June 21, 2023 Healthy Homes Resource Fair Learn how to make your house a healthier home! Join Women for a Healthy Environment to celebrate their HUD-funded Healthy Homes Asthma Program by learning all about the incredible housing and health resources available in the Northside Neighborhood and greater Pittsburgh region. The day will include resource tables, games and activities, and music for all people of all ages to enjoy. Event Details Saturday, June 24 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. McKnight Playground, 1250 Page Street Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Optional: Reserve your spot. Learn More Revival Chili will be on site for anyone wishing to purchase their lunch that day. They have something for everyone on their menu! Vendors include: Women for a Healthy Environment (HUD grantee) Rebuilding Together ACTION Housing Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program (HUD grantee) University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Lab (HUD grantee) Neighborhood Resilience Project The Wellness Collective Manchester Craftsman’s Guild Youth Neighborhood Legal Service PA Resources Council Fund My Future Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) UPMC Project Destiny/Thrive18 Allegheny Healthy Network For more information, visit the Eventbrite event page or email amandaj@womenforahealthyenvironment.org
May 11, 2023 Child Care Providers Invited to Complete Environmental Health Survey The Healthy Childcare Partnership (HCP), a statewide group of child care organizations, is asking child care providers in Pennsylvania to complete their Childcare Programs Environmental Health Survey. The survey aims to gauge interest in, and need for, training and policies that keep children and staff healthy. Participating providers must submit their surveys by Friday, May 19. About The Healthy Childcare Partnership The Healthy Childcare Partnership was founded by Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) in 2022 as part of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Funds for the grant were provided by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). These funds aimed to support children’s environmental health by building capacity through activities that identify and address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in underserved communities. WHE was one of four organizations to receive a grant. In receiving one, the organization committed to developing HCP. Additionally, it agreed to complete over 200 eco-healthy assessments aimed at mitigating environmental risks in child care centers. Complete the Survey Interested individuals must complete the survey on the University of Pennsylvania website, or via the link on the PD Registry Facebook page. The survey closes Friday, May 19. Learn More To learn more about the Healthy Childcare Partnership or EPA grant, visit the EPA website. For more information about the survey, contact the Pennsylvania Key.
May 10, 2023 PaTTAN Announces Summit on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) recently announced plans to host a two-day summit for early childhood educators in August 2023. Called, “Safe and Supportive Learning Environments: Prevention Before the Crisis Summit,” this event will help educators create welcome environments that promote learner and educator regulation, and prevent harmful behavior. About the Summit When is the summit? The summit will be held on Wednesday, August 16 from 9:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. and Thursday, August 17 from 8:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Presenters will host a pre-summit mindfulness session from 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, before the start of the summit. Where will the summit be held? The summit will take place at PaTTAN Central (6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, Pa. 17112). Who can attend? The summit is open to all, but designed for: school administrators educators (including early childhood educators) behavioral specialists (school counselors, school psychologists, special educators) behavioral and mental health providers emotional support teachers emotional support paraprofessionals parents, caregivers, and families What will presenters share? During the summit, national and local presenters will offer sessions a variety of topics including de-escalation, data analysis, and alternatives to suspension and expulsion. Additionally, they will share evidence-based strategies to support learners and limit exclusionary classroom practices. How much does it cost to attend? The cost of the two-day summit is $50, regardless of whether attendees participate one or two days. Payment is due in full on or before August 3. Registration and payment will not be available onsite during the summit. However, Family Scholarships are available for this event. To apply for a scholarship, please complete the Family Scholarship Application. How do I register? Interested individuals should register on the PaTTAN website. Learn More Act 48, BACB, and PSYCH credits are available for this summit. For content-related information and questions, please contact Chanda Telleen at ctelleen@pattan.net or 717-901-2246. For general registration information and questions, please contact Tina Rife at trife@pattan.net or 717-901-2278 To learn more, visit the event page on the PaTTAN website.
