September 8th is International Literacy Day!

Take the Challenge
On September 8th, get involved and take the International Literacy Day Challenge. This year’s challenge focuses on literacy and essential skills for everyone, everywhere. Try out some of these activities to celebrate International Literacy Day – and continue to practice literacy and essential skills every day!

1. Read a book to a child
2. Have a child read a book to an adult
3. Start a blog
4. Take a professional development course
5. Join a social media platform – Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
6. Write a letter to an old friend – the snail mail way!
7. Share this list with friends and coworkers – and dare them to take the challenge!
8. Play a game of Scrabble
9. Look up and learn a new word (and continue to do so every day for a month!)
10. Use a new form of technology (Smartphone, self‐serve checkout, etc.)

(From: http://abclifeliteracy.ca/take-challenge)

Call PELC to see how we can help you learn something new!

PELC offering computer classes this fall.

PELC will be offering computer classes this fall, beginning on Sept. 12th. They vary from the courses we've been teaching in that these are instructor lead classes. Three classes: Computer Basics, Microsoft Word 2007, and The Internet. Call 613-476-1811 for more information!

Computer Basics for Everyone
Learn the basics of working on a computer: turning it on & off, using a mouse, opening & closing programs, and much more! If you’ve never used a computer, or have limited knowledge, this course is for you.
Sept. 12 - 14 (Mon., Tues., Wed.) - 1:00 - 3:00pm (1 week - 6hrs total)

Microsoft Word 2007 plus Office Suite Overview
If employment is your goal, but you don’t know how to use Word to type business letters, create simple posters, or format a resume, this course is for you. Learn how to format fonts, copy & cut information, disk & file management, and much more! Potential to leave with examples for your portfolio.
Sept. 19 - Oct. 12 (Mon., Tues., Wed.) - 10:00 - 12:00 (4 weeks - 24hrs total)

The Internet for Enjoyment
Learn about search engines, websites, Facebook, Gmail & Hotmail, online shopping , YouTube, and much more! If you have limited experience with ‘surfing the net’, this course is for you!
Sept. 26 - Oct. 12 (Mon., Tues., Wed.) - 1:00 - 3:00pm (3 weeks - 18hrs total)

PELC celebrates summer with a BBQ lunch!

On Thursday, August 25, 2011, PELC had a delicious barbecue lunch. We had hotdogs, hamburgers, devilled eggs, potato salad, and corn on the cob. Everyone enjoyed the feast.


The Students’ Council presented Emma Thompson, our summer student, with some farewell gifts. Emma is heading back to school at McGill University. She will be missed.





Submitted by Angela Hopf, Student Council

Student Council Field Trip to Belleville

On Thursday, August 4, 2011, our class went on a field trip to went to Belleville. The field trip was paid for by Students’ Council.

Our first stop was Quinte Bowl.



We had fun. We played 3 rounds of 5 pin bowling.








We had lunch at Riverside Park. It was very enjoyable and relaxing.





For the rest of the afternoon, we played Mini-Golf at the Quinte Mall. It was great fun, but very hot.




Submitted by Angela Hopf, Student Council Vice-Chair & Secretary

Thanks for a Successful and Entertaining AGM!

PELC held our Annual General Meeting last night. It was a wonderful evening, with about 25-30 in attendance. We started with a light meal prepared by PELC staff, then moved into the meeting portion of the evening, which went quickly and smoothly.


The Board of Directors surprised the staff with beautiful 'Years of Service Recognition Awards', as everyone has been with the agency for over 10 years (except Robin, our tutor, who is working on her second year but, we hope, will continue on with us). The staff wishes to thank the Board for the recognition. It was a nice addition to the evening.



Storyteller David Sweet, from Books & Company, was kind enough to entertain us with his hilarious stories of the trials and tribulations of everyday life, including owning both a store and a septic bed! Hilarious. Thanks, David! We appreciate your words and your kindness.




PELC Student Council Chair and Co-Chair, Lucinda R. and Angela H., presented a slide show entitled "PELC Student Council Year in Review", which gave our audience a taste of what the students council does at PELC. Thanks Lucinda and Angela for doing such a wonderful job!






Keith, our lead instructor, prestented Learning Certificates to students Angela, Lucinda, and Gladys, who were all in attendance. Angela also received a special gift, as she graduated high school in 2011. We're very proud of her, as we are of all of our students.





It was a wonderful evening! Thanks to everyone who came out to support PELC, especially our community partners Jo-anne (OW), Donna (Career Edge), Stacey (QUADS), and Councillor Barb Proctor. And a special thanks to Janie, our Ministry of Training Colleges, and Universities Employment and Training Consultant.



THANK YOU!

Thanks Sobeys! Truly a neighborhood grocery store!

Thanks to the generousity of Jamie Yeo and his staff at Picton Sobeys and their customers, PELC's Loonies for Literacy Donation Add-On Campaign raised $380.00! Thank you!!!

Storyteller David Sweet to entertain at our AGM

If you're a fan of a 'good yarn' or a 'tall tale' be sure to head over to PELC's Annal General Meeting! You won't be disappointed!

Please join Prince Edward Learning Centre board members, staff, and students on Thursday, August 18th, 2011 for our Annual General Meeting.

Presentation of Learning Certificates to celebrate the achievements of our students followed by a Student Council presentation.

With special guest speaker: Storyteller David Sweet
(Books & Company, PEC Authors Festival)

Free light meal at 5:30 p.m. (Please call to RSVP 613-476-1811)
Meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Lower Level of The Armoury, Picton
Please use the SIDE door. Free parking is available.

Please RSVP if you are able to join us for the meal. 613-476-1811

Literacy Opens Doors

Special thanks to Isabelle Patton at Books & Company for her window display "Literacy Opens Doors". Be sure to head down and check out the window...and while you're there be sure to 'open the door' and see everything that Books & Company has to offer! If they don't have it in stock, their friendly staff would be more than happy to order it in for you!

Tag Day Raises $710.44!

Loonies for Literacy Tag Day ran on Friday, August 12th. The grand total raised was $710.44! We are incredibly happy and thankful for such a generous community!

Very special thanks to PELC students Angela H., Kathryn H., Bill R., Jason S., Bill B., Blair W., high school volunteer Amanda Wade, our summer student Emma Thompson and her sister Hannah, PELC Board Member Virginia Cresswell-Jones and Board Chair Fergus Millar, our Board Member Wayne Carruthers and his extra volunteers Annette Gaskin, Angela Palmer, and Fran Renoy, and PELC Executive Director Linda Conley. In total, 16 people helped with Tag Day.

As stated, $710.44 was raised. Thanks to the three collection sites for their cooperation. The breakdown of money is as follows: LCBO Picton ($299.97), The Armoury ($217.45), and Pharma Plus ($193.02).

And a giant thank you to everyone who made a donation!


Photo L-R:
Fergus Millar, PELC Board Chair, and Emma Thompson, PELC Summer Student in front of The Armoury. PELC is located in the lower level.

Sobeys Window of Loonies

The window of Loonies is getting fuller! Keep it going and block out the sun!
Thanks everyone!

Sobeys Picton

Don't forget that when you're shopping at Sobeys Picton, you can make a $1 donation to PELC when you are paying for your groceries! How easy is that!?