Raise A Reader 2022

www.kamloopsthisweek.com

WEDNESDAY, September 21, 2022

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Donate online at WWW.RAISEAREADER.CA

BECOMING A DIGITAL LEARNER Fiona Clare, Literacy Outreach Coordinator (LOC) Kamloops

website attracted her attention.

Sara contacted Nakita Gideon-Syme, the program co-ordinator, and received f you had thought you were too old training. She was then matched with to text, download an app or surf her new learners — Bob and Pat. the net, the past two years probably When asked what they liked changed that thinking for you. about the program, both replied, Suddenly, you had to talk to your “Well, we just love Sarah!” doctor on Zoom, download the ArriveCan They also like that they can ask app to get back into the country and their own questions, set their own scan your vaccine card to eat out. goals, work on their own devices at The pandemic forced us all our own pace and that it’s free. to become digital learners. To The first thing Sarah did was to make participate fully in society, digital the font size bigger on their devices. literacy is the new essential skill.

They then learned how to text. Now So, when Bob and Pat King, they can text their three children, both in their 80s, saw the ad for a none of whom live here, and feel more free digital literacy program in The connected to family and friends.

Senior’s Connector, they thought, “Our kids are totally impressed “What have we got to lose?” that we are doing this,” Pat said.

They both have iPads, share a cellphone Both agree they have gained more and have a desktop computer and a confidence using their devices and laptop at home. When asked what are more interested in learning about they were having trouble with, their all the things they can do on them. answer was succinct” “Everything!”

Bob is quite impressed with all the Sarah Woyken, recently graduated apps, including Google maps and from SFU, new to Kamloops and Google calendar, and couldn’t believe working part-time, decided she wanted there is a compass on his phone. to get more involved in education and After learning together in the give back to the community. A tutors downtown library for an hour or so wanted ad on the Volunteer Kamloops each week, Bob and Pat take Sarah for

I

THANK YOU

to our

Sponsors

Need digital literacy help?

• We offer FREE one to one tutoring for adults!

• Support with smartphones, tablets, computers, and other digital devices

For more information or to register

778-257-9223 | kamloopspal@gmail.com

LB22003

Need digital literacy help? We Offer FREE one to one tutoring for adults! Support with smartphones, tablets, computers and other digital devices For more information or to register call 778-257-9223 or email kamloopspal@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, September 21, 2022

www.kamloopsthisweek.com

MAKE A DIFFERENCE T Providing the tools to help children & families

Donate onlin

SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE Barbara Maher, LOC Chase

E

arlier this year, KTW published an article about an act of kindness from one of the bus drivers in Chase that has since gone viral. The story is a good reminder that everyone has the power to change a life.

School District 73 bus driver Randy Trowsse is part of a prestigious club with some unlikely friends.

Randy and his “buddy,” 8-year-old Haldane elementary student Leif Erickson have created a bus ride book club, the first of its kind in the district.

The idea was born as Randy and Leif chatted during their usual ride to pick up the next students.

Leif is the first stop of the day for Randy and lives on a remote logging road, which makes for a slow, 10-minute drive to the next stop. Leif mentioned to his driver that he didn’t like to read.

Book buddies Randy Trowsse (right) and Leif Erickson.

“After thinking about it, I was left wondering how I could help,” said Randy. “I had a conversation with my wife and how the thought of a book club might interest him.”

The plan would entail Leif choosing a book and reading it with his dad at bedtime. He would then bring the book to Randy to read the following day. On the long and bumpy ride home, the two would discuss the book.

Thus, Thumper’s Book Club was born — Thumper referring to the name of the bus.

“When I first heard about the book club from Randy, I thought it was a great idea,” said Ryan Erickson, the child’s father. “Leif is normally a very hyper child who loves his electronics and playing outside. He was never much for reading, especially with me. But since the start of the club, I have noticed that his reading has improved quite a bit and his confidence is going up as well.”

What began as a dynamic duo reading short stories has blossomed into more challenging reads like chapter books and the addition of a third eager member, Haldane student Taryn August.

Chase Literacy Program helps by supplying books for the newly formed club.

