Announcements
New Volunteer Training Class Begins September 25, 2022
New volunteer tutors are urgently needed for waiting students. Please contact meenenh@roe17.org for more information and details on how to register or complete the form below.
In Memoriam
Nancy Holsinger
December 7, 1937 - June 25, 2020
It is with great sorrow that STAR Adult Literacy shares the loss of long-time volunteer and friend, Nancy Holsinger. Nancy served as an Adult Literacy volunteer from 1989 until just a few months ago.
For more than thirty years, Nancy taught English as a Second Language to dozens of students from around the globe. She greatly appreciated the opportunities that ESL gave her to learn about other world cultures and her students always became her friends. Nancy's family reported that during the last 20 years or so, she corresponded regularly with many of her former Japanese students who had come to Normal with their spouses who were connected with Mitsubishi Motors when it was located in the community. She was a devoted teacher, one from whom her students never failed to benefit.
We will miss Nancy and her contributions to the STAR Adult Literacy family.
Illinois Prairie Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund
The Illinois Prairie Community Foundation (IPCF) regarding a COVID-19 Response Fund which IPCF has established to support local non-profit organizations. Please follow the link for more information about the fund and for instructions on ways to donate. STAR Adult Literacy is just one of the many important local non-profit organizations that may benefit from your support.
Virtual Tutoring Resources
STAR Adult Literacy is partnering with the Illinois Secretary of State's Literacy Office to provide links to resources for virtual tutoring.
Please visit the Announcements Page on our website or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to receive the "Video of the Day."
Thank you to Literacy Works for putting together this collection of excellent resources.
Day 1 - Welcome Video
Day 2 - How to Host a Zoom Meeting
Day 3 - Completing the U.S. Census
Day 4 - Part I - Setting Up Whatsapp
Day 4 - Part 2 - Ideas on Ways to Use Whatsapp
Day 5 - Using Google Meet
Unite for Literacy provides access to free children's e-books online.
Day 6 - Online Lesson Planning
The last 5 minutes of the video demonstrates Chicago Library online resources, however, Bloomington and Normal Public Libraries have similar resources. Please contact a member of the STAR staff if you need help in accessing these resources locally.
Day 7 - Citizenship Preparation
Citizenship Materials and Resources - Click here to download
Day 8 - Protecting Your Mental Health During COVID-19 Quarantine
Day 9 - Common Lit Website - Graded Reading Material (English and Spanish)
Beginning of video until 8:25 shows capabilities that are available to everyone. After 8:25 it focuses on setting up an account. This is only available if you have an email address that ends in "edu."
Day 10 - TV411 Video Lessons - Click here to view
TV411 features free video lessons on reading, writing, vocabulary, math, finance and basic life skills. The site is free and you aren't required to create an account in order to use these resources. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
Here's a sample video on how to read a utility bill.