November 13, 2020 Fifth Annual Healthy Schools Summit Are you interested in translating research into action to create green and healthy schools? Join Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) on Thursday, December 3 for the Fifth Annual Healthy Schools Summit. About During this virtual conference, national, state, and local experts will tackle the following questions: How are school stakeholders coming together to realize their shared goal for green, safe, and healthy schools for students and staff to return to? How are school leaders translating public health research into action to prevent the spread of COVID-19? What resources are available for educators, nurses, parents, and students to respond to existing and emerging school health needs? For information on the Summit sessions, please see the list below or view the full Summit Agenda. Morning Sessions “From Research to Action and Knowledge to Practice”: Keynote Address by Tracy Enger, Program Manager, U.S Environmental Protection Agency “Public Health Decision Making for School Leaders: A Panel Discussion” with panelists Dr. Farhad Ahmed (PA Dept of Health), Aimee Eckmann (Perkins + Will), Dr. Megan Freeman (Children’s Hospital), and Dr. Robert Scherrer (Allegheny Intermediate Unit “Clearing the Air: Indoor Air Quality in the Time of COVID-19”: Expert Panel with panelists Nina Hwang (Green Seal), Al Pater (Riverview School District), Lynn Rose (Environmental Health Consultant), and Raj Setty (Setty & Associates) Afternoon Sessions “The Future of Green and Healthy Schools” Afternoon Address by Anisa Heming, Director, Center for Green Schools, US Green Building Council Celebrating Five Years of Success through Our Healthy Schools Recognition Program: Virtual Awards Ceremony Option A – Learning Through Pandemics Past: Bringing Public Health and Civics into the Classroom Option B – “It’s Just a Cold” Navigating Student Health During COVID-19: Panel Discussion Option C – Civic Engagement Through Climate Literacy Registration To register for the Summit, visit the Eventbrite page. For questions, please email Kara Rubio, Healthy Schools Manager at kara@womenforahealthyenvironment.org.
August 4, 2020 Magda Gerber’s Philosophy of Care for Infants & Toddlers Are you interested in learning how to create a safe, challenging, predictable environment for young children in your care? Join Trying Together on August 19 for our interactive session, “Magda Gerber’s Philosophy of Care for Infants & Toddlers.” About Connections and Conversations Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. Participants will engage in virtual discussions via Zoom with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the highlighted topic. In this session, participants will explore the core principles of Magda Gerber’s RIE philosophical approach to educaring for infants and toddlers in the early childhood setting. The basis of the RIE approach is respecting and trusting the individual child’s authentic self. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in conversations around developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers while reflecting on how to best create a safe, challenging, predictable environment for all children. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. For questions, contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org. Session Details Session Date: Wednesday, August 19 | 6 – 7 p.m Instructor: Katie Gullone CKC: K1.7 C2 Registrations must be submitted by Monday, August 17. Space is limited. Sessions will be offered biweekly and will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered. Learning Objectives Reflect on the RIE principles and philosophical approach when caring for infants and toddlers. Discuss and analyze strategies that best support developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers in the early childhood classroom setting. Registration To register for this session, complete our online registration form. Session Rules and Guidelines These virtual discussions are designed to provide educators the opportunity to grow professionally and share knowledge on early childhood topics. During the meeting, participants should follow the guidelines below to ensure a successful virtual meeting for all participants. Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively. Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic. Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression. Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session. Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator. Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share. To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number. Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations! More Information For questions or more information, please contact Rosie Hogan at rosie@tryingtogether.org.
