home

= [|www.belizeliteracy2011.blogspot.com] =

Good bye my friends, you have all worked so hard and it has been my honor to be a small part of such a large project. Each and everyone of you are a super star in my eyes. I have no greater respect then to the people that hold the future of the world in their hands. You have helped to shape the lives of our youth. As you head back to Canada remember that your skill and training this week will go forward and impact every child in the country of Belize. Thank you all - Sheree & Aki


 * __NEWS FROM LYNNE FOLLOWING THE WEEK OF BELIZE LITERACY PROGRAM 5370 EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT__**

I am back home in Red Deer, Alberta today and returned from Belize along with team members Phil Pattison, Denise Gagne, and Rebekah Seidel who all enjoyed a delightful debriefing in the Houston airport yesterday afternoon between flights. I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all 30 of the team participants this past week. I had the rich opportunity to travel to many sites and witness your generous giving and sharing of your gifts and talents with our Belize friends. Indeed, you can be proud of the tremendous work you have done in the areas of Literacy, Community Leadership Development, Curriculum Development and Implemntation, Technology Integration, Principal and Learning Coach leadership as well as the additional guidance, resources and direction you so generously shared with Belize educators in the six education districts of Belize. I witnessed tremendously hard work in planning, collaboration and presentation and heard so many glowing reports from Belize participants that I can't begin to document them all. Your support for Rotary as the initiator and funder of this project is also praiseworthy as I joined many of you in Rotary meetings and celebrations across the country. What a marvelous gift that Rotary contributes by development of projects such as the Belize Literacy Program which provides rich opportunties for Canadian teachers to engage in project activities that are mutally beneficial to our Canadian educators and Belize educators. I sincerely have appreciated the enthusiasm and drive you have put into your mission in Belize and I am confident you have left a lasting imprint in the hearts of the people you have served. Also, on a practical note I am so pleased that I received few complaints, did not have to medi vac anyone out of the country and that the last two nights of relaxation in San Pedro were enriched with the glorious stories of your adventures and new learning as part of your Belize experience. I hope you can take a few days for yourselves before you are back at work. And, if you get the chance spread the good news of Rotary and positive experiences you have had so that we can continue to expand and strengthen volunteer support for programs like the Belize Literacy Program. If you have __cellphones__, please direct them to Jackie Hobal at the Rotary District 5370 office. We also want all your __evaluations__ to get to Kate Paradis asap. This is critical as she needs these to compile the final report. Also, I am sure you have personal stories, and many pictures or film clips. I am hoping that the committee lead on technology and communication may set up a photo bucket or some type of system where we can direct our best pictures. Keep posted on further information from Kate or Jerome but I encourage you to select your best 10 pictures and include a caption with each one indicating where, when the pic was taken and names if available as well as a statement of the message in the photo. See Kate's Blog for a demo of this process. This way we can have the full story of the August 2011 Belize Literacy Program in digital and visual format for all to enjoy and for future sharing with local Rotary Clubs. Any questions on receipts, follow up activities etc feel free to contact Jackie Hobal, Rotary Districgt 5370 Belize Literacy Program Chair or me at lparadis@rdcrd.ab.ca. To our Belize friends who may read this wikki know that your warm hospitality and support for us while in your country has been genuinely appreciated and that you have earned a well deserved soft spot in our hearts. We have learned as much from you as you have from us and we all look forward to continuuing the conversations to help make education the best it can be for the students of Belize. I am beginning the new school year energized and refreshed from the positive Belize experiences this past ten days and I wish you all a strong start to the new school year as well. Happy travels to all and keep in touch, add to the wikki or blog and continue to promote the positive work of Rotary in supporting international initatives to make the planet and bettter place for all. Lynne Paradis

CURRENT INFORMATION ON BELIZE LITERACY PROGRAM -- BE SURE TO CHECK KATE'S CONTRIBUTIONS!

