Source:

Elections BC website accessed July 2, 2008 http://www.elections.bc.ca/map/edmap1999/ekt.html

School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay)

2015/2016 District Literacy Plan

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TASK GROUP MEMBERS……………………………………………………………………………………………. 3

TASK GROUP ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION ....................................................................... 5

COMMUNITY CONTEXT ........................................................................................................................ 5

COLLABORATIONS………………….…………………………………………………………………………… ...... 6

2014/2015 GOALS ELK VALLEY ...................................................................................................... 8

2014/2015 GOALS CRANBROOK ……………………………………………………………… .................. 10

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PLAN .......................................................................................................... 11

INDICATIONS OF SUCCESS……………………………………………………………………………………….. 12

CHALLENGES…………………………..………………………………………………………………………………. 12

2015/2016 COMMUNITY LITERACY GOALS-ELK VALLEY……………………………………. ..... 14

2015/2016 COMMUNITY LITERACY GOALS-CRANBROOK………………………………………. 16

REQUIREMENTS FOR MEETING OUR GOALS…………………………………………………………… . 18

HOW WILL WE MEASURE SUCCESS?........................................................................................... .. 18

REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................... 19

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Task Group

Who takes part in the task group?

School District 5 is divided into two areas each with their own regional task group: the Elk Valley with Electoral Districts A and B and Cranbrook with Electoral District C.

Elk Valley and Electoral District A and B

Community Literacy Advisory Committee 2015/2016 Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy Meghan Morton, Community Literacy

Coordinator Elk Valley, BC

College of the Rockies Leanne Caillier-Smith, ABE Instructor/Ed. Advisor

Fernie, BC

Elkford Early Years Committee Jennifer Cherney/Ravneet Gill, Elkford Early Years Coordinator

Elkford, BC

Elkford Public Library Diane Andrews, Head Librarian Elkford, BC Interior Health, Public Health Kelly Thies, Public Health Nurse Fernie, BC Sparwood Public Library Jim Bertoia, Head Librarian Sparwood, BC Sparwood Public Library Joanne Plesman, Library Assistant,

Children/Youth Services Coordinator Sparwood, BC

The Fernie Academy Natalie Fisher Fernie, BC Sparwood Early Years Committee Jillian Doey, Sparwood Early Years

Coordinator Sparwood, BC

Fernie Heritage Library Ani Hepher, Community Programmer Fernie, BC Fernie Early Years Committee Jodie Parker, Fernie Early Years

Coordinator Fernie, BC

Fernie Women’s Resource Centre Nicky Benzie Elk Valley, BC The Sparwood Food Bank Edie Holland Sparwood, BC District of Elkford Kelli Klein, Elkford Junior Council

Youth Representative Elkford, BC

Métis Society Ed Plessis Sparwood, BC

Jillian Doey-Elk Valley’s Champion for Literacy (From Fernie Free Press)

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Cranbrook and Electoral District C Community Literacy Advisory Committee 2015/2016

Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy Katherine Hough Community Literacy Coordinator

Cranbrook, BC

East Kootenay Children First Patricia Whalen – Coordinator Mary Noble - Coordinator

Cranbrook, BC

College of the Rockies Joy Brown – Program Chair, ABE Cranbrook, BC Cranbrook Public Library Deanne Perreault – Child & Youth

Librarian Cranbrook, BC

Infant Development Program Jackalin Lightfoot - Consultant Cranbrook, BC Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services Society

Charlene Sperling - Paq’mi Nuq’yuk Early Years Coordinator

Cranbrook, BC

One to One Reading Jean Samis - Coordinator Cranbrook, BC School District 5 Steve Rogers - Principal

Highlands Elementary School Cranbrook, BC

East Kootenay Employment / CMHA WorkBC

Robin Mann - Case Manager Cranbrook, BC

Cbk Youth Tara Woods Cranbrook, BC Community Connections of SET-BC Kim Levi Cranbrook, BC

Representatives from both regions sit at the District Literacy Planning Committee table to strategize at the district level.

