math Literacy Coordinator, for moreinformation and to register for the workshop.

This is a cooperative workshop with The Centre for Family Literacy and P.A.L.S.

John E. Mills, Author from P.A.L.S.

With no family and no education, John Mills felt he hadnowhere to go. In 2006 he made his way up the stairs toP.A.L.S. His work with a tutor here prepared him forupgrading and he got his grade 12. In 2009 he received theCanada Post Literacy Award.

While in school he met his wife and continued on in hiseducation to get his Psychology Degree with AthabascaUniversity.

John has written a “I Could and I Did” about his struggles and victories with Literacy.

We have the book in the library for you to read. You can buy a copy of the book for $15.00.

Read his inspiring story!!

Activities at P.A.L.S. for Students

Computer Literacy Class

Do you want to learn how to use a computer?

Classes will start in the next month.

If you are interested in taking this class, talk toMonica Das, the Math Literacy Coordinator.

Math Test Preparation ClassNovember 13,14, and 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Math In Science ClassEvery Wednesday starting October 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Book ClubWednesdays at 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Read a book with other students.Meet with book clubs from other literacy groups in the City.

Death!! Murder!! Mayhem!!

Book Club will be starting a murder mystery in October!!

Students should register with Bonnie Caron to attend.

Sing Along

Sing along starts on October18th!!

Join us and learn some Halloween songs!

Every Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Writing Club

Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.

C Improve your writing. C Write stories.

Register with Bonnie Caron, Literacy Coordinator.

Congratulations!

Samuel Isack passed his apprenticeship entrance examination.

Brett Trihart passed his apprenticeship entrance examination.

Quentin Broadwood passed his apprenticeship entrance examination.

Hamdi Haji Mohammad accepted to Health Care Aide Program at NorQuest College.

Lahcen Barakat accepted in the Apprenticeship Preparation Program at NorQuest College.

Ibrahim Hussein accepted in the Apprenticeship Preparation Program at NorQuest College.

John Alamin accepted in the Apprenticeship Preparation Program at NAIT.

WHMIS Certificates

Amjid Zaman, Yohannes Weldegiorgis, Ali Elhag, Danuta Levesque, Aluel Lual, YounssefNaamani, Sarah MacKinnon, Tina McEwan, Linh Vu, Todd Vipond, Nadir Wedtalla, StevenBradshaw, Ibrahim Hussein, Alison Pepper, Amal Anglo, and Debbie Manning.

Steven Bradshaw on getting a job as result of increasing math skills.

Cassius Crane on getting a job as result of increasing math skills.

WHMIS Workshop October 5 at P.A.L.S.

All 16 participants received their WHMIS certificates and a good time learning. There were lots of laughs and meeting new people.

Outcomes and Roundtable WorkshopNovember 16 at 10 a.m.

Outcomes Turn theory into what is happening inyour match.

Round TableShare your creative solutions. Learn from other tutors.

Register with your coordinator.

Meet the Volunteer Coordinator

Hello everyone!

My name is Valerie Nelson and after being employed in variousindustries I am happy to be back with a "not for profit" agency. I enjoy working with volunteers and seeing the difference theymake in an individual's life.

I hope to see you soon at my new office at P.A.L.S.!

Raise Funds for P.A.L.S. Programs

We have European Chocolate Bars that you can buy or sell.

The cost for each bar is $2.00.

P.A.L.S. will earn $1.00 for each bar so that we can provide support tostudents and volunteers.

Chocolate bars are available at the office.

Important Phone Numbers

Dial 211 if you need help to find basic needs (food, clothing, shelter andfinancial support), employment resources, parenting support, counselling/support groups, health care, legalservices, and much more… It is free, confidential, multilingual and available 24 hours a day.

Dial 311 to get information on accessing City of Edmonton information and services. Non-English speakingcallers may request an interpreter. The interpretive service offers assistance in 150 languages.

Dial 911 in all cases of an emergency involving a life threatening situation, or a crime in progress. An Operatorwill direct your call to Police, Fire or Ambulance. It is very important to state your emergency clearly, and toverify the location that you are calling from. When there is no need for an immediate response dial 780-423- 4567or #377 (#377 access only works within city limits).

Celebrations hosted by Edmonton Literacy Coalition

P.A.L.S. is a member of the Edmonton Literacy Coalition. The Coalition members are The LearningCentre, The Centre for Family Literacy, NorQuest College, and ECALA - Edmonton Community AdultLiteracy Association.

Champion of Literacy - Mayor Stephen Mandel

Mayor Stephen Mandel was awarded the Champion of LiteracyAward by the Edmonton Literacy Coalition.

Mayor Mandel is an advocate for literacy who has increased theawareness of low-level literacy in the City.

