News & Views May June 2007

News & Views www.nald.ca/thelearningexchange Issue 37

Editor/Layout Designer Darlene Brown

May/June 2007

HOW TO CONTACT US Darlene Brown Executive Director

Celebration 2007

Karen Mockler Administrative Assistant

Christina Vourakis Social Committee

Jacklyn Freedman-Spector Communications Director

The Learning Exchange is giving a party to honour our volunteers and students. The party will take place on Wednesday, May 30th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria. If you plan to attend, please contact Karen at the office.

3200 Souvenir Blvd. room D-110 Chomedey Laval, Quebec.

Phone: 450-688-2933 ext. 3126 Fax: 450-688-8125 E-mail: [email protected]

TLE’s BOOK SALE

Web site:

Come browse our book cart near the Cafeteria on Tuesday, May 8th from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. TLE’s final book sale of the year will be on Tuesday, June 5th. All books will be selling for fifty cents each.

www.nald.ca/thelearningexchange

Excellence in Literacy

Hugs to our TLE Volunteers!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President’s Message

2

From the E.D.’s Desk

2

Karen’s Corner

2

TLE’s Annual Retreat

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PGI Golf Tournament

3

Book Club News

3

Join our PR Team

4

Website Link

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Gift of Reading

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May Calendar

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June Calendar

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Darlene Brown Executive Director

During Volunteer Appreciation Week in April, TLE honored their volunteers with “Cake & Coffee” get-togethers during the week. TLE members gathered to thank volunteers and show their appreciation. Some students wrote poems or notes and a class prepared a Power Point presentation for everyone to see. “You’re a DOLL!!” thank you cards were also handmade for all volunteers to show how we truly thank and appreciate all of our volunteers here at the center!!!

TLE Literacy Sponsors & Supporters: •

MERCK FROSST EMPLOYEES’ CHARITY TRUST FUND

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LAVAL ROTARY CLUB

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CANADA POST

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CASCADES FINE PAPER GROUP

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LIBRARIE RAFFIN

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THOMAS MULCAIR MNA

President’s Message Donna Adrian President

It is spring; yet, we are still waiting for the tulips, daffodils and iris to bloom, the geese, robins and other birds to return, and the trees to again turn green. As I write this, I am looking at snow falling and trees bending in the wind. It is discouraging, after such a long winter, not to have spring, with its warmth and beauty. The TLE year is coming to a close. I hope that you have not too often been discouraged, and that the new skills you have learned will encourage you to continue with your studies. I wish you all an enjoyable and restful summer break, and look forward to seeing you again in the fall.

TLE Board of Directors: •

Donna Adrian

President

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Mona Arsenault

Past President

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Christiane Dabbagh

Vice-President

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Beth Green

Secretary

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Valerie Sauriol

Treasurer

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Alice Sroka-Fillion

Director

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Nancy Pilato

Director

TLE Staff:

From the Executive Director’s Desk Darlene Brown Executive Director

I’d like to welcome our two latest tutors to TLE. Congratulations to Warren and J for the completion of their Tutor Training and in recently being matched with students. Welcome! I’d also like to congratulate Beverly Beauchamp for her outstanding work as a volunteer not only with us but with other organizations within the community over the years. TLE has nominated her for the Laval Volunteer Award. A ceremony will be taking place on Tuesday May 1st where the winners will be announced. Good luck Beverly!! Well spring is upon us once again… which means we are almost at the end of another school year. Just like last year, we think we’re going to be moving but we’re not sure where or when exactly! Right now, it looks like we’ll have to pack everything up in June and our things will be moved during the summer. Once we get word of the move we will need volunteers to help us pack. We’ll need extra hands to help out!

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We are asking students and volunteers to kindly return all books and resources (except for workbooks) the week of June 18th. This year, TLE will be closing for the summer once we start packing or on June 22nd (whichever comes first!). If we have to pack and move, TLE will not be accessible to members in the summer for tutorials. If you and your tutor/student are interested in continuing over the summer holidays please call the office for information or we can assist in arranging your tutorial to take place at the local library.

