Students from three elementary schools meet twice a week at South Broadview Elementary School in Salmon Arm after school to receive literacy support. The program is facilitated by an early literacy teacher and supported by an Aboriginal support worker and community volunteer.
Financial Fitness Series
The Financial Fitness Series is a collaborative community project created to address the financial literacy needs of Grade 10 students. Local credit union representatives facilitate the program in district high schools supported by the Planning 10 teacher. The program is available to all high schools in the district and emphasizes the importance of developing lifelong financial literacy skills while covering all of the financial literacy learning outcomes of the Planning 10 curriculum. The Enderby & District Credit Union won the 2011 Central 1 inNOVAtion Award for their leadership with this project.
Save/Share/Spend Financial Literacy Program
Like reading, writing, and math, teaching children about money and saving is an important and valuable life skill. LASS is dedicated to promoting financial literacy for youth so we offer this program to all Grade 3 classes in the school district. Students learn about setting financial goals and every Grade 3 student receives a Save/Share/Spend Moonjar moneybox to take home and assemble with their parents. Parents also receive some information about other financial literacy resources they can use to help their children learn about money.
Heap the Honda Children’s Book Drive
Every January, community members are encouraged to donate children’s books to the Heap the Honda Children’s Book Drive. Each year, over 2000 books are donated through this initiative. All of the collected books are sorted and then later distributed to local children’s organizations to support family literacy in our community.
Unplug & Play Family Literacy Week
Children use an average of 7.5 hours of entertainment technology per day. During Unplug & Play Family Literacy Week in January, children and their families are encouraged to disconnect from electronics and spend more time playing and interacting with each other, which in turn helps build literacy skills. LASS, in partnership with many community organizations, plans an annual community literacy celebration of events that encourages families to build literacy by reconnecting and playing. Local organizations and businesses throughout the North Okanagan-Shuswap celebrate Unplug & Play Family Literacy Week in January by organizing a screen-free activites or hosting free events for families. Some examples of events include: Family Skate, Family Swim, Pajama Storytime, Games Night, Books with the ‘Backs, Sliding Party, Scavenger Hunt, etc.
“Pawsitive” Reading Program
As part of the “Pawsitive” Reading Program, children have the opportunity to choose a special book and read it to Moby, a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog. Moby has been trained to work with children and he loves listening to stories! A child who may be hesitant to read aloud to his peers is typically less stressed when reading to a dog as the dog never judges the child’s reading ability.
One to One Children’s Literacy Program
Community volunteers are trained to read with children in fourteen local elementary schools. The program recognizes the value of having trained volunteers encouraging and supporting children who have fallen behind in their reading abilities. LASS has trained over 200 community volunteers for this program.
“Spread the Word” Community Book & Magazine Exchange
Over forty “Spread the Word” bins are located in seven communities around the North Okanagan-Shuswap. Community members are encouraged to read the materials on-site, take a book or magazine home with them, or exchange the reading material in any bin location. A special thanks goes out to all of the people who have generously donated over 7000 books to the program and to the businesses and organizations that are supporting literacy in our community by graciously hosting a book bin.
Free Computer Tutoring for Seniors
The one-on-one tutoring sessions are geared towards seniors who have never used computers before or who have only a basic knowledge of computers. Each learner is partnered with a community volunteer tutor and, after completing a computer skills self-assessment, works on basic skills such as using a mouse, saving files, searching the Internet, and setting up an email account.
Books For Babies
A baby board book is given to all North Okanagan-Shuswap families with newborns through the public health unit. Families also receive community information about available literacy programs for parents and children.
Thanks to Salmon Arm Honda, The Book Lady, Sicamous Legion Branch #99, and the IODE for helping to make this program a reality in 2012.