A Letter from Laura When the weather starts turning warm, you know it’s just about time for our biggest fundraiser of the year – the 15th annual Best

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A Letter from Laura

When the weather starts turning warm, you know it’s just about time for our biggest fundraiser of the year – the 15th annual Best Martini in the East Bay Contest! This year’s event is sponsored by Russian Standard Vodka, the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, and Diablo Magazine, and all proceeds benefit Project Second Chance. It will be held on Monday, June 16th from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Lafayette Park Hotel. Admission is $30 per person (tickets are available at the door only), which includes 2 drink tickets, appetizers, and music by Generations in Jazz. It’s a fabulous evening with bartenders from fourteen local restaurants competing for The Best Vodka Martini in the East Bay and The People’s Choice Awards. We need helpers, so if you’re interested in volunteering at this fun event, please contact Laura at (925) 927-3250.

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It’s Goal Setting Time!

During the first week of June, most tutors will be receiving forms in the mail entitled “Goal Setting and Progress” (East County tutors will receive the forms directly from Karin.) Please complete the forms with your student and return them to PSC by June 27th. Then celebrate by recognizing your past achievements and planning new goals! Please talk to a PSC staff member for ideas if your student is having difficulty setting specific goals.

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Student Writings for "In Our Words" - Last call!

At our annual celebration this September, PSC will be releasing its book of student writings, now called In Our Words. But to do so, we need you to submit a piece of writing to print.

Students can submit up to three items for publication. We welcome short or long writings, but none should be more than 400 words in length. Any type of writing is fine: poems, prose, recipes, letters, etc. We are especially interested in anything on the topic of anniversaries, as this year is PSC’s 30th anniversary.

Turn in all submissions by Friday, May 30.

Please speak with staff if you have any questions.

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"The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia" Film Screening

An official selection of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, The Big
Picture is a documentary that looks at the experience of children and adults with dyslexia.

Please join us at the PSC Pleasant Hill Office on Thursday, May 22 from 12 – 1:30 p.m. to view the video and participate in a discussion.

Adult family members and friends are welcome to come, too!

Pizza will be provided!

Please RSVP at (925) 927-3250 by Monday, May 19. The event may be cancelled if under enrolled.

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Student Achievements

Students are reading:

Ana C.Lost Princess in Winter’s Grip
Chloe T.Charlotte’s Web
Lucy E.Tuesdays with Morrie
Miyoung K.The Devil Wears Prada
Nadya K.The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Sarah J.The Circuit
Pleasant Hill Book ClubThe Circuit

Way to go, Danny W.! According to Danny’s tutor, Lynn Jones, Danny was able to read a pamphlet of rules and regulations at work and pass a computer-based test.

Congratulations, Margarete O.! After working with her tutor Charles Newton, Margarete earned her Computer Learning Center (CLC) license and is now using the CLC independently.

Fantastic news! According to tutor Helen DeVol, Fuemi M. passed her “district test” at work, which required writing a short essay and answering reading comprehen- sion questions. That’s wonderful!

According to his tutor, Penny Snyder, Art T. was convinced that he could not write a story. However, he successfully composed his first story about a trouble-maker he knows. What a great accomplishment!

Work completed:

Dina R. with Carleen Goeckel – Three Little Words
Anita S. with Charli O’Malley – Challenger 1
Saadat K. with Lelia Tokuyama – Challenger 2
Gio R. with Rosemary Jenckes – Lexia 2
Art T. with Penny Snyder – Wilson Step 4
Fahime S. with Joanne Hughes – Endeavor 4
Danny W. with Lynn Jones – Wilson Step 5
Dina R. with Carleen Goeckel – Endeavor 5
Martha G. with Sheryl Sankey – Wilson Step 6
Lucy E. with Anna Garrison – Wilson Steps 7 & 8
Gio R. with Rosemary Jenckes – English For All 8
Kenny C. with Cristine Hilsinger – Wilson Step 10

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PSC BOOK CLUB

Mon. June 9, 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Pleasant Hill

New members of any level are always welcome. In this meeting, we will discuss This I Believe 2, a collection of short essays. Each 2-3 page essay answers the question: What is something I believe in, and why? These true personal stories cover such topics as forgiveness, change, integrity, happiness, and dreams.

