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Arkansas Reading Association
E-Newsletter
December 2009 - Vol 2, Issue 6 | |
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Award Nomination |
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ARA unanimously voted to nominate Glenda Nugent for IRA's Maryann Manning Outstanding Service Award for her commitment to local state, and national volunteer efforts.
Glenda is a former ARA President who continues to serve on numerous state committees. She currently chairs the North America International Development Committee; she has traveled to Pakistan to do volunteer work for IRA. |
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ARA MEMBERSHIP |
To check membership status or update mailing information, please email Membership Director Billie Ann Dishongh at BillieAnn@arareading.org |
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REMINDER |
President Julie Huskey reminds councils that the deadline for local council news is December 15th. | |
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Another Successful ARA
Conference!
-Nearly 1,900 participants |
Linda Eilers, chair of the 2009 conference, has announced that there were approximately 1,900 participants at this year's event.
Preliminary evaluations show that attendees were most positive about the quality of the featured and keynote speakers - Jack Gantos and Tim Rasinski - and the Authors Readers Theatre presentation.
Several session presenters have been invited to speak at schools - just another way ARA continues to make a positive impact on literacy instruction in Arkansas.
You may click HERE to complete an online conference evaluation, if you have not yet completed one. Please respond by December 10. |
| CONFERENCE PHOTOS |
 AARA President Julie Huskey (l) and Conference Chair Linda Eilers (r) compare notes before the General Session.
For hundreds of more conference photos, click HERE. There are two galleries of photos. |
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LITERACY AWARDS |
A reminder to local councils that January 15 is the deadline for Literacy Award nominations. Get ready to nominate the outstanding agency, educator and community leader in your area. For more information, contact Susan Richmond. | |
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| Rasinski and Gantos Receive Rave Reviews |
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Conference keynote speakers Timothy Rasinski and Jack Gantos made substantial deposits in the literacy bank of teachers at the ARA annual conference.
 Timothy Rasinski wowed the audience with his explanations of how to develop phonics and fluency in young readers. You can check out his book, Increasing Fluency with High Frequency Word Phrases....such as "my last penny." Dr. Rasinski has made many visits to Arkansas, and you can invite him to visit your school through his website, www.timrasinski.com.
 Jack Gantos used his trademark approach of juxtaposing comedy and tragedy to engage and inform. He explained how drama is used to enrapture readers with humor. He would love to work with students and teachers at your school. Visit his website www.jackgantos.com, and then contact him directly jgantos@mindsrpring.com to arrange a school visit.
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Check It Out - ARA Has a New Look! |
ARA has a new web presence, thanks to the hard work of Publicity Chair Melisa Rutherford.
You will find a welcome page, links to literacy, information on ARA awards, Arkansas book award lists, parents and reading tips, archives, links to council web pages, membership information, and many other useful links. To see conference photos, go to conference > gallery. |
| ARA Commends Peabody for 4-Star Recognition |
Julie Huskey,  ARA President,
presented The Peabody Little Rock General Manager, Gregg Herning, with a plaque commending the hotel on its achievement as a Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Designation at the pre-conference meeting on November 18. |
| State Board Nominations Needed |
Tina Montgomery, ARA past-president and nominations chair, has announced that nominations will be sought in January for key ARA board positions.
The position of president-elecct is a four-year commitment, since that position moves into vice president, president, and past-president. Only previous local council presidents are elegible for this positon. Other offices that will need nominations include treasurer, secretary, historian, and parliamentarian.
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Joyous Holidays from the ARA Board |
 Santa reads, too - Pajama Story Hour with Santa
The Board of the Arkansas Reading Association wishes you and yours a restful, fun-filled holiday-
Julie Huskey, Linda Eilers, Paula Findley, Vanessa Hendrix, Jeannine Shirley, Kay Calvert, Debbie Hardwick-Smith, Tina Montgomery, Tanna Clark, Billie Ann Dishongh,Trudy Jackson, Sarah Womble, Susan Peterson |
| SHARE YOUR SUCCESSES |
| What teaching ideas, resources, or strategies did you take back and use in your classroom? We want to know! Please respond by January 1. Send your experience to Susan Peterson at susan@arareading.org. A gift will be sent to the winning entry. | |
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Coordinator's Corner
As we enter the Holiday Season, I hope each of you finds some time to enjoy a good read. Thank you for helping children discover that reading is one of life's great gifts. It is one of those gifts that keeps on giving.
May the Peace of the season surround you and your loved ones!
Tanna Clark, IRA State Coordinator
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