April 5, 2019 Homewood Event Series: Fuel Up Join Operation Better Block this April and May for the Fuel Up, Redd Up, Get Up event series (4/12, 20, & 5/5). *The calendar information for this event page links with the April 12 event: Fuel Up* April 12: Fuel Up The series will kick off on April 12 with a free community dinner from 6 – 7:30 at the House of Manna. The dinner will feature vendors, food, music, community discussion, and more! To attend, you must register with NaTisha by calling 412.731.1908 or by visiting the Operation Better Block office. April 20: Redd Up The series continues on April 20 with an annual clean-up day claimed by the phrase “Redd Up.” This will be a day of volunteering for all to go out and clean the streets and sidewalks of Homewood. Sign-ins and tool pickups will start at 9 a.m. in the YMCA basketball court. The day will end with lunch at 11:30 a.m. For calendar information on this event, visit its event page. May 5: Get Up The series will close on May 5 by gathering to cheer on the marathon runners as they make their way through the Homewood community. Volunteer sign-ups will be available for the marathon through Camille via phone at 412.731.1908 or by visiting the Operation Better Block office. Volunteers will provide your name and t-shirt size and will meet in front of the Homewood House from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. For calendar information on this event, visit its event page. More Information For more information, visit the series’ event page.
March 27, 2019 P.R.I.D.E. Seeks Early Educators & Artists for Upcoming Art Festivals Recently, the Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education program (P.R.I.D.E.) announced a call for submissions to Pittsburgh-based early childhood educators and Africana artists for the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals. About the Festivals Modeled after children’s activities offered during the popular Harambee || Black Arts Festivals, P.R.I.D.E. Pop Ups are small, half-day, outdoor art festivals hosted in three Pittsburgh communities: East Liberty, Homewood, and the Hill District. At the festivals, artists and educators engage young children (ages 3 to 8) and their families in hands-on activities. The goal is for adults to use art activities to teach children about their race and culture while building their positive racial identity. To see important dates and learn more, visit the P.R.I.D.E. website. Who Can Apply This call for submissions is open to early educators teaching grades Pre-K to 3rd grade and Africana artists working in the following disciplines: Literature, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Crafts, and/or Multidisciplinary Arts. Applications are open to early childhood educators from all neighborhoods, schools, and child care settings, including public, private, charter, etc. Educators working in East Liberty, Homewood, and Hill District schools/settings are highly encouraged to apply. Participating educators and artists will receive the following compensation: Educator and Artist Cross-Training Compensation: $275 Educator and Artist Festival Participation Compensation: $260 per event ($780 total) End-of-Project Focus Group Participation Compensation: $25 Artist Material Stipend: $400 Application & Deadlines If you’re interested in applying or signing up as a volunteer, please visit the P.R.I.D.E. website. All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 5 at 11:59 p.m. About P.R.I.D.E. As a part of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education’s Office of Child Development, P.R.I.D.E. is a multifaceted program designed to help young African American children (ages 3 to 8) develop a positive racial identity, support teachers and parents by building their racial knowledge, and raise awareness of the impact of race on young children. The program provides a range of services, such as training opportunities for educators and artists, Parent Village sessions for Black children, and art festivals created to immerse young Black children in a space designed to celebrate them. See the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals flyer. *Information provided by the P.R.I.D.E. Program
January 17, 2019 Community Check-Up Community Check-Up is a satellite clinic of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Every second and fourth Wednesday, an advanced practice provider and pediatrician see children and young adults ages birth–26 years old (birthday). Services include: Asthma and Allergy Care Check-Ups Driver Permit Physicals Hearing and Vision Screenings Immunizations and Flu Shots Lead and Anemia Screenings Mental Health Services and Resources Needs-Based Resources Sports Physicals WIC Forms Schedule an Appointment To schedule an appointment, call 412.310.7114. The last appointment begins at 3:30 p.m. Share this flyer with your networks.
November 16, 2018 NAEYC Invites ECE Professionals to #ProtectFamilies In today’s world, each new day brings an onslaught of information, images, data, and stories. While immigrant families with young children may cycle in and out of the front pages, the need for early childhood educators from all backgrounds to stand together to protect and support them continues to capture our time and attention. As an active member of the Protecting Immigrant Families campaign, NAEYC continues to stand against family separation, and to stand in opposition to the new proposed regulation on “public charge,” which they believe would punish parents and harm children. With stories of two-year-olds in court and tent cities on the border, NAEYC remains deeply concerned about what has happened and what will happen to the hundreds of children still separated from their families, as well as what will happen to the families yet to be detained. Opportunities to Stay Informed and Advocate Watch this webinar from NAEYC and CLASP that outlines the roles and responsibilities early childhood educators have in working with immigrant families. Write comments in opposition to the public charge regulation. Learn more and, if you are ready, submit your comments today. You can also wait until NAEYC is able to share additional templates and language specific to early childhood education and educators. (Stay tuned, and check out this great Q & A from CLASP for the early childhood community in the meantime!) Support Save the Children, which has partnered with the American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) Immigration Justice Campaign, and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to assist family reunification efforts. Vote and pledge to vote by taking part in the “Our Votes. Their Futures.” campaign. Speak Up, Speak Out If you believe in a world in which all young children can thrive and learn, our society must be dedicated to ensuring that they reach their full potential. This world does not include incarcerating children, separating them from their families, or forcing families to stop accessing critical services and supports because they are afraid. Rather, NAEYC understands and upholds the bonds between children and their families, and, as advocates, calls for individuals to speak up and out to defend those bonds. Recognize the power of your voice and actions, and stay engaged as NAEYC members move forward on this and many other issues facing our children, families, and educators. *Information provided by NAEYC*
