Adult Literacy . . . At its finest Adult Literacy . . . At its finest

Literacy Council of Alaska
Issue #9
March-June 2009 Newsletter
Table of contents:
Adult Literacy Programs 1
Adult Literacy . . . At its finest
Bookstore Sale Schedule 1
Greetings from the Adult Literacy Program,
The Adult Literacy Programs at the Literacy Council is going strong! We have a
constant flow of new students entering the
Forget-Me-Not Bookstore 2
program for English classes and for tutoring.
Golden Mile Run
2
About 15 new tutors have become active
Family Literacy
3
through the Pro-Literacy tutor training since
January. We’d like to welcome Brenda
Computer Recycling
3
McFarlane as our new Adult Literacy
Head Start Lending
3
Support Specialist.
Library
As English language teachers, we
participate
in the small joys of life. We
Mission Statement
4
celebrate each success in a student’s
comprehension and ability to express himself
Forget-Me-Not
Students at all levels are
Bookstore Sale achieving a greater capacity to interact withortheirherself.
world day-by-day.
Schedule
Our beginning level class sees the most change and upward mobility. One of our
students is stretching her capabilities by taking
Yellow Dots/Gold
the English Proficiency course at the University.
Stars
This course focuses on essay formation, while she
July 13-18 ~ 50% off
is still struggling to write a basic sentence.
Audio/Video/Computer Another, even more beginning student, hopes to
attend the next section of this same course this
Books
month. One of our more recent students attends
July 20-25 ~ 50% off
English class five times a week in his quest to
Bag of Books
obtain a job to support his family. A number of
July 27-August 1
other students in this class quickly gain
Yellow Dots ~ $5 a bag! confidence, move up a class, search for jobs that
are now within their reach, and help their children with community and school activities
Biography & Memoir
Our intermediate students are most involved in our Even Start program opportunity.
August 3-8 ~ 50% off
Together with the Even Start Coordinator, Jerri McDonald, the parents and children are
Blue Dots/Blue Stars getting to know the community, its activities and its layout. We plan to have an
intensive “Alaska Topics” class during the
August 10-15 ~ 50% off
first two weeks of August. This class will
Kids Books
cover geography, flora and fauna of Alaska,
August 17-22 ~ 50% off
and cold weather preparation with the
intermediate class and the children in Even
Bag of Books
Start.
August 24-29 ~ 50%
Our advanced students are incredibly
Blue Dots ~ $5 a bag!
involved in the community. One teaches
classes in crafting to the community.
Text & Reference
Another participates in cross-cultural events
Books
through dancing and is active as an LCA
Aug. 31– Sept. ~ 50% off
board member.
Quite a few of our
Sale schedules available by
advanced
students
come
for
the
social
aspect
of
LCA
as
well
as
our
English class. They
emailing
fmnb@forget-me-notbooks.com form a network of support for each other.
or pick one up at
--- Rebecca Hazen, Adult Program – Literacy Council of Alaska
Cross-Age
2
517 Gaffney Rd, Fairbanks, AK
www.literacycouncilofalaska.org
Page 1
Literacy Council of Alaska
Volunteers
Karen Baillon
Kathy Bast
Jessica Bear
Shirley Belon
Rena Bryan
Lynne Buchanan
Arlene Cavanaugh
Thomas Cerney
Carter Crawford
Jessica Doble
Jeffery Gish
Skye Greer
Marian Hansen
Eileen Harrer
Sarah Hopkins
Rebecca Jones
Brian Koharian
Laurie Logan
Martha Markey
Jamie Marschner
Angela McArdle
Heather Moritz
Ryan Moritz
Larry Newberg
George Redhead
Michelle Risse
Marilyn Russell
Katie Schellekens
John Seamands
Andrew Shill
Jackie Stormer
Emily Tucker
G. Trey Wade III
Bill Williams
Ruth A. Wisener
Caroline Wolf
James Woodward
Tutor Volunteers
Cheryl AgnewSchnabel
Kaye Anderson
Cori Anthony
Maggie
Barrowclough
Renate Benesch
Julie Burton
Monica Dallas
Daniel Darrow
Anthony Gasbarro
Margaret Gray
Daniel Hancock
Verena Hawkes
Rebecca Hazen
Sarah Hopkins
Mike Kolasa
Ben Meyer
Edward Morgan
Aleya Nelson
Bernadette Netherby
Debra Osborn
Marilyn Russell
Virginia Schlicting
Lynn Slusher
Michael Stickler
Stephanie Stowman
Christine Talbert
Cynthia Triebel
Darrel Zuke
Contributions
Forget-Me-Not Bookstore
Cross-Age Tutoring
"It is with the reading of books
the same as with looking at pictures;
one must, without doubt, without hesitations,
with assurance,
admire what is beautiful."
