Coordinator's Corner
By Cynthia Breeden-Johnson, Program Coordinator
We Salute Our Volunteers!
This year National Volunteer Week is April 27th - May 3rd. Volunteers are an important part of the daily life within the City of Hayward, I encourage you to attend the Annual City Volunteer Recognition event scheduled on April 15th at 7:30 in the Council Chambers at Hayward City Hall, 777 B Street.
Each year volunteers are asked to stand when the department they volunteer for is called. This year our goal is to fill the Council Chambers with Library/Literacy volunteers. We know that the City Council members will be impressed when they see how many volunteers help keep the library and literacy programs operating. In addition, we believe that your presence in the Council Chambers sends a powerful message to the City Council about the importance of the Hayward Public Library and the services it offers.
This event lasts about one hour and is followed by a reception with food and prizes. It is a small investment of time to be recognized for your wonderful contributions to Literacy Plus and to send a powerful message to City Council members. I am looking forward to seeing you there! Please fell free to call me at 881-7911, should you have any questions or require further information.
Be Our Valentine Fundraiser . . . A Huge Success!
On February 8, 2008 the Literacy Plus Council held its 4th Annual Be Our Valentine fundraiser in the City Hall Rotunda. Well over 100 were in attendance for this event. The guests enjoyed a palate tempting array of hors d’oeuvers catered by Miraglia’s, and a wide selection of beverages including red and white wines donated by Bill Groth, bcci-Groth Wines, while browsing on a variety of items donated for the silent auction. The evening concluded with a large crowd bidding on items offered by supporters and businesses for the live auction. Thanks to the large number of generous donations received for this fundraiser, the Literacy Plus Council was able to raise over $15,900. This money will be used to help support the programs currently offered through Literacy Plus. A special thanks to the Friends of the Hayward Public Library for sponsoring the raffle and Union City Construction/Bond Blacktop for sponsoring the food.
THANKS! It was another HUGE success...
Computer Learning Lab
Since last April, when Literacy Plus expanded its space to include four new computers, the use of the Computer Learning Lab (CLL) has been as high as 146 hours in a single month. Most of these hours come from scheduled tutoring sessions. We have sessions on Monday evening, Tuesday evening, Wednesday afternoon and evening, and Thursday afternoon. A Saturday afternoon session has just been added. Space is available, so please call to have a seat saved for you!
We are always looking to expand the times we are able to offer computer sessions. If you are a tutor who would like to volunteer in the CLL, there are several morning and afternoon times when we could use you. Please give us a call.
If you have any questions or would like to attend any of our computer sessions, call Tara at 510-881-7912.
Software Spotlight
One of the programs we have in our Computer Learning Lab is Spell It Deluxe. This is a spelling program that helps the user learn to spell over 4000 words. It is divided into six categories, or levels of difficulty, starting at Grades 1-3 and ending with High School/Adult. It has built-in audio that reads every word out loud. The graphics and sound effects are wonderful and engaging.
Spell It Deluxe covers the basic rules of spelling and commonly misspelled words. Activities are: reviewing word lists, identifying correct spellings, working crossword puzzles, editing misspelled words, filling in missing letters, and testing your skills by participating in a virtual spelling bee. This program allows learners to: read spelling words in context sentences, see words broken into syllables, distinguish between correct and incorrect spellings, and complete, unscramble, and edit words. Spell It Deluxe also offers printable word lists, word search puzzles, crossword puzzles, and certificates.
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