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.
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.