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Darlene Brown

Executive Director

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Karen Mockler

Administrative Assistant

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Jacklyn Freedman-Spector

Communications Director

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Diane Richard

Financial Officer

Karen’s Corner Karen Mockler Administrative Assistant

Happy Spring! Volunteers please don’t forget to hand-in your volunt e e r / tutoring hours. Our end of year party will be held on Wednesday, May 30th at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria. I will be sending out a notice later on but thought perhaps you could mark this date on your calendar. Thanks!

NEWS & VIEWS

ISSUE 37

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TLE’s Retreat Weekend Alice Sroka-Fillion TLE Board Director

Retreat, which this year took place on April 14th and 15th, at The Willow Place Inn's Anchorage House in Hudson, QC.

TLE Board of Directors, including members of the Communications, Family Literacy, and Library Organization teams, met for their Annual

Ann Gauvin graciously agreed to be our animator again this year. She has been deeply committed to our retreats for close to ten years now. With her expert guidance, committee members were easily able to define their action plans for the coming year. Tabatha once again had agreed to be our working hostess, giving up her

weekend to set up our meetings, meals, and breaks. We exchanged information, worked on action plans, discussed our future Website in the making, and attended an instructive Library Workshop, given by Kate Strickland. A special “Thank You” to Ann (aka “Winnie”), as well as to everyone involved, for making this retreat weekend a huge success!

The PETER GZWOSKI INVITATIONAL Golf Tournament Darlene Brown QELA President

The “PGI” golf tournament is being held this year in Cowansville at the Cowansville Golf Course on Friday May 25th. Golf breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start (Vegas 4-person style) at 10:00 a.m. Golf tickets are $150 each, which includes breakfast, fees, prizes,

cart, and an after-golf dinner. CBC Radio will be broadcasting live from the golf course. We are thrilled to have as this year’s Poet Laureate L. Ian MacDonald and CBC personality Mark Kelley as keynote at our gala benefit dinner May 24th at the Quilliam Inn. In addition, a silent auction will take place at both dinner events. We are looking for golfers, hole sponsors, auction donations and volunteers to help. All proceeds go to the Quebec

English Literacy Alliance of which The Learning Exchange and Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board are members, along with the other Quebec literacy councils and school boards. This is an important fund raising event considering QELA’s funding was affected 100% by the Federal budget cuts! Come on out or donate an item to show your support! Please contact TLE for more information or to register. Hope to see you there!!

Book Club News Beverly Beauvais Volunteer

TLE’s Reading Circle meets on Tuesday, May 8th at 7:30 p.m. to discuss “Zorba the Greek” by Nikos Kazantzakis, with dis-

cussion leader Beth Green and special guest Evangelina Tsalkidou. We have chosen the Canada Reader winner “Lullabies for Little Criminals” by Heather O’Neill for our final meeting of the season on

Thursday the 7th of June at 7:30 p.m. The discussion will be led by Hélène Demers, Erica Axani, Davy –Belle McMorran, Cathy Paczos and Beverly Beauvais.

Watch for our newly-designed web site coming soon….

NEWS & VIEWS

Join TLE’s Public Relations Team Mona Arsenault Public Relations Team

We’re on the web! www.nald.ca/thelearningexchange

Great Website ● Here’s a great computer tutorial site discovered by one of our tutors Alice Sroka-Fillion ● If you need help to learn the mouse, keyboard and computer screen try the link below

www.bbc.co.uk/computertutor

Getting The Learning Exchange’s name out to the public and informing people about the kind of work we do, is an interesting but challenging job. We contact the newspapers, Family Literacy Committee meeting: schools, community groups, post notices on bulletin boards, and Left to Right: Beth, Davy-Belle, Bevtry to be “seen” anywhere that we can get our message out. September 8, 2007 is International Literacy Day. This is a great opportunity for us to spread the word about TLE and literacy awareness in general. We are looking for volunteers, tutors, and students who would be interested in helping. Are you interested? Maybe you even have a story to share about your experience?! Our newly formed Public Relations Team is looking for members to join. You can help!!! For more information please call Karen at 450-688-2933 extension 3126.

Give the Gift of Reading Yes! I want to help support TLE’s literacy efforts. I’m enclosing my donation of: $10

$15

$20

$25

Name & address of donor:

Other $ ——— *Receipt

Excellence in Literacy 2006/2007 Name & address for gift/donation notice:

*Receipt If you would like to make a gift of literacy in someone’s name or memory please include his/her name and address with this reply card and we will send them a gift/donation notice.

