December 2009 - "The GLAD Tutor" newsletter

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"A Book for Every Baby"

GHS junior Emily Smith periodically assists “A Book for Every Baby” project leader Trish Hightower in preparing gift bags for mothers-to-be at Grenada Lake Medical Center. In collaboration with GLAD, the GLMC Auxiliary funds this project with proceeds from their gift shop. GLMC Parent Educator Karen LaFontaine distributes the gift bags. A big thank-you to all involved in this worthwhile family literacy project!

Need to take the GED test in December or January?

The Grenada Adult Education Center is registering local adults for GED testing now. Both December and January testing slots are currently available. Space is limited. You must have required paperwork and pay testing fees before a seat is reserved for you. Contact 227-6101 or 226-7462 for more information.

Microsoft Win 7 Donation Received Through TechSoup

Valued at $1,990, GLAD is now able to upgrade several laptops running on Windows VISTA to the new Win 7 operating system at a nominal cost through TechSoup. These laptops were obtained through a 2007-08 AT&T Excelerator Grant to the adult literacy program through the Elizabeth Jones Library. They are primarily used for classroom instruction and presentations by Grenada Adult Education Center staff. Thanks to Microsoft and TechSoup for this opportunity!

Also from NCFL...Movie brings power of literacy to big screen

"The story is a familiar one in family literacy--an illiterate teen mother is living a life of despair until a teacher helps her transform her life through education and encouragement.

This powerful story, produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, has been made into a movie that has won a Sundance Film Festival award. It's also one that will be touting NCFL [National Center for Family Literacy] and the family literacy message.

The movie, PRECIOUS, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, with an all-star cast including Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz, will be in limited release in conjunction with National Family Literacy Month in November.

NCFL has become a partner with the movie's distributor, Lionsgate Films. It will feature NCFL on its website and provide literacy tips in conjunction with the film.

Click here to see the moving trailer of a young woman who overcame abuse, poverty and an environment of low expections. "

November 20th -- Movie opens in Southaven, Madison, and Pearl, MS.

From The National Center for Family Literacy

"Chief National Correspondent for CBS News and regular contributor to "60 Minutes," Byron Pitts, is taking his powerful message of overcoming illiteracy to the internet.

He is featured on a Better World Books' podcast to discuss his new book, Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life's Challenges."

The book chronicles his rise to fame after overcoming illiteracy and a stuttering problem with the support of his mother, a college roommate and educators.

Better World Books also is supporting the effort by donating 100% of net profits for Byron's book when it is purchased at www.betterworldbooks.com/Step-Out-on-Nothing-id-0312577664.aspx."

Printable "Volunteer Interest Form"

You may print and complete this form.

Snail mail it to "PO Box 533, Grenada, MS 38902" or fax it to (662) 226-7462 or

scan completed form and email it to grenada_literacy@yahoo.com

Thank you for your interest!

Daylight Saving Time ends Sun., Nov. 1st

Remember to set your clocks back one hour ("fall back") on Sun. morning, Nov. 1st.

Newspaper Highlights "Make a Difference Day" Planning

The Grenada Star featured a front-page article on our "Make a Difference Day" event planning in their Friday, Oct. 23rd, issue. Thanks to the local newspaper for their ongoing coverage of our events. Visit grenadastar.com for community information and news. The local newspaper is now published twice weekly--on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Ready to take the GED? Sign up now for next month's testing session...

The deadline to complete preregistration (including paying testing fees, presenting your valid gov't-issued photo ID and Social Security card, and so on), is at noon two working days prior to the scheduled GED Testing Orientation date each month. Please inquire at the Grenada Adult Education Center front office soon if you need to take the GED for the first time or retest next month. Space is limited to 14 examinees per subject area test.

The national GED Testing Service plans to begin implementation of new, "more stringent" testing requirements (http://www.acenet.edu/AM/Template.cfm?Section=GED_news). These changes will be phased in over time, but it is important to plan now to pass the GED--sooner rather than later since the test will become more difficult.

Make a Difference Day - Sat., Oct. 24

The Grenada Adult Education Center is hosting a “Support our Local Troops” supply drive and new book drive for the soldiers’ children aged preschool to early teen for our 2009 Make a Difference Day project.

We are partnering with the local Army National Guard Family Readiness Group and the Grenada Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This event will be held at the Armory on Jackson Avenue on Saturday, October 24, from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

We are requesting donated items for soldiers such as personal care items, hand sanitizer, travel size toilet paper, eye drops, shoes insoles, and socks. Some other items might include assorted hard candies, chapstick, and cough drops.

