GLR Week 2021 july 26 – 30
State Events
alabama
MONDAY, JULY 26, 12:45–1 PM ET
Bright Spots in Alabama: Learning Outside of the Classroom
Tune in as Judge Biggers shares Learning Outside of the Classroom strategies implemented by the Macon Campaign for Grade-Level Reading coalition to improve grade-level reading.
Speaker
- Honorable Deborah Biggers, District Judge, Macon Children’s Policy Council
Bright Spots in Alabama: Health, Wellness and Early Literacy
Learn how Alabama expanded Reach Out and Read to five counties across the state and the initiative’s impact on brain and language development, family engagement, immunizations and well checkups.
Speakers
- Dr. Marsha Raulerson, Pediatrician, Reach Out and Read – Alabama
- Amy Crosby, Statewide Coordinator, Reach Out and Read – Alabama
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 11:30–11:45 AM ET
Bright Spots in Alabama: Family Engagement and English Language Learners (ELL)
Learn how the Jefferson, Alabama, Campaign for Grade-Level Reading coalition is using strong existing partnerships for family engagement and leveraging those strengths to meet the needs of ELL students through proposed literacy projects.
Speakers
- Melissa Niven, Jefferson Children’s Policy Council
- Amy Crosby, Statewide Coordinator, Reach Out and Read – Alabama
Bright Spots in Alabama: Birth to Eight Systems (Pre-K) and an Overview of the Alabama Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Learn about Alabama’s advancements in First Class Pre-K and the measures for success framework for the Alabama Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
Speaker
- Dr. Barbara J. Cooper, Secretary, Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
FRIDAY, JULY 30, 12–12:15 PM ET
Bright Spots in Alabama: Family Engagement
Learn how the Randolph Campaign for Grade-Level Reading coalition will use the Parent Project curriculum to engage parents in improving truancy and chronic absenteeism for students in first through third grade.
Speaker
- Honorable Amy Newsome, Judge, Randolph Children’s Planning Council
arizona
Tuesday, July 27, 1–2:30 PM ET
The Science of Reading & Why It Matters: Three State Perspectives
Join state leaders and practitioners from Arizona, Mississippi and Oregon for a thought-provoking discussion around the science of reading. Participants will hear unique perspectives from literacy leaders in three different states as they share their experience with integrating the science of reading into literacy instruction from the community level to the state-level. From practical implementation and issues of equity to policy, panelists will share successes, challenges and lessons learned as they walk participants through how the science of reading has influenced and shaped their state’s literacy journey. This event will also feature a breakout session by state, allowing participants to ask questions and have a more intimate conversation with the experts. Participants will leave the discussion inspired to examine additional ways to prioritize the science of reading in literacy instruction within their own communities.
Panel Moderator
- Terri Clark, Arizona Literacy Director, Read On Arizona
State Panelists
Arizona:
- Kaitlin Harrier, Policy Advisor, Education, Office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey
- Sean Ross, Deputy Associate Superintendent of High Academic Standards, Arizona Department of Education
Mississippi:
- Angela Rutherford, Director, Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, University of Mississippi
- Kristen Wynn, State Literacy Director (K-12), MS Department of Education
Oregon:
- Holly Mar-Conte, Chief Strategy Officer, United Way of Lane County
- Marina Merrill, Director of Research & Strategy, Children’s Institute
- Panel Moderator: Terri Clark, Arizona Literacy Director, Read On Arizona
california
Monday, July 26, 1 PM ET
California Readin’ — With the Right Teaching, Every Student Reading Isn’t a Dream
By many standards, California lags the nation in reading, especially for the low-income students of color who make up half of California’s six million students. But changes are happening, especially at the local level, as school and district leaders focus on better reading curriculum and instruction to move the needle on student achievement. This panel features five leaders from across the Golden State, sharing their progress for putting every student on the reading path.
Moderator
- Robert Scheffield, President, Consortium on Reaching Excellence in Education (CORE)
Panelists
- Kareem Weaver, Oakland Full and Complete Reading is a Universal Mandate (FULCRUM) / NAACP
- Leslie Zoroya, Literacy Coordinator, Los Angeles County Office of Education
- Sharon Dunn, Consultant, Panama-Buena Vista Unified School District
- Margaret Goldberg, Co-Founder, Right to Read Project
- Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent, Pajaro Valley Unified School District
Wednesday, July 28, 1 PM ET
PBS SoCal: Math and Family Engagement
Join us to learn about PBS SoCal’s Family Math program, designed to help families with children ages 2-5 uncover the joy of math in everyday experiences. In this session, PBS SoCal will highlight a family engagement model that integrates parents and caregivers into their children’s learning community and provides positive math experiences so children can see themselves as mathematical thinkers and doers. PBS SoCal will share bilingual math resources and tools, including self-paced learning experiences and digital content, to promote meaningful and playful family math interactions within your classrooms and programs.