LOTS of news from Kate, the Rotary District 5370 Media and Evaluation Reporter for the August 2011 Belize Literacy Program tour click on the link below or the link on the page in the left margin:

= [|www.belizeliteracy2011.blogspot.com] =

Hello All! We've posted our blog in the 2011 Belize Blog tab on the left if you are interested in reading the full experience we've had this week. Just a snapshot though of the 5370's Math and Science Curriculum Work: Overall the week was a tremendous success, where we facilitated and learned on a two-way street! Please check out our blog! :) Brenda and Courtney
 * curriculum was reviewed and worked with (exploring big ideas, conceptual understandings, instructional strategies, and planning and assessment)
 * child-centered learning was explored
 * problem-based and inquiry-based learning as an approach to the curriculum was examined
 * teachers, principals and MoE curriculum officers worked interactively AND integratively

GREETINGS FROM LYNNE IN PUNTA GORDA-- CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR BELIZE LITERACY PROJECT AND LITERACY ALIVETEAMFOR AN EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR BELIZE PARTICIPANTS, THE ROTARIANS ANDMINISTRYOF EDUCATION STAFF WHO WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE THIS WEEK A SUCCESS. There have been many wonderful accolades regarding the hosting support of Rotarians, the warm, welcoming and eager to learn Belize participants and many adventures that members of the group have participated in. There have been emergent concerns every day but they have all been satisfactorily addressed with the assistance of Rotarians and Ministry of Education employees. Some updates: -all our group is well hosted and there have not been any concerns regarding accommodation -MANY Rotary meetings have been attended and our ambassadors for Rotary are doing an excellent job in promoting Rotary, honoring the goals set out by the BLP group in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. -Many new programs for PD are underway in Belize so numbers in our BLP program are down in Learning Coaches but high in Principals. -Our materials are rich and well received. -All photocopying arrived to the seven sites and the Belize PD Director, Cecilia Smith and her staff are to be congratulated for excellent work in this area. -All our cohort received their facilitator supplies, purchased in Belize and delivered to sites. Some details to attend to: District 5370 educators are to cover their own meals and rooms and any travel expenses and submit them to Jackie at District 5370 upon return. Literacy Alive are to arrange with Phil Pattison to have their costs covered. -Evaluations are being collected today --- Site leaders please be sure to forward them to Kate either in Belize or when you return. -Communication is considerably improved over last year but as would be expected there were problems in this area in some sites.

The Belize Literacy Program 5370 is leaving a positive footprint here when they leave in the next few days and the conversations will continue between the Canadians and the Belizeans as strong relationships have been created and networks for sharing set up. I want to thank everyone for the amazing dedication to this program, the problem solving that has been taken by our leaders to address on site problems, and the hope, inspiration and skills you have given the Belizean teachers. You are all doing outstanding work that will result in improved teaching and improved student learning in Belize. God bless, and happy travels home. Lynne

C3TV in Orange Walk aired a long interview on Tuesday August 2, 2011 about the Belize Literacy Project. Marueen Parker spoke, as did two Principals named Enrique Yuso (Louisiana Government School) and Lewis Pook (Bishop Martin High School). The full interview can be seen at this link: ctv3belizenews.com. As well, just following this interview is another interview with my host Rotarian, Joe Habet of Shell. - Joni

http://ctv3belizenews.com/archives/620-teachers-learn-to-become-learning-coaches-.html
= We are making headlines!!! = = = C3TV in Orange Walk aired a long interview on Tuesday August 2, 2011 about the Belize Literacy Project. Marueen Parker spoke, as did two Principals named Enrique Yuso (Louisiana Government School) and Lewis Pook (Bishop Martin High School). The full interview can be seen at this link: ctv3belizenews.com. As well, just following this interview is another interview with my host Rotarian, Joe Habet of Shell = =

**__BELIZE LITERACY PROGRAM -- ROTARY DISTRICT 5370 AND BELIZE ROTARY CLUBS __** The Belize Literacy Program is an exciting Rotary district program. The partners are Rotary District 5370, the Rotary Club of San Ignacio (of) Rotary District 4250 ) and the Ministry of Education and Youth , Government of Belize. The other eight Rotary clubs in Belize assist in various parts of the program. The Program is a unique Rotary District to Country program that began 9 years ago.  Funding for this Program is provided by a 3-H grant from the Rotary Foundation, CRCID (Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development), Alberta Culture and Community Services, and individual Rotary Clubs in District 5370. This summer, we welcome the //Literacy Alive Project// and team from Rotary Club of Red Deer.  Our program goals include:  Program components include:  On behalf of the Belize Literacy Program Committee I wish you all a rewarding summer of collaboration, service, learning and meeting new friends. Please visit the Belize Literacy Program website for program updates. www.belizeliteracy.com
 * Improving student achievement
 * Reducing the dropout rate
 * provides professional development for teachers and administrators in Belize
 * assistance in revising elementary school language arts, math and science curricula
 * assists the Belize Ministry of Education in integrating technology into teaching and learning
 * ancillary projects – building playgrounds, solar power, water and sanitation, adopt a school...

Jackie Hobal, Chair Rotary International District 5370 Belize Literacy Program = = =Hello All,=

This is my first post to the wiki. I am the Belize Co-chair of the Belize Literacy program, and a Rotarian from the San Ignacio Club. I have had the pleasure of seeing this project grow from a mall project involving a few teachers from Alberta providing PD to the teachers in the Cayo District, to a country wide project involving PD, curriculum revision and development, and distributive learning.

As the Belize Co-chair, a Rotarian, and a Belizean, I welcome you all to Belize, and wish you the best this week. As Lynne says below, you will positively touch the lives of not only the teachers you will work with, but also the other teachers they mentor next week, and the children in all of their classrooms.

I hope you enjoy the warmth and generosity of Belize, and experience some of our culture.

Blessings to you all,

Eve Aird =TEACHERS OF LEARNING COACHES AND PRINCIPAL GROUPS= See in the link below a sample first lesson for the opening day. Some of you may find it helpful. Teamleaders please be sure that you contact me in the afternoon tomorrow with an update on the numbers of participants in the sessions at your site. Either phone 6324227 or email or the Wiki.

You are all doing amazing work for Belize students and educators a I know you will leave a positive footprint of change and inspiration for the people you work with this week. Good luck to all and remember to update the wiki with your news! Lynne = = == =Saturday late afternoon:= Our fullteamhas arrived to Belize City and is preparing for the orientation meeting at six oclock tonight. Unfortunately, all the people are here but much of their luggage is not so some clothes exchanging is going on until the luggage delivery problem is addressed. Seveeral of us met with Francis Woods this morning and he is the President of the Belize City Rotary Clubs. The major fundraiser for their club is tonight and is a play in theh Kriol language. So far at least 18 of our group will attend and he is arranging for transportation. Great experiences ahead thanks to the Belize City Club. Tomorrow am all the group breaks into the site teams and will proceed to their work sites for the week.


 * TONIGHT ALL BELIZE LITERACY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS MEET AT 6:00 SHARP ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE RADISSON TOWER IN THE ALTUNA ROOM FOR AN ORIENTATION AND ESSENTIAL UPDATES ABOUT THE PROGRAM. EITHER WEAR OR BRING YOUR RED ROTARY SHIRTS AS THE OFFICIAL GROUP PICTURE WILL BE TAKEN. PLANS ARE APPROX ONE HOUR OF UPDATES, SHARING PROGRAM MANDATES AND QUESTIONS REGARDING THE UNFOLDING OF PLANS.**

OPENING CEREMONIES SET IN ALL SITES FOR NINE OCLOCK MONDAY MORNING. SHEREE AND AKI FUKAI FROM THE SAN IGNACIO CLUB ARE VERY BUSY WITH LAST MINUTE DETAILS.

