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Up Front: A warm welcome required
Emily Plihal
for Smoky River Express
If you see me floating around the region like a hot air balloon, there is a great reason for it.
Two weeks ago, I welcomed a new face into the office at the Smoky River Express, and I have to admit... I am overjoyed to have another able-bodied employee in the midst.
For the last year I have been trying to meet everyone’s story needs in the region, which I’m sure many of you have noticed, is not possible. I cannot clone myself, despite my most earnest pleas to some friends who are scientists.
My poor advertisement manager was even going to places I could not. This stacked a lot of extra work on her plate too.
Thankfully, after months of searching for the “perfect” employee, I found a woman living in St. Albert who was yearning to come back to Northern Alberta.
Welcome, Barb Toker, to the Express team. Barb will be a great asset the the newspaper. Coming originally from the Nampa region, Barb has passion for the area and consideration for the topics that are most important to those of us who live in this region.
Community involvement
I was fortunate enough to take part in a meeting at Ecole Routhier two weeks ago that got my little brain working in overtime.
I feel that our local community is one of the most vibrant places I’ve lived.
The meeting was focussed on ensuring the school systems are improving appropriately according to Alberta Education, but it started a whole new fire in me that’s been waiting to escape.
I’ve spoken plenty of times about the value of literacy in the workplace and in life in general.
My new concern is that youth may not be reading enough to prepare them for the future. I don’t believe this is solely an issue with the education system, but I do feel that something has to be done to improve their reading skills.
I remember back in high school the number of students in my class who could barely read. Today, a number of these people have taken it upon themselves to improve their literacy to become very successful business people.
What can we do to ensure our children have the skills necessary to comprehend what they are reading?
When I was a little girl, my father would grill me on the books I was reading. His main concern for me was that I was actually comprehending what I was reading. He wanted to ensure that I could digest the information that my brain was gathering.
Simply put, he would ask me basic questions. He would ask who the main characters were, where the storyline was set, and what conflicts were occurring between the characters.
I am going to offer my services very publically through this publication. I understand how busy teachers and parents are, and I know some children need extra help with their reading.
If your child or a friend’s child needs help learning how to read, I am more than willing to help them a couple times each week.
I do not want to be paid, and I do not expect anything in return. My goal is just to help those in our community who need help.
Literacy is important, and it is crucial we make a point of improving our local children’s reading levels.
In addition the Adult Learning and Literacy also have programs and courses to help people learn new skills. The women at the centre located in the MD of Smoky River building can guide you in the right direction.
Please exercise all the opportunities that are at your disposal.
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