July 17, 2023 Story Time with the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative and Macedonia FACE Join Macedonia FACE and the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative (HDELI) for “Story Time,” featuring Guest Storyteller and author Dr. Tammi LeNez Hunt. Dr. LeNez will read her book “Sunni Rae’s World: What Are Your Super Powers?” A children’s craft/activity will precede the reading, and pizza, popsicles, and snacks will be provided. When: Wednesday, 8/16 | 5 – 6 p.m. Where: Hill House Association, Conference Room (second floor), 1835 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 To register for this event, email HDELI@macedoniaface.org or call 412-281-2573. Share this flyer with your networks.
July 14, 2023 HDELI Wild Family Literacy Night Get ready for a “roaring” good time! Join Macedonia FACE and the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative (HDELI) for a jungle-themed Wild Family Literacy Night event for families! 🦁📚 The event will be filled with family-fun activities, snacks, crafts, games, and literacy learning opportunities. When: Tuesday, 7/25 | 5 – 7 p.m. Where: Center for Family Excellence, 409 Dinwiddle Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 Registration required Register by email at HDELI@macedoniaface.org, or by phone at 412.281.2573. For questions, use the contact information above or visit the Macedonia FACE website.
July 12, 2023 Hill District Conducting Survey on Parent Engagement in Child Literacy The Hill District Early Literacy Initiative (HDELI), supported by the Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center (FACE), is conducting a survey on parent engagement in child literacy. About the Survey Entitled, “Hill District Early Literacy Initiative Survey,” the poll aims to discover strategies caregivers use to engage their children in reading comprehension, and establish what resources and supports parents need to assist in that engagement. Just seven questions, the survey is brief and takes only five minutes to complete. HDELI encourages parents and caregivers of young children in the Hill District to complete it. Take the Survey Individuals interested in taking the survey can do so by either: printing, completing, and returning the physical survey to Macedonia FACE at info@macedoniaface.org or 5001 Baum Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. complete the digital form online. Learn More Survey results are confidential. Please contact Macedonia FACE to learn more. Source Information for this post was taken directly from the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative Survey and Macedonia FACE website. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources 2023 Summer Reading Programs for Young Readers Toolkit: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals Restaurants Add Books to the Menu with Summer Reading Programs LDA of PA Offering Free Reading Tutoring to Children in Hill District 2023 Virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip
July 5, 2023 2023 Summer Reading Programs for Young Readers Summer reading season is here! This is a great time for young readers to explore new words and books with their parent, caregiver, and other loved ones in different settings. Summer reading for early learners can look like acting out scenes from a picture book in the park with your child, or visiting a local library or family center for a story time. There are plenty of local and national summer reading programs, resources, and activities to allow early readers the opportunity to expand their vocabulary with their parent or caregiver. Find Your Voice! Summer Reading 2023, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh For the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), summer reading is all about the celebration of self expression. Sign-up for Find Your Voice! summer reading through August 6 at any CLP branch or in the library app. On Sunday, August 13, CLP – Main in Oakland will host its end-of-summer Extravaganza!, a family-friendly outdoor festival features music, crafts, games, prizes, storytelling, and food trucks. Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, PA’s Promise for Children Join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on their virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and early childhood education professionals can follow along with OCDEL as they travel to various Pennsylvania libraries and state parks while providing fun resources, activities, and book recommendations to support early literacy and language. All activities align with the PA Early Learning Standards and can be done anywhere. Summer Reading Field Trips, Reading is Fundamental Reading is Fundamental (RIF) has provided various reading logs, coloring sheets, and summer-themed book recommendations to keep learning fun and fresh. Parents and caregivers that take the RIF summer reading pledge will receive a copy of the book, A Sofia Special, one of the books featured in RIF’s summer collection. Summer Reading Camp, Half-Priced Books Young readers can join Summer Reading Camp by visiting a local Half Price Books through July 31 to pick up interactive reading logs, sticker sheets and more, while supplies last. Families that register for the camp will have access to reading recommendations, crafts, and other literacy activities. Scholastic Summer Reading Program, Scholastic The Scholastic Summer Reading program offers children an exciting, free, and safe summer reading experience, while helping to provide books to kids with limited or no access over the summer. Through Thursday, September 7, children can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base, a completely free digital destination which offers stories, characters, games, and a community of readers. Home Base is moderated for safety 24/7. Bookworm Wednesdays, Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays entitles children to free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex Cinemas box office. Accompanying parents or caregivers and children younger than age six receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. More Programs Check out other summer reading programs from Mille’s Ice Cream and Pizza Hut. Alternatively, parents and caregivers can also visit their local library, family center, or community resource space to learn more about local summer reading programs.
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 14, 2023 Story Time with the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative Join Macedonia FACE and the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative for “Story Time,” featuring Guest Storyteller Tinisha Hunt. Hunt will read, “Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment,” by Jessica Curry and Parker Curry. A children’s activity will precede the reading, and pizza, popsicles, and snacks will be provided. Event Details Saturday, June 24 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Hill House Association, Conference Room (second floor) 1835 Centre Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Registration Information To register for this event, email HDELI@macedoniaface.org or call 412-281-2573. Learn More Share this event with your networks by distributing the flyer.
