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wâhkôhtowin School
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Literacy for Life conference brings students, authors together

April 25, 2018

litf4life_news2.jpgThe Saskatoon Public Schools' annual Literacy for Life conference will be telling Family Stories and celebrating literacy with thousands of students April 30 to May 4.

Now in its 13th year, the goal of the Literacy for Life conference is to engage, encourage and inspire children, youth and adults. Each year, students learn from authors, illustrators, journalists, storytellers and other literacy role models during sessions held on the University of Saskatchewan campus and in their schools.

The theme for this year's event is Family Stories, which provides an opportunity for students to connect and experience the works of a wide range of authors, illustrators and storytellers from Saskatoon and Saskatchewan and other parts of Canada.

The lineup of presenters taking part includes authors Alice Kuipers, Arthur Slade, Brenda Baker, Mary Harelkin Bishop, Katherine Lawrence and Bill Slavin, Miriam Körner, Kristine Scarrow and Marion Mutala. First Nations educators Don Speidel and Timothy Eashappie will share their unique experiences and learning as will Angie Caron, the author of several Metis books for children and a principal at Westmount Community School.

As part of a partnership with the Saskatoon Public Library, librarians Joel Caswell, Jim Drake, Jenn Baetz and Claire Middleton will help bring words and stories to life with their presentations.

La Troupe du Jour, Saskatchewan's only professional French-language theatre company, will share programming for students in French immersion.

The conference supports the Saskatoon Board of Education's Literacy for Life strategic priority and its goal that all Kindergarten to Grade 8 students will achieve at or above grade level in reading, writing, and mathematics. They will be engaged in their learning and graduate as active participants in lifelong learning and as responsible, caring, culturally responsive citizens in the community, nation, and world.

The Literacy for Life conference is a success due to the efforts of schools, supporters and community members coming together to recognize the importance of literacy and working to better understand the impact literacy has throughout one's life.

More information on the event and a full list of presenters is available on the Literacy for Life conference website.