List of Participating Individuals and Organizations

2015/2016 District Literacy Committee Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy Katherine Hough, Literacy Coordinator Cranbrook, BC Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy Meghan Morton, Literacy Coordinator Elk Valley, BC Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy Betty Knight, Regional Manager Brisco, BC East Kootenay Children First Patricia Whalen - Coordinator Cranbrook, BC School District 5 Diane Casault, Director of Instruction -

Student Learning Fernie, BC

School District 5 Debra Kennedy, Literacy Support Teacher

Cranbrook, BC

College of the Rockies Kim Buchan– Department Head Cranbrook, BC School District 5 Joe Pierre – Aboriginal Services Cranbrook, BC Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services Society

Charlene Sperling, Paq’mi Nuq’yuk EarlyYears Coordinator

Cranbrook, BC

WorkBC Amy Boeckner, Business Services Coordinator

Elk Valley, BC

One to One Reading Jean Samis Cranbrook, BC Cranbrook Public Library/Regional Library Representative

Deanne Perreault - Child & Youth Librarian

Cranbrook, BC

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How is the work of this group organized? Each regional task group (Cranbrook and Elk Valley) meets three times a year to:

• identify literacy needs in the community • form and/or assess collective community literacy goals • share successes and struggles and to brainstorm solutions • form partnerships and connect each other with people and resources

Task Groups:

• recognize and respect that organizations and institutions in the community have their own planning processes and goals

• address the 4 pillars: early learning success, school aged, adult, and Aboriginal literacy • gather information to be brought to the District Literacy Planning Committee • believe that, on their own, all members contribute to promoting literacy development in

the community but that by coming together to assist each other we can do so much more • develop working relationships within the community and take action together to support

literacy learning for people of all ages • keep abreast of other literacy initiatives within the community and the province • look for gaps in services in the District Literacy Plan and find partners to fill those gaps

The District Literacy Committee:

• reports to the School District • meets on a planned, regular schedule • has a district-wide point of view • looks for common literacy themes and goals that are district wide • identifies actions and potential partners with resources that can be brought together to

address District goals • writes the updated District Literacy Plan

Community context:

Elk Valley and Electoral Districts A and B:

The communities covered by the Elk Valley task group are Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Hosmer, Flathead Valley, Baynes Lake, Elko, Galloway, Grasmere, Jaffray, Koocanusa, Kragmont, Newgate, Rooseville, Rosen Lake, Tie Lake and the Tobacco Plains.

The population of the area is approximately 14,000.

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Our community is made up mainly by coal miners living and working in the area, seasonal residents here to live/work only part of the year, members of the Ktunaxa Nation and temporary foreign workers from all over the world.

Cranbrook and Electoral District C:

Our area includes the city of Cranbrook, the tiny communities of Moyie, Fort Steele, Wardner, St. Mary’s Reserve and the folks who live in the rural portions between. Our population base is over 18,000 people. Cranbrook is the major industrial, academic, retail and recreational hub of the East Kootenay and contains the only international airport in the Kootenays. We are also home to the main campus of the College of the Rockies.

We have a significant immigrant demographic attracting newcomers in a variety of positions (immigrants, temporary foreign workers, live-in caregivers and others on various work, student and long term visitor visas).

We have not experienced any major changes in the past year.

We continue to see an increase in the need for low cost family activities and for ESL services which strains the capacity of organizations already committed to providing these services.

Community Development and Literacy Collaboration:

Many new and very valuable collaborations have formed this year that support literacy and the work of the task groups. Here are just a few.

Elk Valley and Electoral Districts A and B:

Women & Writing is a program that gives women the chance to build confidence in their writing skills as they learn new ways to express their thoughts and feelings through the written word. Writing is paired each week with a craft project to stir creativity and increase comfort.

Fernie Women's Resource

Centre

CBALWomen &

Writing

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These three organizations partnered to deliver presentations on domestic violence in Elkford and Fernie!

