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In the second half of the program, a learner in the ESL program, Patty Perez, who lives in Belchertown, addressed the audience and described her struggles to gain confidence in her English skills. She told the audience that although she could speak some English when she first came here from Mexico, she lacked confidence - she did not go out of the house on her own for a long time. Now, after less than a year in the Advanced ESL Conversation class, she said, "Thanks to Tony and the TFL team I am here right in front of you expressing my gratitude in a different language other than Spanish, but with the confidence that I am in the right path to learn English as a second language." The second learner to speak was Don LaBare from Palmer, who gained his GED this year. He said, "People used to look down on me and make fun of me. They told me I was stupid. But now, at 50 years old, I finally got my GED and now I have a job I really like. For the first time ever I enjoy going to work." Both speakers' stories clearly moved the intent, rapt audience whose applause was loud and long. Both learners paid tribute to their tutors' patience and humor during the sometimes arduous path to success.
Margaret Boyko and Marsha Gaudette honored the tutors in the English as a Second Language and the Reading/Writing/Math/GED programs, each of whom were presented with a certificate and gifts. The tutors and administrative assistants are the backbone of the organization, without whom there would be no Top Floor Learning, and the evening was a stylish recognition of their contribution to learning. The continued success of TFL rests on many supports: volunteers, businesses and corporations which provide in-kind services or donations, satellite libraries that publicize TFL's work, and individuals who respond to fund drives. The Palmer Public Library Director and staff and the Board of Trustees were thanked for their support. Turley Publications were recognized for producing the course catalogues and advertising TFL's programs, and Bill Michaud of the Coupe and Cathy Albrecht of Aunty Cathy's Bakery were thanked for supplying the food for the evening. To learn more about Top Floor Learning's programs of adult education, please call 413 283 2329, or visit the website at www.topfloorlearning.org. Office hours are Monday 12 noon to 5 pm and Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. A 24-hour answering machine will take your call if no-one is in the office. Top Floor Learning Completes MCFE Management Project at Babson CollegePALMER, MA --- Top Floor Learning, Inc. is pleased to announce it has concluded a semester-long Management Consultant Field Experience (MCFE) project at Babson College, Wellesley, MA. Click here for the full story. BECOME A MEMBER OF TOP FLOOR LEARNING Membership entitles you to a 10% discount on any lifelong learning class - the cost is $25 for one year (adults only). There is no limit to the number of classes you may attend. Purchase your membership card at the reception desk in the TFL office. USE IT AND SAVE! Scrabble Tournament Hosted by Top Floor Learning)
PALMER, MA. November 16, 2006 — Top Floor Learning, Inc. hosted its first Scrabble Tournament Tuesday, November 14, 2006, in the Community Room at Palmer Public Library. The evening was a resounding success, with 46 players of all ages turning out to pit their wits against each other. Contestants competed in three rounds of decreasing allotted time: Round 1 was the longest at 50 minutes; the second round was 40 minutes and the third was a "speed" round at 30 minutes, pushing the contestants to stretch their minds and imaginations. Contestants had 15 minutes between rounds while the scores were totaled and verified by three scorekeepers. During the intervals, players stood around the score-board, socializing while eating pizza, sandwiches, donuts, and Danish pastries, drinking coffee, tea, and juice, and meanwhile keeping a close eye on the scores as they were posted. Prizes of Scrabble games and gift certificates were awarded to the following players: Renee Stokowski won the highest score for all three games (1404 points); Seth Lipkin won the highest single game (549 points); Jim Russell won the best scoring 3-letter word (54 points); Kimberly Ladue won the best scoring 2-letter word (36 points), and Renee Stokowski won the highest scoring single word (104 points). )
In addition to having the opportunity to play Scrabble with family, friends and new acquaintances, players made the evening a tremendous social occasion. One player said, "You could feel the electricity in the air. The room was full of bright, happy people anticipating a great evening - and it happened! It did, it really did! It's wonderful when you can have a great evening - a little diversion - and use your brain too." Another player, who came all the way from Worcester, said, "I was amazed at the turnout - I saw a lot of happy people. You're doing a great job." Many players came from Palmer and the Quaboag Hills towns and others came from farther afield: Agawam, East Longmeadow, West Springfield, Hopkinton, Whitinsville, and Amherst. Thanks go to Palmer Public Library for the use of the Community Room, and Hasbro from East Longmeadow, who donated the Scrabble games and dictionaries. The event was sponsored by Country Bank for Savings, Monson Savings Bank, Southbridge Savings and Hampden Bank. Food was supplied by Dunkin Donuts of Palmer, Dunkin Donuts of Monson, McDonalds, The Coupe Restaurant, Chmura Bakery, Apollo 1 Pizza, Vinny's Pizza, and Teresa's Restaurant. Gift certificates were supplied by WalMart, Friendly's Restaurant, North End Pizza, Curves for Women, Subway, Big Y, Steaming Tender Restaurant, Maryniski, CVS, Brooks, and Candleberries. The board members of Top Floor Learning donated baskets for the raffle, and Kmart donated Scrabble sets which were awarded as game prizes to the winning contestants. Top Floor Learning is grateful for all the support offered by these businesses to ensure the success of the first Scrabble Tournament. )
Special thanks go to Vicki Edwards, who acted as Master of Ceremonies, and Ed Maxwell, Ron Boyko and Bill Marsh who kept score of the games and handled word challenges made by the players. Many volunteers helped with set up, registration duties, managing food, and clearing the room: Marsha Gaudette, Cathy Durkin, Barbara Benedetti, Sandy McCorkle, Fred Moody, Stanley Skowyra, Barbara Beaulieu, and Lisa, Jonathan, Tyler and Matt Remillard. A heartfelt thanks to all those involved. Bowing to popular demand, Top Floor Learning will offer another Scrabble Tournament on February 27, 2007, same place, same time. The number of players will be restricted to 50, so it's not too early to mark your calendars! Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition
