Summer is Here!

What a wild ride 2021 has been so far. After being glued to screens for what feels like an eternity, let’s unplug and head outside together! The CMLibraries has created safe summer programming that encourages developing a bond with nature, while also reconnecting with our community. Join us for activities such as our “Nature Explorers”, where you can learn amazing nature facts and get to know our local trails. Can you identify different types of maple trees? Want to know more about invasive species? Let us share with you a vast wealth of knowledge and have fun while exploring. Also, we will continue to offer our weekly “Story Times” with a few adjustments to make them socially distanced but still focused on developing early literacy skills. You can request a Story Time kit and join us out in the beautiful green spaces surrounding the libraries every Wednesday (Millbrook) and Thursday (Bruce Johnston Branch) at 10:15am. Each kit can be used during the Story Time hour and will contain a curated selection of books and early literacy materials. Looking for a great read and to also enjoy a story? Join us for our “Story Hikes”! Each Friday morning in Millbrook we will post pages of picture books along the trails in Medd’s Mountain. To ensure covid protocols are followed and that our community is kept safe all programs require registration. Visit our website or call your local branch for more information. For a full schedule of activities and programs subscribe to our newsletter.

With the arrival of summer we invite you to meet our summer staff. The CMLibraries has received funding from Canada Summer Jobs for 2 summer positions. Meet our summer staff members:

Photo supplied.
Drop into your library and meet Autumn, second-year TrentU student from Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation on Manitoulin Island who is one of the two summer students at CMLibraries.

Hello! I’m Autumn Sky Cooper, but just call me Autumn. I am Anishinaabe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation on Manitoulin Island. I am a 2nd year student in the Indigenous Bachelor of Education at Trent University. I am hoping my knowledge will add to the summer programming in new and interesting ways (think becoming experts at plant identification, or as some would say reading mother nature). I am excited to be joining the library team this summer to get kids reading and learning about nature!

Hi! My name is Courtney Spence, and I am a supply teacher with KPR. Although I usually teach high school students, I am enthusiastic about literacy and teaching literacy through fun and engaging activities. I look forward to working at CMLibraries and getting to know everyone who participates in the programming and tutoring sessions this summer.

The CMLibraries recognizes that covid 19 has impacted students and created learning gaps that need to be addressed. This year the CMLibraries will be offering reading recovery tutoring that focuses on all the components of literacy (phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, syntax). Tutoring will involve explicit instruction, games and activities, as well as at home assignments. Tutoring will take place outside this year! Our tutoring sessions recognize that attention span and motivation is low, therefore we will be offering twice weekly 20 minute tutoring sessions that will be supplemented with authentic learning opportunities during the week. The library will be following a structured literacy approach to encourage students to develop strong reading skills and strategies that they can continue to develop as they continue on their academic journeys.

As always there are more details and activities available in our monthly newsletter, available in print format at your local branch or on our website. For more information follow our Facebook page (cmlibraries.ca) or call your local branch (Bruce Johnston Branch: 705.741.1253, Millbrook Branch: 705.932.2919).

By Melanie Crouch, Coordinator of Programming, Partnerships and Outreach, Cavan-Monaghan Libraries

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