We are thrilled to congratulate Carol Hryniuk-Adamov, the recipient of the International Literacy Association's Maryann Manning Special Service Award! Carol’s lifelong dedication to literacy has made a profound impact worldwide.

The Maryann Manning Special Service Award is a prestigious recognition given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and distinguished service to the field of literacy throughout their lifetime.

Congratulations, Carol!

Every year, the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg (RCGW) and Manitoba Reading Association (MRA) works together to honour exceptional educators and leaders from across Manitoba. 
 
“Celebrating the achievements of our award winners is always a highlight for RCGW,” said President Leslie Dickson. “Our scholarship and merit awards honour teachers who have shown remarkable dedication to advancing literacy and education in our community. Their passion inspires us all.”
 
This year, RCGW awarded the Certificate of Merit to three inspiring teachers: Julia Martin of Bairdmore School, Shayla Refik of Dalhousie School, and Paula Sasdelli of École River Heights. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in literacy in the areas of research, classroom teaching, or teacher education. Additionally, the RCGW Scholarship Award, which is given to promising teacher candidates, was awarded to Nina Bakija from the University of Manitoba.
 
The MRA also honoured several individuals with its Crocus Awards. The Crocus Literacy Award for Administrators was presented to Patricia Williamson-Crocatt of École R. W. Bobby Bend School and Cathy-Ann Winters of Shamrock School. The MRA Crocus Award for Literacy Advocacy was awarded to Anabela Nicolau and Twila Richardson. In a special highlight, Jodianna Paterson received the International Literacy Association (ILA) Celebrate Literacy Award. 
 
Adding to the accoldates, RCGW earned the ILA’s Honour Award for the 38th year. This award recognizes local groups that organize and conduct well-rounded programs serving the chapter members. 
 
The ceremony, held in late May at the Niakwa Country Club, was attended by nearly fifty guests who were undoubtedly inspired by the achievements of this year’s award recipients. RCGW extends special thanks to Heather Greidanus, who chaired this year’s awards committee. 
 
Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you for your invaluable contributions to our community!
 

MYRCA has also announced next year's nominees. Check out the MYRCA website at http://www.myrca.ca/ for the latest pamphlet to share with your school communities. 

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg will welcome Ellin Oliver Keene to Winnipeg for MTS PD Day, Friday, October 25, 2024. We return to the Caboto Centre for a day of professional learning packed with strategies and ideas. 

Ellin will present "Integrating Reading and Writing for Engaged Learning," a day-long presentation geared toward Grade 3-9 teachers. 

Teachers are all too familiar with the complex issues in teaching reading and writing; how do we teach standards effectively; how do we differentiate meaningfully; how do we engender deeper thinking in students? Perhaps our greatest challenge in literacy instruction, though, is the tyranny of time. We struggle to find time for students to read and write independently, time to confer with individuals and meet with small groups, and time to provide meaningful, in-depth instruction when there are so many standards and curriculum objectives. 

Most of us learned to read and write as separate subjects making it difficult to craft instruction that integrates reading and writing but when we do make integration work, the impact on students is enormous. We find that students are far more engaged and their learning more permanent when they understand how the same objective or standard impacts them as readers and writers. We can help students craft more potent written pieces and comprehend more deeply if we integrate instruction. Let’s talk about the nitty gritty of launching a Literacy Studio in your classroom.

As with last year, lunch will be included in the registration fee! More information and registration information will be posted in the summer. 

The Manitoba Reading Association and the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg are teaming up to honour educators. The hard work of educators needs to be celebrated. Please read below for information on how to nominate a Literacy Leader near you.
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Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg (RCGW) – Promoting literacy through professional development and community outreach
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The RCGW would like to celebrate all the teachers and community leaders who have advanced literacy throughout our province. Is there someone in your school division or community who deserves to be recognized for their outstanding work in the field of literacy? Perhaps you know a teacher who has done some remarkable things in the areas of classroom teaching, teacher education, or research. Maybe you’re aware of a member of the RCGW who is retiring or moving away from Manitoba who should be honoured for their accomplishments here, or a community member who has raised awareness about the importance of reading.  You may work with or know about a colleague who has made significant literary contributions at the local or provincial level.

We would love to help you honour these individuals with our Annual Awards Evening! Please see the PDF poster below and fill-in form on how to nominate the teacher or community member you think should be recognized. Nominations are due Tuesday, April 30th, 2024.
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Manitoba Reading Association – “Every Manitoban a Literate Manitoban”
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The Manitoba Reading Association would like to honour those who support literacy initiatives across the province. Perhaps you know an administrator that has gone the extra mile to support literacy within your school or division. Or maybe you know a community member who volunteers their time to implement literacy initiatives in your area. Please see the PDF poster below on how to nominate a literacy leader in Manitoba. Nominations are due April 30th, 2024.

​To All Schools,

“I Love to Read Month” is a month long celebration that is held each year to encourage reading, writing, and sharing in the joy of literacy. This year’s theme is “Our Voices are Unique”. This theme is meant to help readers recognize the importance of being their true selves and sharing their stories. We can develop a deeper understanding of different perspectives by sharing our own stories and by listening to others’ stories.

On behalf of the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg (RCGW), I have prepared the attached idea calendar. The RCGW is a group of dedicated educators who meet monthly to share and work to promote knowledge and awareness of lifelong literacy and learning. Please share the idea calendar with teachers, students and their families. It would make a great addition to your school newsletter. Activities are included for students of all ages to have them explore different ways of engaging with literacy. I hope that both teachers and students will have fun with the suggested activities and that they will challenge the students to learn something new. I also hope that families will be able to share the excitement of reading and writing together.

​In addition to the idea calendar, the RCGW will be making a book and monetary donation to the Cancer Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital, so that the staff can continue to update their children’s and teen’s libraries and magazine subscriptions. This provides children, teens, as well as parents with reading materials that are appealing and entertaining, as well as supportive.

​The RCGW thanks you for sharing this idea calendar with teachers and families. By doing so, you are helping to empower our students to change the world.

Sincerely,
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Brittany Bell
Representative of the I Love to Read Committee
Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg