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
March 1, 2023 March is National Reading Month March is National Reading Month. The month kicks off with National Read Across America Day on March 2, where children, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading. Reading Month Activity Ideas Review the NEA’s recommended book titles on the 2023 Read Across America calendar. Have an young child that enjoys picture books? Find their next favorite from this NEA picture book list. Choose from ideas for sharing books and all kinds of ways to celebrate with stories in classrooms. Join Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) on Thursday, March 2 starting at 1 p.m. (and available on demand until March 31, 2023) for their celebration webcast “Read Together!” A downloadable viewing kit includes an activity for each of the three read-aloud books that will be featured during the event. You can also play RIF’s Book Bingo! View the Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success toolkit from National Department of Education’s National Center on Improving Literacy to support children’s literacy success in and out of school. Find a new book for your pre-k or kindergarten-aged early reader from the Million Book March Collection. Check out these resources from NEA and bring print and online books to qualifying schools and students. Attend one of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s events throughout the region for children and adults. Visit their events page for details. Donate a book to the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s 2023 Book Drive for Diversity. You can help put exciting and diverse books into the hands of young readers and promote literacy in our region. This year’s books have been hand-selected to focus on social diversity, including but not limited to various ethnicities, classes, genders, physical abilities/qualities, race, and work statuses. Fill out this form to register and receive the list of books they are accepting. Explore new words and early literacy activities on the Buzzword website with the early readers in your life, or attend an upcoming Buzzword event in March. About National Reading Month National Reading Month is celebrated not just to promote the love for reading but also to develop communication and learning. The National Education Association (NEA) has been leading the Read Across America initiative since 1998. Read Across America Day calls upon everyone to read and engage with children to make reading a more fun and interactive experience. Libraries, schools, book clubs, and communities organize events to celebrate and promote reading.
April 15, 2020 Picture Books Featuring Black and Indigenous People and People of Color If you are a parent or caregiver who understands the importance of finding picture books that feature Black and Indigenous People and People of Color (BIPOC) – offering children, as Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop phrased it, “mirrors and windows” to the world – it can still be challenging to know how to choose a good book from among what’s increasingly available on the “diverse books” market. Join EmbraceRace and the founders of Diverse BookFinder on April 28 for their webinar “Choosing ‘Good’ Picture Books Featuring Black and Indigenous People and People of Color” to get their practical advice about how you can move beyond simply avoiding stereotypical portrayals to find great picture books your child is likely to enjoy. Time for questions and book recommendations will be provided. Registration To register, visit the event webpage. *Information provided by EmbraceRace
August 7, 2019 Education Dept. Launches Online Book Nook Initiative The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recently launched an initiative aimed at promoting literacy even when school isn’t in session. Each week, PDE unveils a new video featuring a prominent Pennsylvanian reading a children’s book to an at-home audience. Upcoming Readings The initiative kicked off with Secretary Pedro Rivera reading the book, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, one of his personal favorite books to read to young audiences. In upcoming weeks, the initiative will feature several officials from the Wolf Administration reading books related to the work they lead, including: Brent Miller, Trooper | Richard Scarry’s A Day at the Police Station Rachel Levine, DOH Secretary | Charlotte Cowan’s Katie Caught a Cold Dr. David Volkman, Executive Deputy Secretary of Education | Natasha Wing’s The Night Before the Fourth of July John Wetzel, Corrections Secretary | Becky Birtha’s Far Apart, Close in Heart: Being a Family when a Loved One is Incarcerated Patrick McDonnell, Environmental Protection Secretary | Sesame Street’s The Monster at the End of This Book Glenn Miller, Commissioner for Libraries | Lindsay Barrett George’s Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse Where to Watch The videos are accessible on PDE’s Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube pages. Learn More To learn more, read the full press release or visit the PDE website. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
July 5, 2019 Storymobile at Homewood-Brushton Family Support Center Families and caregivers with young children are invited to join Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Pittsburgh at the Homewood-Brushton Family Support Center for their Storymobile visits! About the Storymobile Storymobiles are libraries-on-wheels; taking stories, activities, books, and literacy resources to early childcare centers, pre-k and kindergarten classrooms, afterschool programs, public housing communities, and community events across Pittsburgh. Focused on kindergarten readiness, Storymobile programming is designed to introduce young students to the joy of reading; expose them to challenging subject matter, including math and science themes, in a way that they embrace and enjoy; and reinforce skills recommended by state and federal curricula. All children that participate with Storymobile will be signed up for the Books for Keeps program, enabling them to select a book to take home and keep four times throughout the year. Learn More To learn more, contact RIF Pittsburgh at 412.321.8022 or email info@rifpittsburgh.org. Share this flyer with your network. *Information provided by Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh
June 3, 2019 Buzzword Pittsburgh: Talk & Play in Hazelwood Join Buzzword Pittsburgh on Wednesday, June 19 for Talk & Play in Hazelwood! This event is free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. Dinner will be provided. More Information For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
May 14, 2019 Imagination Library Online Registration Now Open On April 27, 2019, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto announced that a new program will offer free monthly books to Pittsburgh children from birth to age five. The program is currently accepting applications from parents and guardians. About the Program The free book program – in conjunction with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Benter Foundation, and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania – will mail all eligible children an age-appropriate book every month up until their fifth birthday. Participating children will receive their first book through the U.S. Postal Services six to eight weeks after the registration form has been received. Eligibility To be eligible for the program, preschoolers must: be a resident of the City of Pittsburgh, have a parent or guardian fill out an official registration form, and notify the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania of any address changes. Registration To sign up for this program, register your children online via the Imagination Library website! Interested in mailing in or submitting your registration in person? See their webpage for more details. More Information For any questions, please contact Tiffini Simoneaux via email (tiffini.simoneaux@pittsburghpa.gov) or phone (412.255.2505).
March 20, 2019 Western Allegheny Pennsylvania One Book Professional Development Workshop About Explore early learning activities that enhance this year’s PA One Book selections: Barnyard Banter, by Denise Fleming (For children birth to 36 months Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis (For children ages three to five years) Each attendee will receive a free copy of Barnyard Banter and Not a Box and a light dinner will be served. Benefits Attendees will also take away: Ideas for One Book-inspired circle times Fun strategies that support early literacy development Activities that develop early learners’ STEAM skills Family engagement strategies Prizes One Book is a statewide initiative that promotes the importance of early literacy development for children ages birth to five years. Each April, Pennsylvania celebrates a book whose story and illustrations encourage children’s imaginations and love of reading to build a community of readers. Credits In partnership with Trying Together, early childhood educators will receive PQAS credits for their attendance. Flyer View and share the Western Allegheny PA One Book Professional Development Workshop flyer with your network.
Northside Pennsylvania One Book Professional Development Workshop About Explore early learning activities that enhance this year’s PA One Book selections: Barnyard Banter, by Denise Fleming (For children birth to 36 months Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis (For children ages three to five years) Each attendee will receive a free copy of Barnyard Banter and Not a Box and a light dinner will be served. This workshop is now full! If you are a Northside provider and still need to register, please contact Rachelle Duffy at 412.421.3889 or rachelle@tryingtogether.org. There is also another workshop the following day on April 10 at Western Allegheny Community Library. Learn how to participate in a ONE Northside art project that highlights child care providers on the Northside! Benefits Attendees will also take away: Ideas for One Book-inspired circle times Fun strategies that support early literacy development Activities that develop early learners’ STEAM skills Family engagement strategies Prizes One Book One Book is a statewide initiative that promotes the importance of early literacy development for children ages birth to five years. Each April, Pennsylvania celebrates a book whose story and illustrations encourage children’s imaginations and love of reading to build a community of readers. Credits In partnership with Trying Together, early childhood educators will receive PQAS credits for their attendance.
February 11, 2019 Raising Readers Together Club The Raising Readers Together Club runs weekly and explores the importance of acceptance, equality, and tolerance through reading. Thursday sessions are suitable for children ages five and younger. For children age six and older, see our Wednesday sessions at Willie Tee’s Barbershop. Winter 2019 Books: Word Play by Adam Lehrhaupt | February 7 My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith | February 14 Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too by Anna Dewdney | February 21 Unplugged by Steven Antony | February 28 All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold | March 7 Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights by Malala Yousafzai | March 14 The Library Book by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark | March 21 Billy Bloo is Stuck in Goo by Jennifer Hamburg | March 28 Raising Readers provides free: books discussion food songs storytelling resources Questions For questions or more information, contact Cynthia Battle at 412.421.3889 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