Speakers
- Carla Pinedo, Digital Producer, PBS Southern California
- Frances Zazueta, Early Learning Manager, PBS Southern California
Thursday, July 29 5:30 PM ET
K-Ready Promotora Program
The goal of K-Ready is to help Spanish-speaking families prepare their children for transitional kindergarten or kindergarten and support them in their first year of school. K-Ready offers one-on-one support, education and coaching from community educators known as promotoras. Promotoras work with parents to connect them with their school district and with community services, provide education and coaching around parenting and school readiness, and teach literacy, self-regulation and other needed skills. This session will share learnings and takeaways from the most recent year of K-Ready, based on reports by the promotoras, teachers of participating students, and parents, and plans for the near future.
Speakers
- Laura Brown Executive Director,Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation
- Tara House, Coordinator of English Learner Programs and Accountability, Tahoe Truckee Unified School District
connecticut
Monday, July 26
Transforming Education During the Pandemic and Beyond
Recorded session from the 2021 Childhood Conversations Together We Will Virtual Conference
Based on his latest book, Ten Big Bets: Transforming Education During the Pandemic and Beyond, Dr. Gil Noam introduces some core topics that are of particular importance for educators and afterschool practitioners not only in the difficult times during the pandemic but also during the productive years of rebuilding ahead. Those who watch the recording of this workshop can apply this transformational framework, evidence-based findings and concrete recommendations to their professional roles in educational settings — all in the service of building more resilient school and afterschool settings in Connecticut and beyond.
Speaker
- Gil Noam Ed.D, Ph.D., Founder & Director of Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth (ISRY) at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Tuesday, July 27
Strengthening Families’ Support Systems, Helping Families Through the Transition After the Pandemic & Beyond
Recorded session from the 2021 Childhood Conversations Together We Will Virtual Conference
Families will need good information before returning their little ones to school or community programs. Learn how you can support families to reintegrate while building a solid system of support for their child’s future. Guidance comes from The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations Leadership Team’s Guide for Re-opening Programs and parents of children with special needs.
Speakers
- Jane Hampton-Smith, Co-Executive Director, CPAC, Inc.
- Adriana Fontaine, Early Childhood Programs Manager, CPAC, Inc.
Wednesday, July 28
Lessons From the Field: Parent Engagement Strategies
Recorded session from the 2021 Childhood Conversations Together We Will Virtual Conference
In this workshop, participants will explore strategies that move beyond common channels of family engagement. Randi McCray will share some creative strategies implemented by local early childhood collaboratives and parent organizing groups to remain connected during physical distancing during the pandemic. Participants will also explore opportunities to enhance current family engagement practices to support and uplift parent voices once we safely transition back to in-person social interactions.
Speaker
- Randi McCray, Social Justice & Equity Consultant
Thursday, July 29
Let’s Talk! A Time to Heal… A Time to Hope
Recorded session from the 2021 Childhood Conversations Together We Will Virtual Conference
Let’s talk about how families can face the challenges of our times through healing and hope. Please note, this session presents a facilitated discussion for families and caregivers and not clinical counseling. It focuses on: the family – the key to supporting our children during the COVID-19 and racial pandemic; unpacking tears and fears – the journey toward hope; engaging the whole family in self-care; and resources available at the State Education Resource Center.
Speaker
- Paquita Jarman-Smith, Consultant, State Education Resource Center of Connecticut
Friday, July 30
A Regional Approach to Supporting Basic Needs for Children & Families
Recorded session from the 2021 Childhood Conversations Together We Will Virtual Conference
The Northeast Early Childhood Council and our community partners in Northeast Connecticut are part of a long-standing regional effort to support children and families through various programs that address basic human needs. By building strong relationships with key partners in our communities, we assess needs, coordinate efforts and share resources, skills and ideas. In working together, our region has created programs, services and resources to meet families’ basic needs like the Northeast Regional Family Resource Guide, Killingly Free Community Store, IHSP Diaper Bank, Developmental Screenings, Vision Screenings, Emergency Food programs and more.
Speakers
- Kristine Cicchetti, Northeast Early Childhood Council
- Emily Ross, McKinney Vento Liaison
Friday, July 30
Fun-Friday Bonus Video!
