News

December 1, 2020

Fishing for a Positive Work Environment

Are you interested in learning how to create a positive work environment? Join Trying Together on Wednesday, December 16 for our online course, “FISH philosophy: Fishing for a positive work environment!

About

During this course, Leadership Development Strategist Allison Robinson will discuss the four principles of the FISH philosophy and assist participants in considering how each principle can become daily practice. These four concepts will help participants create and maintain a working environment that is energizing, fun, and that allows each member of the team to feel important.

Session Details

    • Session Date: Wednesday, December 16  |  1 – 3 p.m.
    • Instructor: Allison Robinson
    • CKC: Professional and Leadership
    • CDA Subject Area: Maintaining Professionalism
    • Registration Deadline: Monday, December 14, 2020

Registration

To register, visit the PD Registry page. Space is limited. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. PQAS credit is available.

If you do not have a PD Registry account, please complete this online form to create one. If you are unable to create an account, please contact pdregistry@pakeys.org for more information.

More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

News

November 20, 2020

Open-Ended Questions Are For Everyone!

Are you interested in learning about using open-ended STEM questions with early learners of all ages and abilities? Join Trying Together on December 9 for our online session, “Connections and Conversations: Open-Ended Questions Are For Everyone!”

About

Connections and Conversations Virtual Check-Ins are biweekly interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. Participants engage in virtual discussions with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the highlighted topic. Sessions offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be provided.

In this session, 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 using open-ended Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) questioning with early learners of all ages and abilities.

Session Details

    • Session Date: Wednesday, December 9  |  6 – 7 p.m.
    • Instructors: Jasmine Davis and Wendy Brenneman
    • CKC: Curriculum and Learning Experiences
    • CDA Subject Area: Safe, Healthy Learning Environment
    • Registration Deadline: Monday, December 7, 2020

Registration

To register, visit the course PD Registry page. Space is limited. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. PQAS credit is available.

If you do not have a PD Registry account, please complete this online form to create one. If you are unable to create an account, please contact pdregistry@pakeys.org for more information.

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 Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

News

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.

News

November 12, 2020

Educators: Join the Leap into Science National Network

Are you an educator in Pennsylvania who is interested in receiving training and materials to lead science and literacy workshops for children and families? Join the Leap into Science National Network! Applications must be submitted by December 14, 2020.

About

Leap into Science is a nationwide program developed by The Franklin Institute Science Museum that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed for children ages three through 10-years-old and their families. The program empowers educators to offer workshops in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school time programs to engage underserved audiences in accessible and familiar settings.

Leap into Science provides workshops on a science theme for three possible audiences: early childhood, elementary, and/or family groups. If your organization was already trained in the Leap into Science Wind curricula, you are NOT eligible to attend this training.

Organization Benefits

Each organization that participates in Leap into Science will receive:

    • a two-hour virtual training on high-quality science and literacy curriculum and facilitation strategies for two or more educators;
    • ongoing support during program implementation as part of a Leap into Science National Network;
    • access to the national Leap into Science leadership team and online resources; and
    • a curriculum and materials kit (valued at $300).

Participation Commitments

As a Leap into Science partner organization, participants commit to:

    • scheduling and leading at least three Leap into Science workshops for children and/or families living in underserved rural or urban communities by September 2021, including an event during National Leap into Science Week (June 7 – 13, 2021);
    • posting each workshop to The Connectory, a searchable directory for STEM programs across the country;
    • completing a workshop report following each workshop; and
    • participating in quarterly calls with other trained educators in your state.

Available Workshops

The Pennsylvania Leap into Science Team is hosting a free two-hour virtual training on the Leap into Science Light & Shadow workshops at the following times:

    • Friday, January 29, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    • Tuesday, March 16, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
    • Thursday, May 13, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Submit An Application

To participate in the national network and attend one of the trainings listed above, please complete this brief application form by December 14, 2020.

Priority will be given to organizations that can send at least two educators to the training and who serve traditionally underrepresented audiences. If selected, you will receive an email notification of your acceptance by the end of December with details about the training you will attend.

More Information

For questions, contact Betsy O. Saatman at betsaa@pakeys.org or 484.955.5909.

News

November 5, 2020

Early Literacy Virtual Conference

Are you interested in learning actionable strategies for teaching the five pillars of reading, especially in distance and hybrid learning environments? Join Learning Ally on December 4, 2020 for the “Early Literacy Virtual Conference.”

About

Join Learning Ally on December 4 for a full day of early literacy professional learning featuring keynote speakers Kai-leé Berke and Barbara Steinberg, in addition to 12 other experts. By attending, professionals will:

    • Discover actionable strategies for teaching the five pillars of reading, especially in a distance or hybrid learning environment.
    • Understand the milestones in early literacy development so you can better meet the needs of all your students.
    • Learn what it means to be intentionally anti-biased and culturally relevant when teaching literacy in a diverse classroom.
    • Connect with the experts and other educators to share first-hand experiences to drive lasting change in your teaching practice.