“We hope to work with these enthusiastic readers to help others by rating the books they have read,” said Barbara Maher, literacy outreach co-ordinator for Chase Literacy.

Family Literacy Week in January Follow Chase Literacy Program’s Facebook page for its monthly ratings.

Unplug and

PROMOTING TRADITIONAL EARLY LEARNING Kerry Milner-Cairns, LOC Clearwater

“The annual Postmedia Raise-a- Reader fundraiser plays an integral part in enhancing social wellbeing and quality of life in our community,” said Kerry Milner Cairns, literacy outreach coordinator for the Clearwater area, working under Yellowhead Community Services (YCS).

“All Raise-a-Reader funds donated in our area are matched, in whole or in part, by government and national corporate sponsors. Raise-a-Reader funding is used to support this outreach program through wages and program supplies.”

One of the YCS programs that benefits from Raisea-Reader funding is the no-cost Indigenous Early Years Program called Community Cultural Connections, facilitated by service provider Cindy Wilgosh.

“The activities focus on Indigenous and nonIndigenous children, their caregivers and families who want to learn more about different Indigenous cultures,”

Unplug and Family Literacy Week in January

said Wilgosh. “This includes building awareness of the importance of early childhood development while also engaging the community in taking part. We enrich community resources for the benefit of our young children and provide more opportunities for families to access available resources. We are committed to supporting and promoting the importance of traditional ways of early learning, through play, songs, stories and drumming for the healthy development and wellbeing of all Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children, their families and their communities.”

Wilgosh provides cultural programming to Early Years children in many communities in the North Thompson Valley at weekly playgroups and via licensed childcare programs. Wilgosh makes regular visits to programs for children and families in Blue River, Vavenby and Barriere. She also holds gatherings for families and participates in numerous community events. Takehome craft bags containing dream catchers, medicine

GET

“UNPLUGGED”

TODAY Read Colour Walk Skip Sing Dance bags, song sheets, Michif colouring pages (with traditional language words in English Cree-Michif ) and Play Visit traditional food recipe cards are available to families.

Wilgosh’s Connection Circles Write continue to provide Drum new and unique ways to connect with children and Bake Paint families in the area who also receive take-home activity packs that provide nutritional support.

“Raise-a-Reader funding is a major contributor in enhancing the YCS Indigenous Early Years Program,” said Wilgosh.

For more info,and and and Unplug Unplug GetUnplug “Unplugged today” contact your local Move Read

Build Explore

Family Literacy Week in January

Learn Reflect

CELEBRATE! Family Literacy Week in January

Literacy Outreach Family Literacy Week Coordinator in January

WEDNESDAY, September 21, 2022

www.kamloopsthisweek.com

TODAY BY HELPING RAISE A READER

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PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

improve their literacy skills is an investment in our community and our future

ne at WWW.RAISEAREADER.CA

KIDS GROW THEIR OWN FOOD THANKS TO RAISEA-READER SUPPORT

SOCKS FOR LITERACY

Jill Hayward, LOC Barriere

of the judges for the contest, along with Barriere Mayor Ward arriere youngsters Stamer, and Barriere developed green Coun. Donna Kibble. thumbs this year “We visited gardens all thanks to Barriere Blooms over and were all amazed Kids Garden Contest. at how well the children It was sponsored by had done planting and Yellowhead Community growing their gardens,” Services’ Barriere and Hayward said.

Area Literacy Outreach, “It was obvious they with funding provided had greatly enjoyed this by the Postmedia Raiseunique approach to Family Literacy Week family literacy, showing a-Reader program. in January “Thanks to our 2021 great enthusiasm about September Raise-awhat they had learned Reader fundraiser, we and the plants they chose were able to utilize funds to grow, which was all for a brand new initiative. combined with much We purchased gardening tasting of the vegetables books, specifically written and fruits they had for youngsters, and proudly produced. We provided gift certificates will definitely repeat this so the children could program next year.” purchase the plants and If you would like seeds they needed to start to learn more about up their gardens,” said the Raise-a-Reader Barriere literacy outreach program in the Barriere co-ordinator Jill Hayward. area and how you can “We wanted to help, call or message support the children’s Hayward at 250-319own initiatives while 8023 or call Yellowhead helping them learn about Community Services healthy living, sustainable in Barriere at 250-672gardening and how to 9773. You can also find grow their own food.” the organization on Hayward said she Facebook/Barriere and was invited to be one Area Literacy Outreach.