For more information, you may contact us at 227-6101 or email us at grenada106@yahoo.com or john.mcgee@ yahoo.com.

CELEBRATE ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY WEEK

ABE Class Student Interest Form

If you are interested in signing up to attend the free classes at the Grenada Adult Education Center, please complete and return a "Student Interest Form" as soon as possible.

New Student Registration and Orientation Begins October 13th

Morning class students register at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13th, and evening students at 5:00 p.m. at the Grenada Adult Education Center (423 S. Line St.). Sign up now for this FREE upcoming 8-week class session. If you miss the Tuesday regular orientation, late registration for morning classes will be at 8:00 a.m. on Wed., Oct. 14th. Late registration for evening classes will be at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15th. If you miss orientation for the second fall session, our next enrollment date will be on Mon., January 4th.

For more information, call 227-6101 or 226-7462. Adult students must be at least 18 years old and officially withdrawn from school. Please complete a student interest form as soon as possible if you plan to enroll.

A TRIBUTE TO ROYAL GOBER

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

by Trish Hightower
GLAD Immediate Past Chairman
August 18, 2009

Royal Gober was a Godly man of many talents. He was a leader, a people person, an organizer, a teacher, a visionary. He was a man of purpose, authority, and determination. He was a man who set high expectations and convinced others they could meet these expectations, and they did…to their own amazement! He was a man of sympathy, patience and understanding whose ability to relate to the downtrodden helped the discouraged and lifted their spirits and their achievements beyond their wildest dreams. He set worthy goals, wanting to make things better than they were before his arrival. And he put forth the effort to achieve whatever it was that could be improved. He was a gardener who shared the bounty of his crop with neighbors and friends. He enjoyed woodworking, making useful and attractive gifts for friends.

He was a Christian who saw the good in others and brought out the best in people. He was a churchman who could be counted on; a praying man, faithful to his Lord and involved in church activities. He loved his parents and siblings and enjoyed and appreciated the family he grew up with. He was a loving husband to his beautiful wife, Judy, and devoted to his children and grandchildren.

The Lord guided Royal's life to significant opportunities of service. His position as head of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission allowed him to have a broad, effective, and positive reach throughout the state. His array of skills were put to use in his position and involved a wide variety of tasks. The Commission had benefited greatly from his leadership when he retired.

Royal believed in community service and organized the Exchange Club of Grenada in order to have a means for friends and neighbors to band together to improve life for others through that club's mission. Royal was the Charter President and held numerous positions of leadership with Exchange on the local and district level. Grenada's Exchange Club has used his standard of leadership to maintain a nationally recognized reputation for excellence over many years.
Looking for community service opportunities in retirement, he was contacted about the effort to organize a literacy council. Royal believed in education and heretofore organized adult literacy training had not been available in Grenada. He agreed to become involved, and once again his talents and skills were used to the fullest. He became the primary factor in the organization of GLAD, the Grenada League for Adult Development.

As the Literacy Director for GLAD, he retired from the impressive office he had occupied as head of MESC in Jackson to literally work in a closet at the Vocational School in Grenada. From that tiny area, he developed by-laws, obtained non-profit status for the organization and began recruiting volunteers. From his example, the GLAD Board of Directors learned how to lead people, honor achievement and set realistic expectations. And Royal learned some lessons, too. He discovered that managing employees and managing volunteers required entirely different approaches. He quickly adjusted to working with volunteers and set an example that has served well those who followed him when he retired from GLAD.

Over the years that he served GLAD, he managed government financial grants that helped fund GLAD's activities and flawlessly provided the reporting and accounting that allowed continued funding. He trained more than 500 tutors matching them with students, overseeing their activities and their reporting. He saw to it that tutors and students were honored for their achievements. As a result, a multitude of people who wanted to learn to read, had the opportunity, achieved goals and received recognition for their efforts.

Royal had many other interests and accomplishments. And if Royal was in charge of anything, everyone knew whatever was planned would run well…whether it was a state agency, a civic service club, a volunteer organization or a Sunday School party! In addition, all involved would know his humor, quick smile, friendliness, welcoming spirit, and joy of life. He was truly "A Man For All Seasons" and everyone would agree that you were exceedingly blessed if you knew him and called him your friend.

Chapter K Gold Wing Road Riders 2009 Ride for GLAD

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