PALMER, MA, September 18, 2006 - On Monday, September 18, 2006, Top Floor Learning Inc. held its annual meeting and volunteer recognition in the Community Room in Palmer Public Library. The event was a joyful celebration of the past year, during which Top Floor Learning has experienced extraordinary growth in both its adult literacy and lifelong learning programs. The first part of the evening was dedicated to the election of a new board of trustees for 2006-2007 and the second part to honoring the volunteer tutors, administrative staff, and board members as well as the individuals, businesses, and organizations that have provided financial and in-kind support for the programs. The evening began with a light supper and social hour during which guests met and mingled. Fred Moody, the President of the Board of Trustees, welcomed the guests and gave an introductory address in which he mentioned some of the major events of the year and explained the organizational changes that have been implemented. Senator Stephen Brewer then addressed the audience, stating his commitment to literacy and his admiration of the achievements of the staff and volunteers of TFL. Margaret Boyko, newly appointed CEO, and Marsha Gaudette, Director of Adult Literacy, both reported on the highlights of their respective programs. Ed Maxwell, board member and tutor, spoke briefly about the Medicare Part D program that TFL had organized for the senior population. Ed reckoned that the 60 seniors who took part had saved around $100,000 this year thanks to this free program. Fred Moody then presented the new Board of Trustees for 2006 - 2007, after which there was a break for coffee and dessert.
During the break, traditional Scottish and Irish music and songs were performed by Fred and Rose Higgins playing fiddle and accordion, accompanied by Jock Boland on bouzouki and Patrick Fyfe on guitar. The band's performance was upbeat and clearly energized everyone in the room. Fred Higgins, who is in the GED program, spoke movingly about his struggles as a learner. He has a business, and realized that his business might not survive unless he became able to function at a higher level of numeracy and literacy. He told the audience how much he valued the help he received from his tutor and how this has had a direct effect on his everyday life, for example, being able to make more accurate estimates when bidding for work. A learner in the ESL program, Maggie Lisek, addressed the audience and described her struggles to learn American English. As she put it, "I was confident when I came here from Poland that I could speak English, but I soon realized that people did not understand me. I needed help and I found the wonderful people at the literacy program." Maggie has recently achieved U.S. citizenship and now has a job as an accountant at a large company. These learners' stories put human faces and names to literacy education, illuminating the real need that exists for the kind of help that TFL can offer. They both paid tribute to their tutors' patience and humor during the sometimes arduous path to success. Margaret Boyko and Marsha Gaudette honored the tutors in the English as a Second Language and the Reading/Writing/Math/GED programs, each of whom were presented with a certificate and gifts. The tutors and administrative assistants are the backbone of the organization, without whom there would be no Top Floor Learning, and the evening was a stylish recognition of their contribution to learning. The continued success of TFL rests on many supports: volunteers, businesses and corporations which provide in-kind services or donations, satellite libraries that publicize TFL's work, and individuals who respond to fund drives. Margaret and Marsha articulated deep appreciation for continued support from the community as Top Floor Learning moves forward into another year. To learn more about Top Floor Learning's programs of adult education, please call 413 283 2329, or visit the website at www.topfloorlearnig.org. Office hours are Monday 12 noon to 5 pm and Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. A 24-hour answering machine will take your call if no-one is in the office. Top Floor Learning, Inc. Wins Verizon Foundation Grant
PALMER, MA, September 12, 2006 - Top Floor Learning, Inc. is pleased to announce it has received a grant of $6,000 from Verizon Foundation in recognition of its outstanding work providing literacy services to adult residents of Palmer and the surrounding towns in the Quaboag Region. A new school year is upon us and Top Floor Learning, based on the third floor of the Palmer Public Library, has a comprehensive program of literacy services to offer. This fall, Top Floor Learning's Intermediate and Advanced Conversation classes for those who are learning English begin on September 5th and run until October 31st, 2006. The classes meet once a week for two hours and are a lot of fun as well as providing solid instruction in English language skills. They also provide a social opportunity to meet and chat with other learners and make new friends. For those who are just beginning to learn English, TFL's one-to-one tutoring instruction offers personal support and encouragement in a comfortable environment. For individuals seeking to prepare for the U.S. Citizenship exam, our citizenship classes are taught by knowledgeable and thorough tutors and cover all aspects of the test, including mock interviews, to get a real "hands-on" experience. Classes and one-to-one sessions are ongoing throughout the year. Tuition costs are capped at very reasonable rates so these classes are accessible to all. Also this fall, local residents can take the GED closer to home. For the first time, the test will be held in the Community Room of the Palmer Public Library, administered by Holyoke Community College. To prepare for the test, TFL offers a program of Reading, Writing and Math study as well as pre-GED testing so that each applicant has a true understanding of the test requirements. The full GED test will be held over three days: October 23, 24, and 25, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. To learn more about what Top Floor Learning does or to find details about any of the programs mentioned, please call 413 283 2329 and ask to be put on our mailing list so that you will receive brochures of all classes and workshops. You may also read our updated newsletter as well as detailed information about classes and special events listed on this site. You may also register and pay for any of our classes online. Please visit or call! We look forward to meeting you!
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