May 10, 2023 Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp – Afternoon Session Summer doesn’t have to mean their learning is over! Budding artists can learn something new or explore their favorite art forms during Trust Arts Education Camps for Creatives. For early learners (ages three-to-five), there will be two half day sessions focused on storytelling and early literacy. Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp is created for the youngest audiences in mind. This camp will engage learners three- to five-years-old in the world of storytelling. Storytelling occurs in many different ways–teaching artists will lead the students in visual art, creative play, movement, and music. When: Monday, July 24 | Afternoon session begins at 1 p.m. Where: Trust Arts Education Center, 807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 Afternoon Session Details: Critters of all shapes and sizes will guide the storytelling for the afternoon sessions. Campers will experience stories about different animals and engage with the stories through all mediums of art; move your body like jungle critters, create a visual representation of sea critters, make sounds like farm critters–the possibilities are endless! We ensure a seamless and quick drop off and pick up process for all summer camps. Students will be ready to go when you arrive between 3:30 – 4 p.m. Students should plan to pack a lunch, water, and snacks. Campers must be FULLY potty-trained prior to the beginning of camp. If the cost of these camps is a hindrance to your participation, please email george@trustarts.org. To learn more and grab your tickets, visit Storytelling Spectacular Afternoon Session event page.
Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp – Morning Session Summer doesn’t have to mean their learning is over! Budding artists can learn something new or explore their favorite art forms during Trust Arts Education Camps for Creatives. For early learners (ages three-to-five), there will be two half day sessions focused on storytelling and early literacy. Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp is created for the youngest audiences in mind. This camp will engage learners three- to five-years-old in the world of storytelling. Storytelling occurs in many different ways–teaching artists will lead the students in visual art, creative play, movement, and music. When: Monday, July 24 | Morning session begins at 9 a.m. Where: Trust Arts Education Center, 807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 Morning Session Details: Dragons, princesses and princes, kings and queens, and fairy tales guide the storytelling for the morning session. Campers will experience what it means to immerse themselves in fantasy stories through all mediums of art. We ensure a seamless and quick drop off and pick up process for all summer camps. Students will be ready to go when you arrive between 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Students should plan to pack a lunch, water, and snacks. Campers must be FULLY potty-trained prior to the beginning of camp. If the cost of these camps is a hindrance to your participation, please email george@trustarts.org. To learn more and grab your tickets, visit Storytelling Spectacular Morning Session event page.
Buzzword Five SENSES Family Night Join Buzzword as we visit the Greater Hazelwood Family Center for an evening of family fun and activities featuring science, art, music and early literacy! During this event, children ages birth to five and their caregivers will have the opportunity to come together and explore elements of our newest BUZZ Box, featuring our latest Buzzword: SENSES. Together, we will explore our five SENSES through interactive activity stations, each focusing on one of the SENSES: sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch. Each family will also get to take a BUZZ Box home with them! Dinner will be provided. Registration prior to the event is strongly encouraged. When: Wednesday, June 14 | 5 – 6:30 p.m. Where: Greater Hazelwood Family Center (inside), 5006 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15207 Register Here For more information or questions on the event, contact Buzzword directly at buzzword@tryingtogether.org. Come check out what all the BUZZ is about, and explore new words with us! Share the flyer with your networks. Buzzword is made possible by PNC Grow Up Great® and The Allegheny County Department of Human Services.
May 3, 2023 Storybook STEAM Join the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for Storybook STEAM, an introduction of the dual approach to early learning that combines storytelling with hands-on learning in the fields of STEAM. Attendees will learn to engage children’s natural curiosity and creativity, while also helping them develop important problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Event Details Thursday, May 11 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Allegheny Intermediate Unit 475 East Waterfront Drive Homestead, PA 15120 Registration not required. About Storybook STEAM Lessons In a Storybook STEAM lesson, a teacher or educator begins by reading a storybook that relates to a particular STEM or STEAM concept. The storybook serves as a starting point for the lesson, providing context and engaging students’ imaginations. After the story, students are given a hands-on activity or project that relates to the STEM or STEAM concept introduced in the story. For example, after reading a story about the water cycle, students might conduct an experiment to observe the different stages of the water cycle. The goal of Storybook STEAM is to make STEM and STEAM concepts more accessible and engaging for children. By using storytelling as a starting point, children are more likely to be motivated and interested in learning about these subjects. Additionally, by incorporating arts and creativity into STEM learning, Storybook STEAM helps children develop a well-rounded set of skills that will serve them well in the future. Overall, Storybook STEAM is a creative and effective approach to teaching STEM and STEAM concepts to young children. It encourages children to think critically and creatively, and it helps make these important subjects more accessible and engaging. Learn More This event is part of Remake Learning Days. To learn more, visit the Remake Learning Days website.
