June 3, 2024 Kindergarten Transition White Paper Highlights Regional Efforts Trying Together has released a white paper titled “Kindergarten Transition” that includes research on transition activities, possible policy opportunities, and recommendations to support effective kindergarten transition. Learn More The transition from pre-k to kindergarten is a critical point in the lives of young children and their families. However, during the 2021-2022 school year, 78% of three-year-olds and 65% of four-year-olds in Pennsylvania did not have access to a pre-k program. As a result, kindergarten was likely many families’ first entry into the school system as well as the first opportunity for some children to engage with classroom routines and socialization on a larger scale. Recommendations were made for state elected officials and local school district administrators. Some of these recommendations included: Requiring local transition teams Providing guidance on how to leverage funds Encouraging data sharing Advocating for full-day kindergarten Including parents and guardians in the transition process Ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate kindergarten Showing support for local pre-k and child care providers in providing pre-k Strengthening relationships and collaboration between early childhood programs and elementary schools Emphasizing culturally responsive practices Rethinking the possibility of school readiness Learn more about Trying Together’s mission of supporting equitable access to a strong kindergarten transition for all children across the region by reading the “Kindergarten Transition” white paper. Trying Together has joined the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the United Way of Southwestern PA in a partnership known as Hi5!, which focuses on engaging all 43 public school districts in Allegheny County to develop and implement kindergarten transition plans.
May 28, 2024 East End Community Celebrates Juneteenth The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh and other community partners – including Trying Together – will host a Pre-Juneteenth Festival on June 14 in Homewood. Learn More Juneteenth Pittsburgh 2024 will include free food and activities, including live entertainment and a kid’s zone. DJ Hoodie Tre will spin tunes and visitors can take part in a group fitness class. Special guest speakers include Leon Ford, Jason Rivers, and Rev. Cornell Jones. The event will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 14 at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA.
May 27, 2024 P.R.I.D.E. Speaker Series on Black Joy in Early Childhood Featuring Trying Together Exec Director Now Available Trying Together Executive Director Cara Ciminillo was a guest speaker in the Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education (P.R.I.D.E.) program’s recent spring Speaker Series event. Ciminillo discussed what Black joy meant to her, and how Trying Together is actively working to eliminate racism and address the inequities in systems. Learn More “Affirming Black Joy: Race, Identity, and Early Childhood” took place on April 10. Leading experts in the field of race and early childhood discussed needs and strategies to promote a culture of positive racial identity as well as joy and affirmation in classroom, home, and community settings. P.R.I.D.E. Program Director Dr. Aisha White moderated the event. Ciminillo was a guest panelist. “When I think about affirming Black joy, it begins with affirming who a child is, which can only be accomplished in relationship with others,” she said. “So, it’s recognizing a child’s emotions, their needs, their experiences, and talents. It’s seeing themselves in their surroundings and valuing a Black child’s family, culture, and traditions as assets – something to celebrate, to build off of.” Ciminillo said that Trying Together – which supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and those who interact with them – has worked to embody these ideals. “Several years ago, we recognized that our limitations in meeting these ideals were hampered and we weren’t putting those same ideals in practice in our own organization,” Ciminillo said. “We needed to embody a culture of belonging and then apply that in the field. We believe Black joy means establishing a positive image in the early childhood field – and elevating voices and decision making. We envision a future in which all caregivers feel valued. We’ve set into motion daily practices large and small to achieve it. Our organization must be representative of those in the field we serve. Our staff composition at all levels needs to reflect their diversity and types of experiences.” The P.R.I.D.E. Speaker Series event can be viewed in full on YouTube.