Cranbrook and Electoral District C

Domestic Violence

Presentations

College of the Rockies

Elkford Public Library

Fernie Women's Resource Centre

Artistic Connections for teens and children

CBAL

Local Artists

Cranbrook Public

Library

Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy

Infant Development Program

4 Ages & Stages Workshops

provided to parentsStrongStart

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Goals and Actions for 2014/2015 Goals addressed in the past year how and by whom Elk Valley and Electoral Districts A and B

Continue to develop stronger relationships with the Aboriginal Community in the Elk Valley and Tobacco Plains so as to partner in providing literacy programming and promotion.

• A representative of the Metis Society in Sparwood has joined our CLAC. • The College of the Rockies has set up educational advising assessments at Tobacco Plains. • The College of the Rockies has a new aboriginal coordinator.

Promote the importance of play as a method of developing early literacy skills.

• Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) continued to run Elkford Family Literacy Program. This family literacy program promotes playing games, singing songs and exploring as a means of learning for children 0-6.

• CBAL started a Children’s Program for their Muffins and More Parent Program in Fernie. This allows children the opportunity to learn while they play!

• Sparwood Early Years is working on fundraising for toddler parks in Sparwood. • Sparwood Early Years is conducting the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.

Cyber Elders-computer

literacy for elders living on and off reserve

Columbia Basin

Alliance for Literacy

COTR –Aboriginal

Liaison

St. Mary's Band

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• Sparwood Early Years is coordinating Child Development and Growth Learning Sessions. • Sparwood Early Years put on an Early Literacy and Early Play workshop for parents that

CBAL, The Sparwood Public Library and Parent/Tot Funtimes all participated in facilitating.

• CBAL purchased a small library of children’s books to use in our various children’s programs.

Encourage youth in the Elk Valley to be leaders in their own learning.

• The Elkford Public Library has been using student volunteers in the library and in the summer reading club team. The youth volunteers are growing more confident and making parts of the program their own.

• We have an Elkford Junior Council Youth Representative on our CLAC now! • CBAL and the Fernie Free Press ran a writing contest. Winners were invited to contribute

writing to the CBAL Facebook (younger winners) and the Fernie Free Press (older winners) over the rest of the school year.

• The Sparwood Public Library has been running its book and movie club, Writing OUT LOUD!, the Environmental club and a lego club (participants read a story and build something along the story’s theme).

• Elkford Public Library has been running a teen book club.

Explore new ways to access hard to reach adults with literacy needs. • CBAL has changed the adult portion of our family literacy program in Elkford. The adult

portion of the program used to focus on ways to foster early literacy. We have begun to branch out to include more financial literacy, essential skills, writing skills etc. for parents.

• CBAL started Muffins and More in Fernie. This weekly program is for parents of school-aged children. Parents are invited to join in facilitated discussions about topics relevant to them; fostering early literacy skills, talking to your kids about money, literacy in play, etc. As parents learn and discuss skills to help their kids they are also developing their own literacy skills. A children’s program was added part way through this program so that parents who also had non-school aged children were able to attend.

• The Fernie Women’s Resource Centre and CBAL partnered to offer Women & Writing. This program gave women the chance to build confidence in their writing skills as they learned new ways to express their thoughts and feelings through the written word. Writing was paired each week with a craft project to stir creativity and increase comfort.

• The Sparwood Public Library and CBAL partnered to offer the Fireside Writers’ Group. This was a new writers’ group for adults who want to experiment and explore writing. Each week was focused on a different aspect of writing (e.g. narrative, descriptive, dialogue) and explored that aspect in published works.

• CBAL continues to train tutors, match them with adult learners and coordinate and support the tutor/learner pairs.

• College of the Rockies continues to do adult upgrading. • Elkford Public Library put on several one-time workshops for adults on different topics- fly

tying, back care, nutrition, home décor, wills and estates, etc. • The Sparwood Public Library has begun hosting games days for adults on Wednesdays. • CBAL conducted a literacy audit for WorkBC/EK Employment in Fernie in order to assist

them in making themselves more accessible to their clients who may have low literacy skills.

