June 28, 2023 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza 2023 Find your voice and make it heard! Summer Reading 2023 is a celebration of self expression! Join Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main on Sunday, August 13 from 12 – 5 p.m. at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza, a family-friendly outdoor festival for all ages. Grab some friends and head to the Library in Oakland for music, crafts, games, activities, storytelling, food trucks and so much more! While you’re there, don’t forget to guess the total number of books Pittsburghers read this summer—there will be multiple opportunities to win prizes throughout the day with the final number revealed and grand prize awarded at the end of the event. Enjoy activities and experiences presented by Library partners: Allegheny Land Trust Andy Warhol Museum Bike PGH Colour of Song Juliandra Jones – PBJ Customs Macedonia FACE Mike the Balloon Guy Moonshot Museum Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures Pittsburgh Community Services Inc. (PCSI) Pittsburgh Opera Pittsburgh Public Schools Pittsburgh Science Workshop Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra UniSound UPMC Satisfy your cravings with food and sweet treats for purchase from: Billu’s Indian Grill Kona Ice Mandu Handu Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream Don’t miss performances by: Gab Bonesso O’Ryan the O’Mazing To learn more, visit Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s website.
June 27, 2023 Who’s Stealing My Child’s Sleep? Parenting Strategies For Bedtime And Beyond Multiple factors have been linked to the worsening sleep habits of young people, including social media, general smartphone use, early school start times, academic stressors, and a rise in anxiety symptoms. Parents of children three to 12 put in the equivalent of 18 workdays a year just trying to get their children to bed, and 77% of parents are left exhausted by these efforts. The struggle is worse during summer holidays when schedules are out the window. In this webinar, Child Mind Institute and Fort Health tackle sleep; how much is needed for each age group, why aren’t children getting enough of it, and how parents can help their children go to sleep and stay asleep. When: Thursday, 6/29 | 5:30 p.m. Register The session will be a roundtable discussion between leading sleep and mental health experts followed by a live Q&A. The session will be recorded and links will be sent to anyone who registers. Presented by Fort Health, a mental health provider for ages four to 19, which was built in partnership with the Child Mind Institute.
June 20, 2023 Updated: Summer Food Programs Offer Free Meals to Children The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation (CitiParks) are offering summer food programs to provide meals to children at no cost to them or their families while school is not in session. (This article was updated on June 20, 2023 to reflect the addition of GrubUp!, CitiParks’ 2023 Summer Food Service Program). UDSA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) What is SFSP? The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program. The USDA works closely with states to ensure that children who receive on free or reduced-price school meals can get the nutrition they need when schools are closed – whether during summer break or unexpected closures during the school year. Through the USDA’s summer meal programs, approved sites in low-income communities across the country can serve healthy meals and snacks to kids up to age 18 at no cost. Meals can be eaten in-person at local sites or on-the-go. How can children participate? Find a summer site in your community with the USDA Summer Meal Site Finder mapping tool. Then, simply bring your child to the site nearest to you during meal times (which can be found via the USDA Summer Meal Site Finder). Parents can also text “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find participating sites. Pittsburgh meal sites for summer 2023 currently include: Calvary United Methodist Church Location: 971 Beech Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Free Meals Available: June 26 – 29 Hours: Monday – Thursday | 6 – 6:30 p.m. Warren United Methodist Church Location: 2606 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Free Meals Available: June 21 – August 10 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday | 12 – 1 p.m. The Bridge at Northview Heights Location: 1500 Chicago Street, Pittsburgh 15214, PA 15214 Free Meals Available: June 26 – August 4 Hours: Monday – Friday | 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. and 12 – 12:30 p.m. Sheridan United Methodist Church Location: 2948 Chartiers Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15204 Free Meals Available: June 20 – August 10 Hours: Tuesday and Thursday | 12 – 1 p.m. Trinity AME Zion Church Location: 3105 Allendale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15204 Free Meals Available: June 21 – August 11 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday | 12 – 1 p.m. Sto-Rox Library Location: 420 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 Free Meals Available: June 5 – August 10 Hours: Monday – Thursday | 1 – 2 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Summer Youth Café What is the Summer Youth Café? The Summer Youth Café is is a federally-funded child nutrition program that provides healthy meals during the summer. How can children participate? Families can search for participating sites with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Find Food Resources mapping tool and bring their child to any participating site during meal times. Summer Youth Café sites for summer 2023 currently include: LaRosa Youth Club Location: 901 Ravine Street, McKeesport, PA 15132 Hours: Daily | 3 – 5 p.m. Safe Passage Mckeesport Location: 1406 Cornell Street, McKeesport, PA 15132 Hours: Daily | 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Northern Area Boys & Girls Club Location: 100 Howard Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15209 Hours: Monday – Friday | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. The Learning Hub at the Bridge Location: 1500 Chicago Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Hours: Daily | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Valley View Terrace Location: 518 Dawson Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317 Free Meals Available: June 12 – August 4 Hours: Monday – Friday | 12 – 12:30 p.m. Bentleyville Apartments Location: 507 Old West Road, Bentleyville, PA 15314 Free Meals Available: June 12 – August 4 Hours: Monday – Friday | 12 – 12:30 p.m. Additionally, the food bank is partnering with Moniteau, Knoch, and Karns City School Districts to host monthly summer drive-up food distributions. Anyone living within participating school district areas is encouraged to attend. For more information, please view the event flyer. GrubUp!: CitiParks’ Summer Food Service Program 2023 What is GrubUp!? GrubUp! is CitiParks Summer Food Service Program. It provides healthy and delicious meals (breakfast, lunch, and/or snack) through eight of Pittsburgh’s recreation centers and 30+ partner locations. This program will run from June 21 through August 18, and be free to anyone under the age of 18 or residents with intellectual disabilities up to age 21. CitiParks also partners with the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Food Service Division to provide the Mobile Food Truck, which will operate in conjunction with our Roving Art Cart every Friday to provide an additional location for Pittsburgh children to receive this valuable service. This service is made possible by funding from the US Department of Agriculture through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. How can children participate? To participate, parents and caregivers simply bring their child or children to any of CitiPark’s participating recreation centers or partner locations when meal services are offered. CitiParks offers meals: Ammon Recreation Center Location: 2217 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Brookline Recreation Center Location: 1400 Oakridge Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15226 Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Jefferson Recreation Center Location: 605 Rednap Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Magee Recreation Center Location: 745 Greenfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15207 Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Ormsby Recreation Center Location: 79 S. 22nd Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Paulson Recreation Center Location: 1201 Paulson Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Phillips Recreation Center Location: 201 Parkfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Warrington Recreation Center Location: 329 E. Warrington Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 Hours: Monday – Friday, | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. To find meal service details, and Summer 2023 partner locations and food service times, view the complete GrupUp! site list. For additional information please contact CitiParks Food Programs Office at 412.571.3291. No Kid Hungry Summer Food Program What is the No Kid Hungry WhatsApp? The No Kid Hungry WhatsApp campaign gives families an easy to use technology to help families with children find the food they need. How can children participate? Families can access the app to get a customized WhatsApp message listing sites in their communities serving free meals for teens and kids under 18. No registration is needed. Families can also text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 to find a site near them, or visit No Kid Hungry’s Free Meal Finder. Learn More To learn more, visit the USDA or Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank summer food program webpages.
June 13, 2023 Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators To better protect adults and children during air quality alerts, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and Environmental Health Capacity (EHC) Program are offering tips and training to help families and children stay healthy. About Air Quality Dangers & Alerts Current weather patterns are pushing smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada into communities across the Commonwealth, increasing the average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the air. Air quality can affect your health, especially people who may be at greater risk, including: people with heart disease people with lung disease (including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]) older adults children and teenagers (because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their size) people who are pregnant people who work outdoors If you experience symptoms like trouble breathing or dizziness, you should seek medical attention. If you know a family member or neighbor who has one of the above conditions, remember to check in on them. Tips from DHS During air quality alerts, all Pennsylvanians should: avoid strenuous outdoor activities keep outdoor activities short consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them Additionally, to help keep particle pollution lower indoors during air quality alerts: don’t use candles or smoke indoors keep windows and doors closed use an air filter in your home, if you have one clean or replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations make your own portable air cleaner, if you don’t have one (the EPA offers DIY information on how to do so) Training from the EHC Program The EHC Program invites child care professionals to participate in a short nano learning course on air quality. About the EHC Program The EHC Program is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded program under the Division of Environmental Health Epidemiology (DEHE) with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. EHC seeks to provide outreach and education on topics related to children’s environmental health. About the Learning Course on Air Quality The nano learning course should take a few minutes minutes to complete and provides an overview of what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) is, why it is important, and how it can be included in your classroom plans and activities. After completing the training, please complete a survey to inform future outreach efforts to childcare providers. The survey is a total of four questions. If you have comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EHC Program at dehe@pa.gov. Access the Learning Course on Air Quality Interested ECE educators can access the EHC Program learning course on air quality on YouTube. Resources to Support the Course Resources to support the learning course include: Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution Air Quality Guide for Ozone Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools What Color is Your Air Today? Activity Sheet Air Quality Activity Coloring Sheet Why is Coco Orange book Learn More Visit www.airnow.gov to find the latest air quality levels and recommendations for your location. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key Tips or Pennsylvania Key Training webpages.
