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Track 11

March 7, 2020

Dear Students and Tutors,

We at the Oakland Literacy Council are aware of the evolving situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We want to inform you that at this time, there have been no known cases of the COVID-19 virus in the State of Michigan. However, it is important for all of us to be diligent in protecting ourselves from this virus and other illnesses as the situation is likely to change.

Practice Prevention

We have been talking to our partners at the Oakland County Health Department and they want you to know that all of us should be practicing everyday preventive actions now. Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC), is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

Follow the Centers for Disease Control Travel Guidelines

We are also asking you to follow the CDC travel guidelines if you are traveling out of the country.  There are currently guidelines for China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran.  Please refer to the website if you plan to travel.  Please do not meet with your tutor (or student) if you have been advised to self-quarantine. Please call the office at 248.253.1617 if you are unable to meet or you need to reschedule a test.

Stay Informed

Please continue to follow the recommendations from our public health officials.  Information can be found at:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control– https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• The State of Michigan- https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. The State of Michigan has also produced these fact sheets:
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus Disease 2019
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – English
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – Traditional Chinese
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – Simplified Chinese
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – Spanish
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fact Sheet – Arabic
• Oakland County Health Department– https://www.oakgov.com/health/information/covid-19/Pages/default.aspx.
  • The Oakland County Health Department also has a nurse on call that can answer any questions. You can call them at 1-800-848-5533 or email noc@oakgov.com. If you email the nurse in advance and tell them what language you want, they will find a translator in over 90 languages.

Practice Your English

There are so many new words to learn.  Use this time to practice English.  Here are some resources:

Listening Practice

• Spread of Germs radio spot

Lesson Plan Ideas

• https://eslflow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Coronavirus-vocabulary-and-questions-worksheet-2020.pdf
• Review Fact sheets from the State of Michigan (above)

Lesson Videos:

• https://youtu.be/JdDDlLx_jn4
• https://youtu.be/kHwiUV-QNiE

Regards,

Lisa Machesky

Executive Director

Motor City Wine and Food Frolic 2020 Gala Event to benefit Oakland Literacy

 

Thursday, March 19, 2020
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Royal Park Hotel
600 East University Drive
Rochester, Michigan

Get ready to return to the 1920’s, 1930’s, and 1940’s with amazing food, wine, and entertainment!

All in Support of Adult Literacy in Our Community!

Guests will arrive for cocktails and a wide range of such delicious dishes including: Teriyaki Pineapple Shrimp, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Spinach & Feta Spanakopita, Vegetarian Spring Rolls, along with a trio of sliders and Mezza platters!

Wine, beer, and cocktails will accompany the flavors of this extensive menu.
Everyone who participates in the Wine Pull will take home a bottle of red or white wine.

A three-piece band, led by Carl Cafagna, will provide lively music from the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s while Swing Dancers will entertain and draw guests onto the dance floor!

$125/person

Please consider organizing a group or table in support of adult literacy!

Purchase tickets at: https://motorcitywineandfoodfestival.com/swing/

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to call or email!
Russell Moore Speak2Man@comcast.net (248) 651-7806
Robert Gaylor rggaylor@aol.com (586) 904-0600

The last Sip ‘n Sort was such a success, we are doing it again! Every hour worked raises money for our tutoring program. Volunteers will meet for coffee at Maple Theater Cafe on Wednesday, March 11th,  beginning at 9:30 am and then sort books for Bookstock at Congregation Beth Ahm from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm (or however much time you can give). You can also meet us at Beth Ahm at 10:30 am. Every hour you give means dollars to support our shared mission.

We encourage you to bring book donations, too! We will also accept books at Oakland Literacy Council through March 10th. (Please call ahead for large donations.)

Please RSVP to Sue Klunk at sue.k@oaklandliteracy.com or call 248.253.1617. If you are interested but cannot join us March 11th, there are volunteer times every Tuesday and Wednesday and at the upcoming sale. Please contact Sue for more details.

Do you love books and love supporting adult literacy? Join our group of staff, tutors, and supporters on Wednesday, January 29th to start raising money for Oakland Literacy Council! We will meet for coffee at Maple Theater Cafe beginning at 9 am and then sort books for Bookstock at Congregation Beth Ahm from 10 am to 12 pm. (You can also meet us at Bookstock at 10). Please RSVP to Sue Klunk at sue.k@oaklandliteracy.com or call 248.253.1617. If you are interested but cannot volunteer on January 29th, there are volunteer times every Wednesday. Please contact Sue for more details and join our Bookstock team!

