August 4, 2010
Kootenay Resident Receives National Literacy Honour

CRANBROOK – Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett congratulates community literacy advocate Annette Rogers, today for being recognized by the 2010 Council of the Federation Literacy Awards.

“Literacy is vital to opening doors to future career opportunities,” says Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. “We are truly fortunate to have Annette here in the Kootenays. Her work is making a positive difference for local children and their families.”

This year, B.C. received several outstanding nominations. As a result, the Province would also like to acknowledge Annette Rogers by presenting her with an Honourable Mention for her work in creating Sound Connections. The recipient of the 2010 Council of the Federation Literacy Awards is Peter Grinberg for the development and operation of Kamloops’ Street School.

In 2002, Annette, her husband and three daughters moved to Canada and she began working for School District 5 – Southeast Kootenay as a Speech-Language Pathologist. It was then that Annette created Sound Connections, a multi-sensory literacy program for primary-aged children. The program was developed over many years and came about through the need for daily intervention in schools. Annette developed and changed resources based on ongoing program evaluation in schools. Data collection for School District 5, for the Network of Performance Based Schools and for the Ministry of Education has continued each year from 2004.

The Council of the Federation Literacy Award selection committee considered nominees’ history of commitment to excellence; community and peer recognition; leadership in the promotion of partnerships and public awareness; and the introduction of new ideas in promoting literacy. Nominees must have resided in B.C. for at least two years and consent to their nomination.

The Council of the Federation, which comprises all 13 provincial and territorial premiers, created the literacy award on the initiative of Premier Campbell. Each province and territory chooses a group, individual or project that has made a significant contribution to literacy. Award recipients receive a medallion and a certificate signed by the premier of their province or territory.

Since 2001, the Province has invested $1.4 billion in literacy and literacy-related initiatives such as StrongStart BC early learning programs, almost $18 million to operate the kindergarten readiness program Ready, Set, Learn, and $2.7 million for the LEAP BC program that encourages literacy, physical activity and healthy eating in preschool-aged children. 

For information on the Council of the Federation, visit www.councilofthefederation.ca.

Visit Bill’s website at www.billbennettmla.bc.ca

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