Celebrate Black History Month

February 22, 2023

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  • Did you know? The Banneker-Douglass Museum in downtown Annapolis is Maryland’s official museum of African-American heritage. Its mission is “documenting, interpreting, and promoting African-American history.” Visit bdmuseum.maryland.gov for information on all Banneker-Douglass Museum offerings, including art and history exhibits, activities, programs, a virtual tour, and a dedicated YouTube channel.
  • Anne Arundel Community College is celebrating Black History Month with art exhibits, workshops, a spoken word evening where locals can RSVP to share their art, and movie screenings. To learn more about AACC’s plans, visit aacc.edu/black-history.
  • On February 19 at 1 pm, Maryland Hall will host Freedom Way: A Blueprint of African American Resistance and Liberation in the United States. Freedom Way is an exhibition and presentation that was created and will be narrated by Bishop Craig Coates, a local pastor and historian. From Maryland Hall’s website: “Freedom Way is a music and art collection of boldly framed graphic posters, each depicting words and pictures of some of the many milestones and inhumanities experienced by Black people on the long road to freedom from enslavement.” For more information, visit https://www.marylandhall.org/events/freedom-way-exhibition-presentation/2023-02-19/.
  • Visit Anne Arundel County Public Library’s website at aacpl.net/blackhistory for a calendar of events that celebrate Black history, as well as Black History Month Booklists.

AACLC Student Success: Kelly G.

February 22, 2023

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Congratulations to Literacy Council student Kelly G. who worked diligently with her tutor Frank Mackowick to study for the ASVAB. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.

Kelly passed the test with a great score, opening a path to excellent opportunities with the U.S. Army. Kelly is now getting ready for basic training, and Frank has just begun tutoring another student in preparation for acceptance into the military.

The Cost of Low Literacy: $2.2 Trillion

February 22, 2023

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“Adult literacy can change everything.” Bringing all adults to the equivalent of a sixth-grade reading level would generate an additional $2.2 trillion in income for the United States. — ProLiteracy.

Get more facts on adult literacy at https://www.proliteracy.org/Adult-Literacy-Facts.

Tutor Resources: Phonics and Science of Reading

January 26, 2023

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Globe with word newsFrom the New York Times: In Memphis, the Phonics Movement Comes to High School

At high schools in Memphis, children are using reading strategies to improve their reading and understanding of the material in their classes, even science courses. This article by education reporter Sarah Mervosh explains how the Memphis program is part of a nationwide trend to teach children to read using what is known as “the science of reading.” Read the article here (gift link). The Laubach Way to Reading adult literacy materials we use, including Focus on Phonics, provide phonics-based instruction.

Podcast on the Science of Reading

In case you’d like to know more about how reading is taught in American schools and how things are changing, check out this listen:

Hard Words: a podcast from American Public Media (APM) and journalist Emily Hanford. What happened in Bethlehem, PA, when the school district adopted methods of teaching reading that honored research findings?

Thank You, Rotary Club of Annapolis!

January 20, 2023

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Our thanks to the Rotary Club of Annapolis for its Crab Feast Grant! The funds the club donated to the Literacy Council will help pay for ESL materials for students in Annapolis.

New Tutor Training March 25, 2023

January 18, 2023

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On March 25, we will host a New Tutor Training Workshop for trainees interested in working with literacy, ESL, math, and high school equivalency students. The session will happen at Woods Church in Severna Park from 8:30 am until about 3 pm. Space is limited. Please email Jane to inquire about attending.

Director’s Message January 2023

January 18, 2023

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Happy New Year fireworksWelcome, 2023! We are already looking forward to what this year holds for our students, volunteers, and communities.

