February 26, 2024 PennAEYC Names Marcia Walters as 2024 VOICE for Children Distinguished Career Award Honoree The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) named Marcia Walters, a retired Pittsburgh-based child care program director, as one of two 2024 VOICE for Children Distinguished Career Award Honorees. Walters shares the honor with Deb Green, the Executive Director of the Parent Infant Center in Philadelphia. Both women will be recognized at the Annual VOICE For Children Award Celebration on Friday, April 5. About Walters dedicated her career to serving the South Pittsburgh communities in early care and education for more than 25 years. As an advocate for young children and their families, Walters recognized the importance of an educational foundation for young children that is rooted in supporting the family. Walters created such a program through the development of Hilltop Community Children’s Center, a non-profit child care program. Led by Walters’ dedication to the mission and vision of Hilltop and financial support, the program was able to offer onsite services such as a family support specialist and a parenting support group. The support group offered education about violence prevention, support and education to end generational poverty, and additional supports for at-risk children in the community. Walters earned an Associates of Arts and Associates of Science degree with a certification in Women’s Studies from the Community College of Allegheny County. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and certifications in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Read Walters’ full biography to learn more. More Information To learn more about the PennAEYC VOICE awards, visit the PennAEYC website.
Playful Vendors and Volunteers Needed for Ultimate Play Day Playful Pittsburgh is seeking playful vendors and volunteers for Ultimate Play Day 2024. Ultimate Play Day, hosted by Playful Pittsburgh, Trying Together, and CitiParks, is a celebration of playfulness for people of all-ages. The event will be held at Riverview Park in the Northside on Saturday, May 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of Remake Learning Days – Southwestern PA in 2024. Become a Playful Vendor Ultimate Play Day aims to foster community connections and learning through playful activities. If your organization would like to facilitate a playful activity at Ultimate Play Day, please fill out the vendor application form. Special attention will be paid to organizations that submit interactive, playful ideas that do not involve strictly passing out literature or other informational handouts. Volunteer Playful Pittsburgh is in need of volunteers to help throughout the day. Volunteers can assist with set up, registration, game and playground support, teardown, and more. View descriptions of each volunteer role. Anyone interested in volunteering can fill out the sign up form and indicate the role that they are interested in. More Information If you have any questions, contact Adam James Zahren, Program Director, Playful Pittsburgh at adam@tryingtogether.org.
February 25, 2024 Resources for March Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize several observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and childcare professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for March observances: Month-Long Observances: Women’s History Month How to Celebrate Women’s History Month in Preschool, Brightwheel Blog Celebrate Women’s History Month! Playlist, Sesame Street 15 Children’s Books to Celebrate Women’s History Month, PBS National Nutrition Month 12 Books for in the Kitchen, PA Promise for Children PA Announces Intent to Launch Permanent Summer EBT Program, Trying Together Allegheny County Family Resource Map, ELRC Region 5 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month The Differences Among Mental, Developmental, and Behavioral Conditions, Trying Together Talking with Young Children about Disabilities, Trying Together Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Part IV- Early Intervention, Trying Together Disability Awareness Booklist, National Education Association Meet Julia, Elmo’s Friend with Autism, Sesame Street National Craft Month Indoor Play and Why It’s Fun for Everyone, Playful Pittsburgh 55 Kid’s Craft Ideas, Delightfully The Importance of Arts and Crafts for Early Childhood Development, Children’s Museum of Sonoma County National Reading Month: Reading Ready Pittsburgh to Open Free Children’s Bookstore in February, Trying Together Reading Ready Pittsburgh Offers Resources For Families and Caregivers, Trying Together Restaurants Add Books to the Menu with Summer Reading Programs, Trying Together Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List, Trying Together National Color Therapy Month Colour Psychology for Babies and Children, Colour Psychology Today How Color Therapy For Kids Can Help Build Self-Esteem, Amel Counseling and Consulting Color Activities for Therapy Pinterest Board, The OT Toolbox Week-Long Observances: March 2-6 is National Read Across America Week 2023-2024 Read Across America Calendar, NEA, Read Across America March 2024: Celebrate Diversity, NEA, Read Across America 14 Big Ideas for Celebrating NEA’s Read Across America, NEA, Read Across America Day Observances: March 1 is Baby Sleep Day Creating a Safe Sleep Environment for Children, Trying Together Sleep Advice by Child’s Age, Pediatric Sleep Council Secrets of Baby Sleep: How Snoozing Helps Your Baby’s Development, Pediatric Sleep Council March 1 is National Play Outside Day Big Body and Physical Play: Benefits and Activities for all Ages, Playful Pittsburgh