Virtual Home Visits and Socialization Activities

News

May 27, 2020

Virtual Home Visits and Socialization Activities

Are you interested in learning how to plan virtual home visits and socialization activities with families? Join the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning (NCECDTL) on June 10 for their webinar, “Planning Virtual Home Visits and Socialization Activities with Families.”

About

In this webinar, participants will learn how to plan and individualize virtual home visits and socialization activities with families. Presenters will explore effective virtual engagement practices and review available resources to assist participants’ continued work with families. Both

This webinar is best suited for program directors; education managers; home visitors and their supervisors; teachers who are engaging virtually with children and families; and regional T/TA staff who support home visiting programs and home-based program staff. English and Spanish captioning will be available.

Featured Topics

    • Planning a developmentally appropriate virtual home visit as well as socialization activities with families.
    • Exploring tools to increase family engagement in home visits and socialization from a distance.
    • Reviewing resources to support home visitors and their work with families.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the Home Visiting Webinar Series webpage.

Let’s Move! Family Dance Party

News

May 20, 2020

Let’s Move! Family Dance Party

Join the Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) on May 30 for a 20-minute dance class and dance jam session! Let’s Move! Family Dance Party offers a low impact workout that the whole family can enjoy. This session will also feature a new coloring book page from KST’s archive of performances.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the Kelly Strayhorn Theater website!

Download the KST Coloring Book.

More Information

For questions, please contact the Kelly Strayhorn Theater at info@kelly-strayhorn.org or 412.363.3000.

Social Distancing in Early Care and Education: Feasible or Impossible?

News

May 19, 2020

Social Distancing in Early Care and Education: Feasible or Impossible?

Join the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW) on June 2 for, “Social Distancing in Early Care and Education: Feasible or Impossible?,” a one-hour discussion exploring issues around social distancing in early care and education programs.

About

During the webinar, participants will hear from Danette Glassy, MD, FAAP, pediatrician, about guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and discover practical strategies for implementation in a variety of early care programs. Webinar topics include:

    • CDC guidance for early care and education programs;
    • barriers to implementation within early care settings; and
    • strategies for early care and education programs to keep children and staff as safe as possible.

This event is best suited for Head Start program directors and health services staff; Head Start State Collaboration directors; child care resource and referral agencies; child care directors and health consultants; state public health departments; and nurses working with early care and education programs.

Registration

To register, visit the event page. The registration link can be used for both the live event and on-demand viewing.

A recording of the discussion will be available to watch on-demand 30 minutes after the event ends until June 15, 2020. A version with English closed captions will also be posted on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) in the coming weeks.

More Information

For questions, please contact NCECHW at 888.227.5125 or health@ecetta.info.

Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’

News

May 14, 2020

Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’

Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’

News

Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’

Join Trying Together on May 26 for our first virtual UnConference as we dive into topics that are relevant to child care centers as they begin to re-open to a ‘new normal’ due to the effects of COVID-19. A recording of this event will be available for those who are unable to attend.

UnConference Details

We are facing a “new normal” in our field that has never been envisioned before. COVID-19 has taken our state, our country, and our world on a tumultuous journey, invoking fear, anxiety, reflection, and change-making at unprecedented levels. As an early childhood educator, you are most likely thinking about how to continue supporting children and families while maintaining high-quality programming, business operations, and personal health for both you and your colleagues.

This free three-hour online UnConference will help you virtually connect with other educators while gaining information about the steps you can take to prepare for and respond to the effects of COVID-19 on early childhood programming. Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available.

About

UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’ will be hosted via Zoom. It begins with a “rapid-fire” keynote by four speakers, featuring Michelle Figlar of The Heinz Endowments, LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill of LaTrenda Consulting (and Board Member of Trying Together), Muffy Mendoza of Brown Mamas, and mental health expert Diana Schwab.

The keynote is followed by two workshops. Participants can choose from the following:

    • Coping with COVID – HR Thoughts and Tips for Child Care Centers,
    • Building Community and Connection with Digital Technologies,
    • How to Stay Healthy and Provide Safe Child Care During COVID-19, and
    • Everyday Interactions Matter: Noticing the Simple and Ordinary

Course Objectives

Through successful participation and completion of the UnConference, participants will:

    • become familiar with regional, state, and national resources to support child care programs in response to COVID-19;
    • gain appropriate strategies recommended for caring for young children and families in response to COVID-19, including health and safety practices and innovative ECE practices (social-emotional learning);
    • discuss appropriate strategies for supporting the early education workforce in response to COVID-19; and
    • learn how to create authentic connections with families and community members using digital tools.

Schedule

Each session will have its own Zoom link which will be provided to you upon registration. Upon completion of the UnConference, three hours of accredited professional development will be given.

1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: “Rapid Fire” Keynote featuring Michelle Figlar, LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill, Muffy Mendoza, and Diana Schwab

1:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Workshop #1 (choose between two options)

3:15 – 4:30 p.m.: Workshop #2 (choose between two options)

Available Workshops

There are four workshops provided for this UnConference. Two options are available between 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. and two other options are available between 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. View the list of workshops for the Virtual UnConference: Re-Opening to Our ‘New Normal’.