In 2022, our volunteers continued their great work, and students accomplished so much. Whether registering to vote and voting for the first time, reading a book to a child, improving English language skills, getting a new job, or earning a high school diploma, our students achieved an impressive range of goals…

Some highlights:

  • Five students earned high school diplomas in 2022.
  • One student passed the U.S. citizenship test.
  • One student got her nursing license.
  • Students continued or started their studies at AACC.
  • Several students made a healthy lifestyle change.
  • Students continued registering to vote and have voted.
  • Students worked on resumes and interviewing skills, then sought new jobs and were hired. Since our fiscal year began on June 1, six students have gotten new or better jobs!
  • Many students got library cards and began using them.
  • Several ESL students improved their ability to communicate in English through conversation, email, and texting.
  • Many students increased confidence in their abilities, gained consumer skills, or improved employability skills.

Our team is also celebrating these volunteer milestones:

  • 47 new tutors joined us in 2022.
  • We are tutoring at the Jennifer Road Detention Center and the Ordnance Road Correctional Center.
  • Collectively, our volunteers donated more than 13,000 hours in our communities last year.

Congratulations, all!

Thank you for making a difference in Anne Arundel County.

Happy New Year,

Jane Seiss, Executive Director AACLCJane Seiss, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council

 

ESL Student Qamar

ESL student Qamar is ready to begin 2023 with Challenger 5. His goals include improving his writing in English.

 

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Community Resources

December 23, 2022

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AA County Partnership Warm Line

The Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families is now accepting calls for resources or basic needs assistance through its Warm Line at 1-800-485-0041. Residents may call the Warm Line with all basic needs, including housing, food security, resources for parents, family navigation, and more.

Students and Tutors Access The Baltimore Banner Using Your Library Card

Anne Arundel County Public Library card holders can now read The Baltimore Banner, a nonprofit news website launched earlier this year that covers the Baltimore region. Visit AACPL’s website to sign in using your library card number.

AACLC’s Online Literacy Library

The Literacy Council offers an extensive list of online resources on our website under the “Volunteers” drop-down tab at the top of each page. Check out Literacy Library: Tutor Tools & Resources for comprehension, phonics, spelling, grammar, math, diploma prep, ESL, and other resources. If you have found something useful in your tutoring experience, please pass it on to us so that we can share it on this webpage.

211 Maryland

Help is a call or text away.
For anyone facing difficulties, dialing 2-1-1 connects callers with trained health and human services personnel who provide guidance and help with a range of needs from utility assistance to legal guidance to mental health help.
211 help is available in more than 100 languages. Please see 211md.org to know all that the service offers. Calls are confidential, and there is a texting option as well.

Literacy Council Receives Grants from Two Foundations

December 23, 2022

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We thank the Nora Roberts Foundation for its continued support of adult literacy in Anne Arundel County. The AACLC received a $6,000 grant from the Foundation earlier this month. The Nora Roberts Foundation’s contributions to our work over the years have helped hundreds of low-income men and women pursue their educational goals and improve their lives and those of their families.
The Literacy Council has also just received a grant of $2,350 to purchase books for our students! With this generous gift, the Wish You Well Foundation has helped fund this year’s book budget.
The Wish You Well Foundation‘s mission is to support adult and family literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs. The Foundation has donated to hundreds of organizations, including the AACLC!

Director’s Message December 2022

December 23, 2022

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We at the Literacy Council are grateful to you for participating in another successful year of adult education in Anne Arundel County. Thank you for tutoring, volunteering, and supporting our work!
Happy holidays,
Jane Seiss, Executive Director AACLCJane Seiss, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council
P.S. We are always accepting new students. Find out more about our programs on our website or inquire at 410-269-4419.

Thank you for Your Giving Tuesday Support

Our supporters helped raise $4,370 on Giving Tuesday to improve adult literacy in Anne Arundel County!
This generosity will provide free books, tutoring, and assessments for low-income adults. Goals achieved include high school diplomas, better-paying jobs, English language skills, and improved quality of life for our students and their families.
Thank you!

Literacy Council Featured at Anne Arundel Women Giving Together November Webinar

We had the honor of speaking at the AAWGT’s November 9 education event, where we shared about local literacy rates and how the AACLC addresses adult education needs here at home. See a follow-up article on AAWGT’s website. Thank you, AAWGT!

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