The Whole Dyslexic Society The Whole Dyslexic Society

Newsletter April 2025

Dear Wonderful People… Spring is truly here, lovely warm days, the warmth is extending to our documentary WHO KNEW which is taking on a life of its own ! 

 
 

Dear Wonderful People… Spring is truly here, lovely warm days, the warmth is extending to our documentary WHO KNEW which is taking on a life of its own! Davis Facilitators and Board Directors, Paddy Carson in Edmonton and Nadine Schumont in Stratford, ON, are organising their own private viewings in Edmonton (May 13) and Stratford (May 24). It is still not on general release. Sue was invited to small group of ladies who had requested a private screening and were a fabulous audience. Thanks to one of their suggestions we are now creating WHO KNEW’s own webpage, with

  • the full story of how it came about

  • the trailer our Director Kelly Conlin has created to submit to Film Festivals

  • how to continue donating to our program sponsorships, and

  • a petition you can sign which will ask that the Davis Learning Strategies for Early Years and K-3 be part of our education system

How amazing is that? Visit our page HERE….

We have a trailer!! Enjoy this snippet of WHO KNEW: Dyslexia is a way of thinking

This Summer our film will be viewed in film festivals all over Canada with a general release this fall on TELUS Optik TV, channel 9, Stream+ and STORYHIVE's YouTube channel. If you would like to organize a private viewing for your organization, community or school please contact Sue Blyth Hall at info@thewds.org.

One of our cast, Manda Aufochs Gillespie has asked us to attach information about her incredibly successul high school, Cortes Island Academy on Cortes Island, BC.  The registration deadline is close, so please read asap.

Many of our clients and enquiries ask us if we know of schools that would be ideal for children with dyslexia. Truthfully, the only ones we know of at the moment who are using Davis methods in full, are in India and New Zealand (read more here).  However, our current podcast series: Chasing Ideal Education is resulting in an update to our WDS Resource section and we will be adding to a list ‘What to look for in a school for dyslexics’.

On May 1, in our Come to the Dyslexia Table Live Chat, Sharon Roberts, Laura O’Neill and Jess Vandecar will have an informal discussion about home schooling and the many options available.  If you have an option or options to offer, please email us at info@thewds.org or just register to attend the Live Chat.  It will be edited and broadcast in our podcast series. RSVP Here……

Claire Ashmore, Davis Facilitator in New Zealand, created this wonderful reel celebrating the rich imagination of Dyslexic individuals. Enjoy!

I hope you will forgive the relatively short newsletter this month, it is a reminder that we are all volunteers, who have never ventured into the film world before, and we are just dipping our toes into this very exciting, inspiring, often seemingly deep but very warm WHO KNEW water!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend, Sue, Laura, Maureen, Julie, Paddy, Sharon, Nadine, Tristan, Del, Gisa

 
 

Come to the Dyslexic Table Live Chat

May 1st, 2025 - 4:30PM Pacific

Join us for a look into Chasing Ideal Education: Series 7 - Episode #4 - Homeschooling

Join us! To RSVP visit our page HERE

Calendar:

May 1:  Come to the Dyslexic Table … Homeschooling   

May 1:  Sue and Julie are excited to present to the Capilano University ECE Faculty ! 

May 28:   Gisa and Sue will be presenting to Big Sisters and Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, Langley and the Fraser Valley  

June 1: Come to the Dyslexic Table… France, Japan and maybe Italy ! 

October 8:  Sue has been invited to be a Keynote Speaker (her first Keynote!) at the Family Literacy Conference in Edmonton. 

October 23:  Sue and Julie will be at a Panel Discussion at the Child Care Resource & Referral Consultant – West Shore Sooke Family Resource Society 

info@thewds.org

 
 
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The Whole Dyslexic Society The Whole Dyslexic Society

Newsletter March 2025

WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking … Special Edition! We not only sprang forward in time on Sunday but we sprang forward in our mission. WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking made its debut at the Star Cinema, in Sidney, BC in front of 120 wonderful people.  It was an incredibly special afternoon!

 
 

WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking … Special Edition!