Students check out the book and an audio CD from PSC to listen to. Call for information. (The June 9 meeting will cover essays just in the second half of the book, but it is not necessary to have read the essays in the first half of the book to understand or appreciate the second half.)

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In memory of Jill Bratcher

Jill Bratcher, a beloved PSC tutor, died on Friday, March 28th.

A few memories…

I will always remember Jill for her amazing hugs. She didn’t give pat-on-the-back hugs. She gave big hugs; hugs that made you feel special. Jill loved PSC, and she enveloped all of us in her circle of warmth and caring. We will miss her greatly. (Laura)

Jill gave of her heart. She sacrificed, gave her time even when she was tired, and asked for nothing back. She changed my life forever. (Judy, who was Jill’s student for 4 years)

Jill was a lovely, caring person and tutor. It was a pleasure to work with her, and I’ll miss her humor, always present, even during the most challenging times. (Karin)

Jill approached tutoring the way she approached everything – with her whole heart and a sense of humor. She didn’t give up on anything or anyone. Jill embraced the PSC community, as it did her, and referred to staff as “my girls.” She will be missed. (Kate)

Jill was a wonderful tutor. She was creative, resourceful, and supportive of her student. She created puzzles and games, discovered websites that offered unique learning opportunities (like postcrossing.com), and submitted thorough and thoughtful tutor calendars. (Megan)

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Tutor Tips

“Oops!” Revisited
by Megan

What do you do when your student makes a mistake? Knowing our wonderful PSC tutors, you undoubtedly respond in a supportive and patient manner. But, even good tutors need pointers for correcting student errors.

First, let the student finish the sentence. Did they self correct? If so, be sure to acknowledge that success. If not, point out the word and say, “This tricked you.” Are they able to read it correctly if they start over from the beginning of the phrase or sentence?

If the word still gives them trouble, decide what type of word pattern you are dealing with, and choose the strategy that fits the word. The list below will help guide you to the appropriate method:

Irregular Words (ex. enough, the, who)
1. Ask the student to identify the first sound.
2. Then, provide the word.
3. Ask the student to reread the sentence.
4. In future lessons, practice this word with flash- cards and “sky writing.”

Closed Syllables (ex. at, jump, ten)
Ask the student to tap out each sound and blend the word.

Vowel Patterns (ex. bike [silent e], boat [double vowel], car [r-controlled vowel])
Ask the student to identify the vowel pattern, say the vowel sound, tap the word, and then read it.

Multi-Syllable Words (ex. forget, September, window)
1. Help the student chunk or frame the word with a finger, card, or pencil.
2. Ask the student to identify the vowel pattern and say the vowel sound in each syllable.
3. Read each syllable and then the entire word.

Follows a Rule You Haven’t Taught Yet
Treat the word as an irregular word for now.

Remember, if you find the student is having trouble with one of every ten words of text, find easier reading material. If the student feels frustrated, they won’t be able to learn from their mistakes!

Adapted from Reading Horizons Webinar: “What Should I Say When They Get Stuck On a Word?” by Kathleen J. Brown, January 6, 2009.

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Computer Lab News

Online Program: USA Learns
by Veronica

USA Learns is a website that contains three English programs for ESL and native English learners.

• The First English Course:
o is suitable for beginning ESL students
o has twenty units of instruction which cover key vocabulary words and grammar exercises
o is video-based
o is organized in thematic topics
o uses activities which build upon previously presented content

• The Second English Course:
o is for intermediate ESL learners
o has twenty units of instruction
o is video-based
o is a reworked version of English for All

• The Practice English and Reading program:
o consists of 44 intermediate level stories and activities
o is good for intermediate and advanced level ESL or native English learners
o includes reading, vocabulary development, comprehension questions, and writing prompts

These online programs are easy to use. To access the modules, you will need to register online. Then, you will be able to use the program on your personal computer at home or in the computer lab. To get set-up, feel free to ask a computer lab tutor or staff member.

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Reminder: No Children in PSC Lessons

Summer is almost here, and children will be out of school soon. Please remember that children should not accompany their parents to PSC lessons. It is simply too difficult for PSC students to concentrate on their lessons if they are overseeing their child at the same time. Thank you, and have a great summer!

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