“Some people wish they could have a million dollars. I wish I could read.”
Rick, an adult literacy student. LITSTART, 1999
From the Desk of the Program Manager
Best wishes for your happiness throughout the Holiday season!
Are you confused about the population that LVGS serves and how we determine who is eligible for our services? LVGS’ mission statement is:
We teach people how to read, write, and speak English. We do that by:
• Training lay people to tutor using one-on-one or small group instruction;
• Having a collaborative tutoring model which is student-centered;
• Providing literacy services in the workplace; and
• Serving primarily adults aged sixteen and older functioning at or below the 6th grade level.
LVGS students must be out of school if they are under 21.
A detailed description of whom we serve, and how, is available on our web site here under How We Work.
LVGS is not required to collect social security numbers or any financial information from potential students, nor are we obligated to determine immigration status. LVGS follows guidelines established by our state association, Literacy NY, for student intake procedures and takes great care to ask our students for information that will help inform instruction. We always endeavor to demonstrate cultural responsiveness in all that we do, and do not proselytize. It is agency policy that all LVGS students must sign an LVGS Student Agreement outlining our respective rights and responsibilities at intake.
We recognize how challenging being a LVGS tutor can be, but hope that the satisfaction you gain always outweighs the difficulties that you may experience. Keep in mind that our door is always open, and the staff at LVGS is here to help. Thank you for everything that you do to help improve the life of our community through literacy.
Happy Holidays,
Robin
Announcements
LVGS Fundraising Event at UNO Chicago Grill
UNO Chicago Grill Carousel will host a fund raiser to benefit LVGS on Sunday, Dec. 4! Take a time-out from your holiday shopping and enjoy a meal at UNO. When you present the attached coupon, LVGS will receive a donation of a portion of the sales we generate.
Please print coupons here, distribute them to your friends, family members, and colleagues, and spend a day holiday shopping while benefitting the community!
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Hand Made Quilt Raffle
In the spring of 2009, Liverpool resident Ann Alger was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She chose to dedicate her remaining time to a project that she named Quilts 4 Charity, creating quilts to benefit nonprofit organizations in our community. LVGS is offering raffle coupons for a beautiful quilt, Lovebird Lane, for $5 each, 5 for $20, 10 for $40, 20 for $50, or 50 for $100, from now until February 17, 2012. The quilt was made for LVGS and can be viewed on our website, or in our office where it currently displayed.
The winner will be drawn at LVGS SCRABBLE Mania on Friday, February 17, 2012 at the Syracuse University Sheraton. To purchase raffle coupons, click here, where you have the option to print the coupon and mail it with your check to LVGS, 2111 S. Salina St., Syracuse NY 13205, or click the button to register and purchase raffle coupons on line.
You do not have to be present to win, as long as your contact information on the coupon is complete.
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SCRABBLE Mania
It’s almost time for the second annual LVGS SCRABBLE Mania fundraising event! The 2011 event was very successful and a good time was had by all, and we expect to 2012 to be even more exciting!
This year’s event will be held at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center on February 17th at 5:30 PM. Through generous support from Scholaro, Shulman, Cohen, Fetter & Berstein, LVGS will be able to offer a limited number of free tickets to tutors and students interested in attending as our guests. Event details can be viewed here. Tickets will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
SCRABBLE Mania Volunteers
Volunteers will also be needed to help at the upcoming SCRABBLE Mania event being held on February 17th at the University Sheraton. If you, a family member, or friend are able to help, please contact Betsy at LVGS by calling 471-1300, or emailing office@lvgs.org
We hope to see you there!
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Don’t forget to complete your November Tutor Reflection Report
Take a few minutes and visit here to complete your November report. It is important that we hear from all tutors, every month- regardless of whether any tutoring takes place.
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Featured Student
Each month LVGS provides information on a “featured” student. Featured students will generally be chosen based on time on the waiting list, location, and number of inquiries to the office about status of a tutor. Currently, LVGS has almost 100 students waiting for a tutor.
Mulija
Mulija is a Bosnian immigrant, married to a US citizen. She came to the US in 2004. She was initially tested using the Best Plus oral exam and scored a SPL1. With the help of her tutor, Maquel Katzer, Mulija has since improved her English and begun testing on the TABE written exam.
Maquel is expecting a baby and will not be able to work with Mulija beginning January 2012. She does not want Mulija’s progress to be interrupted and has asked LVGS to find another tutor to take her place. Mulija is available weekdays after 4pm and anytime on the weekend. She prefers to meet in East Syracuse.
Contact the office at office@lvgs.org or call 471-1300 if you are interested in working with the featured student.
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LVGS Students to be Sworn in as Citizens
Two LVGS students will be sworn in as US Citizens on December 15, 2011.
Congratulations are in order for Kholida Bilalova (LVGS NYACCE 2010 Student of the Year) and Frezeta Zulic and their respective tutors, Daisy Fried and Kay Harvey. This will be a proud moment for the students and their tutors, and serves as a shining example of the impact you, as volunteers, have on the lives of those you commit to serving.
Look for pictures in next month’s newsletter and on the LVGS website www.lvgs.org
Congratulations Kholida, Frezeta, Daisy, and Kay!
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Upcoming Citizenship Workshop
If you are interested in knowing more about how you can help your student to achieve their dream of attaining US Citizenship, watch for information on a future Citizenship tutor Workshop to be hosted by LVGS.
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Student Opportunities & Resources
Tutors and students are welcome to use the computer lab at the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (SEOC) in downtown Syracuse.
Beginning September 12th, the SEOC is offering free tutoring every Monday – Thursday from 12 noon to 6pm. Tutoring takes place in the Learning Lab and all adults are welcome. Learners do NOT need to be enrolled in an EOC program, and no appointment is necessary.
Please contact Betsy or Robin for more information. Click here to learn more about the SEOC or for directions.
On Friday, September 30th, LVGS launched a computer-based pilot program for LVGS students. The program helps students learn to use a computer and navigate the web. Students learn to use web tools to help them with things such as applying for a job and reading. The program is primarily a navigational tool designed to help students seek out internet resources, including web-based literacy programs. A team of Syracuse University Literacy Corp students, trained by LVGS, will assist any LVGS students each Friday afternoon between 1:00 and 3:00 pm at Beauchamp Library, 2nd floor, on a first-come, first-served basis. We are excited to extend this learning opportunity to any student who is interested. If you think your student would benefit from computer instruction, please refer them to this program.
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Tutor & Professional Development Opportunities
Culturegrams
Thanks to our Literacy NY affiliates, Culturegrams are now available online by logging in using the information below. Click on World Edition and the country of your choice.
User ID: usa Password: usa
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Are you interested in Learner Web tutor training?
Learner Web helps students learn to use a computer and navigate the web. Students learn to use web tools to help them with things such as applying for a job and reading. The program is primarily a navigational tool designed to help students seek out internet resources, including web-based literacy programs.
LVGS is expanding the Learner Web to include individual tutors and their students. If your student has expressed an interest in developing computer skills or you think they may benefit from the Learner Web program, please contact Robin at LVGS for more information rmorgan@lvgs.org Tutor training is self-paced and completed online.
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Strategy of the Month
The December strategy of the month involves using a free online program called Puzzlemaker. Tutors can create puzzles and word games using words their students already know, in addition to adding new words from recent lessons. This free website comes highly recommended by our Literacy Buffalo affiliates.