April 27, 2020 Exploring the Outdoor World Through Our Senses The outside world shapes children’s development through everyday, hands-on experiences. In this free online session, participants will explore ways to facilitate sensory experiences in outdoor play including natural materials in the outdoor environment, reusable loose parts, and classroom materials. Participants will discover the benefits of learning through the five senses and explore meaningful ways to encourage sensory learning with young children. Course Information Timeline: May 4 – 24, 2020 Trainer: Katie Gullone CKC: K2.4C2 Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ. 3.4.9 CDA Subject Area: Planning a safe and healthy learning environment. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available. Registration To register for this course, please visit the event registration page. All registrations must be submitted by May 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. Limited spots are available. More Information For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
December 13, 2019 2019-20 Carton 2 Garden Contest Receiving Entries Are you interested in building or enhancing your school garden? Evergreen Packaging and KidsGardening.org are hosting the sixth national Carton 2 Garden Contest! About The Carton 2 Garden Contest is open to public and private schools, with contest winners selected based on their implementation of an innovative garden creation featuring creative, sustainable uses for repurposed milk and juice cartons. Schools can get started by collecting at least 100 empty cartons from homes, the community, or their cafeteria. After gathering the cartons, schools design and construct purposeful garden items and structures using them. For ideas, view last year’s winners. Eligibility & Entry Carton 2 Garden is open to all K-12 public and private schools in the United States. Schools do not need a garden to participate. Pre-k classes located at schools serving additional elementary, middle, and/or high school grade levels may also enter the contest. With this, all entries must document and share their gardening experience through an online entry form and submission of up to 10 photos. To be eligible for the grand prize and specialty prizes, entries must also include a video link (under five minutes) that tells the story of the project in its entirety. View the Entry Form Checklist. Every student that appears in photos or videos must have an accompanying signed parent release form submitted with your entry. The form is also available in Spanish. All entries must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Click here to access the online entry form. Awards Fifteen entries will be selected to receive award packages for their efforts, including: one grand prize winner who will receive a prize valued at $5,000; four winners, selected for exemplary demonstration in the following specialty areas: Carton Act in the Garden, Environmental Stewardship, Health and Nutrition, and STEM; who will receive a prize valued at $2,000 each; and ten winners (five middle/high schools and five elementary schools) who will receive award packages valued at $1,000 each. More Information To learn more about the Carton 2 Garden Contest, visit the Kids Gardening website.
December 9, 2019 Environment Rating Scale (ERS) 101 This 2-hour seminar is part of the Keystone STARS Core training series an is a pre-requisite for the ITERS-R, ECERS-R, or SACERS seminars. Participants will learn how the Environment Rating Scale (ERS) measures quality; how the ERS scales are used in PA; and how to accurately score the ERS. Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be properly prepared for the specific scale PD seminars: 201 ITERS-R; 202 ECERS-R; 203 SACERS. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to: describe the purpose and intent of the ERS; identify how the scales measure quality; identify how to use the scales to conduct a self-assessment; and prepare participants for specific ERS professional development. This session was developed by the PA Key Program Quality Assessment team and includes content used with the permission of the ERS authors. The session is facilitated by a PA Key Program Quality Assessor reliable in the ERS instruments. If you have taken an ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or a SACERS prior to July 2007, this course is not required. PQAS hours provided. Registration To register and learn more, visit the Pennsylvania PD Registry website. PD Registry Event ID: 309219 More Information For questions, contact Michelle Long at miclon@pakeys.org. *Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
May 22, 2019 City Receives Grant to Support Safe Travel for Schoolchildren On May 22, 2019, officials from Mayor William Peduto’s administration discussed a state grant of more than $450,000 to support safe routes to school for elementary and middle school students in Pittsburgh. About A bill was discussed at Pittsburgh City Council’s standing committees meeting accepting $464,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, which provides assistance to municipalities to support the creation of safe and appealing alternatives to single occupant vehicle travel. More than 30 million Americans nationwide transport their children to and from schools every day, which research shows increases hazardous road conditions and harms the environment. The Safe Routes to School program seeks to address that by supporting walking and biking to school, leading to eased traffic conditions and better health for schoolchildren. “The ability to walk or bike to school has long been one of the classic characteristics of Pittsburgh, but over recent decades it has become increasingly hazardous for children, who are our most valuable and vulnerable travelers,” said Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) Director Karina Ricks. “This grant will allow us to dedicate resources to help us collaborate with school leaders and parents to identify areas where low-cost improvements can be rapidly implemented.” What’s Next? DOMI is proposing using the PennDOT grant to hire a Safe Routes to School coordinator who is part educator, part engineer and will work on programming for students to walk and bike more easily. The coordinator will work on traffic calming and other safety improvements on streets near schools best suited for walking and biking. Once approved, DOMI plans to have a person in the position by the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. Learn More To learn more about PennDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program, visit their website. *Information provided by the City of Pittsburgh
March 21, 2019 Animal Architects: Using Nature’s Builders to Teach STEAM About What is an architect and how can animals be architects without using pencils, computers, and blueprints? This hands-on workshop will explore how cross-curricular topics such as ecology and environmental science can be used to teach math and engineering. Participants will discover how the expertise of animal architects such as spiders, beavers and birds can be utilized in an early childhood classroom to teach STEAM concepts. This workshop will be presented by Julie Travaglini from Allegheny Land Trust. Registration To learn more and register, visit their event page.