June 12, 2023 Restaurants Add Books to the Menu with Summer Reading Programs Millie’s Ice Cream and Pizza Hut are sponsoring summer reading programs to keep children engaged and learning while school is out and to inspire a love of literature by rewarding reading. Millie’s Sweet Reads Summer Reading Program serves K-12 students, while Pizza Hut’s Camp BOOK IT serves Pre-k-6th grade students (ages 4-12), rewarding each with treats from their menus. About Millie’s Sweet Reads Summer Reading Program Sweet Reads is a summer reading program for K-12 students that began in 2021 as a partnership between Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA), and White Whale Bookstore. The program aims to support local bookstores and libraries while also serving children. How does it work? Participating in Millie’s Sweet Reads Summer Reading Program is easy. Simply: Obtain a physical bookmark at any Millie’s location or select libraries across the county or print a digital copy from the Millie’s website. Have your child read five books (or read the books to them). Any book or periodical will do. Validate the bookmark at your local library. Please note: the library does not have to be a participating Sweet Reads library. Just ask your favorite librarian to sign the dotted line. Bring your validated bookmark to one of eight eligible Millie’s locations for a free scoop of your child’s choice. Find a list of participating libraries and eligible Millie’s locations on the Millie’s Ice Cream website. When will bookmarks be available? Physical bookmarks will be available at any participating library or Millie’s Ice Cream location during operating hours, all summer long. Digital bookmarks can be printed at any time. Which Millie’s locations will redeem my free scoop? You can redeem your free scoop at any of the eight Millie’s brick and mortar shops. Free scoops are not redeemable at the Kennywood location or at any other Millie’s third-party licensed location or seasonal kiosk. When does the program end? The program expires Monday, September 4, 2023, so be sure to visit a Millie’s and redeem your child’s free scoop before then! Can I redeem more than one time? Millie’s asks that you only redeem one free scoop per summer, but encourages your children to read as many books as they like. The Sweet Reads redemption model operates on the honor system. What if my child can’t eat ice cream or dairy-free gelato? What if I can’t get to a Millie’s? You may redeem your bookmark for a free sticker in the store or via snail mail. Just email hello@millieshomemade.com and Millie’s will be sure to mail you one. About Pizza Hut’s Camp BOOK IT! Since 1984, the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program has been dedicated to encouraging reading nationwide. Camp BOOK IT! is open to all families with Pre-k – 6th grade students (ages 4-12). The goal of the program is to get children excited about reading and to turn “have to read” into “want to read.” How does it work? To participate in Camp BOOK IT!, parents utilize a digital dashboard to set goals, track reading, and reward their students. Interested in involving your child in Camp BOOK IT!? Simply: Enroll your child on the BOOK IT! website. Please note: Only one enrollment per household (for up to five children) will be accepted. Duplicate enrollments will be voided. If a change needs to be made to your enrollment after you have submitted, for example you have moved, please call 800.426.6548. Have your child read books, magazines, eBooks, and anything else fun. Enter your child’s reading progress in Pizza Hut’s digital dashboard for June, July, and August. When your child meets their goal, move the slider all the way over to receive their certificate for a Personal Pan Pizza in your email. Use the serialized code on your child’s certificate to redeem! You’ll find more instructions about how to redeem on the certificate. When does the program run? Camp BOOK IT! runs from June to August. You can enroll your child at any time during these months. How many reading certificates can my child earn through Camp BOOK IT? BOOK IT! is a monthly rewards program, so students may earn and/or redeem one Reading Award Certificate per month. How do I redeem my child’s reading certificates? Once you receive their certificate in your email, take the printed or digital certificate to a Pizza Hut near you or use the redemption code to order online. The certificate must be used to reward the student who earned it. How long do I have to redeem my child’s reading certificates? The summer reading certificates for June, July and August all expire on September 15. Learn More To learn more, visit the Millie’s Ice Cream and Camp BOOK IT! websites.
May 4, 2023 Live Well Allegheny Launches “Rethink Your Drink” Campaign to Promote Healthy Water Drinking Habits Live Well Allegheny has launched a campaign to promote healthier beverage choices called “Rethink Your Drink.” The campaign provides education on the effects of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages, like sodas and most juices, and encourages water as the best drink option to build healthy habits in children and teens. How To Participate in the Campaign Allegheny County residents, schools, municipalities, afterschool programs, child care centers or providers, and community partners are encouraged by Live Well Allegheny to get involved in the campaign through a variety of methods. Visit the Rethink Your Drink campaign webpage to find more resources and information, including a campaign toolkit. The toolkit includes: Activity ideas for things to do at home, a community event, school fair, or summer camp; social media messages; and resources about the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages for children and families. Those interested in participating can access free campaign materials, including water bottles, through the Rethink Your Drink Campaign Request Form. About Live Well Allegheny Live Well Allegheny, an initiative of the Allegheny County Health Department, is a county-wide campaign to improve the overall health and wellness of Allegheny County residents. Visit the Live Well Allegheny website to learn more about the program and the Rethink Your Drink campaign.