May 15, 2024 Trying Together’s Strategic Roadmap Dashboard is Live Trying Together has launched a new interactive dashboard to highlight the ongoing process of meeting its strategic goals as well as the impact the organization has had on the young children, families, early care and education professionals, and communities it serves. The Roadmap’s Goals The goals of Trying Together’s five-year strategy roadmap include being: A trusted source of collaboration for families regarding their child’s early experiences An experienced facilitator of inclusive learning opportunities for educators that aims to ensure that every child has access to high-quality early care and education A collaborative convener that coordinates and connects systems to support early care and education A committed advocate mobilizing for policy change alongside communities to elevate the needs of children, families, and educators for an equitable early care and education system An accountable nonprofit that prioritizes ethics when fundraising in support of its mission and provides transparent stewardship to its donors The roadmap also addresses how Trying Together will sustain an inclusive culture of belonging through recruitment and retainment of staff and board members who represent those the organization serves and those who are most affected by early education policies. Learn More To learn more about Trying Together’s goals, read its 2023-2027 Strategic Roadmap. Also, frequently drop by the interactive dashboard to view new stories of impact and quantitative outputs that will be updated on a quarterly basis. To share a story about an experience you have had with Trying Together or to get more information, email info@tryingtogether.org.
May 10, 2024 ECE Advocacy Express Webinar Trying Together’s Policy Team will host a webinar in June on how to contact your state legislators regarding investments in early care and education in the state budget. Learn More State elected officials are in the final days of budget negotiations and are currently debating how much money to invest in early care and education. Trying Together’s Policy Team will host a workshop known as the ECE Advocacy Express that will provide information on How to find your state legislator How to email your legislator How to call your legislator The workshop will provide attendees with the tools and templates that are needed to make an impact in just a few minutes. The webinar will take place on Zoom at 10 a.m. on June 17. Registration is now open.
May 7, 2024 Seeking Input on Recess and Play for Advocacy Toolkit Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh are seeking input on recess and play for the creation of an advocacy toolkit on the topics. Learn More As part of their play advocacy research, Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh are asking parents and caregivers of children, teachers, school administrators, and community members for input. In the survey, participants will discuss how their child’s school perceives and implements recess. Collected input will go toward devising a comprehensive, community-based Play Advocacy Toolkit that will be widely shared and easily accessible. The deadline to complete the survey is June 21. The survey is now available to complete. Community Conversations on Play Parents and caregivers of children, teachers, school leaders, and community members are also invited to join Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh for upcoming community conversations on play. Physical movement, the freedom to play, and playful learning during the school day improves a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. However, many American children engage in less than one hour of unstructured play per day. The conversations will focus on how play is an important part of a child’s school life. The events will help attendees learn how to advocate for play and developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood. In person event Thursday, May 30, 2024 | 5 – 7 p.m. Spartan Community Center of Hazelwood, 134 East Elizabeth Street Registration is now open Dinner and child care will be provided. Virtual event Monday, June 10, 2024 | 7-8 p.m. Zoom Registration is now open.
May 6, 2024 Registration Open for UnConference: Launching School Age Summer Programming Join Trying Together, Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST), and Allegheny County Department of Human Services for “UnConference: Launching School Age Summer Programming.” Registration is now open for the event, which will be held on Thursday, June 6 at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants will attend expert-led sessions that will equip them with skills needed to create safe and enriching summer experiences for school-aged children. Six PQAS and Act 48 credit hours will be available. Workshops The morning session is dedicated to American Red Cross Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED training. Participants will attend two afternoon sessions. Morning Session (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) Workshops include: Play Included: Building Friendships Through LEGO Play o Speaker: John Balash and Team from Carnegie Mellon University Maximizing the Mind-Body Connection in Summer Youth Programming Speaker: Danielle Thum, MS, RYT, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Family Care Connection Centers American Red Cross: First Aid/CPR/AED, Including Pediatric First Aid and CPR Playnotes Interactive Activity Afternoon Sessions (1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.) Following lunch, participants will attend two rounds of workshops. Sessions will focus on how to create welcoming and culturally inclusive environments; strategies to guide and mentor children; and using LEGO play to collaborate, communicate, and problem solve. Workshops include: The Culturally Inclusive Check-In o Speaker: Ja’Sonta Roberts from Assemble Everyday Mentoring o Speaker: Sophia Duck from Mentoring Pittsburgh Play Included: Building Friendships Through LEGO Play o Speaker: John Balash and Team from Carnegie Mellon University When Helping Hurts: Understanding the Impact of Compassion Fatigue o Speaker: Sharice Nance, LCSW, CCTP Amplifying Youth Voice and Choice Speaker: Katherine Spinney, PCC, MT, MSW Maximizing the Mind-Body Connection in Summer Youth Programming Speaker: Danielle Thum, MS, RYT, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Family Care Connection Centers Supporting Youth From English Language Learning Backgrounds Speakers: Meg Booth and Jenna Baron from Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education More session details will be available soon. More Details Registration is now open for the conference. Tickets for the UnConference cost $25 and free parking will be available for participants at the conservatory. Lunch, which will be catered by Phipps, is included with registration. Those interested in attending must register by May 27. Registrants will be asked to choose their preferred workshops at a later date. Group discounts are not available. If you have questions about the UnConference, visit the event webpage or contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
May 1, 2024 Recess and Play: Community Conversations Parents and caregivers of children, teachers, school leaders, and community members are invited to join Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh for community conversations on play. Learn More Physical movement, the freedom to play, and playful learning during the school day improves a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. However, many American children engage in less than one hour of unstructured play per day. We’d like to know how much your child is able to play. A community conversation being held on May 30 will discuss how play is a part of a child’s school life. The event will help attendees learn how to advocate for play and developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood. Dinner and child care will be provided to participants at the in-person event. There will also be a virtual event in June. Details Thursday, May 30 | 5 – 7 p.m. Spartan Community Center of Hazelwood, 134 East Elizabeth Street in Pittsburgh Register Monday, June 10 | 7 – 8 p.m. Virtual Register Can’t attend? Take the play advocacy survey to share your thoughts.
Recess and Play: Community Conversations Parents and caregivers of children, teachers, school leaders, and community members are invited to join Trying Together and Playful Pittsburgh for community conversations on play. Learn More Physical movement, the freedom to play, and playful learning during the school day improves a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. However, many American children engage in less than one hour of unstructured play per day. We’d like to know how much your child is able to play. A community conversation being held on May 30 will discuss how play is a part of a child’s school life. The event will help attendees learn how to advocate for play and developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood. Dinner and child care will be provided to participants at the in-person event. There will also be a virtual event in June. Details Thursday, May 30 | 5 – 7 p.m. Spartan Community Center of Hazelwood, 134 East Elizabeth Street in Pittsburgh Register Monday, June 10 | 7 – 8 p.m. Virtual Register Can’t attend? Take the play advocacy survey to share your thoughts.
April 29, 2024 Remake Learning Days to Offer Hundreds of Events in May The Remake Learning Days Festival will offer more than 350 events – including Playful Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Play Day – in May. The three-week festival offers activities for children ages two to 17 as well as adults. Learn More From May 2 to 22, families can take part in a variety of events and celebrate learning. Activities include building a robot, coding an art spinner, directing a film, doing scientific work, exploring the outdoors, making music, printing inventions with a 3-D printer, and more. The festival will include in-person and virtual events hosted by schools, museums, libraries, after-school organizations, child care centers, and tech companies. There are a number of free activities as well as others that range from $1 to $50. Most of the events take place in Southwestern Pennsylvania, while a few others will be held in West Virginia. Ultimate Play Day – which is co-hosted by Playful Pittsburgh, Trying Together, and CitiParks – will take place during Remake Learning Days. The event emphasizes the importance and power of play for people of all ages. The free event will be hosted at the Activities Shelter at Riverview Park from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. The festival will also include a performance of “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster.” Color puppets and props will bring characters from Mo Willems’ book to life on stage. For more information on the Remake Learning Days Festival, visit the festival’s website.
