The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Community Adult Learning Centre opens its doors again to a new academic year. The centre, which caters for adults who want to improve reading, writing, and arithmetical skills, is in its 12th year of operation. The program, which began in 1992, is under the direction of Adult Literacy and Learning in Winnipeg. As well as reading, writing, and mathematics, other subjects taught are spelling, phonics, grammar, handwriting, and basic computer skills. Also, lessons are provided as well in GED (General Equivalency Diploma) and English as a second language. The program is learner-oriented. Students not only choose which subjects they would like to study, but they also have a choice of attending a daily class, or having private lessons with a volunteer tutor. This regime makes allowance for those people who cannot attend class due to job or home commitments. A governing body of 12 persons oversees the program. Valerie Whitbread has been the chairperson of the committee for several years. Margaret de Kock has been the Coordinator /Practitioner of the program since its inception in 1992. Margaret, who is hired full time, carries out duties which include recruitment, interviewing, assessment, and instruction of students, and recruitment of volunteer tutors who teach students on a one-on-one basis. The ultimate goal of the program is to bring all students, other than GED and English-Second Language students, through a grade 8 level of education. They are then able to transfer to Many Faces High School, where they will eventually earn a high school diploma. Achievement of these goals will enable students to take courses, if they so choose, in areas which will lead to careers. There have been many success stories in the program. Several people have learned to read, or improved very much in their reading skills. Many have learned to speak English. Others have obtained their GED. Improvement has been attained in many subjects and on many levels. The environment is relaxed and comfortable, and confidentiality is stressed. As well as adult education, the program branched out in 1994 to embrace a Family Literacy program, "Read to Me". Two eight-week sessions are held per year. This year, we are very pleased to announce that Crystal Kolt is our new family literacy coordinator and instructor. The program encourages literacy activities in families. The adult literacy session began Monday, September 15 at 9:00 a.m. in rooms 208 and 209 at 35 Main Street (above Pharmasave). Those persons who are interested may phone Margaret at 687-3223.9/22/2003