May 1, 2023 EQT Children’s Theater Festival The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is delighted to announce the return of the EQT Children’s Theater Festival for 2023. Now in its 37th year, the EQT Children’s Theater Festival fosters imagination through high-quality professional theater performances from around the world. This year’s featured arts groups and performances hail from France, Canada, Madagascar, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Buzzword and Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative will be in attendance providing activities and entertainment for children and resource information for parents/caregivers. When: Friday, 5/19 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, 5/20 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, 5/21 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Where: Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District Visit the EQT Children’s Theater Festival Events webpage to find all of the events and activities happening over the weekend!
April 24, 2023 April Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of April 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. Rollerblade USA recalled Rollerblade® Fury Inline Skates and Rollerblade® Fury Brake Supports due to fall hazard. Lucky Global recalled Lelinta Multi-Purpose Kids Helmets due to risk of head injury. Sold exclusively on Walmart.com. Lil Anglers recalled Children’s Fishing Rods Sold with Kid Casters No Tangle Combos due to violation of federal lead content ban. Bagno Milano recalled Children’s Robes due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard. NewCosplay recalled Children’s Sleepwear due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard. Sold exclusively at Amazon.com. FunnyPaja recalled Children’s Bathrobes due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard. Sold exclusively at Amazon.com. Arshiner recalled Children’s Nightgowns due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard. Sold exclusively on Amazon.com. Goumi recalled Children’s Robes due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard. IKEA recalled BLAVINGAD Fishing Games due to choking hazard. Monti Kids recalled Basket with Balls/Toys due to choking hazard. Jetson Electric Bikes recalled 42-Volt Rogue Self-Balancing Scooters/Hoverboards due to fire hazard. Two deaths reported. Delta Enterprise Corp. recalled 2-in-1 Outdoor Kids Swings due to fall hazard. Cannondale recalled Tesoro Neo X Speed Electric Bicycles due to fall and injury hazards. Open Cycle recalled UP Ekar, UPPER Ekar, WIDE Ekar and MIND Ekar Bicycles due to crash hazard. Rico Perez Products, Inc. recalled 60-count bottles of Dr. Rico Perez Super Kids Colostrum Chewable Tablets due to undeclared milk allergen. 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.
April 13, 2023 Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets for Educators and Childcare Providers Anxiety disorders cause people to feel frightened, distressed, or uneasy during situations in which most people would not feel that way. Left untreated, anxiety disorders can make it hard for students to get schoolwork done or study. It may affect their relationships with peers and teachers, too. In some cases, students with anxiety disorders miss a lot of school days. Or they may avoid school altogether. Nemours KidsHealth has compiled common anxiety disorder facts sheets that affect children. Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). With GAD, children have many worries and worry much of the time. They may also have physical symptoms, like headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, or tiredness. Phobias. A phobia is an intense, unrealistic fear of a specific thing. Some kids have a phobia of dogs. Others have a phobia of spiders or snakes. A child with a phobia will go to great lengths to avoid the thing they fear. Social anxiety. Kids and teens with social phobia have an intense fear of being judged. It affects them in social or other situations. They will avoid situations where they may have to meet new people or perform. Selective mutism. Some students are too fearful to talk at all in certain situations. Kids and teens with selective mutism are able to talk, and talk well. But they are too fearful to talk in some situations outside their home or with people other than friends. Panic disorder. Some students have panic attacks, a sudden and intense episode of fear. They can include physical symptoms like a pounding heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Panic attacks can happen unexpectedly. Separation anxiety. It’s normal for babies and very young children to have some separation anxiety when they are apart from a parent or caregiver. But when separation anxiety lasts beyond the early school age years, students may have trouble coming to school. Educators and child care providers can also access the Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheet information in Spanish.
April 7, 2023 Using Social Media to Advocate for Children Social media can be an effective tool in advocating for what you want. However, it is important to use these platforms appropriately to achieve the desired outcome. Join the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) (an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)) for this virtual session on learning effective ways to use social media to advocate for children and early education. Session Details Wednesday, April 12 | 1 – 2 p.m. Virtual via Zoom Register Learn More To learn more, visit the PennAEYC website.