Registration

This virtual UnConference is free. Participants must pre-register for the UnConference by 3 p.m. on Monday, May 25 in order to receive links to each session via email. Visit the event page to register and learn more.

How to Virtually Attend

The sessions will be hosted using the web-based video conferencing platform Zoom. Please download Zoom prior to the UnConference to your device of choice. We will send you a Zoom link for the keynote as well as a Zoom link for each workshop based on what you select. A recording of this event will be available for those who are unable to attend.

How to Receive Credit

Three PQAS and Act 48 hours will be available. Participants must attend the UnConference and complete the survey at the end of each session (keynote and two workshops) in order to receive credit. Once completed, Jasmine Davis, Professional Learning Program Manager at Trying Together, will process your credit. If you have questions specific to receiving credit for coursework, please email Jasmine at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

More Information

For questions, please contact UnConference Director, Yu-Ling Cheng, at conference@tryingtogether.org.

Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time

News

May 13, 2020

Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time

Join the Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) from May 26 through June 5, 2020 for their Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time!

About

The Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time will offer relevant workshops to help professionals continue to provide quality programming for youth during this troubling time. This conference is open to any youth practitioners who desire to increase their skills in working with youth in out-of-school time programs or in mentoring relationships.

Available Workshops

The Virtual Conference will include the following workshops:

To register and learn more, utilize the links above or view the full conference agenda.

More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Jaron Paul at jaron.paul@unitedwayswpa.org.

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins

News

May 12, 2020

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. 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 the highlighted topic.

After registering, participants will receive a Zoom Meeting link via email from the session instructor. Each session will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered for these sessions.

Available Sessions

    • Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development
      Wednesday, 6/17 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Alison Babusci | Click here to register.
      The COVID-19 crisis has brought many new stressors into our lives. Participants will join Professional Growth and Advancement Strategist Alison Babusci to review how stress affects healthy brain development in children, learn about the brain’s response to stress, and talk about how early learning professionals can help our young children to cope.

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 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins

News

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins

Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. 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 the highlighted topic.

After registering, participants will receive a Zoom Meeting link via email from the session instructor. Each session will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered for these sessions.

Available Sessions

    • Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development
      Wednesday, 6/17 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Alison Babusci | Click here to register.
      The COVID-19 crisis has brought many new stressors into our lives. Participants will join Professional Growth and Advancement Strategist Alison Babusci to review how stress affects healthy brain development in children, learn about the brain’s response to stress, and talk about how early learning professionals can help our young children to cope.

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 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

Transform for Tomorrow – Virtual Series for School Leaders

News

May 7, 2020

Transform for Tomorrow – Virtual Series for School Leaders

Are you a superintendent or school leader who is interested in learning how schools might prepare for a post-COVID-19 educational environment? Attend “Transform for Tomorrow,” a virtual series for school leaders that explores how educational organizations can make plans for what comes next, no matter what tomorrow may bring.

About

As abruptly as COVID-19 has struck, educational leaders had no prior training on managing after this dramatic change. The purpose of the Transform for Tomorrow virtual series is to share and learn from one another during this unprecedented time and examine 11 topics that can help in managing this major paradigm shift in education. To view session topics, view the series flyer. Participants must attend all sessions.

To register, visit the event webpage. Sessions will continue from May through June, and will prepare participants for the still evolving environmental changes of the 2020 shift into 2021 school years. Come learn with us and share your experience.

More Information

For more information, contact Dr. Bart Rocco at rocco187@comcast.net or Dr. Billie Rondinelli at billejeanrondinelli@gmail.com. This virtual series is presented to you in Collaboration with Remake Learning, The Grable Foundation, and The Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

Share this flyer with your network. 

APOST Requests Virtual Summer Conference Workshop Submissions

News

April 28, 2020

APOST Requests Virtual Summer Conference Workshop Submissions

The Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) will be hosting a Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time from Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, June 5, 2020. At this time, APOST is accepting workshop submissions from education leaders. Continue reading below to learn more.

About

The Virtual Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time will target youth workers in out-of-school time and summer settings. This includes frontline staff, program managers, executive directors, mentors, and more. In regard to workshop submissions, APOST is looking for depth of experience and expertise rather than breadth.

With this, they strongly encourage workshops focused on the following themes:

    • social-emotional learning;
    • community trauma and trauma-informed care;
    • health and wellness in out-of-school time;
    • creating inclusive spaces in out-of-school time;
    • engaging children and parents during COVID-19;
    • how to speak to youth about COVID-19; and
    • ways to successfully implement virtual programming.

Workshop sizes will most likely not be capped as this event will be virtual, but facilitation preference will be left up to the presenters.

Submit Your Proposal

To learn more or submit a proposal, please complete APOST’s online form. All submissions must be received by Tuesday, May 5. Event hosts send out their final decision on Friday, May 8.

More Information

For questions or more information, contact APOST at 412.456.6876 or apost@uwac.org.