YOURS IN ROTARY, Lynne = = = = =Welcome to the BELIZE 2011 Wikispace=

This is a collaborative space for us to share our resources that will be used in Belize in the summer of 2011. It is also a space that we can share with our Belizean Friends. Please feel free to post your materials in this space

GREETINGS FROM BELIZE FROM LYNNE...

==Belize is ready for us but there are many types of PD going on in addition to ours. Numbers of learning coaches is low but you will be able to spend more time with them working on facilitation skills. They will all be teaching their own peers all the second week of August.==

Principal groups are large. We may redeploy some people.
==Denise Gagne is welcomed to our group. She will arrive Friday from Calgary and will begin in Cayo stayIng at the Iquada Inn in San Igancio with the full group going to Cayo. Denise is a teacher and a music expert and will be working with various groups on music and li== ===One full copy of the handouts that your students will receive will be given to you on Saturday night at the Radisson. The student copies will be delivered to the District Managers to distribute Monday morning.=== ===Principal leaders do Instructional leadership, literacy and classroom management Mon, Tuesday and Wednesday and then work with first year teachers on Thursday and Friday. I have more info for you on how to handle this at the orientation Saturday night.=== ===You should have picked up a red shirt from one of your leaders. You need to bring them on Saturday night -- we have some extras for size rearranging if needed. A group picture is essential that night. . Orientation begins promptly at 6:00. Check at the front desk for the room.=== ===My phone number is 532 4227--you just dial the nine digits anywhere in Belize. Don’t bring your own cellphone unless you are positive that your roaming charges are reasonable because they are generally outrageous here. We will arrange for one person in each site to have a local phone. Phil for the leadership group, Diane in Punta Gorda, Jaime in BC, Denise in CZ, Brenda E in OW, Judith in BP, Margaretrose in DG, Cheryl G in SI. We can do this on Saturday morning after most of you arrive===

Arrangements have been made to pick you up at the airport.
===You are a VISITOR on PLEASURE business when you come through customs. You will confuse the issue and delay your entry if you try to detail the Rotary project. There is a duty free in the airport in BC but if you really want any choice in duty free get what you want in Houston. Your facilitation supplies will be delivered to you at the orientation and include flip chart paper, felt pens, tape and post it notes. Bring anything else you want.=== ===Be prepared for some changes as things will change again before you get here but the orientation will help you with details. Sheree Fukai and I will be available in the Radisson on Friday and will do our best to pair you up in rooms. Bring American money with you -- you can get it in Houston. Bank machines do exist here but better if you have some of your own.=== ===You will pay for overweight luggage --- do not pack more than fifty pounds in one bag. The second bag cost is 30 dollars plus tax --31.50 Cdn. The check in desk forContinental actually closes one hour before flight departure so make sure you get to the desk before that. The food oncontinentalis gross--- bring your own bottle of water and a snack or pick something up in Houston -- but remember you do not have much time in Houston.===

Weather is warm but rainy today. Pack an umbrella in case.
Much has happened and be advised that I cannot open attachments on my email, my phone DOES NOT receive text messages, and I cannot see who is on my list serves so if this message doesn’t get to everyone please share it. I will post it on the wiki as well. ===Diane and I have met with all theMinistrymanagers (yesterday) and all the project directors (Literacy, Curriculum, PD,Technology). We also attended the Belize City Rotary meeting and there are at least three wonderful Rotarians there who are looking forward to hosting the Belize City group. This club has their major fundraiser on Saturday night and it is play with the Rotarians as actors and they want us to attend at 8:00. On Friday I will need to know if you want to attend. It begins at 8:00 and costs about 20 American to see and is nearby our hotel. Our orientation will be done by then to accommodate those wanting to take in local Belize Rotarian culture andentertainmentand most, if not all, the Belize City Rotarians will be there.=== See you Friday or Saturday. Safe flights to all. Lynne

