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The
Literacy Council's Fall Newsletter, 2001
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WELCOME
NEW TUTORS: James
Whitt,
Trish Avery, Lynn Donovan, Fred Friedman, Oscar Rubio,
Mickey Broussard, Brenda Campbell, Don Green, James
Nelson, Joe and Angela Carreiro, Jerrie and Mac Freeman,
Judy Okita- Davis, Jorge Jacinto, Maria Orozco, Erasmo
Leon, Rosalee Calvillo, Liz Blake, Dorothy Rooney, Grace
Hand, Carol Lockwood, MaiBritt Bennett, Dori Stone,
Adrienne Carranza, Paul Nelson, Valerie Schneider, Don
Drake, Shirley Selkirk, Donna Hellenbrand, Lynn Riedriger,
and Geri Matranga, and the new Center Director in Morro
Bay Center at St. Peter's Church: Walter Thompson.
A
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Members:
It's
been a busy fall for the Literacy Council. The board,
staff, and volunteers have all done their share to contribute
productively.
Early
in September, our board held a retreat. There, with
the guidance of Trish Avery as facilitator, board and
staff set goals for the year. The main goals became:
for board committees to be evaluated and if necessary
restructured and for those committees to have tasks
to accomplish throughout the year. Judging from my own
calendar, I can report that all committees are structured
and dutifully completing tasks. One of the main results
from the marketing committee, chaired by Josh Pruett,
will be materials that deliver our message in a cohesive
effective way. $24,000.00 is the hoped for result of
the Associates Committee, chaired by Bill Almas. Tom
Jones, Consultant Government and Public Relations for
P.G. & E. and Gail Whiting, Advertising Manager for
The Tribune are new additions to this hard working board.
Monika,
Marcie, Ilsa, and I are concentrating on tutor recruitment.
KSBY produced another thirty-second spot for us, again
featuring Tony Cipolla- this time with his very cute
daughter Chiara. You should be seeing it soon on Charter
Stations. Robin Smith with Children and Families Monthly
Update filmed our first story hour, part of our Prop.
10 grant requirements, at the Los Osos Center. You should
be able to spot us on Channels 10 or 75 during the month
of December. We're open to suggestions for tutor recruitment.
Always, we need tutors.
The
tutors we do have often put in double time, as do our
center directors. Our Grizzly tutors deserve some extra
praise for their efforts this fall. Security measures
at the base have been increased, creating some frustrating,
sometimes comical incidents for our tutors. In October
we partnered with the SLO Friends of the Library's Chocolate
Suite Affaire. The fund raising event certainly was
tasty and enjoyable; we are looking forward to participating
again next year. By the way, 2002 will mark Literacy
Council's 20th Anniversary; so stay posted for news
of celebrations.
With
magnified significance this year, the Rockefeller Center's
holiday tree has been lit. It's time to celebrate and
reflect, to find comfort and joy, and to come to peace.
Best wishes to you all and thank you all for your own
unique gifts to the Literacy Council.
Bernadette Bernardi
Executive Director
STUDENT
WRITING
THE
DAY OF THE DEAD
by
Catalina Mendoza,
Student in the First Presbyterian night program
The
people of Mexico believe that the spirits of the dead
come back to their homes to be fed. November second
when the spirits of the dead are welcome home. This
holiday is called the Day of the Dead.
All
over Mexico the people expect a visit from the spirits
of their dead ones. In many homes an altar is set on
a table. On the altar they put out food, flower, candles
and a picture of the departed.
November
First is called All Saints Day. It is the day when the
spirits of the little children come back home. On the
altar the family puts a toy and some food that the children
like. The spirits come at night. The father shoots off
fireworks to light the way so that the children can
find their own house.
A
special bread is baked in Mexico for this holiday. It
is called the bread of the dead. It is made in the shape
of skeletons and skulls. People eat this bread only
on there two days. The families place the bread on the
altars in the homes and on the graves in the cemeteries.
The Day of the Dead is a happy time in Mexico.
By John Barcksdale, literacy student at the "GRIZZLY
YOUTH ACADEMY"
(Based
on new words found in a reading selection from the "National
Geographic")
A
very exuberant steed would not let his master ride on
his back. So his master had to travel on foot like previous
peregrinations. This guy was very vigorous about going
back to his trove. He was a provost for about 3 years
until he decided to be a paleontologist. The desert
had ardor to it. This man had very strong vitality until
the gale buried him in sand where he still lies today.
