FLC Issues Call For Presenters

It’s that time again!!

The Florida Literacy Coalition is now accepting conference session proposals for the 27th Annual Florida Literacy Conference: Open Books Open Minds, which will be held May 4-6, 2011, at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary (in Lake Mary, Fla.).

This is the perfect opportunity to share your wisdom, techniques, research and promising practices in adult and family literacy with other professionals from across the state and beyond (we have teachers come from as far as Canada – cool, eh!?).

The deadline to submit your proposed session is Thursday, Dec. 16.  Proposed sessions will be selected based on the information you provide.  Since we try to offer new sessions each year, please note that if you have previously presented your proposed session, it should still be relevant, timely and updated with fresh material.

Submitting a proposal is easy!  Simply click here and fill out the online form.  Once you have submitted your proposal, you will be given the option to receive an email copy for your records.  *Remember: the information you provide (as it appears on the form) will be used in the final conference program.

FLC will confirm receipt of your proposal submission within 3 business days, and will provide final notification on the status of your proposed workshop by Friday, January 28, 2011.

Any questions regarding conference proposals can be sent to conference@floridaliteracy.org.

We thank you for your support, and your enthusiasm for professional development and continued education.  We are looking forward to another stellar conference and the advancement of adult education, literacy and family literacy throughout Florida.

Upcoming FATDEC Meeting (9/29/10) at ACE!

Please join FATDEC at our next face-to-face meeting that will take place during the ACE Conference!  This meeting is open to members & potential members or anyone else who would like to know about online courses for adult students.  The meeting will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, 9/29/10, in the “Lake Hart B” room of the Hilton Orlando.

Check out the updated FATDEC member map found here.   Welcome to the new members who are joining FATDEC for the 2010-2011 school year: Hernando County Public Schools, Lee County Public Schools, Northwest Florida State College and Sarasota County Public Schools.

Don’t see your area represented yet?  Contact Kim Gates (kim@fatdec.com) for information on how your organization can be a part of FATDEC!

Meet the 2011 Florida Literacy Conference Planning Committee

The 27th Annual Florida Literacy Conference: Open Books Open Minds will be held at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, May 4-6, 2011.

Last week, the Conference Planning Committee (CPC) met at the hotel to get conference planning underway.  Topics of discussion included keynote speakers and Adult Learner Day plans, among others.  Subcommittees were also formed to help with special components of the conference including the annual Florida Literacy Awards and entertainment.

The 2011 Florida Literacy Conference Planning Committee. From L-R: Rosemary Blake, Karen Hill, Brent Stubbs, Amanda Gonzalez, Jonel Persinger, Melissa Padgett, Erika Greene, Brad Bell. Sitting: Greg Smith, Cindy Godby, Sarah Guetschow and Debra Hargrove

Committee members not pictured above include: Kara Sammons, Margaret Anne Wheeler, Linda Palmer, Joyce Whidden, Margie Kinslow, Mike Painter, Marilina Viera and Kay Semion.  FLC thanks all of the committee members for their time and dedication to making this another successful Conference.

The Florida Literacy Conference is one of the state’s premier events for professional development and networking for adult education and literacy practitioners, teachers, tutors and adult learners.

Stay tuned to this blog for more conference updates and updates from the CPC.  And feel free to ask any questions you have about the 2011 conference in the space below!

Reading and Fun For Everyone During the Central Florida Literacy Month Celebration

The Central Florida Literacy Month Celebration brought families to Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka last weekend to enjoy a wide range of interactive activates to promote reading and literacy.The Florida Literacy Coalition and local partners held the event to celebrate Florida Adult and Family Literacy Month, as recognized by Gov. Charlie Crist  (see proclamation).

During the event children reenacted storybook themes, watched puppet shows, and were read to by literacy enthusiasts.  All of the activities revolved around storylines and emphasized the importance of reading, education and family literacy.

Seminole County librarian, Diane Keyes, and her puppets read about saving manatees

Sonia Hendrickson of Orange County Public Schools works with children to reenact Moon Rope.

Ranger Amy Conyers reads Home Sweet Home to the group before leading them on a nature hike.

Participants also had the opportunity to choose new books to take home courtesy of Borders Books and Music, and Just 1 Book, a local organization improving the lives of children one book at a time.  More than 400 books were given away at the event.

Just 1 Book’s giveaway table

A special thanks goes to all of our event partners and sponsors that made this event possible!  These include the Florida Department of Education, Florida Parks Service, Florida Lottery, GROWS Literacy Council, Orange County Public Schools, Seminole County Public Libraries, Orange County Library System, Borders Books and Music, and Just 1 Book.

FATDEC Update

FATDEC is a group of public schools, school districts, and community colleges working together to deliver curriculum in a web-based environment for adult education and career technical programs in Florida’s postsecondary public institutions.

The online courses offered are very beneficial for adult learners as they have 24/7 access to the program – allowing them to customize their schedule - and many of the courses are free of charge!

Nancy Marsh

FATDEC recently announced that Nancy Marsh, from Pasco County, has been elected as president-elect for 2010-2011.  She will assist William Kelly (from Escambia County), FATDEC’s current president, and will then transition to the role of president for 2011-2012.

Some of the initiatives Nancy will be working on include:

• Expanding services
• Increasing learning opportunities
• Growing membership
• Continuing partnerships with ACE of Florida, Florida Virtual School, Florida TechNet, and the Florida Association for Career and Technical Educators
• Expanding partnerships

For more information about FATDEC, including the by-laws, resolution agreement, and a list of current members, please click here.

Celebrate Adult and Family Literacy in Florida This Month!

September 8^th is International Literacy Day, and Florida Governor Charlie Crist has again extended his support by signing a proclamation recognizing September as Florida Adult & Family Literacy Month.

The Florida Literacy Coalition is again partnering with the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Parks Service to recognize and celebrate this worthy cause.  However, we’ve added an extra element to the partnership this year – five regional community events to promote adult and family literacy.  These events will take place at state parks in the following cities:

1. Tallahassee, Sept. 8 at Maclay Gardens.  For more information call: (850) 245-9670.
2. Jacksonville, Sept. 11 & 12 at Talbot Island State Park
3. Apopka, Sept. 11 at Wekiwa Springs State Park
4. Sarasota, Sept. 11 at Oscar Scherer State Park
5. Hobe Sound, Sept. 11 at Jonathan Dickinson State Park

These events are being organized by local planning committees comprised of area adult education and literacy programs, libraries, the parks and other community stakeholders.

Many of our literacy programs in areas other than those listed above are also celebrating Literacy Month!  Click on the links below to learn more about additional literacy celebrations throughout Florida!

• Additional Literacy Month Events at Florida State Parks
• Adult Literacy League of Central Florida – Orlando
• Citrus County Library System – Homosassa
• Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County – Palm Beach

We hope you will attend one of the events referenced above to help recognize the importance of adult and family literacy in Florida.  One in five Floridians is functionally illiterate.  This means they cannot read their mail, complete a job application or read a book to a child.  For more literacy stats, click here.

If you know of other Literacy Month celebrations, let us know about them in the comment section below.