We not only sprang forward in time on Sunday but we sprang forward in our mission. WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking made its debut at the Star Cinema, in Sidney, BC in front of 120 wonderful people.  It was an incredibly special afternoon!

It was a Premiere, a red carpet event, Laura had the Guest List as she greeted everyone, Julie made the entrances inviting with our posters and refreshments… and created a red carpet photo op in the theatre!

As guests entered the theatre they could pose on the red carpet or collect their auction item.  We had the entire Crew there, Kelly our Director, Dave - Sound, Adam and Ben - Camera ops, Lillie - Stills photographer and our Mentor, Maureen. We had the entire Cast, Julie, Abraham, Davey and Wynne, Manda, Evan and Koen…

Sue and Kelly, introduced the film and afterwards Cast and Crew took questions… it was a star studded event because everyone was a star in this incredible achievement … flowers and kudos to all our benefactors, helpers, auction donors and bidders, students, location donors, Board past and present, THANK YOU for being part of spreading this information to all those who will benefit!

Kelly will be entering the documentary into Film Festivals and a festival will not accept a film if it is on general release, so until then we will be arranging private viewings. You can contact Sue or Laura via info@thewds.org to arrange such a viewing.  TELUS Optik™ TV On Demand will release it in the Fall, and then we will be able to release it on YouTube.

We are beyond grateful and excited to announce that the auction raised $2,600+ which will be used for program sponsorships… again, THANK YOU!

If you would like to read more about our auction donors please visit our page HERE.

Axel Gudmundsson, Davis Facilitator with Jamie Oliver in London, 11.03.25 !

WHO KNEW is now phasing into WHO KNOWS what might happen ! Last week, Sue sent an email and the documentary to Jamie Oliver in the UK when she learned he is making a documentary on dyslexia for Channel 4… so truly  WHO KNOWS what will happen now !

Axel Gudmundsson, Davis Facilitator with Jamie Oliver in London, 11.03.25!

Just to say it is now business as usual...

  • We welcomed Maureen O’Sullivan, a Facilitator from Newmarket, Ontario, to our Board at the AGM on February 22, 2025.

  • It is grant writing time… please keep your fingers crossed we attract general operating funds from the Victoria Community Foundation.

  • We are also seeking funding to get a Meta Study off the ground. This is the first step towards independent research into our methods which is essential to get Davis into schools.

  • You can read Sue’s AGM Chair Report HERE

 
 

Come to the Dyslexic Table Live Chat

April 1st, 2025 - 4:30PM Pacific

Join us for a look into Chasing Ideal Education: Series 7 - Episode #3 - Eaton Arrowsmith Schools

Join us! To RSVP visit our page HERE. And Stay tuned for Sharon’s article on Eaton Arrowsmith Schools

Calendar:

April 1: Come to the Dyslexic Table …Eaton Arrowsmith Schools 

April 17:  Professional Development presentation for Dr Thomas A Swift Elementary      

May 1:  Come to the Dyslexic Table … Homeschooling   

May 1:  Sue and Julie are excited to present to the Capilano University ECE Faculty ! 

May 28:   Gisa and Sue will be presenting to Big Sisters and Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, Langley and the Fraser Valley  

June 1: Come to the Dyslexic Table… France, Japan and maybe Italy ! 

October 8:  Sue has been invited to be a Keynote Speaker (her first Keynote!) at the Family Literacy Conference in Edmonton. 

October 23:  Sue and Julie will be at a Panel Discussion at the Child Care Resource & Referral Consultant – West Shore Sooke Family Resource Society 

info@thewds.org

 
 
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The Whole Dyslexic Society The Whole Dyslexic Society

Newsletter February 2025

February’s here already… snowdrops and snow … and as promised, we launched our Online Fundraising Auction February 1!

 
 

February’s here already… snowdrops and snow … and as promised, we launched our Online Fundraising Auction February 1!

www.thewds.org/auction ... so now its time to get bidding ! We have so many generous donations.. full list HERE.

We will be adding to this list throughout February, so keep checking in! I know that when we bid we often hope for a bargain, at the same time, competitive overbidding ensures we can help even more individuals 😊with their program sponsorship.. thank you!

