s  The Polar Bear

In the United States, where Scottish Rite Masonic bodies have successfully operated Learning Centres for several years, the symbol is a teddy bear. Being Canadian, home of the north, when the first Learning Centre was opened in London ON, the polar bear was chosen. Between his paws the Polar Bear holds the symbol of the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada, the foundation initiated, and supports, Learning Centres throughout Canada.
The Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation presently oversees learning centres in London, Halifax, Windsor, and the soon to be operational Vancouver.

Link to the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada
Learning Centres for Children.

What is a Learning Centre?

A Learning Centre is a place where children are important! Learning Centres are planned and established by Scottish Rite Freemasons - a centuries-old men's fraternal organization. Canadian Learning Centres operate under the auspices of the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada.

At the Learning Centres, we help children with dyslexia to learn to read. Learning Centres tutor children individually with the Orton Gillingham Approach that accommodates their specific learning differences in a one-to-one setting. There is no cost to the child or family. The sessions are all after regular school hours

Starting in London Ontario, using a model developed in the United States, Scottish Rite Masons in Canada are beginning to spread Learning Centres across Canada.

Learning Centre Progress Report - May 2009
Because of your generosity, the Scottish Rite Learning Centre in Barrie is moving ahead on schedule! The Learning Centre will provide free tutoring to children with difficulties in reading, writing and related scholastic skills formally identified as ‘dyslexia’.

The architect’s plans have been approved and the contractor has started building the teaching facilities at 99 Morrow Road. Applications for children are now being accepted; and the recruitment and training of tutors is now underway. Our goal is to have the Learning Centre operating in September.

We are gratified with the results of the fundraising campaign amongst the Brethren and the concordant bodies. Thank you for getting us started. Your donations, combined with a significant boost from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, along with funds from the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation will now allow us to move on to the next phase of this worthwhile project.

However we still require your further financial assistance if we are to complete the job. If you did not respond initially to our request for a donation, now is the time we need your help. For those who have contributed, we continue to need more funds. We hope to keep our construction costs down by appealing for volunteer labour within the fraternity for certain aspects of the construction. In addition, we would appreciate receiving gifts-inkind.

Please be generous in supporting the Golf Tournament on June 24. It is a key event in our overall fundraising efforts. Hopefully other Brethren will come forward and organize similar fundraising events. All donors to the Learning Centre will receive a tax benefit receipt with a charitable registration number.

Our next report to you will discuss the long-term strategy and business plan for the Learning Centre and how we envision sustainability in the years to come. As always, your comments are encouraged and welcome.

Once again thank you for your assistance. Your response to this new initiative is truly an example of fraternal generosity, brotherly love and charity. You are helping those whose circumstances in life fairly warrant it.

Sincerely,
Douglas Jagges
Chairman, Planning Committee, Scottish Rite Learning Centre, Barrie.

What is Dyslexia?

Difficulties in reading may be the result of dyslexia. The International Dyslexia Association defines it this way:

"Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and / or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge."

Where There Is A Need, There Is A Mason

The Valley of Barrie Learning Centre Committee

A committee, chaired by Ill. Bro. Doug Jagges, 33°, has been formed in order to open a

New Board of Governors for the Learning Centre for Dyslexic children in the Barrie area.

Chairman - David Boyd
Co-Chair - Doug Jagges
Secretary - Rod Greer
Treasurer - Ken Robertson
Members - Sharon & Lyle Carson
               - Paul Fockler
               - Paul Knowles
               - Mike Wood

Learning Centre Director - Ross Martin

LEARNING CENTRE DOWNLOAD AREA

FREEMASONS HELPING CHILDREN

The Valley of Barrie invites all members to download this PDF file containing a donation letter and easy to follow instructions on how to help our Valley help our children. A simple click here will make you feel real fine! Click me now please!

INFORMATION BROCHURE PDF FILE

Here is the latest brochure, designed by the Valley of Barrie Learning Centre Team so our members will have something they can print or email off to others. Everything you need to know about the Learning Centre and Dyslexia. Click Me Too!

Links to Learning Centres:

Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada Learning Centres for Children:  http://clients.pppoe.ca/~scottishrite/    
Halifax:   http://www.dyslexiacentrehalifax.com/ 
London:  http://clients.pppoe.ca/~scottishrite/london_index.htm
Windsor: http://dyslexia.eriemasons.org/
Barrie:     http://barrievalleyscottishrite.com

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Canada
Valley of Barrie
99 Morrow Road,
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
L4N 3V7
Phone and Fax 1 (705) 722-0432
Email: scottishrite@bellnet.ca 

Learning Centre

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