Newsletter January 2024

January 2024

happy New year to You All! 

We hope you are refreshed and have had time to think about all the things you intend to manifest in 2024.

Your Board meets January 18 to discuss its objectives and all suggestions are very welcome.

We give thanks to Maureen O’Sullivan, for introducing us to our new Board Director, Del Coburn, who is already injecting excitement into our Society, as he appears fearless in taking on some of our fundraising activities. Maureen is keen to ensure there are bursaries available for the Davis Autism Approach programs. 

Nadine is part of the new Davis marketing initiative, which is part of the whole new Davis rebranding, launching early in 2024.

Gisa is meeting with representatives of Big Sisters to hear what they are interested in.

Sue has offered to be part of the new Davis Learning Strategies and Davis Learning Strategies for Early Years initiative.

Many Facilitators worldwide are interested in developing this preventative approach… so exciting !!!


WE ARE RIGHT BACK into the Early Childhood Educators’ Professional Development Pilot we created, as of Jan 6… our end of pilot report is due Feb 28.

The whole project has been a rush, we have ‘bounced’ from one self-created deadline to another: we had to create a logo, an advertisement, distribute it, create a Thinkific e-learning platform, plan the format, create a Flow Chart of Modules, create 9 Modules plus assignments, record them, get permission from DDAI for the 2 day workshops, write adaptations to the DLS K-3 Manual, book the in-person presenter, their accommodation, the venue, and send out more assignments, include parents… and now we have the last of the modules plus the evaluations and final report writing. Phew!!!

Huge thanks go to Laura O’Neill, Julie Brewer and Stacey Smith for the above. Huge thanks are also due to the ECEs who are using the self-management tools and already noticing improvements in their centers.

The idea of their success leading to the Ministry of Education and Child Care offering this professional development to all ECEs in BC is beyond wildly exciting!


TELUS STORYHIVE Documentary – Miraculously, we also managed to get the Bonus Edition of the Telus StoryHive documentary in by Dec 6.  The full story is HERE. The Telus StoryHive Adventure !  Many lessons have been learned, a new Storyboard needs to be created, and we look forward to the mentorship provided by the Film Institute as of Jan 13.


COME TO THE DYSLEXIC TABLE - Episode #9 - Procrastination

JOIN US for our 9th Live Chat on February 1st at 4.30pm Pacific. We’ll be discussing procrastination and how it shows up in different personality types as well as the added challenges that dyslexic, ADD and autistic learners face when starting, organizing and completing tasks.

You can read Sharon’s article HERE, please RSVP.


LOOKING FOR PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES? Donor Advised Funds and Legacy Giving are ways in which you can support your favourite causes through charitable contributions. We have created easy to understand articles on these charitable gifts. Visit Legacy Giving HERE. Visit Donor Advised Funds HERE. Or contact us at info@thewds.org to discuss ways in which we can work together.

Much love from all of us….Sue, Laura, Julie, Nadine, Sharon, Paddy, Gisa, Tristan and Del…


CALENDAR

  • Jan 6: Module 5.2 for ECEs Professional Development pilot.

  • Jan 13 - we meet our Film Institute mentor for the StoryHive documentary.

  • Jan 18: Board Meeting

  • Jan 21 – 28th – Family Literacy Week

  • Jan 27th - Parent Evaluation of ECE Pilot

  • Feb 1st - Come to The Dyslexic Table Live Chat on Procrastination, 430pm.

  • Feb 16: Sue and Julie present 2 Pro Day Sessions: Cathedral School, Victoria and Brookes Westshore (return visit!)

  • Stay tuned for more events and happenings!


WE’VE GONE INTERNATIONALThe Kakamega Project.

The WDS & The Kakamega Project team are on a mission ! To provide effective dyslexia education training to developing remedial tutors and supporting parents in Kakamega County, Kenya. We are very excited and honoured to be part of this initiative and look forward to telling you how it is unfolding. Visit our Campaign page HERE.

Nadine Schumont from Picture Perfect Learning Solutions in Stratford, Ontario is happy to announce the release of her “Neurodiversity" T-shirts and merchandise.

With every t-shirt sold, $5 will be donated to the Whole Dyslexic Society to use towards the many services offered. Click this LINK to see, and buy her exciting products.


Our Giving Guide: 

NEW!! We have created some information pages on our website for Legacy Giving and Donor Advised Funds. These are ways in which you can support your favourite charity. You can read all about them on our Giving Page HERE.

Picture Perfect Learning Solutions Neurodiversity Shirts & Merchandise. Nadine Schumont has created a line of shirts and merchandise celebrating neurodiversity. You can view the range of styles and images through her store. For every shirt sold Nadine is donating $5.00 to The Whole Dyslexic Society. Check out her shop page HERE.

Purchase our Gifted with Dyslexia PinsPurchase our Pins Here

TruEarth Eco-Friendly Laundry Soap and Products.  20% of all sales go to our Society.  Please follow the link to our Tru-Earth product page to purchase.  Tru-Earth Eco-Friendly Products Here

Donate a Car Canada. Looking for simple and free car removal? Donate a Car Canada accepts Vehicle Donations for The Whole Dyslexic Society. When you donate your car, truck, RV, boat, or motorcycle to The Whole Dyslexic Society through Donate A Car Canada, it will either be recycled or sold at auction (depending on its condition, age and location). Read more about Donate a Car Canada…….

See how donations can result in tax credits by reading the article below. Read More…Tax Benefits of Charitable Donations

Partial proceeds go to The WDS from sales and rentals of Ed Roman’s highly acclaimed “Red Omen” video. For more information on renting or buying Red Omen click here 

We gratefully accept donations through our Canada helps charity page. We have a variety of donor options. Thank you !

Canada Helps - General Fund 

Canada Helps - Bursary Fund 

Canada Helps Tribute - Donate in honour of or in memory of a loved one.  

Canada Helps Securities - A donation of securities or mutual funds is the most efficient way to give charitably. Since capital gains taxes don't apply, our charity receives the full fair market value when the security is sold, and you get a tax receipt which reflects your larger contribution. This allows you to give more and get more. TO READ MORE ABOUT DONATING SECURITIES OR MUTUAL FUNDS CLICK HERE

We are a registered charity with the PayPal Giving Fund. You can donate to our organization using your PayPal account with no fees. Thank you ! PayPal Giving Fund