|
Literacy
Volunteers of
Fulton County
199 South Main St.
Gloversville, NY
12078-4223
Phone: (518) 725-1440
Fax: (518) 773-8202
email: lvfc@fmsworkforcesolutions.org
www.fultonliteracy.org
Office Hours
Mon-Thurs 9-3
Also by Appt.
Staff
Donna Hunter - Director
Melissa Kenyon -Program Director
Eric Christensen - Training
Coordinator
Board of Directors:
Sharlene Cornacchia
Laurie Bargstedt
Cheryl Peeler
Gene Reppenhagen
Maurice Farhart
Edith Willcox
William Kline
Newsletter Staff
Editor - Eric Christensen
Layout/Graphics - Autumn Blanchard
Important Reminder: paticipation in in-service training
is required to maintain active tutor certification status.
Trainings are scheduled at least twice yearly, with more scheduled
as needed. Contact Eric Christensen or Melissa Kenyon for
more details on trainings and re-certification requirements,
725-1440.
Calendar
Save These Dates
February
28 - Tutor/Student Get Together at Literacy Volunteers, 5:30
- 7:30
March 6, 7 & 8 - Legislative Days in Albany
April - Tutor Training and Inservice
May
17-Student/Tutor Recognition Dinner at Sacred Heart Church
June
5-11-Literacy Conference @ White Eagle, in Hamilton NY
16 - Brooks BBQ at Wal-art
26-Annual Board Meeting
Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County does not discriminate
on the basis of gender, age, race, color, creed, religion,
disability, political belief, physical appearance, sexual
orientation, or family status. Literacy Volunteers of Fulton
County maintains strict confidentiality of tutor and student
records. Information pertaining to individual tutors
and students is not to be shared with anyone unless prior
written consent is obtained. General statistical information
may be released anonymously. Students and tutors are welcome
to share their experience publicly as long as they do not
violate the privacy of other tutors or students.
Tutor Training Tips
Tutors can create a great teaching tool that can be utilized
in a variety of ways, depending on what the student is working
on.
•Save multiple, uncorrected copies of student writings.
•You can have writing students apply different editing
and correcting criteria to the copies.
• These criteria will be determined by the students’
needs, as determined by the tutor.
• You can have them edit for spelling, then for grammar,
style, etc., students can do all kinds of revisions.
•To allow the student to experience real success, let
them compare the progress of the revisions.
• The before and after comparison will also reinforce
the skills that are being corrected.
Eric Christensen, LVFC Training Coordinator
Mission Statement
Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County, Inc. recognizes that literacy,
including reading, writing,and speaking English, computing,
and problem solving is necessary to function on the job, in
society, and to raise a family. Literacy is also necessary
to achieve individual goals and to develop knowledge and potential.
Literacy is valuable to develop and function as citizens,
to realize rights and freedoms and to fulfill responsibilities
as members of a free society. Therefore, it is the mission
of Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County, Inc. to develop and
support volunteer resources to serve adults and families of
the Fulton County area and to provide services consistent
with increasing literacy and promoting the value of Literacy
to the future of the Fulton County area. Adopted May 22, 2000.
EXCEL Donates Supplies to LVFC
Reality: Operating budgets are tight and necessary supplies
cost money. But EXCEL has come through for our chapter and
students with a massive donation of stationary supplies.
This generous gift includes pens, crayons, hi-lighters, markers,
paper and notebooks. Students and tutors will use these in
all of the different programs offered by LVFC. Big thanks
to EXCEL for the fantastic material support, it will be put
to good use!
Fall Tutor Training Graduates
Linda Sammons
Ann Streit
Betty Rowback
Mark Frederick
Marion Viglione
Joni Wilson
Stephanie Finley
Larry Finley
Dean McCreight
Shirly Boynton
Jeanette Mendell
Computer Literacy Class Scheduled
LVFC is offering another personal computer course.
The date, times and class location are still being finalized.
The course will teach the basics commands and functions of
computers, including word processing, internet, and e-mail.
For more information and registration, contact Melissa Kenyon
at 725-1440.
ESL Conversation Group to be Held
ESL Conversation Group is LVFC’s newest program. It
is designed for ESL students to improve conversational English
and telephone skills, through pre-arranged telephone coversations.