TUTOR'S
CORNER
WORTH
REMEMBERING
In
training new tutors we always emphasize how important
it is to include as many practical elements as possible
in their teaching. All experienced tutors would probably
agree that if adult students learn something new that
they can use in their daily lives, they come to every
tutoring session with eagerness to learn and willingness
to continue against all odds. Here's a good example
of how the practical approach to tutoring can turn out
into a life- saver. Betsy Sprenkle, a tutor in Nipomo
reports:
"My
student was in a terrible accident last spring when
a car crashed into their house. They were asleep when
this happened. She knew to call 911 and the operator
didn't speak Spanish, so Maria had to explain everything
in English - plus give her address and directions. We
had gone over all of this in class, so she was able
to do it even under duress. I was very proud of her."
TIPS
ON WRITING
Writing
doesn't have to be painful! You can make it more interesting
by asking your student to try some of the following
ideas.
For Beginning Students Alphabet exercise:
Make up sentences in which every word starts with the
same letter, for example: Aunt Ann always acts active
around ants. Bill brings Betty bright bugs.
For Beginning and Intermediate Students:
Bring family photos and write captions for a family
album. Use photos to create a family tree history. Work
on every day needs such as writing notes, personal letters,
notes to school, thank you notes, etc.
For More Advanced Students: Update fairy
tales or folktales Multicultural stories: write about
holidays unique to students' cultures (see the example
of the student writing in this issue). Write haikus,
or free verse poems.
THANKS
TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION
$1,000 + Patron
Barnett Cox & Associates - In kind, Charter Communications
- In kind, California Men's Colony, City of Morro Bay,
Russell & Carol Kiessig, Rotary Club of Five Cities.
$500- $999 Donor
KSBY-TV - In kind, J.R. Penrod, St. Barnabas Thrift Shop,
Southern California Gas Co., Tosco - In kind.
$250 - 499 Sponsor
Borah's Awards - In kind, Susan Cushing, Fraternal Order
of Eagles, Henry & Cecily Lane, RRM Design Group, The
Sign Place - In kind.
$100-$249 Partner
Andre, Morris, & Buttery, Cayucos Lion's Club, Robert
& Sheryl Flores, Hap & Gayle Harbert, Torre Houlgate-West,
Presbyterian Church Board of Deacons, United California
State Employees Campaign.
$50-$99 Friend
John Akin, Suzan Boatman - In kind, Mac & Bonnie Brinton,
Serim & Bilgi Denel, Christopher Duenow, Mary Harris,
James Knecht, Frances & Allan Mayer, Jeffrey Priolo, JoAnn
& Dennis Ruthenbeck, (Borah's) Charlotte Smith, Doris
Wiley, Nancy Woodard, Laurel Woodson.
$15-$49 Reader
Jack & Grace Beigle, JoAnn & Ben Edmondson, Shirley Ferguson,
Evelyn Frailing in honor of Helen Haberland, Judythe Guarnera,
Vivian Guenzel in honor of Helen Haberland, Margaret Hammond,
Thomas & Lona Harney, Laura Kirschner, Lois & Frank Martinez,
Geraldine Matrange, Mary Parker, Peace Lutheran Ladies
Guild, Andrea Raggio, Jo An Roper, Sue Svercheck, Lillian
Warneke, Robert Weatherford.
THOSE
SPECIAL ONES AMONG US . . .
California Literacy Inc. honored two of our volunteers
with Honorable Mention Certificates this year.
Arlene
Grant has been a dedicated office support volunteer
for 10 years. She is our ambassador in the community and
a source of inspiration and positive energy. We wish her
a fast recovery from her recent surgery and we'd like
to thank her for all she's done for the Literacy Council.
Joe Truex first started tutoring at the Paso Robles center
in 1996. Ever since, he's been a very devoted teacher
of English as a Second Language, working with both small
groups and individual learners. He came back to tutoring
even after two eye surgeries and always assures us he'll
be there when we need him.
CELEBRATING
THE LIVES OF . . .
Helen
Haberland's name is well known to many volunteers,
especially in south San Luis Obispo County. Her
memorial service in August reminded everyone what
a great and giving person she was. Helen met Dr.
Frank Laubach, creator of the Laubach Literacy training
program, in 1960. Since then, and for the rest of
her life, she was active in various leadership roles
for the literacy programs both in San Diego and
San Luis Obispo Counties.