He has twice attended our Student and Volunteer AppreciationEvent and members have pictures of receiving their certificateswith him.

Carol - ECALA, Mayor Mandel, Danny - P.A.L.S.

International Literacy Day Celebration at White Mud Crossing Library

The Student Speakers for the Coalition spoke at the eventon September 8.

From left to right

Daniel Haines, P.A.L.S.Zeny Harte, The Learning CentreKarin Steen, MentorAli Elhag, P.A.L.S.Thomas Illes, The Centre for Family LiteracyBack row

Michael Raven, Mentor

Thank you to Michael, Karin and Chauncey

Join us to thank Michael, Karin and Chauncey for theircontribution to P.A.L.S. members.

Saturday, October 26 at noon.

Pot Luck Wiener Roast. P.A.L.S. will provide the hot dogs. Please bring a dish to share with everyone.

The event is organized by Reaching New Heights, P.A.L.S. student group.

Math Literacy Tutor Page, Coordinator, Monica Das

Welcome New Math Tutors!Please join me in welcoming Ricky Yao and Spencer Huchulak– our newest members of the MathLiteracy Team! A big thank you to all the tutors for their continuing support in making the MathLiteracy Program a very successful one.

Professional Development for Tutors October 19 from 10 a.m. to noonApprenticeship Board Representation will inform our tutors of the process for adults to be accepted inthe apprenticeship program.

Classes for StudentsTutors let your students know about the classes for your students. These classes are specially revelantfor students who want to get into apprenticeship programs.Math Test Preparation class: November 13,14, and 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Math In Science Class: Every Wednesday starting October 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Literacy Tutor Page, Coordinator, Bonnie Caron

Professional Development — Save This Date! December 7th!

Lets Write!On Saturday, December 7at 10 a.m. we will be looking at Writing Skills and Creativity with Low LevelLiteracy Students. Is it possible to get a low level literacy student writing?

Yes!!! Your student can write and love it!

Tutors will get a good understanding of what to expect at each level, what resources are available here atP.A.L.S. and will have an opportunity to do some writing of their own!For New Tutors, this is an essential workshop!!!!

Our World Masters' Game Champion

Lilly Szkorupa, Math Literacy Tutor

Lilly competed in the 60+ age group in the competitivecategory of badminton held in Turin, Italy.

She came home with 4 medals: C a gold in mixed doubles, C a silver in the team event,C a bronze in both singles and ladies doubles.

Way to go Lilly. You make us very proud!

ESL Tutor Page, Coordinator, Mahenaz Layton

Professional Development FREE WEBINARS for Tutors. Thank you to tutors who have completed the Introductory Workshop. I hope you are all registered forthe next six workshops in the series. I will be happy to buy the textbook for the seventh workshop for alltutors to share. Should you need more information on the Webinars, please email Gavin Palmer directly.

Health Care Aide Vocabulary CircleLeila McMann and Brenda Poon are co-leaders of the circle. All 11 students are regulars, and willcomplete applications for HCA Training at the end of Circle. Learners attended the Health DisciplinesInformation evening at NorQuest College on October 2.

Edmonton Public Library Cooperative ProgramA new Conversation Circle collaboration with the Edmonton Public Library is in the planning stages. This will be held on the north side of the City for learners who live in that part of town.

Canadian Language Benchmark ResourcesI have a second set of Canadian Language Benchmarks Revised Resources for tutors. As well, newreading material for students. Please encourage your students to borrow short stories and novels from the ESL Library.

P.A.L.S. Field Trip 2013

P.A.L.S. members visited a corn maze and marketgarden at a farm.

We walked the corn maze,picked vegetables, cookedsquash over an open fire,visited the petting zoo, andhad ice cream.

Everyone had a good time.

The Reaching New Heights, P.A.L.S. student group, is busy researching nextyear’s field trip.

Raffle - we raised $4,388

Top Sellers Remi Maurice, Quentin Broadwood, and Danny Haines.

Participation Prizes See Bonnie to pick up.Jana Milton, Aline Garnex, Debbie Manning, Trish Derkach, Tina McEwan, Laura Sproule,Stephanie Glen, Rose Marie Parisien, Helen O'Reilley, Frank Candien, Sam Mah, Michelle Machan,Spencer Huchulak, Janice Christiansen, and Tim Massey.

P.A.L.S. Newsletter - A Learning Tool

The reason that the newsletter is mailed to tutors and students, members of P.A.L.S., is sothat it can be used as a learning tool.

As well as reading and comprehension you can share with your student(s) C information on the activities and events in which members can participate,C tutors and students read the newsletter together - extra copies are available in the

office,C tutors discuss activities and events with their students and encourage the students to

participate in programs and events that is of interest to them or will assist them tomeet their goals,

C there are events and activities that students, volunteers, and family members canparticipate in together.