Education Programs, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Play | Activities & Resources, Buzzword March 8 is International Women’s Day Diverse Books with Trailblazing Women, Read Across America I Can Do Anything | International Women’s Day, Pinkfong Songs for Children International Women’s Day, Little Leaders by Vashti Harrison Celebrating International Women’s Day in Schools, International Women’s Day International Women’s Day 2024 campaign theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, International Women’s Day March 12 is National Working Moms Day Allegheny County Family Resource Map, ELRC Region 5 Squirrel Hill-Based MomsWork Offers Free Support for Pittsburgh’s Working Mothers, Kidsburgh Honoring National Working Mom’s Day: How to Celebrate and Find Support, Better Help March 14 is National Equal Pay Day The High Cost of Working in Early Childhood Education – A Workforce on the Brink of Collapse with Devastating Consequences for Children, Start Strong PA Explained | Why Women Are Paid Less, Netflix New Survey Reveals Impact of Child Care Staffing Shortage, ELRC Region 5 March 14 is Science Education Day Programs for Children, Carnegie Science Center Activities & Resources, Buzzword Transform Migrate Metamorphosis Chemistry Comic Books and Activities, Kids’ Chemical Solutions March 19 is International Read to Me Day Buzzword & Activities, Buzzword Story Time at The Hub, Trying Together Get Free & Low-Cost Books, National Education Association (NEA) March 20 is International Day of Happiness Children Celebrate International Day of Happiness, Austin Public Library 5 Books for Young Children to Celebrate International Women’s Day & Women’s History Month, Moms Against Racism 10 Fabulous Ideas to Celebrate International Happiness Day, Twinkl USA March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day End The Stereotypes: 2024 World Down Syndrom Day Theme, World Down Syndrome Day Upcoming Programs & Events, Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh 6 Ways to Support Children with Down Syndrome in the Montessori Classroom, American Montessori Association
February 24, 2024 February 2024 Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of February 2024 recalls collected from the following major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Spring Spirit and Biloban Pack and Play Mattresses were recalled due to suffocation hazard for infants and violation of the Federal Safety Regulation for Crib Mattresses. Magik & Kover Pack and Play Mattresses due to suffocation hazard for infants and violation of the Federal Safety Regulation for Crib Mattresses. Bell Sports recalled Bell Soquel Youth Bicycle Helmets due to risk of head injury and violation of the Federal Safety Regulation for Bicycle Helmets. Nanchang Zhongcangjishi recalled children’s bathrobes due to fire and burn hazard. Flat River Group recalled children’s bicycles due to crash and injury hazards and violation of Federal Safety Regulations for Bicycles. Ekouaer recalled children’s nightgowns due to fire and burn hazard. Lovevery recalled Slide & Seek Ball Runs with wooden knobs due to chking hazard. DailySale recalled High-Powered Magnetic Balls due to magnet ingestion hazard and violation of the Federal Safety Regulation for Toys. Huihuang Trading recalled fishing games due to magnet ingestion hazard and violation of the Federal Safety Regulation for Toys. Stripe and Stare children’s nightgowns were recalled due to fire and burn hazard. More Information For recall details, visit the links above or review the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websites.
February 21, 2024 Nominations Open for 2024 Francine Bunch Memorial Award Celebrate the successes of your Head Start or Early Head Start program by nominating a Head Start parent or staff member for the Francine Bunch Memorial Award. The Francine Bunch Memorial Award is awarded to one parent and one staff person, each with a Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA) member organization, who displays the qualities of the late Francine Bunch, who started as a parent and ultimately became a Parent Involvement Coordinator with the Lancaster Child Development Program’s Head Start . Learn more about Bunch. Eligibility This honor may be awarded to one parent and one staff person each year. They must meet the following criteria: The nominee(s) is a parent, staff member or former parent who is affiliated with a dues paying member program of the Association. The nominee(s) is actively involved with their local program and the program clearly benefits from their involvement. The nominee(s) takes initiative in growing her/his professional development while involved in the local program. The nominee(s) is involved in other local community activities. The nominee(s) serves as a positive role model for parents and staff alike. The nominee(s) promotes positive working relationships between parents, staff and friends at the local, state or federal level. Nominations Staff from a PHSA dues paying program may nominate a parent, former parent and/or coworker for the Francine Bunch Award. To nominate a candidate, staff must complete the Francine Bunch Nomination Form in full and attach a narrative that describes how the nominee meets the six criteria above. Each nomination form and accompanying narrative will be evaluated by the PHSA Scholarships and Awards Committee, and one parent and one staff person will be selected to receive the award. Award winners are recognized with a commemorative plaque during PHSA’s Annual Spring Conference. Deadline The application is available at the PHSA website. The application deadline is Monday, April 1, 2024.
