Literacy Council to offer full slate of holiday programs for students
Just because the kids will be out of school over the last couple weeks of 2019, doesn’t mean the Highlands Literacy Council won’t be busy.
The HLC, neatly ensconced in their new digs in Highlands Plaza, has several ongoing programs continuing through Christmas break.
“The after school program will stop the week before school lets out as the kids will be testing and they won’t have any homework,” she said.
The last day of school for Highlands School students enrolled in the HLC after school program is Dec. 20, with testing going on from Dec. 16-20, Potts said.
“It didn’t make sense doing the program during that week,” Potts said.
The HLC will be open daily over the holidays with their adult literacy classes, English Speaking Other Language classes and individual tutoring.
“Adult literacy, ESOL and tutoring classes are individually scheduled throughout the day,” Potts said. “So there are no set times or formal classes.”
ESOL classes meet on Thursdays, Potts added.
Also, Potts mentioned the ongoing Dolly Parton Imagination Library where kids from birth until the age of four will receive a free book each month.
“If you sign up at birth you will receive a total of 60 books over the four-year course of the program,” Potts said.
The program is free of charge for children, but costs the HLC $30 per child annually for the program. Interested individuals can sponsor a child as a gift with a $30 donation to the HLC.
“There is never any cost to the child, but if sponsors were willing to pay for our cost to the program we make up a nice card to give to the parent and child saying their participation in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library reading program has been paid for in the child’s honor,” she said.
Upon sign-up, children will receive a free book each month that will be sent to their home.
Parents interested in signing their child up for the program just need to stop by the HLC Fourth Street Location in Bryson’s Plaza during normal business hours.
“It’s simple and its free,” Potts said.
Other holiday projects the students will be working on is the making of holiday cards for the residents at the Eckerd Living Center.
“This is something we do every holiday season,” Potts said.
Also, according to the HLC Facebook page, ESOL teachers and volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis. At least one year experience with Spanish is required for the teaching position, though fluency is not mandatory.
Those interested in volunteering can sign up on the HLC’s Facebook page via direct messaging, call 828-526-0863 or email anorton@maconncliteracy.org.