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• WorkBC and CBAL continue to offer employment skills workshops.

Provide more long term, accessible opportunities for seniors to develop literacy skills that enable them to keep up to our changing world.

• COTR is running an older workers program where adults aged 55+ can learn soft skills, computer skills, resumes, cover letter skills, bookkeeping, budgeting, etc.

• The Sparwood Public Library has a weekly drop in computer assistance session for seniors.

Provide English language training to people who speak English as an additional language.

• Thanks to funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, CBAL is able to provide English language classes and settlement assistance. We have offered a few different English classes in Fernie and are surveying the rest of the Elk Valley to see if there is a need for classes in Elkford, Sparwood or Jaffray.

• CBAL also began their community mentor program for newcomers in whcih new immigrants are partnered with trained volunteer mentors to help them connect, settle into the Valley and practice their English.

• COTR offers English instruction to ABE students. Cranbrook and Electoral District C

Strengthen Partnerships with Aboriginal & Métis communities and support the continued expansion of the Ktunaxa Preschool Cultural Kit Lending Library. • The lending library was completed and is used throughout the community including for

events where aboriginal culture is highlighted. • Cyber Elders was offered for the first time this year with 2- 6 week computer literacy

sessions provided for elders living on and off reserve.

Promote the emotional and social wellbeing of preschool aged children through the use of and expanded awareness of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.

• 4 educational workshops were provided to parents attending the two Cranbrook StrongStart centres. Infant Development staff led the workshops and took referrals. StrongStart Coordinators have the assessment forms available for parents on request and are providing community referrals as requested.

Continue to monitor the need for services for children aged 5-9 and their families and Youth at Risk

• The One to One reading program is provided in all but one public elementary school. • The Book Under Every Tree program administered by CBAL in partnership with the

Salvation Army and the Sunrise Rotary Club distributed over 300 gift-quality books to children at Christmas.

• The Cranbrook Public Library’s annual Summer Reading program was again hugely successful.

• CBAL expanded the Youth Writing Program to 2 Wednesdays per month resulting in more children accessing the program.

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• The Cranbrook Public Library’s Reading Web was again successful combining activities, crafts and movies for children aged 6-14.

• CBAL in partnership with School District 5 expanded the Creative Writing Program at Kootenay Educational Services (Alternate School Program).

• CBK Youth expanded their opportunities & activities for youth and recently partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to open a youth centre in Cranbrook.

To increase the financial literacy skills of the general public and provide programming for Adults.

• In partnership with the Women’s Resource Centre and Bellies to Babies Prenatal Program, CBAL provided a 6 week financial literacy workshop to community members.

• The Young Parents Education Program completed its 6th year providing academic, life, work and parenting skills for parents without grade 12 completion and who have pre-school aged children.

• CBAL, in partnership with EK Employment, offered financial literacy and other essential skills workshops at the Cranbrook WorkBC office.

• Other adult programming included the successful Summer Reading Club for Adults and the 5th annual 45 Books in 45 Minutes both hosted by the Cranbrook Public Library.

Expand literacy services for seniors. • Cyber Seniors continues to be a popular program providing introductory 6 week sessions

and short focused sessions; it was offered 3 times this year by CBAL in partnership with the Cranbrook Public Library.

• Another successful Telling our Stories (10 week program on autobiographical writing) was provided by CBAL to adults and seniors.

• The College of the Rockies continued to provide free programming for seniors.

Continue to provide services for immigrants requiring ESL services. • EAL classes, using LINC curriculum, were provided by CBAL • The College of the Rockies provided academic EAL classes for newcomers & students. • The Immigrant Welcome Centre continued to provide settlement services to immigrants

and newcomers to the community. • More EAL tutors were recruited to address the increased requests for one to one assistance

in learning English. Tutors primarily work with learners who are unable to attend EAL classes.

Adjustments to the plan Elk Valley and Electoral Districts A and B

• CLAC did not find opportunities to assist in the formation of youth led committees or projects this year.

