The Community Services Council (CSC) marked Family Literacy Day in Canada with the release of its newly developed family literacy curriculum called EAGER TO LEARN: A Course on Family Literacy.

A public launch was held on January 27, 2000, at the Community Services Council Board Room at Virginia Park Plaza with a copy of the resource binder being presented to Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The course was developed with funding from the National Literacy Secretariat and Human Resources Development Canada's Career Vision program, sponsored by Memorial University of Newfoundland.

"The Community Services Council hopes that there will be widespread interest in offering this course in family literacy in a variety of settings such as in adult basic education(ABE) programs, community agencies and settings where continuing education is of importance to employees," said Penelope Rowe, Executive Director, CSC. The curriculum should be of particular interest to family resource centres, early childhood educators, day care workers and other agencies who work with families. The primary focus of the course is about creating a culture of family literacy and the important role which parents play in developing children's interest in life long learning.

"CSC is particularly pleased that the provincial Department of Education has endorsed this course as a General Options credit within the provincially-approved Adult Basic Education curriculum," said Rowe.

Anyone interested in obtaining the materials should contact the CSC at (709) 753-9860 or check out the website at www.csc.nf.net

L-R: Penelope Rowe, Executive Director of the CSC presents Judy Foote, Minister of Education, with a copy of the Eager to Learn program.