CALP Connections: January 2024

A Message from Monica Sczyrba-Davis, Director

On behalf of the CLN Board, I would like to wish each of you in the CALP community a happy 2024!

My name is Monica Sczyrba-Davis, I’m the Executive Director at Pincher Creek CALP and will be celebrating 14 years in the CALP world this March. A new beginning is often a time to reflect and look back on where we started and how far we have come. In our little corner of south western Alberta and all across the province, CALPs have grown their capacity, complexity, sophistication, leadership, and skills to serve Albertans most in need of guidance to move their lives forward.

As we consider the peaks and valleys of the journey we have been a part of, I would like to invite each of you to take a moment to let go of what no longer serves you and fill the void with what you are each most in need of this year. In Pincher Creek, we are reviewing our services and creating time to work with community partners to continue offering strengthening relationships and resources to our learners, while prioritizing our energy and funds on what our CALP does best: Skills for Learning programming. 

Our CALP will be possibility-focused, while nurturing interactions that grow us closer to our organization’s vision of compassionately coaching our 2024 learners towards completion of their self-identified learning, employment and education goals.

In life and in learning, I believe that if we are not at least a little bit scared of the dreams we envision, it’s not a big enough dream! Our CALP community has the most incredible connections to mentors, skills, backup, and resources, as well as answers to questions and opportunities to connect with kind peers. We strive to model what we each hope to offer those we serve.

I look forward to connecting with many of you through the various gatherings and trainings ahead of us, and I wish each of you the bravery and connections you need to accomplish your own vision for 2024!

Symposium Update

Happy New Year! As our Symposium planning continues, we are excited to announce what’s new in January!

First, we’re excited to reveal our new theme logo for 2024:

Does it speak to you? Do you see any hidden images? Did you notice that CALP is rising the community up?! And we sometimes colour outside the lines…

Next, we’d like to announce a pre-Symposium surprise presentation --

Please join us online for our Symposium Registration Kick-off Keynote Presentation featuring Dr. Jody Carrington!

Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Time: 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Location: Online via Zoom

Dr. Jody Carrington is a powerhouse speaker and fearless champion for authentic human connection. She is highly sought after for her expertise, energy and genuine approach to helping people solve the most complex human-centred problems. Jody’s work focuses on the value of reconnection – the key to healthy relationships and productive teams. Her authentic, honest (and often hilarious) approach never fails to inspire and motivate audiences. 

She is the bestselling author of Kids These Days (2019), Teachers These Days (2021) and the emotionally charged and introspective chart topping, Feeling Seen (HarperCollins, 2023).  

Jody lives in small-town Olds, Alberta, with her husband and three children (she had three kids in two years to test her own resilience) and leads the amazing team at Carrington & Company.

Free registration is now open for this keynote presentation.

We welcome one and all from the CALP system to join us!

And if you are not able to join us online on February 6th, the presentation will be recorded and available on the CALP Portal until March 6th.

Wouldn’t it be fun to plan a “watch (or re-watch) party” with your team? Think of it as CLN’s pre-Symposium gift to you to help build on our theme of “The Power of Community”. We hope you will share in and enjoy the learning!

Watch for more information coming in February on how to register along with all the fun and exciting events planned for the Literacy & Learning Symposium 2024! 

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Pat Halewich, Symposium Lead, at pdevents@calp.ca 

And remember - SAVE THE DATES!

Literacy & Learning Symposium 2024 April 30th to May 2nd (In-person in Edmonton)

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

Register now for these upcoming events!

Required Training

Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning – Online (5 weeks)

• January 25 – Mornings (Full)*
• January 25 – Afternoons (Full)*
• May 22 - Mornings

*Waitlist is available

CALP Essentials for Family Literacy Programs - Online (3 weeks)

• February 27 - Mornings

Additional Training

January 16 – Tech Talk (3 weeks) Learn the Tech Talk approach to teaching digital skills. You will discover an approach that is flexible and adaptable to learner’s needs. Use these tools to identify concepts, features and navigation that is common across digital devices and do away with the step-by-step method of digital instruction.

January 17 – Holding Safer Spaces (11 weeks) Following the work of Heather Plett, this series explores approaches and practices for learning and growing in the art of holding space for others – being open to the complexity of each other’s lives without judging, trying to fix or influence the outcome.

