Diablo Valley Literacy Council Newsletter
Volunteers tutoring English as a second language (ESL) to non English speaking adults
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Fall 2021 | Vol. 35 No. 4 |
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WE ARE STILL SCOUTING FOR A CO-PRESIDENT FOR OUR BOARD
Lucy Goodell is expecting to resign as Co-President of the Board by 2023. Rachel Sanborn has indicated willingness to continue as a Co-President if we can find another candidate to share the responsibilities with her. We want YOU!
DO YOU WANT TO BE OUR HOSPITALITY COORDINATOR aka EVENT PLANNER?
Once we are able to have our meetings in person, you will be responsible for overseeing that the room set up, food, supplies, decorations, and clean up are provided at four trainings and three tutor gatherings throughout the year. All events are held on a Saturday. Pamela Newacheck can show you the ropes and introduce you to the people who will be on your team.
WE ALSO NEED SOMEBODY TO MANAGE OUR REGISTRATIONS FOR TUTOR TRAINING
This person is responsible for communication with people who sign up to attend the training. It involves sending appropriate informational materials, returning emails and calls, and answering any questions. The Registrar needs to keep a current list of interested tutors with name, contact information, and other data. They must keep track of who has paid and who has (or hasn’t) signed the photo release. The very busy times are the weeks leading up to February/March training and prior to October training.
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FALL TUTOR TRAINING BY ZOOM |
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Our first session of training started with an overview of Diablo Valley Literacy Council and of our affiliation with ProLiteracy, an international organization. Jessica Cope gave insight into initial meetings with a new ESL student. Jill Walker conducted interactive training on Google Classroom. The advantage of having our training on Zoom was that all of the participants were able to access Google Classroom on their own devices during the training. That was a first!
Upon completion of the second training session, 11 new tutors will be paired with ESL learners on our waitlist. Here is a screenshot of most of our new volunteers (and some of the trainers):
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As mentioned in the July newsletter the DVLC library at Good Shepherd Church in Concord has reopened!! YAY! Tutors now have access to the various print resources we have available: Side by Side, Laubach, Azar’s grammar, Picture dictionaries, citizenship resources, etc.
As before, to access the library you must check out the keys for Room 3 from the office (and check them back in when you’re done!) For the time being, hours will be 2:30-5:30 weekdays only. Call ahead to 682-8410 to be sure Laura Mott, the Office Manager, is there. You are required to wear your mask because there is food stored in that room for the church Food Pantry.
The library is self-serve. Your library card is located in the hanging file inside the first cupboard door, filed alphabetically by last name. Our librarian, Mary Nash, has included cards for our most recently trained tutors.
Page 2.3 of our tutor binder describes library procedures for borrowing books, returning books, purchasing books, and notifying the Student/Tutor Coordinator if you stop tutoring.
There is no due date on borrowed items, but of course, we want the books to be returned whenever you are through using them. Please contact Mary Nash by phone or email with library-related questions. (See page 1.2 of the tutor binder.)
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All of our newly trained tutors got a chance to get into Google Classroom and update a file to indicate who on our waiting list they might like to be paired with. Google Classroom is a free tool to help tutors efficiently manage and assess the progress of their students. Here’s a link to tell you about it:
In addition to managing tutor/student interactions, Google Classroom will allow our tutors to share ideas and resources with each other.
To get into our Google Classroom:
While signed in to your Google account, click this link:
If the link doesn't work for any reason, follow the directions below:
- While signed in to your Google account, click the Google Apps "waffle" icon at the top right of your screen (see image above). Scroll down the list of apps and click on Google Classroom (you may need to click on "More from Google").
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In Google Classroom, if you see a message reading "No Classes Here", click the + button next to the waffle icon. Then click "Join Class."
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Enter the class code: 55lke6d
After you get into Google Classroom, click on the "Classwork" tab near the top to see the topics and resources.
Jill Walker is managing Google Classroom for us. If you have questions, you may email dvlc4esl@gmail.com, and your message will be forwarded to her.
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ALICE FOSTER STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND |
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When tutors recognize a need on the part of their student related to effective tutoring, the tutor may apply to Diablo Valley Literacy Council for whatever the need might be. Applications may be submitted through this online form or a Word document with the following information:
- Tutor name
- Student name
- What it is they are requesting and the reason
- The amount if they are requesting monetary
- Plus anything else that they think is important, such as the urgency, or a description of what they would like to receive.
The funds (or books/equipment/tuition) awarded will normally be channeled through the tutor.
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Our former Treasurer and valuable board member and tutor, Ed Chambers, accumulated a grand total of 2,798 volunteer hours during his 30 years of service for Diablo Valley Literacy Council. We love you Ed!
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CATESOL 2021 State Conference (Virtual) |
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Two weekends–All four days are included in your registration!
October 29-30 and November 5-6
Fridays 1:00 to 7:00 pm & Saturdays 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
CATESOL, founded in 1969, is a nonprofit organization open to anyone concerned with the teaching of English as a second or foreign language, standard English as a second dialect, or bilingual education.
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Report Hours for
July-September, 2021
Don't forget to report your hours for the 3rd quarter: Tutoring hours and Non-tutoring hours (time spent for preparation, travel to student and workshop).
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2021 Renewal Dues
If you haven't already done so, remember to pay your 2021 membership dues. It's a great way to show your support for DVLC, and we use the dues to pay for items needed to support our tutoring program.
Please use the DONATE button, visit dvlc4esl.org, or send check or cash for $15 to DVLC, 4000 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA 94521.
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