Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton County

Here are some of our Sydney evening learners hard at work! Christopher and Robert completed the ABC Health Matters Workbook, "Taking Charge of Your Health". Ann and Chris worked on reading comprehension skills. They all did an excellent job and were great participants.

Heads up on an email scam that appears to be from the Nova Scotia Health Authority. If you receive such an email, don't click on any links and delete it. The NSHA doesn't contact people by email for contact tracing.

Know someone who needs Grade 12 Math or Chemistry credits, or is looking to improve their marks in these courses? The Adult High School is offering these evening courses! Please share!

Adult Learning Association classes are cancelled today. An extra long weekend! Be careful out there with the icy weather.

This should be celebrated everywhere!

https://www.hoopladigital.com/

Did you know that Cape Breton Regional Library is officially fine-free? The foundation of public libraries is free and equitable service to all. We understand t...hat late fines can create a barrier to access and we want to eliminate as many barriers to library service as possible. Fines often disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of our communities. They can discourage people from visiting the library and using our services. Many public libraries in Canada have switched to a fine free model in recent years. They have typically experienced increases in membership and borrowing, and a reduction in lost materials. Overall, other libraries have experienced no significant changes in the return rate for borrowed items or increased wait times for materials. What does this mean for library patrons at CBRL? Items borrowed from the library will no longer accrue fines when overdue and any existing late fines have been forgiven. Although the library won’t be charging late fines, we do want items back! Due dates will remain in place. We will continue to provide borrower notifications to patrons to remind them about upcoming due dates and overdue items. If you have a long overdue item, your account will be temporarily blocked from borrowing and a replacement fee for the item will be added to your account. Once the overdue item is returned, you can borrow items again and the replacement fee will be removed. The library will continue to charge replacement fees if an item is lost or damaged. If you have any questions, please reach out to us by leaving a comment below, emailing us at [email protected], or phoning your local library.

Covid numbers are increasing in Nova Scotia. Here's how the Cape Breton Regional Library is planning ahead to serve patrons in the event of increased restrictions or shutdowns. CBRL anticipates resuming "curbside pickup only" options as a first step, rather than closing outright. Any decision would be made in consultation with the NS Department of Health. All CBRL libraries currently remain OPEN.

Not sure how to manage stress, anxiety and substance use during #COVID-19? Check out Gord, CEO of @CAPSA, talk about journaling and how this activity (unexpecte...dly) helped him in his recovery journey. Let us know what works for you using #YouthInWellness. https://www.facebook.com//why-you-should-/241076693896974/ See more

Language matters. Please be aware and considerate of the terms and words you use. #NAAW

Everyone is doing a great job adapting to new ways of learning! Chris, in one of our Sydney classes, is learning to identify and use app icons and YouTube.

Congratulations to Natasha Watkins of our Glace Bay class for passing the Social Studies test of the GED!! Natasha has worked very hard, through all the adjustments needed to keep our programs safe, and achieved success. Just two tests to go, Natasha! We're very proud of you!

Public Health received a report from the RCMP that a recent sample from Nova Scotia that was tested at the National Drug Analysis Service laboratory was positiv...e for Flualprazolam. Flualprazolam is a benzodiazepine, similar to alprazolam (aka Xanax, Xanny). According to the WHO, relative to other benzodiazepines, Flualprazolam is highly potent with a short onset period. Please be aware of the possibility substance contamination and the importance of safer drug use practices to reduce the risk of overdose. With the possibility of substance contamination, it’s important to reduce the risk of overdose: -- Don’t use alone, if possible. Keep a distance of 2 metres and respect public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 if using substances with others. If you have to use alone, call or text a trusted support person and let them know you are using alone and provide them with your location. -- Start with a test dose. Start low, go slow. -- Have naloxone available, even if you aren’t intentionally using opioids. Naloxone is available for free from most community pharmacies and other community locations, including needle distribution and disposal organizations. For more information about where to get a free naloxone kit and how to use it, visit http://www.nsnaloxone.com/ -- Call 911 in the event of an overdose. Know your rights under the Good Samaritan Act http://www.nsnaloxone.com/good-samaritan-act.html Please share this information friends and family, including youth.

Never stop learning

We're very happy to present: Useful Learning Links for Home. Right on our website, www.adultlearningcapebreton.ca you'll find the link: https://sites.google.com//adultlearningonlineresources/home All in one place, Learning links for Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, GED Prep, Health & Mental Health, Work, Family and Fun. Weekly assignments too! Thanks to Sydney Mines instructor Corrina Petersen for putting together this beautiful resource. If you have any... questions, ask your instructor, or let us know. You can also find the very useful CBRM Community Resource Guide at www.adultlearningcapebreton.ca . WE ARE LEARNING TOGETHER, even though we're apart.

