Books for Babies® Newsletter

Teleconference~June 17th, 2003

Corner Brook
On June 17th, five Chapters joined the Coordinator and the Advisory Committee in a telephone conference. Bayshore Adult Literacy Council, Ramea BFB®, Vista School District, Goose Bay BFB®, and Cormack BFB® were among the participants who joined in the discussions. Some issues of concern were:
• fundraising
• getting feedback from parents
• community involvement

Overall, there were many positive comments about the program. As one Chapter volunteer commented, “Books for Babies® is an important piece of the literacy puzzle”.

The Advisory Committee thanks everyone who participated in the teleconference and for taking the time to share their concerns and ideas.

Handbook Launch ~ June 12th, 2003

On June 12th, the Books for Babies® Advisory Committee hosted a launch for the new handbook at the College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook. Honourable Bob Mercer and Mayor Priscilla Boutcher were among the guests who attended the celebration. Advisory Committee member, Isabella Fry, explained how the original handbook had become outdated. The new handbook is rich with colourful illustrations and lively rhymes that children can use to learn numbers and letters. Former Advisory Committee Member, Linda Tarbett, noted that there are many literacy resources in circulation for children. However, very few of those materials contain the correct form for letters and numbers.

After a brief history of the Books for Babies® organization and the Handbook Project, the handbook was officially launched to the Books for Babies® Provincial Coordinator. To acknowledge their contribution to the local Books for Babies® Chapter, volunteers were presented with Books for Babies® lapel pins.

New Advisory Committee Members

Books for Babies® is pleased to welcome Marina Brown and Donna Pauls to the Advisory Committee. Marina works with children involved in community service programs at the YMCA in Corner Brook. Donna Pauls is a home visiter with the Family Childcare Agency that operates under the Family Outreach Centre.

Evaluations

Please encourage those who receive initial packages to complete evaluations. These are important for the continuation of the program.