• Due to the school strike our CLAC did not manage to form larger partnerships to allow for more and/or longer running computer literacy training for seniors.

• CBAL did not partner with any seniors’ groups.

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Cranbrook and Electoral District C

• With the loss of the Aboriginal Coordinator at the College of the Rockies, spring programming for elders and aboriginal adults was cancelled as the coordinator was the link between CBAL and the St. Mary’s Band/Ktunaxa Nation.

• Creative Writing and supported English and math mentoring circles in the middle schools were not created as hoped.

Indications of Success:

• CBAL’s Muffins and More was so successful that we needed to add a children’s program so the parents coming could focus on their discussions.

• COTR will have 15 adult grads this year! • CBAL has trained two new adult literacy tutors to work with learners in the Elk Valley.

(Adults and children learning in Muffins and More Parent Program)

The Creative Writing Project at the Alternate school expanded the frequency of sessions increasing the number of learners. It is so popular that learners refused to attend field trips so they would not miss the writing session!

Artistic Connections at the Public Library was so successful that another grant application was made to the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance to offer the program next year and to expand it to include adults.

The Creative Writing Project in partnership with Cranbrook Daily Townsman newspaper and School District #5 was a huge success with more schools taking part and was topped off with a gala attended by over 80 people.

More adults are self- referring for computer and basic literacy skills tutoring.

Challenges Elk Valley and Electoral District A and B What are the difficulties?

• Lack of sustainable funding • Lack of participant commitment. • The small capacity of most of our organizations

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What would help? • Sustainable funding

Cranbrook and Electoral District C What are the difficulties?

• Employment services have noted a lack of computer skills among their clientele which hinders access to job opportunities and government services.

• Lack of consistent funding results in a loss of programming and the time taken to search for funding could be better used in the provision of services.

• Shrinking resources make heavy demands on volunteers and service providers leading to burnout and decreased energy to offer new or innovative projects.

What would help? • Consistent sustainable funding for current programs and money to expand programming

as needs are identified. • More support for youth projects especially with aboriginal youth.

For the coming year: (new opportunities and/or challenges) Elk Valley and Electoral District A and B

• As our population ages there are many adults who need help and support to keep up to new skills and literacies in our information and technology rich society.

• Literacy is a term that is often misunderstood. Getting people to understand literacy as a skill on a continuum and something we can all grow stronger in is important. Only when people understand this will they seek help in developing their literacy skills.

Cranbrook and Electoral District C

• School readiness for children attending kindergarten is low so multi-year funding to provide more ASQ workshops throughout the community is being sought.

• Supporting the expansion of services to youth (including financial literacy) in partnership with Cbk Youth Project and the Cranbrook Youth Centre will be our challenge.

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2014/2015 Community Literacy Goals Elk Valley and Electoral District A and B Aboriginal Literacy: Continue to develop stronger relationships with the Aboriginal and Métis Communities at Tobacco Plains and in the Elk Valley so as to be aware and available when opportunities for literacy programing occur.

Early Learning Goal: Promote the importance of play as a method of developing early literacy skills.

School Aged Literacy Goal: Encourage youth in the Elk Valley to be leaders in their own learning.

CBAL will look into the possibility of offering an autobiographical writing class for Elders at Tobacco Plains.

CLAC members will attempt to connect with Aboriginal and Métis professionals to increase awareness of what CLAC does and to extend invitations to the CLAC.

CBAL will assess the level of interest for an essential skills program at Tobacco Plains.

CLAC will incorporate more discussions (where lacking) of what children are learning when they are engaged in different types of play into our various

children and family programs in Elk Valley.

CLAC will provide parents with information on early literacy development to increase awareness of the importance of early literacy and to show parents what

they can do and are doing already to promote this growth in their children.

Sparwood Early Years will continue to raise funds to build a toddler playground.

CLAC members/organizations will invite youth to be a part of various programs as junior leaders (where appropriate).

CLAC will investigate the possibility of providing assistance to existing (or forming new) youth programs that provide youth with the opportunity to learn valuable life

skills, essential skills, etc..

