Literacy efforts planned in Hood River

Two literacy-based groups are expanding their efforts in the community.

* Gorge Literacy is looking for patient, open-minded, reliable individuals to train as volunteer adult literacy tutors.

The two-day tutor training in Hood River starts May 21 and finishes on June 4. The training is from 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m. with an hour break for lunch, at the Columbia Gorge Community College Hood River Center.

Led by an experienced trainer, trainees will explore the reasons why adult learners enter into literacy programs, how adults differ from child learners, what are some of the cultural differences and learning styles that may affect tutoring, how to assess a learner’s needs and work together to set attainable goals, and techniques for working with native English speakers and English as a Second Language students.

To register, please call Susan Lewis, Adult Literacy Coordinator, at (541) 296-6182 ext. 3250, or e-mail:

gorgeliteracy@cgcc.cc.or.us). There is no charge for the training. Registration deadline is May 19.

* SMART — Start Making A Reader Today is a community-based program that helps develop reading skills among selected children in kindergarten through the third grade. SMART will expand to all elementary schools in the Hood River County School District in 2005-06, and plans a Scrabble Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 4 at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. Entry fee is $25, and participants are asked to gather pledges based on points scored over a total of four games. All proceeds go to Hood River County SMART program. Entry deadline is May 25, limit 40 players, plus a children’s division ($10 entry) if enough players 14 and under are interested. Call Kirby at 386-1234, or e-mail: kneumann@eaglenewspapers.com if you are interested, and see the May 18 edition for details.