January 24 – Welcome to CALP! If you are new in your role in CALP, and still looking to get the lay of the land, join your colleagues from across the province and to talk to experienced CALP staff who will share their wisdom and insight in the areas of CALP Operations, CALP Programming, and Finding Learners, Volunteers and Partners.  

February 5 – Building Confidence in Speaking Skills This workshop will cover some “quick wins” in how to build confidence in your own speaking skills in both small and large group settings.

March 6 – Never Fail Writing Method Would you like to gain confidence in giving meaningful feedback to learners so they are inspired to keep writing? Are you ready to put away the red pen and harness the bravery and enthusiasm in the room? Join Kate Nonesuch who will share a unique method for teaching writing that is based in positive feedback.

March 19 - Adult Literacy & Learning (A.L.L) in Family Literacy Programs (2 weeks) This training builds on the themes from CALP Essentials for Family Literacy Programs. It focuses on how to deliver fun and engaging family literacy programs that emphasize adult foundational learning as part of an intergenerational approach to learning.  

Connecting to Community Series In this 4-session series, we will explore a collection of voices, resources, perspectives, and strategies intended to strengthen your organization’s connections to community. It is through a well-connected network that learners can find their way to the services and supports they need, whether through direct programming at funded organizations or indirectly through coordinated knowledgeable referrals.

January 22 - Literacy Awareness

February 20 - Literacy Audits

Communities of Practice

Join your peers in informal online discussions facilitated by CLN staff. Grab a coffee, bring a question, share a success or challenge, and settle in for five minutes or all sixty.

January 24 – Coffee with the CLN Board Join the CLN board for a candid and informal conversation. Members of the Board will share tips about board life and welcome questions from CALP staff, board members, volunteers, partners and stakeholders.

February 13 - Holding Safer Spaces Open Circle with Heather Plett – Vulnerability and Courage

February 16 – Ask Us Anything About Metis & Indigenous Worldview

February 20 – Literacy Practitioners Share, Learn, Grow

Regional Connections Cafes

North Region - Jan 18, Feb 28, Mar 18

East Region - Jan 18, Feb 21

West Region - Jan 18, Feb 21, Mar 18

Central Region - Feb 13

South Region - Jan 18

Don't miss out!

Events are periodically added to the CALP Portal Training & Events calendar. Be sure to check the calendar regularly to see what is coming up!

Literacy in Action

Literacy programs and services look different in each province across Canada, because each province has jurisdiction over their own education processes and policies, including adult education. This means that each province has a different literacy mandate.

British Columbia has Community Adult Literacy Programs (CALPs). CALPs are supported by funding from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills to deliver adult, family and Indigenous literacy programming across BC. These programs help people gain skills in basic literacy, numeracy, life skills and employment preparation. Programs are delivered using volunteer tutors in one-on-one tutoring or small group classes.

The CALPs in British Columbia include serving children and youth in partnership with schools and other organizations to offer free reading support, after school programs, and writing programs. They also provide a wide range of family literacy programs, adult and senior programs and English Language Learning. Most CALPs are connected in some way to colleges and institutions, who also offer basic literacy programs.

It's interesting to note that in British Columbia the term ‘literacy’ refers to not only reading and writing, but digital skills, numeracy and workplace/essential skills as well.

British Columbia's provincial literacy organization is called Decoda Literacy Solutions. Decoda supports community-based literacy and learning initiatives for children and families, youth, adults, and Indigenous and immigrant communities. They have a similar role as CLN in providing training, professional development and resources. One great resource is their Back to Basics series, full of information on teaching reading, facilitating groups and working with adult learners.

Learn more about CALPs in British Columbia

Learn more about Decoda Literacy Solutions

Check out the Back to Basics series

Rebecca Still

This Month's Spotlight

Family Literacy Day takes place every January 27^th to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Since 1999, thousands of schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other community groups have taken part in the initiative. ABC Life Literacy ( https://abclifeliteracy.ca/all-programs/family-literacy-day/ ) creates free learning and promotional resources for anyone that wants to get involved. 

The 2024 Family Literacy Day Theme is Let's Have a Family Party! 

On January 27th, ABC Life Literacy Canada is hosting a virtual demonstration and Q&A with Barbara Reid, who will lead through the process of using clay to create a picture This event is suitable for parents and their children in grades 1 through 6.  Register here!

How will your CALP celebrate and highlight learning as families this coming Family Literacy Day?