Vincent van Gogh
It has been a most exciting spring at
Forget-Me-Not Books! March brought us our
annual Book Sweep. What a success! Thanks
to the hard work of Jerri McDonald and the
fine people of Fairbanks more than 28,000
books were donated to the programs of the
Literacy Council.
On May 9th we held our first Big Cartoon
Kablooey! Sponsored by the Comic Shop,
who generously donated FREE comics for the
day, the Kablooey was a big hit! Board
member Jamie Smith put in a lot of time
drawing up the fabulous poster and drumming
up local cartoonists for the event. Hordes of
kids and adults showed up to learn the
graphic skills of onomatopoeia and chowed
down on great piles of deliciously sticky Rice
Krispie treats.
In June we were very pleased to present
author readings for the 3rd annual Alaska
Book Festival featuring writers Nicole Stellon
O’Donnell, Stan Jones, Sharon Bushell and
Dan O’Neill. Board members Jamie Smith
and Melissa Rickey were the gracious, and
much appreciated, hosts for the evening.
Forget-Me-Not Books would like to give a
BIG round of applause to all of our
wonderful, laborious, employees and
volunteers that make us the very special place
that we are. Thank you!
The Cross-Age Tutoring Program kicked off
with a bang on June 8 at the Literacy
Council of Alaska.
There are currently 12
tutors working with a
total of 21 students. The
program began with an
intense training for the
tutors. Each tutor is
paired with a student
and works one-on-one
as well as in group
settings. The program is designed to
improve reading and math skills through
creative learning opportunities. Some of our
students love having someone read to them,
while others love playing games that build
their math and social skills. We thank all
who are a part of this program.
Rasmuson Foundation
Dennis Wise
Leaders in Literacy
Sam’s
Marilyn Russell
Patron of Literacy
BP Exploration
(Alaska), Inc.
Paul & Cordelia
Reichardt
Rotary Club of
Fairbanks
Benefactors of
Literacy
Alaska Airlines
Betsy Robertson
Don & Julia Triplehorn
Supporter of
Literacy
Ruth G. Benson
Dale & Sylvia
Durrwachter
Friend of Literacy
Walk,
run,
and
race for
literacy!
Race on Saturday,
July 25
Race-day registration
8:30-9:30
Race begins 10 am
at Aurora Energy
Power Plant on
First Ave.
Early registration at LCA
(517 Gaffney Rd.) July 22 from 5-8 pm.
Questions call 456-6212
LEADERS IN LITERACY
Many thanks to these businesses and individuals who have supported the Literacy Council of
Alaska at the leadership level. Thank you for supporting LCA’s mission to promote
literacy for people of all ages in Fairbanks and the Interior.
Marilyn Russell
Platinum Leader
Rasmuson Foundation
Gulliver’s Books
First National Bank
ALASKA
Dennis Wise
Frontier Flying Service Inc.
www.literacycouncilofalaska.org
Page 2
Larry & Betty Flodin
K. J. Hofstad
Steve & Jane Lanford
Carol Linkswiler
Dwight & Deanna
Morris
David F. Murray
Donor
Alpha Kelta Kappa, Zeta
Chapter
North Pole Library
Dominic & Millie
Spezialy
Renete Benisch
Thomas & Jo Roberts
Charles & Margaret
Gray
Robert & Beverly
Wheeler
Judy Lasater
Alan R. Batten
BizBee Supporters
Alyeska Pipeline Service
Co.
Donald Bahls
Lisa Baker
Derek & Odile Bastill
Christopher Benshoff
Bertha Bucher
Sharon Burke
Kurt Carlson
Kim Davis
Norman & Kimberlee
Davis
Denali State Bank
Design Alaska, Inc.