Please return this reply card along with your donation to The Learning Exchange. TLE’s charitable number is 89335 1767 RR 0001. Make cheque payable to The Learning Exchange. *Please indicate with a checkmark which name and address for the receipt. Librarie Raffin

May 2007 The Learning Exchange 3200 boul. du Souvenir, Chomedey, Laval, Quebec. H7V 1W9

Excellence in Literacy

May is Asian Heritage Month May 18th is International Museums Day

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

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Finance Committee Meeting Jack Astor’s 6 PM

Book sale 11:30 -1 PM Book Club 7:30 PM

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MELS Curriculum Reform Laval Sheraton

MELS Curriculum Reform Laval Sheraton

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QLWG Meeting PGI Dinner Quilliams Inn

PGI Golf Tournament QAAL AGM Cowansville 8:30 Knowlton community Center

Karen’s birthday… Did I say that out loud again?!

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13 Mother’s Day

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QELA Executive Meeting 9 AM MESB

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TLE BOD Meeting 1 PM

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TLE closed Victoria Day

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SIT-SAT Show & Tell 9:30

TLE Celebration 2007 6:30 PM

SWL Graduation Ceremonies Chateau Royale

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Schedule of Events for May 2007 May 7 Finance Committee Meeting: Jack Astor’s 6 PM ~ Finance committee members May 8 • Book Sale: 11:30 to 1:00 near the cafeteria ~ General public • Book Club: 7:30 PM ~ Book Club Readers May 10 QELA Executive Meeting: MESB 9 AM ~ Executive Director May 15 TLE BOD Meeting: room D-110 at 1 PM ~ Board of Directors & Executive Director May 17 & 18 MELS Curriculum Reform: Laval Sheraton ~ Executive Director May 24 • QLWG Meeting: Quilliams Inn, Cowansville 9AM ~ QLWG representative • PGI Dinner fundraiser for QELA: Quilliams Inn, Cowansville ~ public event (ticket required) May 25 QELA PGI Golf Tournament: Cowansville Golf Course 8:30 AM ~ public event (registration) May 26 QAAL AGM: Knowlton Community Center ~ QAAL members

Phone: 450-688-2933 ext. 3126 Fax: 450-688-8125 E-mail: [email protected] www.nald.ca/thelearningexchange

May 29 Sit-Sat Show & Tell: Pearson Adult Career Centre 9:30 ~ Sit Sat members May 30 Celebration 2007: School Cafeteria (D-129) 6:30 PM ~ TLE members May 31 SWL Graduation Ceremonies: Chateau Royale ~ SWL staff & grads

Excellence in Literacy All events are held at 3200 Souvenir blvd. in room D-110 unless otherwise noted. Dates and times may have to change! Please call TLE to sign-up for all events. Remember to check with Karen for any changes!

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June 2007 The Learning Exchange 3200 boul. du Souvenir, Chomedey, Laval, Quebec. H7V 1W9

Excellence in Literacy

June 21 is National Aboriginal Day June 27 is Canadian Multiculturalism Day

Sun

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Mon

4

Tue

5

Wed

6

Book sale 11:30 -1 PM

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11

12

Thu

7

Fri

Sat

1

2

8

9

15

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Book Club 7:30 PM

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14

PACTE Final Report

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18

Father’s Day

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25

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Deadline to return books

QLWG Meeting

LLC-Q/LVQ Meeting

Last day of classes

Centre closes

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27

St-Jean Baptiste

Have a great Summer!

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Multiculturalism Day

Schedule of Events for June 2007 June 5 • Book Sale: 11:30 to 1:00 near the cafeteria ~ General public

June 7 • Book Club: 7:30 PM ~ Book Club Readers

June 20 • QLWG Meeting: TBA 9AM ~ QLWG representatives

Phone: 450-688-2933 ext. 3126 Fax: 450-688-8125 E-mail: [email protected] www.nald.ca/thelearningexchange

June 21 • LLC-Q/LVQ Meeting: MESB 9 AM ~ Executive Director

Excellence in Literacy All events are held at 3200 boul. du Souvenir in room D-110 unless otherwise noted. Dates and times may have to change! Please call TLE to sign-up for all events. Remember to check with Karen for any changes!

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