Message from the Chair

You may remember our mission is “to advance literacy for the people of Prince Edward Island.” I think the activities of the past year certainly reflect our work towards that goal.

Our support of adult learners through bursaries and scholarships is one way we directly help adult learners. Our support of Laubach Literacy PEI by hosting the LEARN Line and co-sponsoring tutor training allows us to help learners more indirectly.

Our recent Rising Tide press conference certainly raised the profile of the Alliance. Through all our activities we try to point out the importance of literacy for all Islanders. Our Family Literacy Carousel in January focuses on parents and children. The Scrabble tournament in February is another reminder of the importance of literacy. A new activity, our March Spelling Bee will be another place to raise literacy as an important issue.

The planned Literacy Summit for November 2004 will involve government, educators and learners in policy discussions about literacy in PEI. The outcome of the summit will be a plan for advancing the literacy agenda.

The Board and staff of the Alliance look forward to new challenges in 2004.

Nora Young