March 20, 2020 Literacy in a Time of Rapid Change: Strategies & Resources for Virtual Learning Join literacy experts, authors, and experienced virtual educators, Dr. Troy Hicks and Shaelynn Farnsworth, for the webinar, “Literacy in a Time of Rapid Change: Strategies and Resources for Virtual Learning,” as they discuss resources and strategies to best support remote teaching and learning. About In this webinar, presenters will explore ways to virtually teach and engage students in literacy learning by sharing curricular content, edtech tools, resources, communities, and tips to get participants thinking critically and creatively in this time of crisis. As educators are working to meet the needs of all students virtually, it is important to also be mindful of issues related to equity, accessibility, and student populations with special needs. This webinar will be of interest to kindergarten through higher education teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, curriculum and instruction, TOSAs and coaches, assistant superintendents, and tech directors. There will be time to have your questions answered at the end of the presentation. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
March 17, 2020 Social-Emotional Learning and Equity: Follow the Data Join Education Week on March 25 for their webinar, “Social Emotional Learning and Equity: Follow the Data.” About Providing equitable opportunities for young people’s social, emotional, and academic growth is paramount. Equity in education goes deeper than providing equal education to all students. Equity in education is providing each student with the education they need to live and thrive. Hear the most recent findings of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning and how SEL can be leveraged to promote equity. Get a first-hand look at some of the most recent data compiled, using measures of SEL achievement across diverse populations, and an understanding of which approaches yield the most substantive results. And briefly preview ACT’s SEL Solutions—evidence-based K-12 student curriculum, a suite of ELL options, educator professional development, and assessment—that align with CASEL’s 5 core competencies. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. *Information provided by Education Week
January 15, 2020 Documenting Learning Through Photography Join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on March 7 for their professional development session, “Documenting Learning Through Photography.” About Cameras are ubiquitous these days, but how can educators best use them in the classroom? In this workshop, educators will consider how they might use photography to enhance, expand, and document learning for both themselves and their students. Participants will learn about free simple apps for photo editing and how to use visual artifacts in student assessment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mobile device, however, iPads will be made available for use during the class. This course is designed for K-12 educators. Act 48 and PQAS hours available. Registration To register, visit the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust website. More Information For personal assistance selecting accessible seats or for more information about accessibility for a person with a disability, contact Customer Service at 412.456.6666. To learn more, visit the event webpage.
November 13, 2019 Creating Patterns of Pride with Batik K-12 educators are invited to join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on January 11, 2020, for “Creating Patterns of Pride with Batik.” About Join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to explore how patterns exist across cultures and how you can bring your own, as well as your students’ cultural identity into original pattern designs. Using resistance and color, participants will learn how to accurately reproduce repeating patterns to create a unique batik wall hanging. You will leave with resources to guide you on connecting culturally responsive teaching to arts integration and STEAM. This workshop is intended for K-12 Educators. ACT 48 and PQAS hours available. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
Supporting Young Children During Transitions Writing for Child Mind Institute, Katherine Martinelli recently authored “How Can We Help Kids With Transitions,” highlighting key tips and advice for parents and caregivers seeking to support their young children. About When it comes to transitions–to kindergarten, a new program, or a new routine–young children often struggle. When children whine, stall, meltdown, or have a tantrum, some parents and caregivers aren’t sure where to turn. In an effort to empower these caregivers, Katherine Martinelli authored an article highlighting eight tips for supporting young children during the transition process, mentioning that these supports may be especially important for children with ADHD, anxiety, autism, or sensory sensitivities. Tips & Advice Create Routines Setting routines for daily activities such as bedtime, taking a bath, or putting away toys can play a big role in reassuring children during such transitions. Preview and Count Down In addition to routines, providing a clear outline of what the day will entail can help children adequately prepare for transitions to come. Caregivers can do this in the morning with their children, paired with countdowns throughout the day. Before each transition, give your child a timeframe and description of what’s going to happen next. Give It a Soundtrack Songs are a great tool to encourage routines and ease transitions. By creating songs for things such as cleaning up, bedtime, and getting ready to leave, caregivers establish a recognizable, fun indicator that a transition is happening. This tip works especially well with young children. Visual Cues Some children may benefit from visual clues, such as a chart or poster with drawings that explain what to expect or the steps of a transition. Parents and caregivers can easily reference these visual cues during the transition to help walk children through the process. Get Their Attention Many parents and caregivers know that simply yelling at children from across the room will only lead to frustration for both parties. Instead, caregivers are encouraged to make a connection with the child to ensure the child is giving their full attention. This could mean eye contact, a hand on the shoulder, sitting next to them, or asking them to repeat back what has been said. Use Rewards Reward systems can be beneficial in schools and at home, especially during the early phases of a new transition. Using rewards such as stickers, snacks, or a point system can be effective in supporting positive behaviors. With this, the reward system can be phased out as a child gets closer to mastering the transition. Implement Appropriate Consequences If a child exhibits negative behaviors during a transition, ignore the negative behavior rather than escalating the situation. However, if a child is egregiously misbehaving, parents and caregivers should implement “appropriate consequences for that behavior that makes the child understand that behavior is off-limits.” Praise Good Transitioning Praise and recognition play a vital role in reinforcing positive behaviors. Martinelli recommends that caregivers be specific in their praise, following up with a reward when appropriate. More Information For more tips and advice on supporting children during transitions, read the full article on the Child Mind Institute website.