This allows the ESL student to gain needed practice with minimal
travel. The class is being conducted by LVFC tutors Nancy
Hulbert and Sharon Darling. The course starts at the beginning
of February. For more information and to register, contact
Melissa Kenyon at 725-1440.
|
Accreditation for LVFC
On July 25, 2005, Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County achieved
nationally accredited status as a literacy service provider
by ProLiteracy America. The New York State Department of Education
requires that literacy programs be accredited to be eligible
for federal and state funding.
ProLiteracy America’s accreditation provides literacy
programs with a comprehensive process for self-assessment
and program improvement. Chapters complete detailed requirements,
and LVFC was inspected in a site review on June 14,2005. It
was a rigorous process for Donna, Melissa, and the Board of
Directors. They worked very hard “making sure that we
had every thing that the reviewer was looking for.” Donna
thanked “ board members, tutors, students and many volunteers
who donated their time and effort” with the accreditation
tasks.
As a non-profit educational program, LVFC has served Fulton
County for 17 years, helping adults improve their lives with
literacy, technology, and career skills. Donna and Melissa’s
dedicated work toward accreditation have greatly improved
the services we offer our community.
For information on tutoring or volunteering, please call 518-725-1440.
Andrews
Directs 21st Century Program
The Twenty First Century Community Learning Center at Gloversville
Middle School has a new Community Coordinator for the 2005-2006
school year. Stephanie Andrews, an LVFC board member, took
over in November. Stephanie is well qualified. After working
as a G.E.D. instructor for Private Industry Council, she is
currently instructing at Gloversville Free Library and Catholic
Charities for H.F.M. BOCES.
The new
Community Coordinator has definite ideas for the program,
“My goals for improving the program are to make sure
that communication is present at all times.” Stephanie
wants an open dialogue with the other coordinators in the
area. “I am also a strong believer in teamwork.”
 To
keep students motivated, she wants to “make sure that
the academics are a priority, but also keep bringing in the
fun stuff.” Combining learning with fun, she feels, “will
make the program a success.”
Another
important factor is parents. “I also think the parents
need to be involved.” To this end, the program has hosted
a family night with a great turnout.
Stephanie’s
work in the community is very important to her, “I am
glad to be a part of many organizations that help children
and adults.”
Student/Tutor Awards Dinner
On May 16, 2005, LVFC held its annual Student/Tutor Awards
Dinner to honor the commitment, hard work and accomplishments
of our students and their tutors. The ceremony was held at
Sacred Heart Church in Gloversville.
In her
welcoming speech, Board President Laurie Bargstedt praised
the tutors, students and their families. She thanked the office
staff and other volunteers for their work in keeping the chapter
growing. Next, Director Donna Hunter thanked the board, Program
Director Melissa Kenyon, Treasurer Cheryl Peeler, Training
Coordinator Eric Christensen, and IT assistant Autumn Blanchard.
She told everyone how much she appreciated the efforts of
the staff, students and their families support. She talked
about the progress being made toward chapter accreditation
(LVFC received accredited status a month later). Jennifer
Donovan, an aide to Representative Hugh Farley, was on hand
to congratulate the students and tutors.
After
the opening speeches, Farley awards were presented to Jose
Hernandez and Brett Simpson for receiving their GED’s.
Bill Polmateer’s perfect attendance was honored, along
with his and Doreen Canzius’ instructional hours.
 “I
can’t believe it!” Rosa Goho exclaimed when she
was named Most Improved Student. Her tutor, Kitty Ingalls
was not surprised, “Rosa’s determination is amazing!”
Rosa’s perseverance represents the commitment that all
of our students have to better themselves.
Among
our tutors, Farley awards for 2004-2005 instructional hours
were presented to Dorothy Cole, Alice Conover, and Patricia
Levin. Service awards were given with gratitude to veteran
tutors: Dorothy Cole, 5years, Alice Conover 10 years, and
Inger McDaniel 15 years. Melissa expressed it best, “Our
veteran tutors are the backbone of our affiliate.”
 After
a pot luck dinner, everyone enjoyed make your own ice cream
sundaes and brownies, courtesy of Washburn’s Ice Cream
and Finkle Enterprises. All in attendance declared a diet
amnesty for the evening.