We will evaluate the how useful the newsletter is as a learning tool is in January.

Upcoming Events for Students, Tutors and Family Members.

Workshops

November 23 Financial Literacy

November 30 Hey Self! Where is my self-esteem?

December 10 Happy Holiday Party

December 14 Christmas Lights Tour

See Activities and Workshops for P.A.L.S. Students

These classes and programs will assist your student to develop or improve skills to meet their goals.

Examples are:

C Sing Along - will help ESL students improve speaking skills and Literacy students improvetheir reading.

C Math Test Preparation Class - assists students to deal with test anxiety.

C WHMIS Workshop - assisted students to get certificates that helps them get employment orincrease their value to their employer.

Thank you for volunteering for the Used Book Sales, Raffle and Casino

The funds raised means that P.A.L.S. can provide support to students and volunteers.

Thank

you

RaffleMajdi Abdallah, John Alamin, Rubildo Alvarez, Reza Anari, Mari Anyi, Fadi Atiyat,Faaduma Axmed, Iris Ayers, Marta Azocar, Peter Barbe, Quentin Broadwood, Hoa Bui,Trevor Cadieux, Frank Candian, Bonnie Caron, Renato Cavelli, Rongshen Chen, TanyaChristiansen, Janice Christiansen, Hilario Contreras, Chris Cox, Cassius Crane, Danny Dabbs,Monica Das, Ganga Deka, Marga Delsa, John Deng, Trish Derkach, Karen Dittman, JackieDoll, Daniel Domingo, Andrea Douglas, Ali Elhag, Ginny El Zorkanny, Francis Fallon,Stephanie Glenn, Jolaine Godfrey, Kristian Gordon, Jennifer Guan, Danny Haines, JasonHalbauer, Melinda Hollis, Spencer Huchulak, Luiting Hudson, Zarifa M. Hussein, SamuelIsack, Jay, Aline James, John Jamieson, Aline Janex, Kristen, Jamie Lajmordier, MahenazLayton, Kathleen Linton, Michelle Machon, Lucjan Makowski, Debbie Manning, Zeny Marle,Shirley Maurice, Remi Maurice, Helen McCabe, Tina McEwan, Beverly McKinnon, TiaMcLean, Jana Milton, Zainull Mohammed, Nestor B. Momotiuk, Kristen Moose, Iris Moreno,Bridget Mrozchko, Murayo Yusef, Youssef Namaani, Valerie Nelson, Robin Nichols. GillianOelker, Helen Palcic, Rose Marie Parisien, Joy Pearson, Noel Peters, Sextus Phillips, AdamRupp, Nadia Sadi, Musa Salim, Marilyn Shannon, Darlene Morrow, Wendy Sandul, LidiaSemencheva, Chen Shen, Laura Sproule, Karin Steen, Lily Szkorupa, Francis Tallon, BettyTan, Dave Taylor, Doug Taylor, Annie Thomas, Helen O’Reilley, Aaron Urban, TonyWallace, Justin Watkins, Ghulam Yahya, Amina Yu, Hamid Hosseinzadeh, Di Zheng, Travis,Sharon, Carol, Andrez, Yazee, Wesley, Maurice, Lorena, Gail Provon, Dorothy Lane, SamMah, Laura Sproule and Tim Massey.

Used Book SaleRobin Nichols, Quentin Broadwood, Rubildo Alvarez, Russel McLean, Clive Akinson, SalimMusa, Sherlock Hayes, Kloreta Mucaj, Lucjan Makowski, Jennifer Guan, Paulette Niegle,Indira Dzafovic, Remi Maurice, Charlie Caron, Phil Beakhouse, Isabelle Tapp, Jen Tapp, TinaMcEwan, Deborah Manning. Rose Leftly, Peter Barber, Helen Palcic, Hossein Zadeh,Dorothy Lane, Al Lane, Stephen Bradshaw, Jackson Ikolo, Luiting Hudson, and John Hudson.

CasinoTrish Derkach, Darlene Morrow, Bonnie Caron, Janice Christensen, Karin Steen, BradStephens, Marilyn Shannon, Ken Shannon, Dorothy Lane, Kristin Burgess, Isabelle Tapp.Marilyn Reed, Gail Provon, Iryna Shustov, Marlen Shustov, Helen Mc Cabe, MicheleMachan, Jacqueline Doll, Katie Lamothe, Liuting Hudson, John Hudson, Mrs. Dzafovic, JohnHooper, Michael Raven, Indira Dzafovic, Linda Savage, Sam Mah, Joan Brady, Doug Taylor,Monica Das, Isabelle Tapp, Rita Langford, Graeme Langford, Shirley Sandul, and TinaMcEwan.

Thank you