The Oakland Literacy Council requests proposals from certified public accounting (CPA) firms that seek to conduct independent financial audits of — and to provide tax services for — the Council.  The audits will be conducted for calendar years that end on December 31^st.

The deliverables for this engagement follow:

• audits of the Council’s financial statements for calendar years that end on December 31^st;

• management letters that relate to the foregoing audits;

• audit presentations to the Oakland Literacy Council’s Board of Directors; and
• tax preparation and filings, in accordance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Regulations and IRS Form 990.

The Oakland Literacy Council is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is located at 43700 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  The Council provides adult learners basic literacy and English language instruction through one-on-one tutoring that is complemented by conversation groups and job-oriented workshops.

To receive the Request for Proposals (RFP), CPA firms must e-mail the following information to lisa.m@oaklandliteracy.com:

• the CPA firm’s name and full address; and
• the name, e-mail address, and telephone number of the CPA firm’s contact person.

Interested parties are hereby notified that completed proposals must be submitted electronically to lisa.m@oaklandliteracy.com no later than   3:00 p.m.  (Eastern Standard Time) on  Monday, December 23, 2019.

Inquiries about this notice may be directed to Lisa Machesky at (248) 253-1617 or lisa.m@oaklandliteracy.com.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/PROGRAM

Thanks First State Bank – Michigan! Oakland Literacy has been named one of 20 finalists in the First State Banksgiving program.   Please help us win $10,000 by giving us your vote and then share with your friends.

Oakland Literacy Council is in the Arts, Education, and Culture category.

VOTE NOW: www.fsb.bank/Banksgiving

PS they don’t require personal information.

Oakland Literacy Council announced that David Marannis, a New York Times best-selling author and Detroit native, will deliver the keynote address at the Council’s 30^th Annual Ex Libris fundraising dinner on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at the Village Club in Bloomfield Hills.

Marannis’ newest book, A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Father, is set in Detroit in the early 1950’s. It weaves together his family’s ordeal of fear and triumph during the dark era of McCarthyism in the United States. Marannis’ father was brought before the House on Un-American Activities Committee, causing him to lose his job and forcing him to move his family from Detroit.

The acclaimed author has written 12 books in total, including Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story. Marannis is an associate editor at The Washington Post, where he has been affiliated for over 40 years. He has won two Pulitzer Prizes, as well many other major writing awards, including the George Polk Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Book Prize, the Anthony Lukas Book Prize, and the Frankfurt eBook Award. Books will be available for sale at the event.

The year’s Ex Libris event will celebrate the 35^th Anniversary of the Oakland Literacy Council.  A student and tutor will be speaking about their adult literacy experiences. The organization will also honor the contributions of its founder, Robert Gaylor. “Robert has been an example of true leadership. His dedication, enthusiasm, and ‘can do’ spirit has continued for 35 years, and we look forward to many more,” said Judy Lindstrom, Board President.

The event will begin with cocktails 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Club, located at 190 East Long Lake, Bloomfield Hills. For tickets, visit https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/exlibris2019/ or call 248.253.1617.

For more information, view the job description:

Job Description- Office Administrator

The Oakland Literacy Council announces the recent appointments of two new members to its board of directors. Joining the board are Paula Brown and Rev. Angela Ryo.

“Our new board members bring both a passion for literacy and valuable expertise to our organization,” says Lisa Machesky, Executive Director. “We are fortunate to have Paula, with over 20 years of fundraising experience, and Angela, a member of the faith community and an educator, to guide us as we grow to meet the enormous need for adult literacy services in Oakland County.”

Paula Brown is the Chief Development and Engagement Officer for The Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti. She served as the Executive Director at Reading Works in Detroit from 2013 to 2017.  Paula also provides consulting on fundraising and board development to nonprofit organizations. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music Education.

Rev. Angela Ryo has served as Associate Pastor at Kirk in the Hills church in Bloomfield Hills since 2017. She was previously Resident Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. Prior to joining the clergy, she was an English and English Language Learner (ELL) teacher for nine years. She holds a Master of Divinity from Theological Seminary, as well as an Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.