In
1991, she received a certificate from the National
Council of Churches as an outstanding Church Woman
Involved in Literacy. In 1976 Helen, while still
tutoring, assumed the role of Center Director at
the Arroyo Grande Learning Center hosted by St.
John's Lutheran Church. Long after her official
retirement from volunteering with the Literacy Council,
Helen continued to tutor.
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Janette
Stowe was most certainly an asset to the literacy
movement in Los Osos. During over 8 years of her
service she devoted almost 1,500 hours to learners
of English as a Second Language. She worked with
both individual learners and small groups. Always
patient and wanting to help her students improve
their lives, Janette was also a great colleague
and role model for tutors in the Trinity Methodist
Church center. She continued her passion for teaching
by working as an independent tutor at home. She
left behind a legacy of compassionate volunteering
and active involvement in the local community. Helen
and Janette will be remembered fondly. |
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NEWS
FROM THE CENTERS
LITERACY 5 STORY HOUR
The Los Osos Learning Center hosted
their first story hour for families whose parents
participate in the Literacy 5 Program (Speaking,
Reading and Writing for Parents of Children 5 and
Younger). The event took place on October 29 and
combined the book reading with a traditional Halloween
party. Six adults, ESL learners, read children's
books that the tutors used as teaching tools. In
a few cases, it was obvious the goals of the program
have been met- some children recited the verses
along with the readers: clearly, the books the participants
get to keep, are read at home and clearly, the children
enjoy being read to. What followed was a pinata,
potluck and small talk in English- something many
beginning learners find the most intimidating. Yet,
the room was filled with the murmur of people talking,
laughing and just having a good time in a friendly
atmosphere.
Liz Curren, the Center Director, shared
with us, "It really didn't take much time to
prepare. The evening somehow organized itself, with
everybody being involved. And it was worth it- we
had lots of fun". The whole event was filmed
by Ms Robin Smith of RS Productions who is responsible
for documenting community activities under the umbrella
of a PROP 10 grant. The Los Osos story will be featured
in an episode included in a series called "Children
& Families Monthly Update" which can be seen
on public access cable television (Channel 10) in
December, on Tuesdays 12:30- 1:30 p.m. and on Saturdays
1:00-2:00 p.m. and 7:00- 8:00p.m. |
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CONGRATULATIONS
Our congrats to the Los Osos center learners:
Antonio Ramirez, Asaias Ramirez, Gabriel Rodriguez and
Arturo Rodriguez for completion of the Side by Side Book
Level 1. Bravo to Alfonso Cuevas and Maria Elena Navarro,
recipients of this year's awards to the Outstanding Learners
of the Literacy Council. Tutors Marcie Russo and Aleida
Lund of Los Osos were appreciated by the Learners and
the Center Director with special certificates to thank
them for their outstanding attitudes and teaching skills.
"THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR LEARNING MORE . .
. ",
. . . said the two tutors from the Arroyo
Grande Learning Center when they signed up for the Tutors'
Conference in Pasadena, held by the California Literacy
Inc. on September 8, 2001. Jack Beigle and Richard Welch
participated in several workshops offered to tutors throughout
the day. They brought home lots of materials, new tips
on tutoring and some prizes from the raffles that Richard
apparently "always" wins! Jack and Richard attended
the workshops on utilizing children literature for teaching
adults, fresh approaches on phonics (especially vowels)
in ESL tutoring, tips on making ESL lessons more interesting,
and finally on how to approach learners who deal with
shame and embarrassment about their low literacy. Both
gentlemen are eager to share their notes and new experience,
so if you and your fellow tutors are interested in meeting
with them, please give us a call.
TWO ATASCADERO TUTORS RETIRED
No matter how much we'll miss them, two great
Atascadero tutors: Phyllis Miller and Ann Martinez retired
this fall.
Ann, who first started in Atascadero in 1994,
tutored many ESL learners and says that throughout the
years she learned a lot from her students. As adults with
many life experiences they offer a great insight that
can't be underestimated. Here's what advice Ann would
like to share with new tutors: " If you really want
to help your learner, teach them the language skills that
will empower them to cope with their lives ON THEIR OWN".
During the 11 years of her devoted service, Phyllis' volunteering
evolved from being a tutor, to co-director of the center,
to excellent record and file keeper. Like Ann, Phyllis
liked to learn about other cultures through the people
she met. In her letter announcing her retirement she wrote
that she still hoped to come back and offer her time to
the Literacy Council.
Both ladies will stay close to our hearts.
Ann and Phyllis: many thanks for all you've done for your
learners and your colleagues.
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