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Conversation Class at Dunedin Public Library

Students in the Dunedin Library Conversation Class enjoy finding partners to put together three phrases to make complete sentences. The students then created their own sentences using the phrases from the game.

 

Happy English learners proudly display the sentences they have created from individual phrases.

LCUP Celebrates 30 Years of Service to Upper Pinellas

Tutor Carol Kennedy speaks at LCUP’s 30th Anniversary celebration

On February 17, LCUP celebrated its 30th Anniversary of Changing Lives Through Literacy at the Dunedin Public Library.? The well-attended event included the organization’s annual meeting with speakers?Pat Bauer, President, Library Director Phyllis Gorshe,? Jan Demers and Carol Kennedy.? Both Jan and Carol are members of the LCUP Board of Directors, tutors and Conversation Class leaders and spoke about their experiences in literacy.? Learner Dorotea Chavez spoke about the difference learning English has made in her life.

City Commissioner Deborah Kynes presented a proclamation from the City of Dunedin in recognition of the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas’ 30th Anniversary.? Read the proclamation here.

The following history of LCUP was presented by President Pat Bauer:

? ? ???????????? A History of the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas, 1988- 2018

The Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas grew out of increased need for adult literacy services in north county due to population growth and demographic changes in the 1980s. The council was formed by a group of dedicated citizens who were originally affiliated with the St. Petersburg Literacy Council and saw the need to incorporate the north county program. Our articles of incorporation are dated February 2, 1988.

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FAREWELL, SISTER MERITA, AND THANK YOU!

Sister Merita has returned to Ohio, and the students and tutors of the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas attended her farewell party.? Her friend, Sister Renetta, also attended. ? Here’s the story of her life of dedication and love:

Sister Merita (left) with her friends at her LCUP farewell party.


Sister Merita Strahler

Sister Merita Strahler, SND (Sisters of Notre Dame), a resident of Dunedin for 17 years, has been a longtime teacher, advocate, and volunteer helping refugees and immigrants make a new start in this country.

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NEW LITTLE FREE LIBRARY IN DUNEDIN

 

Dunedin has its 17th Little Free Library, thanks to a cooperative project involving the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas, Dunedin Library Foundation and Dunedin Elementary School. The little library, which is located in front of Dunedin Elementary School, was recently dedicated. LCUP wrote a grant, funded by the Publix Foundation, to stock the library with both English and bilingual books (English and Spanish).

The Little Free Library allows students and residents in the area to take a book, read it, and return it, or place another book in the box for others to read.

Volunteers from LCUP teach an ESL conversation class for parents of students at Dunedin Elementary School on Tuesday mornings.

2017 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

 

Nine LCUP students representing six countries–Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and
South Korea–shared their English language skills by reading their original essays during the annual?Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast held on October 7, 2017, at Honeymoon Island State Park.?? Each of them spoke, in English, of important events in their lives.??

LCUP volunteers were honored by President Pat Bauer.