Doyon, Ltd.
Fairbanks Daily News
Miner
Fairbanks Memorial
Hospital
Christopher Fallen
FNSBSD/Biz Bee
Literacy Council of Alaska
Contributions
Donor cont.
Melissa Gordon
GVEA
Gray Hagestead
Heather Havel
Maria Helms
Barbara Horner-Mille
Erik Hulbert
Kenneth A. Murray
Insurance
IIana Kingsley
Kohler, Schmitt &
Hutchison
Edward Komkven
Shannon Kristeller
Phillip Kuehnert
Martin Engineering
Scott McCrea
J. Eugene McGill
Mt. McKinley Bank
Ajay Nautiyal
Oralee Nudson
Daniel & Debra Osborn
Phyllis Pendergrast,
D.M.D.
Rotary Club of College
Rotary Club of
Fairbanks
Sam’s
Roger Smith
Soroptimist
International
Jan Stitt
Jackie Stormer
Sunrisers Rotary
Superior Hardwood
Logan Thomas
USKH
Frank & Judith Williams
Yukon Flats School
Dist.
Family Literacy . . .
Computer Literacy
“New Experiences”
Three words that describe me: creature of habit. Being a creature of habit, I
sometimes wonder what drove me to try something so far from my comfort level.
Moving to Fairbanks a few years ago with a background as a high school science
teacher, I planned to do the same exact thing, just in a different location.
Somehow or another, I stumbled across a job opening in Family Literacy.
Working in a non-profit with young children and English language learners were
new experiences for me – I wasn’t even dancing on
the line of unfamiliarity, but had leapt so far across
the line that the only option left was to embrace this
change.
Using words to communicate my thoughts is also
a foreign concept. I imagine this sounds pretty silly
to those who embrace language, but coming from a
science background, I’ve always been taught to
communicate in as few words as possible. So the
idea of relating my experiences to famous or inspirational quotes is one that
would surprise my oldest and dearest of friends. Marcus Aurelius once said,
“Adapt yourself to the life you have been given; and truly love the people with
whom destiny has surrounded you.” This quote speaks very true to my
experience with LCA and Family Literacy. I count myself as one of the luckiest
in the world to have surrounded myself with such wonderful people. Never in a
million years did I expect to work with such devoted colleagues, generous
volunteers, or amazing families.
As I pack my bags and venture back to the lower 48, three things stand out: 1)
Families and friends – I am excited to have met so many fine folks from all over
the world and hope to remain friends with these people for many years to come.
2) One little organization can make a tremendous impact, reminding me of how
important it is to work toward a shared vision and 3) Being peed on by a
preschool student – nothing is quite as humbling and should my ego ever
outgrow my britches, I promise to remember this experience!
Thank you to Even Start’s families and LCA staff, students, and volunteers for
helping me grow personally and professionally. I will miss you all! Mandie
Head Start Lending Libraries . . .
The Head Start Lending Libraries would like to welcome Cori Kindred! Cori is the new Lending
Library Assistant and is an AmeriCorps member. She has worked with
the Head Start Lending Libraries since the end of April.
To date, the Literacy Council of Alaska has given 3,705 books to 14
different Head Start classrooms: Allakaket, Tetlin, Ft. Yukon, Nenana,
McGrath, Holy Cross, Kaltag, Huslia, Tanana, Unalaska, Sand Point,
King Cove, Palmer and Meadow Lakes. During the summer break we
will continue to send books to Holy Cross and Tanana.
Rachel Seale, Lending Library Coordinator, has been able to visit 5
classrooms this spring: Nenana, Palmer, Meadow Lakes, Kaltag and Tanana. She enjoyed meeting the
teachers, parents and students who are part of the Head Start classroom libraries. Rachel looks forward
to visiting the rest of the Head Start classrooms this fall.
We would like to thank Wright Air and Frontier Flying Services for graciously donating their time,
energy and cargo space to the Head Start Lending Libraries.
www.literacycouncilofalaska.org
Page 3
Since the inception of the
Literacy Council’s refurbishing
program we have donated over
two hundred computers to the
greater Fairbanks North Star
B o r o u g h
community.
Hi; I’m Darrel
Zuke,
your
friendly LCA
computer tech
recycler, at the
L i t e r a c y
Council. Literacy involves much
more than reading, it is being
able to function in today's world,
and that involves using a
computer.
