September 2, 2025 Be My Neighbor Day WQED, Fred Rogers Productions, and PNC Grow Up Great will host “Be My Neighbor Day” in Etna on Saturday, Sept. 20. Learn More The free event celebrates kindness and what it means to be a caring neighbor. It will include service projects, crafts, and photo opportunities with Daniel Tiger. “Be My Neighbor Day” will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. along Butler Street between Freeport and Bridge streets. For more information, visit WQED’s website.
May 20, 2025 Pennsylvania to Celebrate May 23 as “143 Day” with Acts of Kindness Inspired by Fred Rogers, former Gov. Tom Wolf declared the 143rd day of the year as “143 Day,” a number that Mr. Rogers used as his special code for “I Love You.” Learn More This year’s 143 Day, which takes place on May 23, is intended to inspire Pennsylvanians to spread kindness and good deeds for others. The state’s 143 Day website asks residents to use the hashtag #143DayinPA online any time they do something nice for themselves or others. On his show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Rogers used “143” as a code for “I Love You” based on the numbers of letters in each word. “With everything going on in the world, it’s no surprise that we are all feeling a little weary and overwhelmed,” the 143 Day site reads. “”This isn’t the time to add more “to do’s” to the list. This is the day to take a beat, realize that you are special, and affirm that you are enough.” Some of the many suggestions on the website’s kindness generator include: Leaving some quarters at the laundromat Sending a letter to someone at a nursing home Sending someone a funny meme Ordering a gift for your significant other Donating school supplies to a teacher For more information on 143 Day, visit its website.
March 17, 2025 Be My Neighbor Day WQED and Fred Rogers Productions will offer family-friendly activities in McKees Rocks on March 22 for Be My Neighbor Day. Learn More Participants will be able to take part in a variety of activities, including: Interactive theater with Gemini Children’s Theater Hands-on activities, including “kindness” rocks and line dancing lessons Historical and interactive exhibits showcasing the McKees Rocks neighborhood and legacy Special showcases highlighting the community’s spirit Meet-and-greet with Daniel Tiger at the McKees Rocks Borough Council Complimentary food and snacks provided by local businesses Curated book selection, library card registrations, and giveaways provided by the Sto-Rox Public Library The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 at the Focus on Renewal’s Father Ryan Arts Center, located at 500 Chartiers Ave., and the McKees Rocks Borough Council, located on the second floor of 340 Bell Ave. The annual event encourages families to connect with each other and their neighbors while promoting a welcoming environment for all.
September 16, 2024 Virtual Sessions to Focus on Book Centered Around Wonder and Fred Rogers Two free virtual book study sessions will be held for release of a new book on the subjects of Wonder and Fred Rogers in September and October. Wonder and Fred Rogers The events will involve a discussion of “When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids” by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski. The authors will take part in both sessions. The book covers the importance of wonder for children. It cites Rogers’ – of Pittsburgh-based TV show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” – ability to spark a sense of wonder in children. The book also covers how Rogers encouraged and nurtured children’s play and helped learners manage their feelings and try new things. The sessions will be held on: Thursday, Sept. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET Registration is now open for the event. More information on the Wonder and Fred Rogers book can be found on Remake Learning’s website.
September 6, 2024 Virtual Sessions to Discuss Book on Wonder and Fred Rogers Two upcoming free virtual book study sessions will discuss a new book that examines the subjects of wonder and Fred Rogers. Learn More The events will focus on “When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids” by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski. The authors will take part in both sessions. The book covers the importance of wonder for children. It cites Rogers’ – of Pittsburgh-based TV show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” – ability to spark a sense of wonder in children. The book also covers how Rogers encouraged and nurtured children’s play and helped learners to manage their feelings and try new things. The sessions will be held on: Thursday, Sept. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET Registration is now open for the event. More information on the book can be found on Remake Learning’s website.
Virtual Sessions to Discuss Book on Wonder and Fred Rogers Two upcoming free virtual book study sessions will discuss a new book that examines the subjects of wonder and Fred Rogers. Learn More The events will focus on “When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids” by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski. The authors will take part in both sessions. The book covers the importance of wonder for children. It cites Rogers’ – of Pittsburgh-based TV show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” – ability to spark a sense of wonder in children. The book also covers how Rogers encouraged and nurtured children’s play and helped learners to manage their feelings and try new things. The sessions will be held on: Thursday, Sept. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET Registration is now open for the event. More information on the book can be found on Remake Learning’s website.
May 13, 2024 Mister Rogers Family Days Fred Rogers’s hometown will offer a number of family-friendly activities from June 3 to 5 as part of Mister Roger Family Days. Learn More The town of Latrobe will host a variety of activities during the three-day event. On Monday, June 3, visitors can take part in: A community open house and exhibit tours at the Fred Rogers Institute at Saint Vincent College and GLSHS with a neighborhood trolley shuttle Daniel Tiger Storybook Walk The kickoff of Latrobe Restaurant Week’s “A Delicious Week in the Neighborhood” The events for Tuesday, June 4 include: Latrobe Farmer’s Market at Legion Keener Park 1:15 p.m. Story Time at Legion Keener Park with Adams Memorial Library and WQED Education Latrobe Area Historical Society will open for visitors at 1 p.m. And on Wednesday, June 5, events include: “Beautiful Night in the Neighborhood” shop hop night Live entertainment by KGB: Kyle Greene Band in the Parklet “An Interview with Fred Rogers” program and presentation by the Latrobe Area Historical Society at the Latrobe Art Center at 6:30 p.m. The full list of activities can be found on the Mister Rogers Family Days website.
