LDAS TIMES
THE DIGITAL NEWSLETTER
Fall Message from the Executive Director
Hello Team LDAS,
I hope this message finds you all well and in good spirits. As we move from the warmth of summer into the crispness of fall, I want to take a moment to reflect on what a fantastic summer we had together.
The fall weather is upon us, bringing with it a sense of renewal and motivation (and cold…brrrr).
It’s a wonderful time to find new opportunities, and I am excited to share that we are currently working on new programs internally that will enhance what LDAS offers and that will strengthen our impact for both our existing and future clients. Stay tuned for more updates as these plans develop!
As we prepare for the winter months ahead, let’s carry the momentum we’ve built and continue to
support one another in our work. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your hard
work and dedication. Your commitment does not go unnoticed, and it is what makes our team truly
exceptional.
I also want to acknowledge the wonderful staff appreciation dinner we had in Prince Albert. It was
a great opportunity to connect and celebrate our achievements together. I am looking forward to the
upcoming dinners in Regina and Saskatoon, where we can continue to thank our incredible staff for
all that you do.
Here’s to a great season ahead and to all the wonderful things we will accomplish together!
All the best, Graham
On Board
An Interview with Board Member, Brennen Weightman
Boards play a critical role in guiding organizations. They provide oversight, lead strategic
planning, and ensure that core values and mission are at the forefront of decision-making. I
recently met with one of our dedicated board members, Brennen Weightman, to discuss the role of the
board, their vision for LDAS, and the passion that fuels their work.
Brendan: Thanks for taking the time to meet with me. I’m wondering if we can begin by discussing
why you got involved with LDAS and what led you to volunteer for the board.
Brennen: Yeah, not a problem. Thanks for setting this up. When I joined the board, my primary goal
was to get into the non- profit sector and give back to the community, while also gaining valuable
experience. I was interested in learning more about non-profit organizations and had used some of
LDAS’s services in the past, so I was aware of how valuable of a resource LDAS is to the community.
Brendan: Can you explain what exactly the role of the board is and what your role is, as a board
member?
Brennen: The role of the board is essentially to ensure proper governance and proper governance
structure. So, making sure there are appropriate policies in place to maximize the
likelihood that the Executive Director and the organization are successful. Of course, one of the
roles of the board is also to make sure that there is proper oversight and to ensure that
everything is above board.
As an individual member of the board, I am able to vote on important matters to the organization. I
served as president for two years, so part of my current role is to ensure a smooth transition and
continuity between past and present practices.
Brendan: As a board member, what are your hopes for LDAS in the future?
Brennen: We want to be able to serve as many people in Saskatchewan as possible and provide
services in a timely manner. In short, we want to ensure that we are thriving, that we are
sustainable, and that there
is room for growth.
October 2024
LDAS Updates
Exams Starting for CAEC
Staff training for CAEC exams has taken place at all three of our locations this month. We will
start offering testing to our CAEC students in the upcoming weeks and then open up testing to the
public. Stay tuned for further information.
ADHD Coaching Now Available in Prince Albert
We now have two ADHD coaches accepting clients at our Prince Albert office.
Sessions are available after school and all day on Fridays. Appointments can be booked by phone or
email. Inquiries should be directed to Stephanie Tourand.
Strategic Planning
Graham has just finished strategic planning sessions with the board. This will be rolled out in
January and will provide the organization with direction for the next three years.
STF Donation for World Teachers’ Day
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) recently launched a social media campaign for World
Teachers’ Day and donated one dollar to LDAS for every like and share of their post, up to $500.
LDAS would like to thank the STF for their generosity and for drawing attention to the work we do.
Dyslexia Awareness
Dyslexia is a specific type of learning disability that impacts reading. It is the most common
learning disability with estimates showing that 80-90% of people with a diagnosed learning
disability show this pattern.
What is it?
Dyslexia is neurological in origin and is a problem with how the brain processes language at the
sound level. It is characterized by difficulties with sounding out new words, fluent word
recognition, and spelling. Secondary consequences of dyslexia include slow reading speed, poor
comprehension, and issues with writing.
Common myths
Dyslexia is not due to lower levels of intelligence. In fact, dyslexia is an unexpected difficulty
with reading in someone who is expected to be able to read.
Writing letters and words backwards is not specific to dyslexia. This is very common in young
children who are learning to write.
Dyslexia is not related to problems with vision. A joint statement by the American Academy of
Ophthalmology and others (2011) states the following:
“Scientific evidence does not support the claims that visual training, muscle exercises, ocular
pursuit-and-tracking exercises, behavioral/perceptual vision therapy, “training” glasses, prisms,
and colored lenses and filters are effective direct or indirect treatments for learning
disabilities.”
Intervention
There is no cure for dyslexia, and it often has lifelong implications for people. However, there
are two approaches that should be taken to support someone with dyslexia:
(1) Specialized instruction is needed in the areas of phonological processing, decoding, fluency
training, vocabulary, and comprehension. The earlier that this type of instruction is provided, the
better. However, it is never too late, and many adults can enhance their reading abilities later in
life.
(2) Accommodations are often needed for students with dyslexia, particularly as they reach late
elementary school and beyond. These may include extra time on exams, text-to-speech software, or
other forms of assistive technology.
Professional Development Opportunities
Ontario Brain Institute Public Talk: Optimizing the Adult Brain – November
25. https://braininstitute.ca/ news- events/ 2024/ obi-public-talk- optimizing-the-adult-brain
Learning and the Brain: Introduction to the Science of Reading – https://www.learningandthebrain.
com
/conference-535/Introduction-to-the- Science-of-Reading/
Learning and the Brain: Teaching Emotional Brains – November 22-23.
https://www.learningandthebrain.com
/Register-531/Teaching-Emotional- Brains