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Adult Literacy: Explore literacy needs of adults in the Elk Valley to discover what literacies are in the highest demand.

Adult Literacy (Seniors): Provide more long term, accessible opportunities for seniors to develop literacy skills that enable them to keep up to our changing world.

Adult Literacy (EAL): Provide English language training to people who speak English as an additional language.

CBAL will place special focus on recruiting and training more literacy tutors and matching them with adult learners in order to decrease the

wait time for learners in need of a tutor.

CLAC will explore partnerships that might assist in connecting with potential learners.

The Sparwood Early Years, The Sparwood and Elkford Public Libraries and CBAL will start discussions about possible stand alone workshops

for parents on different topics of interest (journaling, budgeting, helping your children read, math games, etc.) during library story times and

other early years programming.

CBAL will look into the possibility of doing seniors literacy themed workshops (writing your autobiography, basic computers, etc.) in partership with senors homes etc.

CBAL will explore the possibility of programing that would give youth and seniors opportunities to teach each other.

CBAL will organize regular community outings for EAL learners that will allow them to learn and practice their English in context.

CBAL will explore the possibility of adding EAL classes in Sparwood and Elkford.

Cranbrook and Electoral District C Aboriginal Literacy: To promote and strengthen partnerships with the Aboriginal and Métis communities and expand support of children's development.

Early Learning: To increase outreach to parents about available resources.

School Aged (6-18 years): To continue to monitor the needs of children and their families. To identify new services needed for youth at risk.

Identify multi-year funding through EK Children First and in partnership with the Cranbrook Early Years, Aqamnik Daycare and the Infant Development Program to provide Ages & Stages Questionnaire workshops for Aboriginal parents.

CLAC will continue to seek and promote partnerships with and within the Aboriginal and Métis communities.

CBAL will provide, if interest warrants, an Elder's memoir writing workshop and another basic computer literacy session.

CLAC will support the application for multi-year funding to provide more ASQ workshops for parents throughout the community.

Parents Night Out - new programming for parents, especially workshops on technology as a resource, a partnership with CBAL, Infant Development Program and the Cranbrook Public Library.

Adult Literacy: To continue to promote all aspects of literacy within the adult population

Adult Literacy (Seniors): To conduct a survey of seniors to assess their literacy needs. To continue to provide services for seniors

CBAL, in partnership with others, to provide Making Connections.

The Cranbrook Public Library continues to support extra reading activities through the Red Cedar Program, Summer Reading Club and other monthly activities for children.

Cbk Youth to continue to seek partnerships to provide essential skills and literacy workshops for their clientele.

Cranbrook Public Library hosts adult programming - 45 Books in 45 Minutes, Reading Groups and Adult Summer Reading Club.

CBAL will continues to work with East Kootenay Employment services to provide adult literacy tutoring for those requiring literacy support to obtain or retain employment.

CLAC will support members to actively participate in the Cranbrook Social Planning Committee meeting to ensure that literacy remains a priority in the community.

CBAL in partnership with the Cranbrook Public Library will continue to provide Cyber Seniors (basic computer sessions ) as well as seek other venues to support technology skills.

CBAL will continue to host workshops for both seniors and adults for autobiographical writing, poetry writing,and basic adult literacy skills .

Adult Literacy (ESL): To continue to provide EAL programming to those requiring it.

Requirements for Meeting Our Goals

CBAL will work with local businesses and organizations to assess the literacy needs of newcomers.

The College of the Rockies will continue to work with newcomers and international visitors to provide English classes.

CBAL will continue to provide LINC classes for EAL learners.

consistent, sustainable

funding

timestrong

partnerships

community involvement

engaged local government & businesses

vibrant economy

Indications of Future Success

REFERENCES

Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK)-Electoral Districts

http://www.rdek.bc.ca/electoral-area-a.htm

http://www.rdek.bc.ca/electoral-area-b.htm

Actions complete

People coming to

programming

Good participant

feedback

Increased volunteer

hours

Needs assessed and addressed