Saturday, September 29, 2018

PERC Issues Literacy Grants

Pembina Escarpment Reading Council shared funds with six literacy projects in our region.

  • Deanne Kuehn received $500 to add to her indigenous collection at the Treherne Elmentary School library. 
  • Carl Klassen received $300 to support Minnewasta School's Young Authors' Night. 
  • Gisele Rondeau received $300 for Western School Division's French support.
  • Elm Creek Stay & Play Centre received $250 for new literacy materials for their nursery school and daycare.
  • Jackie deVries and Nicky Spencer, teachers at Elm Creek School, each received $200 for their classroom libraries.
You can apply for this year's awards. Awards are open to literacy projects that are in the community or in schools. 

The Pembina Escarpment Reading Council (PERC) is supporting a new initiative to promote literacy in surrounding communities.  This year we will be offering up to $500 to support successful designated proposals.

This initiative is in keeping with PERC’s literacy goals:
1.      To improve the quality of literacy instruction at all levels
2.      To develop an awareness and understanding of the impact of literacy
3.      To promote development of literacy proficiency for all people
The proposal may be for a school based or community idea including but not limited to summer reading programs, Little Free Libraries, Makerspace initiatives or other activities that promote reading, writing, listening and learning in our schools and communities.

Everyone is welcome to apply: teachers, students, community members/groups,
parents - EVERYONE!!
If your project is approved, we would love to see photos of your completed project and any other information you would like to share with us.

Return your application by - June 1, 2019 to:  
PERC
62 Conner Hill Drive
Morden, MB   R6M 1J2
Or email to:

The application form is available on our website or by email percreads@gmail.com.


Barb Lepp presenting one of the first grants to Karly Vancott at Starbuck School.

The Next PERC Workshop Coming in May 2019

Your new Pembina Escarpment Reading Council executive met recently and set a date for a spring workshop.  Plans are in place for early May and speakers are being contacted. Stay tuned for more info. May 9th is the tentative date, but we will confirm soon.

Elections were held at the Annual General Meeting in June, but some changes were necessary after job changes. We wish our outgoing president Barbara Penner all the best in her new school in Winnipeg. We welcome the following executive council:

President - Mary Reimer
Past-president - Barbara Penner, Lisa Carlson
Vice-president - vacant
Secretary - Suzanne Godard
Treasurer - Darlene Keith
Membership Director - Tara Janzen
Members at Large - Christine Wolf, Heather Armstrong, Deanne Kuehn, Mary Reimer, Angela Mills

 PERC President Barbara Penner presents Kathie MacIsaac with her Crocus Award for Literacy Advocacy at the Awards event in May.

Many PERC connections received awards at the joint event in May.
Centre- David A. Robertson and Norma Jones received International Literacy Association
Celebrate Literacy recognition.
Far right - Principal Tanis Thiessen received a Crocus Award for Administrators.
Kathie MacIsaac received the Crocus Award for Advocacy (see above).