This Online Auction is running alongside the excitement of our documentary WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking.

Laura noticed that we are actually mentioned on the IMDb (Internet Movie Database)!

It looks so official … I am somewhere between disbelief and laughter…but definitely so grateful for all those involved.

Our documentary will be showcased at various film festivals and exclusive screenings throughout 2025, with a general release scheduled this fall available for free on TELUS Optik™ TV On Demand, all made possible with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE Editions.

 
 

Sharon’s February 1 Come to the Dyslexic Table article on the Green School in Bali was so interesting. You can listen HERE.

We are gathering the key points from each of her dives into different forms of education.  So far I love the sound of:

  • The curriculum linked to the nature, the environment, conservation, sustainability

  • Hands-on learning hiding core subjects, involving the local community and experts

  • A full circle model, the school creates, sends into the community, and reaps the benefit later on

  • Creating and nurturing a love of learning (what a thought) free from fear of failure (known as anxiety)

  • Results are huge... high levels of critical/independent thinking, problem solving, ability to reason.

  • Small classes, toxin free, a sense of love and belonging connecting to the outside world, joyful!

Here’s to the demise of the worksheet wilderness!

Join us! To RSVP visit our page HERE. And Stay tuned for Sharon’s article on ideal education in Finland for our upcoming live chat on March 1st.

Maureen O’Sullivan (Davis Facilitator, Ontario) has been attending some of our WDS Board Meetings, and her sister-in-law, Ginny, has been SO kind and generous with her volunteer time.  She has created a list of all the teacher training colleges/universities across Canada AND the Early Childhood Education Centres so that we can contact them and send them the documentary when we are able. This time-consuming research is so valuable to us, and we are so grateful!

We are also getting ready for our Annual General Meeting on Saturday February 22, 2025. We have had many successes in 2024 and more to come! All possible with the support of our volunteers, donors and community. Thank you!

Last year we were able to support an educator who wanted to take the 4 Day Gift of Dyslexia Workshop, which is the first part of the Davis Facilitator training.  We just received this email: 

"My name is Angela. I am a Learning Support Services Teacher. I took the 4 day Gift of Dyslexia Workshop and I was able to do my 30 hours of practice,  one-on-one, in school with a grade 5 student. The student jumped from a mid-grade 2 reading level to a mid-grade 4 reading level. It was amazing to see the results and I'm looking forward to working with more students in the future!"

Following on from this, we will be presenting a Pro D to educators in her school and School District in April.  

This leads us to dream that one day we can create four different paths for educators:

  • Davis Learning Strategies for Early Years (3-5 year olds) is still in the pilot stage

  • Davis Learning Strategies for K-3 teachers

  • Special Ed teachers working one-on-one with students having taken the Gift of Dyslexia Workshop

    • Coached by a Facilitator

  • Schools sending students to us when the family can afford a program.     

    • Same Facilitator trains the EAs to provide follow up in school time

Calendar:

January 23:  Sue visited the Nanaimo Alternative Learning Centre to speak with staff and students.

Youth Resilience Strategy

February 6: Sue meets with the Capilano University Early Childhood Education Centre

February 22:  Annual General Meeting, 10am PST  Online   

March 1: Come to the Dyslexic Table… we are off to Finland !         

April 1: Come to the Dyslexic Table …Eaton Arrowsmith Schools

April 17:  Professional Development presentation for Dr Thomas A Swift Elementary    

May 1:  Come to the Dyslexic Table … Supported Home Schooling programs in BC  

May:   Gisa and Sue will be presenting to Big Sisters and Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, Langley and the Fraser Valley

June 1: Come to the Dyslexic Table… France, Japan and maybe Italy !

October 8:  As a result of the presentation that Sue and Julie made at the Decoda Conference last October Sue has been invited to be a Keynote Speaker (her first Keynote!) at the Family Literacy Conference in Edmonton.

OUR CHARITY FUNDRAISING AUCTION ITEMS AS AT FEBRUARY 3, 2025

Visit our page HERE

info@thewds.org

 
 
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