March 20, 2019 Western Allegheny Pennsylvania One Book Professional Development Workshop About Explore early learning activities that enhance this year’s PA One Book selections: Barnyard Banter, by Denise Fleming (For children birth to 36 months Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis (For children ages three to five years) Each attendee will receive a free copy of Barnyard Banter and Not a Box and a light dinner will be served. Benefits Attendees will also take away: Ideas for One Book-inspired circle times Fun strategies that support early literacy development Activities that develop early learners’ STEAM skills Family engagement strategies Prizes One Book is a statewide initiative that promotes the importance of early literacy development for children ages birth to five years. Each April, Pennsylvania celebrates a book whose story and illustrations encourage children’s imaginations and love of reading to build a community of readers. Credits In partnership with Trying Together, early childhood educators will receive PQAS credits for their attendance. Flyer View and share the Western Allegheny PA One Book Professional Development Workshop flyer with your network.
Northside Pennsylvania One Book Professional Development Workshop About Explore early learning activities that enhance this year’s PA One Book selections: Barnyard Banter, by Denise Fleming (For children birth to 36 months Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis (For children ages three to five years) Each attendee will receive a free copy of Barnyard Banter and Not a Box and a light dinner will be served. This workshop is now full! If you are a Northside provider and still need to register, please contact Rachelle Duffy at 412.421.3889 or rachelle@tryingtogether.org. There is also another workshop the following day on April 10 at Western Allegheny Community Library. Learn how to participate in a ONE Northside art project that highlights child care providers on the Northside! Benefits Attendees will also take away: Ideas for One Book-inspired circle times Fun strategies that support early literacy development Activities that develop early learners’ STEAM skills Family engagement strategies Prizes One Book One Book is a statewide initiative that promotes the importance of early literacy development for children ages birth to five years. Each April, Pennsylvania celebrates a book whose story and illustrations encourage children’s imaginations and love of reading to build a community of readers. Credits In partnership with Trying Together, early childhood educators will receive PQAS credits for their attendance.
March 18, 2019 Music Makers: Handmade Symphony Join the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in the Nursery for an hour of hands-on musical exploration. Use different materials to invent your very own instrument and join our Handmade Symphony! What will you hear when the sounds combine? This program is drop-in, so feel free to come and go as you please! This program is designed for young learners (0-5) but is suitable for all ages. For more information about Early Childhood Learning, visit their home page!
January 29, 2019 Looking Forward, Together Can you believe it’s been one year since we changed our name to Trying Together?! As I reflect on all that has changed, particularly in the last two years, I am encouraged by what has stood the test of time: our commitment to supporting the work of early childhood. Through our collaborations with you, we are creating a future in which caregivers feel valued, children have access to high-quality early learning environments, and families have the resources they need to support their children’s early learning experiences. We look forward to working together with you to make this vision a reality for all young children and their caregivers in 2019 and beyond. Like Fred Rogers said, “…trying together, just about anything can be possible.” Cheers, Cara Ciminillo, Trying Together Executive Director
January 16, 2019 Come Play! Guided by the staff at Trying Together, Come Play! is an opportunity for family and group child care providers to bring their enrolled children for hands-on professional development. Share this flyer with your networks.
January 15, 2019 Munchkin Mondays Bring your smallest scientists to the Carnegie Science Center for Munchkin Mondays, full of themed activities just for early learners ages two through six! Your preschoolers will get up close to exciting science concepts, while having tons of fun with hands-on activities and socializing with other little learners. Activities include: Story Time Make-and-Takes Planetarium Shows Live Demo Shows Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more people ages three and up, and require advance reservations. Group rates do not include shows in Planetarium and theaters.
November 7, 2018 Children’s Fund Organizers Not Defeated by ‘No’ Vote The Allegheny County Children’s Fund will not be enacted after falling short of receiving the majority of votes during yesterday’s election. The Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative is thankful for the community’s support and willingness to engage in conversation throughout the campaign. “Over the past six months, we had the opportunity to meet with thousands of community members, have conversations about proven programs for kids, and raise awareness about the challenges our community is facing. In our eyes, because of all of this, our campaign was still a success for our kids,” said Patrick Dowd, executive director, Allies for Children and steering committee member for the Our kids. Our commitment. Initiative. “Our work will not stop here. We know these services are needed for our kids, and we’ll continue working together to find a solution for Allegheny County.” The initiative was led by local organizations who are invested in the wellbeing of Allegheny County’s kids: Allies for Children, Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time (APOST), Higher Achievement, the Human Services Center Corporation, The Mentoring Partnership, Pressley Ridge, PUMP, Trying Together, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, along with numerous community-based partners. “We are so appreciative of our entire community’s willingness to engage in conversations about our kids. This is the biggest effort I have seen to provide dedicated funding for these programs and that is certainly something to be proud of,” said Colleen Fedor, executive director of The Mentoring Partnership and steering committee member for the Our kids. Our commitment. Initiative. In the summer, the Our kids. Our commitment. Initiative collected nearly 64,000 signatures. Throughout the campaign, with help from volunteers and supporters, they knocked on more than 13,000 doors, called over 64,000 voters, hosted and attended more than 100 community events, and reached nearly 900,000 people on social media in an effort to educate voters and raise awareness about the question. “Throughout this entire process, we have stayed focused on running a positive campaign focused on our kids,” said Dave Coplan, executive director, Human Services Center Corporation and steering committee member for the Our kids. Our commitment. Initiative. “We cannot thank our community enough for being open and willing to speak with us and have discussions about what works for kids. We are ending this campaign on a high note, but we’re certainly not finished. We have to continue working together to find the best solution for Allegheny County, so we can make sure our kids gain access to these programs.” More information about the campaign can be found at www.ourkidsourcommitment.org. About Our kids. Our commitment. The Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative is an effort to change the way Allegheny County funds programs that are proven to ensure the wellbeing of our children across the county. For more information, visit www.ourkidsourcommitment.org.
November 6, 2018 Election Day: Vote Yes Please join us and vote YES for Our kids. Our commitment. Here are some Election Day tips to help you vote and get the word out to your family and friends: Vote Find your polling place. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. As long as you’re in line before 8:00 p.m., you can vote! First-time voters are required to show a form of I.D. Share & Promote Tell your friends why you’re voting “YES” on Facebook. Send a personal letter to your friends. Download this sign and post a selfie on social media. Share this video. Read and share the steering committee’s full letter.
Vote Yes The day is here! Please join us and vote YES for Our kids. Our commitment. Here are some Election Day tips to help you vote and get the word out to your family and friends: Vote Find your polling place. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. As long as you’re in line before 8:00 p.m., you can vote! First-time voters are required to show a form of I.D. Share & Promote Tell your friends why you’re voting “YES” on Facebook. Send a personal letter to your friends. Download this sign and post a selfie on social media. Share this video. Read and share the steering committee’s full letter.
May 9, 2018 Digital Media Literacy & Technology Tools for Early Learning This course will focus on how to communicate with and build relationships with families using technology tools and digital media. Participants will be asked to consider implications and benefits of using digital communication to bring families into the early education environment. Participants will also be encouraged to reflect on current practices and policies regarding technology in the early education classroom. The pre-requisite foundation for this course is: Digital Media Literacy & Technology Tools for Early Learning: What Educators Need to Know. Digital Media Literacy & Technology Tools for Early Learning: Engaging Families in Today’s Media and Technology Landscape Monday, June 11 – Monday, June 25, 2018 Two Hours Online Register by Friday, June 8 at Noon. For more information and to register for credit, visit pakeys.org. Download the complete list of Trying Together professional development course offerings for May and June 2018 here.