LCA, is a Microsoft Authorized
Refurbisher (MAR) and accepts
computers with Pentium 3 or
gr eater p ro cesso r s. Once
refurbished these computers are
available to low-income families
in our community for a $20.00
processing fee. In addition we
offer basic computer classes for
people with zero computer skills.
These classes are small with lots
of individual instruction. To get a
schedule of our upcoming classes
please call 456-6212.
The Community MAR program
was created to increase the
number of usable Personal
Computers (PCs) available to
no n-pro fits, schoo ls, and
low-income families across the
globe by reducing the cost of
software to refurbishers. In
addition this program benefits the
environment by giving new life
to a significant number of
computers that could otherwise
be destined for landfills.
If you have questions or
comments, please call the
Literacy Council at 456-6212.
Wishing you all a great summer!!
Darrel Zuke
AmeriCorps Volunteer
Literacy Council of Alaska
Nonprofit Organization
US Postage
Paid
Fairbanks, Alaska
Permit No. 202
517 Gaffney Road
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: 907-456-6212
Fax: 907-456-4302
www.literacycouncilofalaska.org
E-mail: lca@literacycouncilofalaska.org
Forget-Me-Not Books
E-Mail: fmnb@forget-me-notbooks.com
907-456-6210
LCA STAFF
Mike Kolasa, Executive Director
Becky Magowan, Business Manager
Paulette Rahm, Administrative Assistant
Jerri McDonald, Family Literacy Coordinator
Rebecca Hazen, Adult Program AmeriCorps
Rachel Seale, Lending Library Coordinator
Brenda McFarlane, Adult Literacy Support
Specialist.
Cori Kindred, Lending Library AmeriCorps
Hannah Hill, Bookstore Manager
MaggieBarrowclough, Book Recycling
Coordinator
Heather Moritz, Book Recycling AmeriCorps
Arlene Cavanaugh, Volunteer Librarian
Darrel Zuke, Computer Recycle AmeriCorps
Denver Hammons M.A.S.S.T.
Art Hedden, M.A.S.S.T.
Mary Merritt, M.A.S.S.T.
Diane Carroll, M.A.S.S.T.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lisa Baker, Chairman
Debra Osborn, Vice Chairman
Janet Curl, Finance Officer
Melissa Rickey, Secretary
Lupe Grammont
Kerrie Dufseth
Jamie Smith
Bradley McGinnity
Grace Schaible, Honorary Life Member
The Literacy Council of Alaska is a nonprofit
educational agency, which began in 1973. LCA
is governed by a Board of Directors.
Our mission is to promote literacy for people of
all ages in Fairbanks and the Interior. Literacy
means being able to read, write, and speak
English and to compute in order to function in
today’s society.
Our goals are: 1) help community members
achieve individual education goals and 2) raise
public awareness about literacy.
Investing in Literacy for Alaska’s Interior
To donate to the Literacy Council of Alaska,
Cut on dotted line and mail to Literacy Council of Alaska
fill out the donation information below and mail to:
Literacy Council of Alaska, 517 Gaffney, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
I wish to change lives in Fairbanks by becoming a:
______ Platinum Leader in Literacy
______ Golden Leader in Literacy
______ Leader in Literacy
______ Patron of Literacy
______ Benefactor of Literacy
______ Supporter of Literacy
______ Friend of Literacy
______ Donor
$5,000 and above
$3000 to $4,999
$2,000 to $2,999
$1,000 to $1,999
$500 to $999
$250 to $499
$100 to $249
I am interested in volunteering as:
A tutor ( ), board member ( ), fundraiser/bookstore helper ( ).
Please call ( ), or send information ( ).
_____ A check (Payable to Literacy Council of Alaska) for $ _______ is enclosed.
_____ Please charge my donation to my Visa/MC (circle one) for $ ____________
To acc# ____________________________________________________________
3-Number vcode (on back of card): __________ Expiration Date _______________
A tax Deductible Contribution. (Check here _____ if you wish your donation to be anonymous.)
Name ____________________________ Phone ___________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
Signature_________________________________________ Date ______________
LCA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Tax Id #92-6010100
Thank you for your generous donation.