September 27, 2019 Supporting Children’s Early Learning with Music Join Music Together on October 7 for their upcoming webinar, “Harness the Power of Music to Support Children’s Early Learning.” About In this webinar, participants will gain tools and experience songs they can use to create a musically rich environment that promotes a positive learning atmosphere, regardless of their own music “talent” or experience. Attendees will come to see how easy it is to use music to engage children and enhance the classroom to the benefit of both children and adults. The presenter will also explore some ideas for engaging parents and caregivers at home, supporting their use of music with their children, and strengthening the home-school connection. This webinar is suitable for educators who work with toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. Time for questions will be provided. Register To register and learn more, visit the edWeb website. *Information provided by edWeb
Kindergarten Transition Strategies Highlighted in New Briefs About New America reported that in the 2019-20 school year, “approximately four million children will start kindergarten.” This period of early learning is critical, as research shows that access to high-quality early education increases children’s likelihood of going to college, saving for retirement, and living in wealthier neighborhoods. Recognizing the need for better support, New America released two briefs highlighting opportunities for states, local education agencies (LEAs), and elementary schools to strengthen pre-k to kindergarten transitions and fund transition activities. Moving into Kindergarten Their first brief, Moving into Kindergarten: How Schools and Districts are Connecting the Steps for Children and Families, highlights actions that schools and districts can take to help ensure a smooth and stress-free transition into kindergarten for children and their caregivers. The highlighted approaches are currently taking place in districts across the country, with a range of models included to ensure an appropriate method based on a district’s current state of development. Highlighted methods include: increased data sharing between child care, pre-k programs, and kindergarten professional development and planning across grades (more specifically, formal activities that bring adults together across childcare, pre-k, and kindergarten) a focus on family engagement that emphasizes the importance of involvement in education, extends beyond a one-time activity and takes place prior to the start of kindergarten activities for incoming kindergarten students that go beyond one-time events (such as a classroom visit) and prioritize students without access to pre-k To read the full brief, visit the New America website. Using Local, State, and Federal Dollars to Improve Pre-K to Kindergarten Transitions New America’s second brief, Using Local, State, and Federal Dollars to Improve Pre-K to K Transitions, highlights the importance of a seamless transition between early learning programs and grade levels as well as effective policies and practices. With this, New American mentions that “there are a number of federal and state programs and other funding opportunities that can help support state and local efforts to improve pre-k to kindergarten transitions and alignment.” Serving as a resource for state and local leaders, the brief examines: Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Head Start Act Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Preschool Development Grant, Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) Other Sources Following this, the brief provides action recommendations for states, local education agencies, and elementary schools. Visit the New America website to learn more. Local Initiatives Are you interested in learning about the local pre-k and kindergarten landscape? Check out these initiatives: Pre-K for PA is a non-partisan issue campaign that is working to ensure that every three- and four-year-old in Pennsylvania has access to high-quality, affordable pre-kindergarten programs. To learn more, visit Trying Together’s Early Learning PA page. Hi5 ensures that young children are school ready and promotes the importance of on-time kindergarten registration. Over the past seven years, this program has helped Allegheny County schools reach an impressive on-time kindergarten registration rate of 96 percent. To learn more, visit the Hi5 webpage. Learn More For more information, contact New America at 202.986.2700 or nyc@newamerica.org. *Information provided by New America
September 20, 2019 Make it Glow: Bringing Blacklight into Your Classroom Join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on November 9 for their workshop, “Make it Glow: Bringing Blacklight into Your Classroom.” This workshop is suitable for K-12 educators. Act 48 and PQAS hours available. Registration To register, visit the event webpage. More Information For more information, contact the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust at 412.471.6070. For assistance selecting accessible seating or for more information about accessibility for a person with a disability, contact 412.456.6666.
August 1, 2019 5th Annual Back to School Giveaway Join Pennsylvania State Representative Ed Gainey on Saturday, August 17 at Destiny International Ministry for the 5th Annual Back to School Giveaway! About Pittsburgh students should start the 2019 school year off right! Students in grades K through 5 who stop by on August 17 will receive a backpack and school supplies. In addition, families will enjoy helpful information on state programs for kids, safety information, food, and music. Students must be present to receive a backpack. All are welcome. Questions For questions, contact 412.665.5502. Donate Supplies If you or your business is interested in donating supplies, backpacks, or food, contact Representative Gainey’s office at 412.665.5502. Share this flyer with your network.
July 3, 2019 Kindergarten: Here I Come! At this annual event, children entering kindergarten experience a day full of fun and helpful resources, activities, and learning from Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh staff and their partners from around the city to help celebrate this amazing milestone and transition. Activities Visitors can look forward to: free museum admission for one kindergarten student and one accompanying adult, back-to-school giveaways, and delicious snacks and treats. More Information For more information, visit the event page.