Request MOYC Materials for Your Early Learning Program Trying Together is offering child care programs in the opportunity to receive Month of the Young Child (MOYC) materials. MOYC-in-a-Box Programs may request a mailed box of materials related to MOYC – observed each April – including: Posters to display at their program location or to give to local businesses to promote the importance of child care in the community Buttons for staff and families to wear during the month of April Printed materials and resources from Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Programs can expect to receive their boxes before the beginning of April. Request your MOYC box. About Month of the Young Child First established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1971, the Week of the Young Child is an opportunity to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. Over the years, with growing interest and focus, Trying Together designated the entire month of April as the Month of the Young Child (MOYC). In April 2024, Trying Together offer opportunities to elevate and celebrate early childhood by providing resources, hosting, co-hosting, and participating in child and caregiver -focused events, and working with early learning programs to share MOYC materials and experiences. Learn More To learn more about Month of the Young Child, visit Trying Together’s Month of the Young Child webpage.
Trying Together Offering Fundraising Opportunity for Early Childhood Programs Trying Together is inviting early childhood program directors to join them at the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community to raise funds for their early learning programs. About the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community The Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is an annual fundraising walk that benefits local health and human service agencies. The primary goal of the walk is to help participating organizations raise money for their individual missions. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, June 22, at Stage AE. Though the Highmark Walk is a great opportunity for nonprofit organizations to raise funds, not all entities meet eligibility standards. If you are the owner or director of an early learning program, your program may be ineligible. However, Trying Together is inviting all early childhood program directors to join Trying Together at the walk to raise funds for their program. Raise Money for An Early Learning Program To raise funds for an early learning program, create a program walk team on behalf of Trying Together and join Trying Together at the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. After the walk, Trying Together will give 75% of all funds raised by early learning program teams back to their respective programs. Create a Walk Team Interested in teaming up with Trying Together? Start a team now! Start by visiting Trying Together’s Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community registration page. Once on the page, select “Click Here to Form Team.” Next, enter the name of your organization as the team name when prompted, and, finally, complete the registration form. Learn More If you need assistance creating a team or want to learn more, visit the Highmark Walk page on the Trying Together website. Share this flyer with your networks.
February 14, 2024 OST Summer Staffing Survey A+ Schools is working in partnership with the United Way to intentionally support out-of-school-time (OST) providers in summer staffing and recruitment. To that end, they are asking providers to fill out the survey about how to approach summer staffing. Learn More OST providers and Untied Way grantees can submit their input on summer staffing – particularly about when and how they engage candidates for summer staffing positions. A+ Schools aims to amplify the region’s OST providers by creating an internal model that can support staffing, advertising, and retention of summer staff. To ask questions or provide additional information, reach out to Will & Tyler at plc@aplusschools.org.
PA Announces Intent to Launch Permanent Summer EBT Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that Pennsylvania is among the states that plan to be the first to launch the new, permanent summer grocery benefits program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) – in summer 2024. About Summer EBT Summer EBT benefits will come in the form of pre-loaded cards that families can use to purchase groceries. Beginning in summer 2024, families will receive $40 per eligible child, per month. These benefits work together with other available Food and Nutrition Service assistance programs, such as summer meal sites, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and WIC, to help ensure children have consistent access to critical nutrition when school is out. For details, visit the USDA’s Summer EBT webpage.
February 13, 2024 Register for the 2024 Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner Join Trying Together and your early care and education colleagues to celebrate the work you do for young children and families at the 2024 Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner on Thursday, April 25, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium. About the Dinner Guests will enjoy dinner, a photo booth, and prizes. Individual and group ticket prices are available, and free parking will be available for guests. While we have never had a formal dress code for this event, many have used it as an opportunity to dress up. We recognize that many people will be coming from work directly to the event. Please dress in what is most comfortable and convenient for you! Vegan, gluten free, and certified kosher options will be available. Keynote Speaker Shante’ A. Brown, Deputy Secretary for the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Shante’ A. Brown is a dedicated early childhood education leader with over a decade of experience in leading child care programs. She believes in connecting people to resources and building strong community relationships. Shante’ began her career with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) in 2021 as the director for the Bureau of Certification Services. She has served as a leader in multiple positions within Philadelphia including Director of PHLpreK, Philadelphia’s city-funded PreK Initiative, Education Field Administrator Early Childhood Coach, and PreK teacher with the School District of Philadelphia. Shante’ holds a B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood – Elementary Education, M.S. in Reading Education, and an Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership. She is a genuine advocate for the field, and committed to positive outcomes for children, families, and providers in the state of Pennsylvania. Reserve Your Tickets Tables and individual tickets are available for purchase online. Trying Together aims to make attending the Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner equitable for all attendees. The standard ticket price is set at $15 and tables of 10 are set at a discounted rate of $135 to ensure accessibility. We encourage registrants to consider the value of each ticket and table – $140 and $1,400, respectively – and contribute more if they are willing and able to do so. Your additional contribution will help support our dinner and enhance the experience of all attendees. We thank you for your generosity and for the additional support. Registration is open until April 19, 2024. More Information Additional event details are available on the 2024 Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner webpage. For questions or assistance, please email info@tryingtogether.org.
