President's Letter
I'm happy to report that NCBIDA's new year is off to a very good start indeed. Here are some highlights, along with reminders of upcoming events.
Teacher training scholarships will resume
We are happy to report that thanks to generous gifts from many members and friends of NCBIDA to our teacher training scholarship fund, we will be able to once again award scholarships in 2008. (See the story in this issue about the eBay grant we were thrilled to receive in support of the program!) Watch our website for details about summer multisensory structured language education (MSLE) course offerings and the timeline for applying for scholarships. Typically, course information is available by March, and scholarship applications are due in April. Scholarship support will be offered for programs that follow International Multisensory Language Education Council (IMSLEC) or Orton-Gillingham criteria and that include a practicum in their curriculum.
We always welcome contributions to our scholarship fund. The more money we are able to raise, the more teachers we are able to support with MSLE tuition assistance. You can donate on our website at www.dyslexia-ncbida.org/donation.html — just check the box that indicates you want your contribution to be applied to scholarships.
Nancy Cushen White receives national recognition
Advisory board member and former branch president Nancy Cushen White, Ed.D., received one of The International Dyslexia Association's highest honors at the organization's annual meeting in Dallas in November — the Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award. Those of you who know Nancy have probably marveled at her tremendous energy and passion for helping struggling students and the teachers who work with them. Our branch has benefited enormously from her knowledge about multisensory structured language education (MSLE) over the years. Congratulations, Nancy, on this well deserved honor!
Thank you, David Futterman
I want to say a particular thank you to outgoing board member David Futterman, who is rotating off the board after completing two consecutive three-year terms. We're delighted that David will continue to serve as our organization's treasurer, a position he has ably filled for a number of years.
Upcoming programs
If you haven't already done so, be sure to register for our February 9th program, Phonics and Beyond, which will be held at The Nueva School in Hillsborough. You can find details on the program in this newsletter and on our website. It includes two break-out sessions to fit your interest, so you can enroll in the one that will be most useful to you.
NCBIDA is also co-sponsoring an opportunity to hear reading expert Joseph K. Torgesen, Ph.D. He's speaking on the evening of February 28 in Palo Alto on new research about reading. Other program sponsors include the Palo Alto Unified School District and the Children's Health Council. For more information, visit www.dyslexia-ncbida.org/events_torgesen.html.
Also, save the date of Saturday, April 12, when NCBIDA has arranged for nationally-recognized expert Eric Tridas to speak on ADHD. Plans for this day, including the site, are still evolving — we'll keep you posted as details are finalized.
Finally, I want to thank all those volunteers who help make NCBIDA's programs successful. We couldn't do what we do without you!
Sincerely,
Leslie Lingaas Woodward
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