27 September Reading event highlights ICC's Adult Literacy Week September 27, 2024 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 During Adult Literacy Week (Sept. 15-21), several members of the Itawamba Community College family took the time to read to students at the Early Learning Centers on both the ICC Fulton and Tupelo campuses. Monday started with full bellies and happy bowls at the Tupelo Early Learning Center. “They [the students] love books,” said director Idell Crump, who fondly goes by Grannie Mother Goose, and even the principal. “It gives them a head start when they enter kindergarten.” Statistics show that adults reading to children creates a rich bonding experience that benefits both. Audra Perry, ICC’s director of Adult Education, said that reading to these children “reminds us [adults] of how eager young children are to learn and brings a smile to your face.” It has been proven that reading to children enhances their language development, improves their vocabulary and fosters a love for stories, all of which are crucial for their literacy skills. ICC alumnus Karen McFerrin of Mantachie, who also served as a reader during the event, believes that reading to children “keeps us young and gives us a better understanding of how children learn.” “The more you read to children, the more it builds their vocabulary,” said Angela Patterson, the director of the ICC Child Development Center on the Fulton Campus. “While building their vocabulary, you are setting the children up to succeed when it is their turn to start reading.” Emily Lay, an educator at ICC Fulton’s Early Learning Center, agreed, “We believe seeing adults get excited about reading will show the kids just how much fun reading can be and encourage them to learn how to read.” Other participants in the event included Carrie Lindsey, Vicki Surrette and Shundria Whitfield, and an additional partner in the reading activity was Continuing Education's Senior College. Related Articles ICC joins National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week celebration, Sept. 15-21 Itawamba Community College’s Adult Education Department is celebrating September 15-21 as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. ICC President Dr. Jay Allen kicked off the commemoration with the signing of a proclamation designating the nationwide event. Additional activities will include Adult Education staff reading to students in both of ICC’s Early Learning Centers (Fulton and Tupelo) during the week. “The goal of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week is to work side-by-side in every state, territory and district to heighten public awareness, strengthen alliances, leverage resources and increase the number of people who understand the vital role adult education and family literacy play in our nation’s and state’s well-being,” according to Audra Perry, ICC director of Adult Education. In signing the proclamation, Allen said that he “supports the goals and ideals of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week and recognizes the efforts of ICC’s Adult Education Department and its instructors in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties and encourage the participation of all individuals to achieve a high ... ICC to celebrate Adult Education, Family Literacy Week, Sept. 19-25 Itawamba Community College will join educational institutions throughout the United States in celebration of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, Sept. 19-25. “The goal of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week is to work side-by-side in every state, territory and district to heighten public awareness, strengthen alliances, leverage resources and increase the number of people who understand the vital role adult education and family literacy play in our nation’s well-being,” said Linzy Patterson, director of adult education at ICC. According to ProLiteracy, more than 43 million adults in the United States cannot read, write or do basic math above a third grade level. Patterson said that U.S. adult literacy statistics show that bringing all adults to the equivalent of a sixth-grade reading level would generate an additional $2.2 trillion in annual income for the country. Also, he noted that it is estimated between $100-$238 billion in healthcare costs a year are linked to low adult literacy skills. Regarding family literacy, “A mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s ... ICC Adult Education to celebrate literacy week with orientation, outreach activities Itawamba Community College’s Adult Education program will celebrate Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, Sept. 13-19, with orientation sessions and outreach activities promoting education and literacy across generations. Adult Education orientation sessions at the ICC Belden Center include: Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. - Registration for Belden daytime classes for individuals ages 18 and older Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. - Registration for Belden daytime classes for individuals ages 16-17 Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m. - Registration for Belden evening classes for individuals ages 18 and older The program will also partner with the ICC Early Learning Centers in Fulton and Tupelo to encourage a love of reading among younger students. Adult Education Director Audra Perry will read “The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions” by Anna Llenas to approximately 70 preschool students. A copy of the book will be donated to each classroom, and students will receive reading-themed activity bags. “As an Adult Education program, our team celebrates Adult Education and Family Literacy Week every September; however, it is an effort we should all strive to support on a continual, consistent basis,” Perry said. ... ICC's nursing students celebrate week, month and graduation When the pages of the calendar turned to May, a special celebration began for nurses across the nation. Every year, from May 6-12, those in the profession are recognized for their service and dedication to caring for others and improving the health of patients through National Nurses Week. But as special as nurses are and most deserving of a celebration, the week is just a small part of the larger National Nurses Month, which will be observed through May 31. “Students who are enrolled in Itawamba Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program prepare to take the NCLEX-RN and subsequently to become Registered Nurses, who work in collaboration with physicians and other members of a healthcare team,” said Tonya Vaughn, dean of Health Science Instruction. “They fill numerous roles, including but not limited to, disease prevention, coping with illness, patient assessments, health educators and advocacy. However, they don’t stop there. There is also possible case management, quality assurance procedures, directing complex nursing care systems and conducting clinical research. They work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services and nursing care ... ICC adult education classes to begin week of Jan. 3 Adult education classes will begin at several locations in the Itawamba Community College five-county district the week of Jan. 3. The schedule includes Amory – Amory WIN Center (1619 Hwy. 25 North), Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Belden – ICC Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Road), Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and ESL, Monday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Fulton – Old Grammar School (603 So. Cummings St.), Monday and Tuesday, 4-7 p.m.; Houston – Houston WIN Center (210 Monroe St.), Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Pontotoc – Pontotoc WIN Center (316 Coffee St.), Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Tupelo – Regional Rehabilitation Center (615 Pegram Dr.), Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1-4:30 p.m. There is no cost for the classes. Individuals who plan to enroll for the first time at the ICC Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Rd.) should participate in a three-day orientation session beginning at 8:30 a.m., Jan. 4. Participants must have ... ICC's Public Health Technology program to join in national celebration with local events Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating the week of April 1 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Community health workers are the backbone of public health, bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of well-being and equity,” said Caroline Newkirk, ICC adjunct instructor and Evaluation Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute. “ICC’s Public Health Technology program fills a critical gap in Mississippi by offering a curriculum that prepares its students exceptionally well with the knowledge and skills to be invaluable community health workers. In a state that is medically underserved, ... Comments are closed.