Adult Learning Association classes are canceled today. We're just getting started with our return to classes, and Hurricane Teddy comes to town! Stay safe, everyone.

Great news! GED testing has started again in Nova Scotia!! Have you been waiting to write your GED test? Testing is available again at Marconi Campus of NSCC, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can phone 902-563-8038 or check out novascotia.ca/programs/general-educational-development/ Take that next step to a brighter future.

Additional runs have been added to three CB Transit routes due to an increase in ridership and continued social distancing protocols. Latest schedules are available at www.cbrm.ns.ca/transit www.cbrm.ns.ca/coronavirus

Check out CaperBase's new program that is starting next week! This program is geared towards youth, ages 16 to 24. Contact CaperBase at 902-539-7233, or e-mail Angela at [email protected] for more information or to register.

Thanks for the overwhelming response to the CBRL Seed Library! We have run out of seeds for this year already so will not be taking any more orders. We will t...ry to fill those received as best we can, but some may miss out. Our apologies! We will contact anyone who submitted an order which cannot be filled. Good luck with your gardens, and check back on our CBRL Seed Library Facebook Group for gardening tips throughout the season. https://cbrl.ca/seedlibrary/

Newcomers to Canada living in Cape Breton: We want to hear from you! On May 15th, newcomers in Cape Breton are invited to participate in an interactive, onlin...e event to share their experiences during COVID-19 and what supports could help. This information will be collected by the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP) and shared with relevant organizations and decision-makers in an effort to better support newcomers both during and after this pandemic. Register for Newcomer Conversations via Zoom: https://hubs.ly/H0qkD_X0 An online survey has also been created to gather additional feedback from newcomers. The survey will be open from now until May 20th and takes no more than 10 minutes to complete. Take part in the survey: https://hubs.ly/H0qk_2_0 All newcomers are very welcome to participate in the online event, the survey or both! A summary report of the session and survey results will be available online later this month.

The votes are in, and Blue Castle has won for the first book in the CBRL Virtual Book Club! If you would like to participate please email [email protected] for the eBook link!

There are some new assignments to work on, if you're feeling up to it, on our online learning resource page:

Great news. The Salvation Army has added home delivery to its food banks. Contact your local Salvation Army in Sydney Sydney Community Church The Salvation Army at 902-562-1717 or 902-539-4250 and in Glace Bay The Salvation Army, Glace Bay Community Church at 902-849-1041. Community partners trying to meet community needs. https://www.cbc.ca//salvation-army-food-bank-pandemic-1.55

Many people use laundromats or share laundry facilities. There are safe ways to do that, and also to wash your clothes by hand. Handy tips to keep you, your family and others safe and well. When using shared laundry facilities, it is recommended to wipe down touch surfaces (machine controls, door handles) before and after use. Be sure to wash your hands before and after doing laundry.

Coming up this Friday, May 8 from 9 am to 2 pm, a free 10 pound bag of potatoes will be given away to households who need them. At Sydney Community Church of the Salvation Army, 55 Inglis Street. Spread the word.

People like you. https://www.youtube.com/watch

If home isn't a safe place for you, Transition House can help. They are there for you. For you, or someone you care about, call 902-539-2945, text 902-202-5596 or email [email protected]. You are not alone, and they are ready, willing and able to help. Please stay safe.

How about some good, even amazing, news? This remarkable woman, Alicia Taylor, helped save a life this morning outside the Sydney Mines post office!! A man collapsed and Alicia immediately sprang into action, applying chest compressions. A passerby came and helped, 911 was called and the man's life was saved. Alicia is very glad she took St John Ambulance NS/PEI training with us, from our very own instructor, Brenda Lavandier. We are so thankful and proud that Alicia's quick thinking and use of the First Aid skills gained in our program, saved this man's life. Bravo Alicia, and thanks for the excellent training, Brenda! A life saved. Wow.

Do you have school kids in Glace Bay, New Waterford or the Northside? Your school kids can get a free meal once a day, Monday to Friday. https://novascotia.ca/coronavi/virtual-school-meal-program/ Spread the word.

Yesterday a number of our staff were very happy to deliver Good Food Packages to 43 of our learners, spread out between Sydney Mines and North Sydney, Membertou, Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford and Reserve. They were filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, and many other essential pantry items. We were able to do this thanks to a partnership with The Good Food Bus. These are difficult times for everyone - even harder when there's more month left at the end of the month than money. We miss you all, and can't wait to see you in classes again.

We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that happened in our province yesterday. Our hearts go out to all the family, friends and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. Be kind. Reach out. Love one another. The Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis or someone concerned about them. Call 1-888-429-8167 Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868