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 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, ... ICC celebrates STEM Week with special speakers, events Itawamba Community College is celebrating February 3-6 as STEM Week with special events through its organization. They include STEM Club meetings featuring Ole Miss representatives, Feb. 3 and Mississippi State University representatives, Feb. 4; debut of ICC’s planetarium in the John S. Crubaugh Education Building, Feb. 5; and Community College Innovation Challenge, Feb. 6. Although the special events will take place at the Fulton Campus, they are open to all members, including those from both the Tupelo Campus and Belden Center. The STEM Club connects students with an interest in STEM-related fields. Members have an opportunity to attend events with speakers from different fields, network with other students in similar fields of study, meet representatives from universities and local companies, discover and engage in new technologies and support ICC’s five-county district through community service. For more information, including membership for ICC students, email stemclub@iccms.edu. ICC's Health Sciences Division to host Code Blue and Red event for students from 12 area schools Itawamba Community College’s Health Sciences Division will host a Code Blue and Red event from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Feb. 10, in the Health Science Education Center at the Tupelo Campus. Students from 12 area schools will be on campus in two shifts (8:30 and 10:15 a.m.) to view simulations of three real-life scenarios, said Michael Holloway, director of recruitment and orientation. A North Mississippi Medical Center ambulance will arrive, and the students will see first-hand the need for and the role healthcare professionals play in the process. “It will be an impactful program,” Holloway said, “Our hope is that these students see the ‘real-life’ expertise used by the graduates of ICC’s programs.” Participating programs include students and faculty from Associate Degree Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Sciences, Health Information, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Health, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology. Dean of Health Science Instruction Tonya Vaughn said that this event will be an exceptional interprofessional education opportunity. “IEP is a new emphasis area in healthcare education. The goal of these efforts is to develop knowledge, ... Comments are closed.