March 19, 2020
COVID-19 Brings Changes for the
Next Several Weeks
Normally, we would open this communication with a greeting highlighting the first day of Spring, but recent changes to our collective schedules and uncertainty due to COVID-19 make this simple greeting seem a little off the mark. But, it is the first day of Spring which brings warmer weather, tulips, more sunshine and a sense of hope. Let's find joy in that.

If you haven't read our statement yet about COVID-19 (coronavirus) yet,
please click here .

This tutor communication will provide information about remote tutoring, cancellations, and event changes. Please take a moment to read it.

Finally, we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and well during
this difficult time .
Schedule Changes Due to COVID-19
Literacy Connection
23rd Annual Trivia Bee Fundraiser
Postponed until September
Tutor In-service Cancelled
We Hope to Reschedule Soon
News from Gail Borden Public Library
Closed through March 29th
Conversation Groups
Cancelled Through May 10th

Gail Borden Public Library has cancelled all programs through May 10th which includes our English and Citizenship Conversation Groups. Marsha has contacted all tutors currently participating as volunteers and will work to keep them updated.
Tutor Tips
Remote Tutoring
The safety of our tutors and learners is our #1 priority. We encourage you to meet with your learner remotely rather than face-to-face instruction. Luckily, there are many ways to meet without leaving your home. We hope you will try these methods to continue working with your learner while we social distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

ProLiteracy and LINCS have put together two documents with links to resources to help you get started. The LINCS document has a great mini guide to remote tutoring on page 7 that we highly recommend you check out. Click on the images below to access this wealth of information. Both pdf documents are clickable and will take you directly to websites of interest.

Comcast as well as other companies are helping with remote learning, work and other internet needs by waiving data limits and offering new, low-income Internet Essentials customers two months of free internet and raising the speed of that program's service. Please share this information with anyone that may qualify for this program. More info here.
Many of you may have received Census 2020 information in the mail. Ours arrived yesterday!

Please be sure to complete yours soon and continue to highlight the importance of the census with your learner.

Remember, the census can be completed online, by phone, or by mail. As reminder, your learner can complete the census online or by phone in 13 different languages including Spanish .

Additionally, bilingual invitations and paper questionnaires in English and Spanish were sent to select areas.
Please Submit Your Tutor Hours

Please take a moment and turn in any tutor hours you have to date. We know that it may take you a few weeks to adjust to remote tutoring, so submit completed hours now. This will help us with quarterly reports that we submit to the state in mid-April.

As mentioned in our recent communication to all tutors, we have updated our website reporting form to reflect remote tutoring and use of technology to meet. The time you spend together won't change just the technology you are using to work with your learner.

As always, we appreciate your service as a volunteer tutor for the Literacy Connection. We would not be able to do what we do without the help of people like you!

Other Ways to Help the Literacy Connection
You can help the Literacy Connection while shopping for household basics, books, or whatever catches your eye on Amazon.

When you designate us in Amazon Smile, we will receive a donation from the Amazon Smile Foundation.

All you have to do is shop!


Please consider donating today to help fund the important work of the Literacy Connection. We've made it easy - just click the image above to visit our donation page today.
The Adult Volunteer Literacy project is made possible by a grant from the IL State Library (ISL), which is a division of the Secretary of State's office and has state funding for literacy.

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