Registration

To register for the conference, visit the Learning Ally website. Attendees will be able to earn up to 16 Continuing Education (CE) hours live or on-demand through January 31, 2021.

News

November 2, 2020

Raising Racially Just Kids In Today’s Media Environment

Are you interested in learning how movies and television shape children’s ideas about race and ethnicity? Join EmbraceRace on November 11 for their webinar, “Lights, Camera, Representation! TV, Movies, and Children’s Thinking About Race.”

About

This webinar will explore how movies and television shape children’s ideas about race and ethnicity, what adults can do to encourage the development of more high-quality racial representations in TV and movies, and how adults can help the children they love critically engage critically with media. Time for questions and community insights will be provided.

Registration

To register, visit the event webpage.

News

October 30, 2020

Engaging and Teaching Parents About Technology

Are you interested in learning how to teach parents about technology? Join Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Karina Gathu, and Tay Gudmundson on December 17 for “Engaging and Teaching Parents About Technology.”

About

Parents can be collaborators or obstacles when the topic of technology comes up. With more remote learning than ever, schools need parents. Educators often talk to parents when mistakes or accidents happen, as a reactionary measure. However, schools can be more proactive about preventing those mistakes by reaching out and understanding parents’ situations and worries. This webinar will draw from on-the-ground work with hundreds of parents, sharing survey results with their biggest concerns. Time for questions will be provided.

Featured Topics

In this webinar, professionals will:

    • learn the five most important things parents should know about digital citizenship,
    • learn how, when, why, and who to host a digital parenting event with, and
    • learn how to be proactive with parents, not reactive.

Registration

This webinar is best suited for K-12 teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders. To register, visit the EdWeb website.

News

How Educators Can Avoid Mental, Physical, and Emotional Exhaustion

Are you interested in learning strategies to avoid exhaustion and burnout? Join Dr. Tina Boogren and Dr. Timothy Kanold on November 18 for “Attend to Your Well-Being: How Educators Can Avoid Mental, Physical, and Emotional Exhaustion.”

About

To counter the pressure, stress, and chaos around us, professionals need to practice healthy, practical habits, and routines of wellness and self-care. They also need to rise up to the expectations of taking care of students and their colleagues, amidst the challenges of this unprecedented school season.

In this engaging, fun-filled webinar, Dr. Tina Boogren and Dr. Timothy Kanold will provide practical strategies to avoid exhaustion and burnout and give you the courage and permission to attend to a more balanced and joyful professional life! Time for questions will be provided.

Registration

This webinar is best suited for prek-12 teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders. To register, visit the EdWeb website.

News

School’s Out! Challenges and Solutions for School-Age Programs

Are you interested in exploring common challenges and solutions for school-age programs? Join presenters Tracy Galuski, Ph.D., Arlene Rider, Ph.D., and Nadia J. Jones, Ed.D. on November 18 for “School’s Out! Challenges and Solutions for School-Age Programs: Meaningful Activities.”

About

Professionals who work with school-age children in out-of-school environments often struggle with ways to keep the children engaged in programs that run before and after the structured school day. Children have varied needs, and program staff are often dealing with challenges such as a restrictive environment, mixed groupings, and varied schedules.

Within the context of child development, this webinar offers a child-centered approach to developing activities that engage and enhance the program. Participants will explore a number of common challenges along with some possible solutions that can be adapted and applied in their work. Time for questions will be provided.

Featured Topics

This webinar will:

    • review typical learning centers in school-age programs,
    • explore developmental stages and how child development informs practice, and
    • discuss challenges and solutions related to the environment and activities.

Registration

This webinar is best suited for practioneres in before- and after-school programs in a variety of settings. To register, visit the EdWeb website.

News

Teaching Digital Citizenship Through SEL Skill Building

Did you know that social-emotional learning (SEL) can help develop the skills students need to be empowered digital citizens? Join Carrie Rogers-Whitehead and Joyce Whitby on November 11 for their webinar “Teaching Digital Citizenship Through SEL Skill Building” to learn about this topic more!

About

This webinar, informed by thousands of direct hours teaching K-12 students digital citizenship, narrows down the most important social-emotional learning (SEL) skills for digital citizenship. It also shares practical ideas and real-life examples to effectively teach those skills to multiple age groups.

Participants will leave with activities and ideas they can use immediately in their classroom and learn more about a different approach to digital citizenship education. Time for questions will be provided.

Registration

This webinar is best suited for K-12 teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders. To register, visit the EdWeb website.