Staff Attends NYS Literacy Training
During the week of June 6-10, literacy trainers, tutors, and
managers from across the state met at the White Eagle Conference
Center in Hamilton, N.Y. for the 2005 New York Literacy Training
Institute. The purpose of the seminars are to learn new skills
and exchange ideas to make local literacy chapters more effective
service providers for their communities and students.
In
the past, LVFC has never sent more than one representative
to the training. But this year, our chapter sent four staff
members for advanced training. Attending were Donna Hunter,
Melissa Kenyon, Autumn Blanchard, and Eric Christensen.
Donna
Hunter attended the “Bridges to Practice for Tutors”
class, the Latest in Adult Reading Information, Literacy NY’s
“New” Directors Orientation meeting, Processes and
Procedures for Accessing, and Simplify your Board. Melissa
Kenyon attended Best Plus Testing
Administration
Workshop, ALIES Management, and Troubleshooting the NRS. Eric
Christensen attended Bridges to Practice for Tutors, Tools
and Resources for Individualizing Curriculum Keys to Success,
Peer Tutoring: A Successful Mentor and Educational Model.
Autumn Blanchard attended Bridges to Practice, ALIES Management
and Troubleshooting the NRS.
21st
Century - Literacy in the Classroom
In a culture permeated with electronics and technology, getting
middle school students interested in reading and writing is
a challenge. Literacy volunteers Autumn Blanchard and Eric
Christensen, through the 21st Century Program at the Gloversville
Middle School, have been creatively addressing the problem.
Their efforts are intended to help students improve their
ELA test scores, to generate interest in literature and informational
writing, and to foster creative self-expression.
 While
focusing on the same language arts as the classroom curriculum,
this program aims to use innovative activities that will help
students further develop expression and confidence through
writing. The participants also have an opportunity to gain
the ability to identify and practice writing that will be
useful and relevant to their personal lives. They are encouraged
to access poetry and literature through popular culture and
media, using books, magazines, videos, and recorded music.
Tutor
Eric Christen-sen explains that using contemporary media is
especially effective in engaging students who are uncomfortable
with writing. They also develop their own critical perspectives
from exposure to media messages in the context of the program.
As an example, the tutors use popular music lyrics to teach
poetry, perhaps starting with the blues poetry of Langston
Hughes and on through gospel, rhythm and blues, rock, and
hip-hop. Christensen says, "We give them an outlet for
expression that is more personalized and culturally relevant."
With
grant support from the Gloversville Free Library, clerical
support from Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County, and classroom
assistance from ELA teacher Amanda Petronis, TA Terry Piper,
site coordinator Scott Kraszewski and community coordinator
Jim Christopher, the program runs after school, Thursdays,
from 4 to 5 pm, January through May for 2004-2005 school year.
Computer
Literacy Training Taught in Northville
In October 2005, Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County held
its first Computer Literacy Training in the Northville Public
Library, taught by Autumn Blanchard, the LVFC Webmaster. Previous
classes had been held in Gloversville, but this class was
an attempt to reach out to our more northerly participants.
The class was offered in Northville at the request of the
students. The long front room of the library was an ideal
spot for training, as it features a pull down projector screen
and two long conference tables. We were fortunate to be able
to have a laptop for each participant, loaned for the duration
of the class by the Gloversville Public Library and the Mohawk
Valley Library Association.
 Students
Mary Lou Bennet, Jean Watkins, Lois Munroe, June Nash, Anna
Johnson, Sally Gagné, Renee Finch and Doris Fordyce
participated, learning first about the hardware and software
components of computers. We then moved on to basics in mousing,
highlighting, moving, copying and deleting text, saving documents,
printing, font formatting, becoming familiar with Windows
operations and rudiments of Microsoft Word. Participants’
skill levels varied between true beginners and those with
quite a bit of internet and email experience, and students
that were more experienced helped those who were a bit rusty.
We discovered that the main obstacle to learning and retaining
computer skills is not having a machine at home to use every
day. Some students used computers in their homes, and some
shared computers owned by relatives. Each student left the
class with a copy of “Computers Don’t Byte,”
a great reference source for beginning computer students.
The class
was extended an extra week, and a smaller group met to learn
some Microsoft Excel skills to help them with spreadsheets.
We had a lot of fun and hope that the next class will feature
our own laptops, owned by LVFC.
|
