Raise a Reader 2003

Montreal’s second annual Raise-a-Reader day was held on Thursday, October 2. The wet weather did not dampen the spirits of the keen volunteers on many downtown street corners as they cheerfully hawked copies of the day’s Gazette. The rain did not deter generous Montrealers on their way to work either, as they helped boost this year’s proceeds to over $90,000, representing an increase from last year’s total of $75,000. Once again, LPQ was a beneficiary and will share the funds equally with La fondation québecois pour l’alphabétisation and The Canadian Association for the Blind. Like last year, LPQ will distribute our portion to Children’s and Family Literacy projects across the province.

The Gazette and CanWest/Global did a spectacular job of carrying out this event in Montreal. On behalf of children’s literacy in Quebec we thank them so much for all that they have done and congratulate them on their hard work.

Come Read With Me! Returns

Following the overwhelming success of Come Read With Me! last year, LPQ, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations officially launched the second annual Come Read With Me! activity and contest on January 27. The partners hope to raise awareness of the need to improve reading and writing skills among Quebec’s English speakers and to promote reading for pleasure in the province’s public elementary schools.

On January 27, the students of Judy Turowitz’s Grade One class at Sinclair Laird School helped launch Family Literacy Day and the second annual Come Read With Me! competition. Their activities were covered by Richard Dagenais of Global T.V’s This Morning Live.

Come Read With Me! again promises to be an exciting experience. Like last year, students enrolled in Quebec’s English public elementary schools are being encouraged to read a book by a favourite Canadian author and submit an essay or drawing about the experience.

Winners will be selected from all of the participating public English School Boards. Winning students, as well as their school libraries, will receive gift certificates to Babar Bookstore.

Entry Forms and Teachers’ Kits have been mailed to all the public schools in Quebec’s English School Boards. If you did not receive this information and would like to participate, please call Lea at (514) 496-8024.

To learn more about the contest and to view last year’s winning entries visit our Website at www.nald.ca/lpq/read.htm.

Funding Opportunities for LPQ Members

Members of LPQ have received information about how to receive funding from the proceeds of both the 2003 PGI Golf tournament for Literacy and Raise-a-Reader. Applications for grants were included in the information package.

Eligible candidates are invited to apply for proceeds from both of the above. The only limitation is that they may not apply for funding from both for the same project.

Successful members will be notified in May.

RECLAIM Learning Centre Re-Opens at Sun Youth

On Monday, November 10th, the Learning Centre celebrated its reopening at the Sun Youth Centre, located at 4251 St-Urbain Street. The new centre is equipped with eight high-speed computers, all with internet access. For details on hours of operation, location, and directions please call RECLAIM at (514) 369-7835.