May 2, 2024 The Work of Fred Rogers: A Cross-Context Conference on Fred’s Legacy in Action Today More than 50 years after Fred Rogers first appeared on television and asked viewers to be his neighbor, the impact of his legacy continues to resonate. This summer, the Fred Rogers Institute will host its second annual Work of Fred Rogers Conference. Learn More The conference will be practice-focused and practice-informed. It will feature sessions from educators and other child-serving professionals who will share ideas, stories, and inspiration. Questions that will be explored during the conference include: How does Fred Rogers’ work inform practice in classrooms, communities, and child- and youth-focused spaces? What can adults draw from Fred Rogers’ work as we seek to be children’s helpers in our world today? The conference will be of interest to educators and practitioners who work in the direct service of children and/or families, or who provide support to those who provide support to those who work directly with children or families. Educators, clinicians, and practitioners in numerous child- and family-serving fields continue to turn to Rogers’ legacy to inform their practice. His wisdom continues to inspire families and children’s helpers. The agendas for day one and day two are both available. More Details The conference will be held on June 21 and 22 at the Fred Rogers Center on the campus of Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. The cost for both days is $275, while the cost for one day is $143. Act 48 credits will be available to Pennsylvania educators who attend the conference. All attendees will receive certificates of attendance that can be applied to CEU credit in other states. Registration is open through June 14.
March 19, 2024 Apply for the Educators’ Neighborhood 2024-2025 Cohort Early childhood educators and leaders are invited to apply for the Educators’ Neighborhood 2024-2025 cohort, where they will take part in a year-long program to learn how to apply Fred Rogers’ work and theory to their work with children. An initiative of the Fred Rogers Institute, Educators’ Neighborhood is a community of educators – defined broadly to include any adult who directly serves children, youth, families, or other educators – from around the world who learn together, for the most part through virtual meetings, and are inspired by the work of Fred Rogers. Who Should Apply Educators in early childhood education programs, family child care, preschool, or early intervention Directors of early childhood education programs, family child care, preschool, or early intervention K-12 teachers, guidance counselors, reading specialists, or school librarians Principals or superintendents at K-12 schools Educators or directors at programs that serve children or youth outside of school such as staff at a library, museum, after school or summer program, religious organization, or environmental educationhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ENapplication2024 Educators serving adults who work with children, youth, or families (for example, higher education, professional development, quality improvement, or families) Home-based educators Fees and Scholarships The cost to participate for those selected is $595, which includes 30 hours of learning as well as lifetime access to the Educators’ Neighborhood community and access to alumni opportunities. Full and partial scholarships are available, and can be completed in the Educators’ Neighborhood application. This year’s scholarships include ones for: Educators and helpers who serve children through music, art, or reading education Educators in Greene, Fayette, or Westmoreland counties. Professionals from informal learning environments such as libraries and museums Educators’ Neighborhood participants in any context or location who are eligible for the needs-based General EN scholarship All participants will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the cohort year. Pennsylvania educators can receive ACT 48 credits for participation, while educators outside of Pennsylvania who are interested in transferring credits can receive additional documentation of completed learning hours. Application Details Apply online by May 3 at 5 p.m. For more information, check out the Educators’ Neighborhood Information Guidebook. To ask questions, email educators.neighborhood@stvincent.edu.
April 5, 2023 Applications Open for Educators’ Neighborhood 2023-24 Cohort The application for the 2023-24 cohort of the Fred Rogers Institute Educators’ Neighborhood is now open. Educators’ Neighborhood is a community of educators who learn together through the life and work of Fred Rogers by studying artifacts from the Fred Rogers Archive and connecting ideas to daily practice. All applications must be submitted by May 26 at 5 p.m. About Educators’ Neighborhood This year-long opportunity brings together a cohort of educators from across the world who learn together, primarily through virtual meetings, and consider how to deepen their application of Fred Rogers’ work and theory to their work with children. The Fred Rogers Institute defines “educators” as any adult who directly serves children, youth, families, and/or other educators. Members of the 2023-24 cohort will have opportunities to participate in community discussion, present to other educators and leaders in the community, and attend: monthly whole community meetings to connect with educators across different contexts monthly small group meetings with other educators from similar contexts an opening and closing community convening to prepare for and reflect on learning from the year a mid-year community convening featuring presentations from educators within the community Application Process Before completing the application, applicants may want to consider and prepare responses to the open-response questions. Those questions include: Why do you want to be part of the Educators’ Neighborhood community? (50-100 words) What questions and topics would you like to explore with others in the community? (25-50 words) “There’s a world of difference between insisting on someone’s doing something and establishing an atmosphere in which that person can grow into wanting to do it.” What comes to mind as you reflect on this quote in the context of your work? (50-100 words) To apply, visit the Fred Rogers Institute website and complete the online application. Learn More To learn more, visit the Fred Rodgers Institute website or sign up for the Educators’ Neighborhood newsletter.
