Friends of Literacy

Newsletter

A publication of

Whatcom Literacy Council

April 2014

Farewell, Jessica Hilburn!

Jessica

It is with mixed feelings that we say farewell to Jessica Hilburn. A feeling of sadness to see her go, and yet happiness to see Jessica extending her career boundaries. As the Adult Literacy Program Coordinator, Jessica has been a valuable asset in the growth and integrity of the Whatcom Literacy Council. We will miss her dearly!

Below, is a letter from Jessica:

Dear WLC friends,

It has been a true pleasure to serve as the Adult Literacy Program coordinator for the last six and half years. I remain inspired by the courage and fortitude that our learners demonstrate as they work towards their goals. I am equally in awe of WLC tutors and staff members that give so much of their time and energy in helping learners become self-sufficient. I am honored to have been part of a team that has helped so many people in our local community.

I will continue in the work of learner advocacy at the Bellingham Goodwill Job Training and Education Center in a full time position as a case manager. I plan to stay in touch with the WLC staff and hope to hear updates about your tutoring experience.

With deep appreciation,
Jessica Hilburn

In This Issue

Adult Literacy Program Coordinator Position

MANGO Languages

Tutor & Learner Spotlight

18th Annual Trivia Bee & Silent Auction a Success!

April is Poetry Month

Quick Links

Links on Literacy

www.usalearns.org

USA Learns is a great way to learn English online by watching interesting videos and completing educational activities.

Tutors - We Need Your Reports!

Just a reminder to all of you wonderful tutors that we need to receive a report from you

each month to keep us up to date on how things are going with your learner. Please take a few minutes to click here and send us a report on all of the good work you do!

Computer Available at Bellingham Public Library

A laptop computer is available at the Bellingham Public Library for tutors to use with learners on-site during tutoring sessions. Please check with the reference librarian on the main floor to check out the computer. You will need to identify yourself as a WLC tutor.

Adult Literacy Program Coordinator Position

While we search for a new Adult Literacy Program Coordinator, Rebecca Creech-Huynh will be filling in temporarily to help provide seamless service to our tutors and learners during our search. Rebecca has been volunteering with the Whatcom Literacy Council for over 2 years and some of you may remember her stepping up to substitute as the English Language Learner Program Coordinator while Summer Ostlund was on maternity leave. We are excited to welcome Rebecca (affectionately known as "Becca") back in her temporary coordinator role!

MANGO Languages at Whatcom County Library Systems

An interactive online language-learning system available for free for all Whatcom County Library System patrons. Learners can practice English with narration in their native tongue through ESL courses taught in 15 different languages. This program is ideal for beginners or low-intermediate learners who are literate in their home language. Tutors can also use this program to study another language (57 foreign languages available).

To access Mango Languages:

Go to www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org
Click on Research Tools
Click on Premium Content
Click on Mango Languages
Enter your library card number and PIN
If you are a first-time user, you will need to sign up (create an account)

Tutor & Learner Spotlight

Stephanie A.

We are so impressed with how hard (tutor) Stephanie A. is working to find appropriate and beneficial materials to use to create a meaningful experience for her one-to-one English language learner Nancy. Over the past year Stephanie and Nancy have gotten to know each other and have really connected. Stephanie described Nancy by saying "She's like my adopted daughter!" Stephanie has incorporated practice

Nancy

items into sessions that are from her learner's life such as recipes, first communion invitations and stories about the learner's work and life experiences. They've even met at the grocery store practicing English necessary for shopping. This is the magic of the one-to-one tutoring relationship - tailoring study to exactly what the learner needs to meet their goals. Thank you to Stephanie A.!

18th Annual Trivia Bee & Silent Auction a Success!

We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped the Whatcom Literacy Council put on an exciting and successful Trivia Bee & Silent Auction.

Special thanks to co-hosts Ken Jennings, JEOPARDY! King and Scotty VanDryver, KAFE 104.1 Radio Host.

We would also like to thank our volunteer judges Deborra Garrett, Whatcom Superior Court Judge, Bob Keller, WWU Professor Emeritus, and Jason Gauer, BP Cherry Point Engineer.

Thank you to Lizzie Jackson, Miss Whatcom County, for selling raffle tickets.

Thanks much to our stalwart volunteers, board members, and staff who all dedicated their evening to support the Whatcom Literacy Council.

Cheers to all of the teams and to the crowd for their exuberant participation. And congratulations to the local law firm Adelstein, Sharpe & Serka's team "The Foreign Legion IV: Breaking Dawn" who were the winners of the Bee for the 4th year in a row!

THANK YOU so much for your support in helping to create an extraordinary and fun-filled event!

April is Poetry Month!

Roses are red. Violets are blue.

If you're a tutor or classroom facilitator,

maybe incorporate a poem or two.

Bad Weather Policy

The Whatcom Literacy Council main office will be closed if Bellingham Technical College (BTC) is closed and/or if Bellingham Public Schools are closed. Please call 360-752-8766 for BTC closure updates. You may also call Bellingham Public Schools at 360-676-6400 to check the status of school schedules.

Send Us Your Stories and Photos!

Please send us your stories and/or photos of any accomplishments or experiences that you would like us to highlight in future newsletters.

If you have any questions or need help, please contact us at (360) 752-8678 or by email:

Katherine Freimund, Executive Director - director@whatcomliteracy.org

Summer Ostlund, English Language Learning (ELL) Coordinator - summer@whatcomliteracy.org

Rebecca Creech-Huynh, Interim Adult Learning Program (ALP) Coordinator - becca@whatcomliteracy.org

Keeley Savatgy, Small Group Coordinator - keeley@whatcomliteracy.org

Omar Jordan, Office Support & Events Coordinator - omar@whatcomliteracy.org