B

Unplug and

GET

“UNPLUGGED” TODAY Read Colour Walk Skip Sing Dance Play Visit Write Drum Bake Paint

Unplug and

Unplug and

Family Literacy Week in January

GET

Family Literacy Week in January

“UNPLUGGED”

GET

“UNPLUGGED”

TODAY TODAY Read Colour Read Colour Walk Skip Walk Skip Sing Dance Sing Dance Play Visit Play Visit Write Drum Write Drum Jill Hayward photo Bake Paint Bake Paint Barriere youngsters proudly show the gardens they planted and

GET YOUR SOCKS NOW!

WARM • SOFT • ITCH-FREE • MOISTURE-WICKING

Proceeds support local literacy programs

Sponsored by:

In partnership with:

I

grew from scratch thanks to Raise-a- Reader funding provided through Yellowhead Community Services' Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach.

Learn more about literacy programs in your community BARRIERE

250-319-8023 Jill.h@yellowheadcs.ca

CHASE

250-320-5051 literacyinchase@gmail.com

CLEARWATER

250-674-3530 (ext.102) Kerry.c@yellowheadcs.ca

KAMLOOPS

250-319-9653 literacyinkamloops@gmail.com

LOGAN LAKE

250-318-3561 loganlakeliteracy@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, September 21, 2022

ENTERING KINDERGARTEN WITH CONFIDENCE Crystal Murgatroyd, Family Outreach Coordinator and Marianne Vande Pol, District Early Years Coordinator

www.kamloopsthisweek.com

During the past two years, the Kamloops Early Language and Literacy Initiative has partnered with School District 73 to pilot a new program to strengthen early years to kindergarten transitions. The program is called Kindergarten on the Loose with Mother Goose.

but what makes the difference is when all adults who care for that child work together to ensure the child is strong, prepared and ready for kindergarten.

During the past two years, the Kamloops Early Language and Literacy tarting kindergarten is an important Initiative (KELLI) has partnered milestone, full of mixed emotions for with School District 73 to pilot a children and their parents/caregivers. new program to strengthen early Ideally, we want the experience to be years to kindergarten transitions. smooth for our four- and five-year-olds.

The program is called Kindergarten We want to build confidence and a joy on the Loose with Mother Goose. of learning and we want to see our new Following the basic principles of the kindergarteners with big smiles on their Parent-Child Mother Goose Program, the faces at the end of each school day. power of songs, rhymes and oral stories The family is the most important is shared to introduce kindergarten force in preparing children for school, routines prior to the families’ own

S

BECOME A

school journey. Families get to meet, talk and play with school staff and peers and schools are better prepared to welcome kindergarten students.

After participating in Kindergarten on the Loose with Mother Goose, children often recognize songs, rhymes and stories that can help with comfort, transitions and confidence.

“We do not personally know anyone with kids going to kindergarten at the same school, so it was great for my daughter to see faces and other kids that she will meet when she starts school,” one parent said. “It’s made her excited and a little less worried about making friends. She also liked getting

ONE TO ONE VOLUNTEER TUTOR

to see who her teachers might be and what the classrooms would look like.”

KELLI and SD73 want to ensure that everyone is Strong, Prepared and Ready for Kindergarten (S.P.A.R.K.).

If you have a child entering kindergarten, do not wait to register.

Doing so early ensures you have access to all school district S.P.A.R.K programming, including kindergarten orientations, welcome packages and participation in the Kindergarten on the Loose with Mother Goose groups. Registration for kindergarten opens at the end of January for schools of choice and in early February for all neighbourhood schools.

Kindergarten, here we come!

TRAINING DATES MONDAY September 26 9 am – 12 noon

WEDNESDAY October 5 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Henry Grube Education Centre

Contact Cami at 250.573.1785 | one2one.kamloops@gmail.com