Released on January 25, 2019
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant has proclaimed January 27, 2019, as Family Literacy Day in Saskatchewan. Family Literacy Day raises awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities as a family.“Literacy skills play a crucial role in a child’s overall development,” Wyant said. “Family member engagement helps support the foundation of literacy development of children.”
The Government of Saskatchewan continues to support the literacy development of children and families by funding eight family literacy hubs across the province and 20 summer literacy camps every year. More than 1,200 children attended the camps last year and 49 per cent of them were returning participants. The family literacy hubs are a provincial network of eight organizations that work with community organizations locally to identify family literacy needs and develop programming.
The government also partners with the Saskatchewan Literacy Network (SLN) to support the literacy sector and deliver family literacy practitioner training and resources throughout the province. The 2018-19 provincial budget includes $1.5 million to support Ministry of Education literacy initiatives.
“Family Literacy Day is a wonderful opportunity for families and communities to come together and celebrate the learning that happens in every family,” SLN Executive Director Phaedra Hitchings said. “Building literacy skills within the family leads to greater involvement and success at school and work, and in the community, benefitting all of Saskatchewan.”
Various literacy events will be held across the province to mark this day. For more information about Family Literacy Day, this year’s events, family literacy resources and literacy initiatives in Saskatchewan, visit the SLN website at http://saskliteracy.ca or http://saskliteracy.ca/literacy-home-2/family-literacy-day/.
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For more information, contact:
Chris Hodges
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: chris.hodges@gov.sk.ca