__// ** WHAT’S HAPPENING IN BELIZE THIS AUGUST 2011? ** //__

__//**‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍NEW ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ - LITERACY ALIVE!**//____//Rotary Club of Red Deer, Canada//____//and//____//San Ignacio Club of Belize//__ **//Terrific things//** // are happening in Belize to improve Literacy and student success in schools! Read on for important details on how this project has expanded and the collaboration between community and ** Rotarians in Belize and Canada is making many positive differences** **.**//

//Twenty four educators and community leaders are heading to Belize in late July 2011 and will work with Rotary clubs in Belize and the Ministry of Education leaders, teachers, principals and community leaders and they will be working in a variety of projects – and one is NEW! The Literacy Alive! project includes three separate Vocational Training Teams (group of experts in various dimensions of Literacy improvement projects) who work collaborativey to ensure literacy improvement initatives that will be sustainable in Belize.// //** WELCOME THE FUTURE VISION LITERACY ALIVE! PROJECT TO BELIZE **//– //This is the first Rotary International Global Future Vision project between the Rotary Club of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and the San Ignacio, Belize Rotary Club.// //See side bar for promotional// //brochure on this exciting new Literacy initiative.//

= __**BELIZE LITERACY PROGRAM -- ROTARY DISTRICT 5370 AND BELIZE ROTARY CLUBS**__ = Project Leads are Past District Governor, Mrs. Jackie Hobal, Rotary Distrct 5370 from Alberta, Canada and Belize Rotarian Dr. Eve Aird from the San Ignacio Club This project includes a diversification of programs including support for Educator Professional Development, Curriculum Development and Implementation,Technologyand Learning, and various Ancilliary Projects. Read about the 15 participants joining the Literacy Alive group by accessing the information in the documents on the side bar.


 * // READ ABOUT __ALL__ ROTARY PROGRAMS BY OPENING THE SUMMARY DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT BELOW. //**



=__ LITERACY ALIVE! Participants in Belize August 2011 __= Dr. Lynne Paradis Rotary Club of Red Deer, Canada Mrs. Sheree Fukai San Ignacio Club of Belize
 * Project Directors: **

**__VOCATIONAL TRAINING TEAM ONE__** - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN LITERACY FOR BELIZE EDUCATORS Corinne Brown Cheryl Gascoyne Terry Bolen Cheryl Roltson (* also connected with VTT 2)
 * all educational literacy experts from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

**__VOCATIONAL TRAINING TEAM TWO__** - **BUILDING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP CAPACITY** Phil Pattison -TeamLeader and Past President Rotary Club of Red Deer Rebekah Seidel MaryAnne Jablonski - Rotarian Steve Kwasy Bob Jablonski (volunteer) __Project Leaders:__ __Educators:__** Noel Carbello Jaime Magana Eloida Casimiro
 * __ VOCATIONAL TRAINING TEAM THREE - BELIZE EDUCATORS ON PLANNING VISIT TO ALBERTA__**
 * This group visited Alberta and the Literacy Alive and Belize Literacy Program participants on a two week tour and trianing visit in June 2011 and will provide assistance to the Rotary Literacy programs in Belize this summer.**
 * Sheree Fukai**
 * Aki Fukai**

= __**BELIZE LITERACY PROGRAM -- ROTARY DISTRICT 5370 AND BELIZE ROTARY CLUBS**__ = Project Leads are Past District Governor Rotary Distrct 5370 from Alberta, Canada and Belize Rotarian Dr. Eve Aird from the San Ignacio Club This project includes a diversification of programs including support for Educator Professional Development, Curriculum Development and Implementation,Technologyand Learning, and various Ancilliary Projects. Read about the 15 participants joining the Literacy Alive group by accessing the information in the documents on the side bar.

=﻿Belize Calendar 2011=

[|Google Calendar] =Tutorials on how to use wikispaces=

Here is some tutorials on how to use wikispaces. []

This is also a You tube tutorial on how to use wikispaces. There are additional tutorials on how to edit etc. []

Belize Logo