Recent Developments and News for You!
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The Literacy Council will be launching the first and annual membership drive with a "Lunch for Literacy" on July 22nd at noon at the SOMC Friends Center. The charge for the luncheon is $12.00 per person. Guest speakers will include: State Representative: Todd Book, Dr. Mike Raies as: "The Cat in the Hat" and Richard Jenkins Tri State Literacy Council Keynote: "Literacy Changes Lives". For reservations contact: Kay Bouyack: 74-353-8292 and kbouyack@adelphia.net or Susan McComas 740-351-3514 and smccomas@literacyscioto.org by July 16th. To sustain the organization beyond June 2009, the organization must look to the community's support. Won't you help?
The Portsmouth City Health Department has been accepted as a Reach Out and Read site. Through the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Ohio Chapter, books will be available for distribution during well child visits. The books are used by the physicians and those conducting the examination as a tool to better facilitate a developmental examination. The Literacy Council of Scioto County would like to see additional sites. For more information visit: www.reachoutandread.org or contact the Literacy Council at 740-351-3514.
In collaboration with the SOPAA and approximately 10 other local organizations, Scioto County will be a BIG READ community for 2009. The Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association through Arts Midwest has received a grant to promote literary reading throughout the community in early 2009. The project will center around "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. The community will be offered opportunities to appreciate this literary selection from "page to stage" in 2009. For more information visit: www.neabigread.org
The Literacy Council recently recognized Jan Broughton one or the three founders of the Literacy Council for her dedication to children and education. A reception was given in her honor during a recent Portsmouth City Schools board meeting. Ms Broughton has accepted the position of superintendent in the Logan Elm district north of Scioto County.
The membership committee of the Literacy Council of Scioto County is planning a Membership Campaign: "Literacy Changes Lives: 2008" in July.
Through the generosity of the Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority, there is now a pool of 20 Adult Tutor Volunteers available to tutor adults wanting to learn to read or to read better. These tutors are available through Scioto ABLE, SSU BASICS or by calling 351-3514 to serve Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority residents.
We are proud to announce that the Literacy Council of Scioto County has received $3,000.00 grant from Ohio's Attorney General Office. This funding is to promote literacy throughout Scioto County.
The Literacy Council of Scioto County Board of Trustees met for a special Planning Session on February 12, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. @ the Scioto Foundation Office.
Literacy Council featured in the Community Common November 19th edition in featured article of those "Making A Difference" in the community.
The annual meeting of the Literacy Council of Scioto County will be on November 27th @ 4:00 p.m. in Library Conference Room, #253 Clark Memorial Library on the campus of Shawnee State University. There will be an election of officers for 2008 and new trustees. There will not be a December meeting.
A few words from the Director can be read here: Future is Bright for Literacy Activity in Scioto County.
New to the Website: For the Family page mentions many great tips for reading with a child. Share this information with family, friends, clients, and patients.
The Literacy Council of Scioto County newsletter. "The Letter " connecting Scioto County literacy service providers and literacy advocates: one Letter at a time. Please submit your information to share during the first week of each month to: smccomas@literacyscioto.org
The LCSC is physically located in Room 150 of the Clark Memorial Library on Shawnee State University's campus in Portsmouth, OH. Information or inquiries may be dropped off at that location or by appointment. The Director may be reached by calling: 740-351-3514 Or by Writing: Literacy Council of Scioto County P. O. Box 293 Portsmouth, OH 45662 and email: smccomas@literacyscioto.org We will be so happy to hear from you!
The Literacy Council of Scioto County is currently exploring the development of a "New Reader" tutoring program for adults in Scioto County. A pilot program at various Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing sites will be host to one on one adult literacy tutoring. Watch for details coming soon.
Volunteers will be needed to work one on one to improve reading levels of the many adults in Scioto County who would like to learn to read or improve their reading skills.
On September 13th, the Literacy Council of Scioto County had its official "Kick Off". Approximately 50 individuals gathered in the Main Floor Alcove at Clark Memorial Library on the campus of Shawnee State University to hear Susan McComas, Director of the LCSC, deliver the state of Scioto County regarding literacy. Individuals representing the media, schools, shelters, Shawnee State University, AmeriCorp, SOMC, agencies, service organizations providing literacy services just to mention a few.
A grant request to The Governing Board of the Scioto Foundation has been approved for a technology "Start Up" project that will enable the Literacy Council of Scioto County to purchase a laptop computer and printer. The grant, from the Stella Quinn Fund, is in the amount of $2,000.00. This is a great boost for this worthwhile initiative.
The founders of the Literacy Council of Scioto County: Randy Arnett, President and CEO of SOMC, Dr. Rita Rice Morris, President of Shawnee State University and Jan Broughton, Superintendent of the Portsmouth City Schools were honored Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at the Local Red Cross Heroes Breakfast as Education Heroes for 2007. The event was held at the Friends Center at SOMC.
The Literacy Council of Scioto County is currently meeting the fourth Tuesday of each month (except December) in the Library Conference Room (Room 253) Main Floor at the Clark Memorial Library on the campus of Shawnee State University at 4:00 p.m.