The Connecticut Children’s Collective highlights in this video all of the hard work and dedication its local early childhood councils demonstrated before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Thirty-six local partners, representing 45 towns and cities, can make a powerful impact in the lives of children and families throughout Connecticut.
delaware
Thursday, July 29, 11–12:30 PM ET
Mind Over Matter: Preparing Students to Return to School
The COVID-19 pandemic, in connection with civil unrest and chronic community violence, has led to social, emotional and mental trauma in students, and created barriers to education success, whether in-person or virtually. During this session we will hear evidence-based best practices from a panel of experts and a parent on strategies to assist students in preparing to return to learning and engage in school for the 2021–2022 school year.
Moderator
- Ken Livingston, Director, Get Delaware Reading — United Way of Delaware
Speakers
- Teri Lawler, Trauma-Informed Practices and Social Emotional Learning, Office of Equity and Innovation, Delaware Department of Education
- Julius Mullen, Chief Clinical Officer, Children and Families First
district of columbia
Wednesday, July 14, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM ET
Speaker Series: Early Childhood Workforce Development
This virtual, moderated conversation took place in advance of GLR Week 2021 and focused on early childhood workforce development through a regional and cross-sector lens. Moderated by children’s advocate and Venture Philanthropy Partners and Raise DC Board member Wendy Goldberg, panelists discussed the challenges of early childhood workforce development and addressed how each of their respective organizations is involved in this work.
Speakers
- Jermaine Johnson, Regional President, The PNC Financial Services Group
- Martine Sadarangani Gordon, Vice President of Programs, Washington Area Women’s Foundation
- Kim R. Ford, President and CEO, Martha’s Table
- Marica Cox-Mitchell, Bainum Family Foundation, Director of Early Childhood
- Anne-Marie Twohie, Director of the Fairfax County Office for Children
florida
Monday, July 26–Thursday, July 29
No Small Matter Documentary Screening
The documentary No Small Matter will be available for a free public screening 24/7! Share with anyone who has not yet seen this powerful film on the importance of early learning.
Register »
Passcode to watch: GLRweek2021
Tuesday, July 27, 11–12 PM ET
Florida Representative Roundtable Discussion
The Florida GLR Campaign will welcome Representative Vance Aloupis, Representative Erin Grall and Representative Dana Trabulsy to a conversation moderated by the Florida Children’s Council CEO, Michele Watson. The discussion will include the details of the early learning/early grade success, book distribution and student literacy bills passed in the 2021 Legislative Session, plus guidance on how to become more involved in the implementation of these bills.
Moderator
- Michele Watson, Chief Executive Officer, Florida Children’s Council
Speakers
- Representative Vance Aloupis, District 115, Florida House of Representatives
- Representative Erin Grall, District 54, Florida House of Representatives
- Representative Dana Trabulsy, District 84, Florida House of Representatives
Thursday, July 29, 10:30–11:45 AM ET
Engaging Elected Officials and Business Leaders in Local GLR Campaigns
GLR Campaign communities, business leaders and elected officials are joining forces to help advocate for early learning, early grade success and third-grade reading proficiency. Collaboration among local leaders is expanding across Florida as joint visions allow for strategic reading intervention strategies, outcome evaluation, and advocacy and policy development. Join us as our panelists discuss their early learning and early literacy goals and ways that business executives and elected officials can engage to support local GLR Campaign efforts.
Moderator
- Jenn Faber, GLR Campaign Director, Florida
Speakers
- Commissioner Beam Furr, District 6, Broward County
- Representative Fred Hawkins Jr., District 42, Florida House of Representatives
- Tina Certain, District 1, Alachua School Board Member
- Kyle Baltuch, Senior Vice President, Economic Opportunity and Early Learning, Florida Chamber Foundation
Thursday, July 29, 1–2 PM ET
Florida Gap Map Walkthrough
Join Dr. Jerry Parrish, Chief Economist and Director of Research, and Kyle Baltuch, Senior Vice President – Economic Opportunity and Early Learning, Florida Chamber Foundation, as they walk us through the newly expanded Florida Gap Map. The Gap Map brings together the important work of the Florida Prosperity Project and the Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Project. This online tool gives business and community leaders throughout Florida important information on the schools in their community, including the poverty rate for children under 18 and under 12 in each zip code, as well as identifying all public elementary schools’ third-grade reading scores and the number of individual children meeting that benchmark. Learn how your GLR community can utilize this helpful tool in supporting third-grade reading efforts across Florida!
Speakers
- Jerry Parrish, Chief Economist and Director of Research, Florida Chamber Foundation
- Kyle Baltuch, Senior Vice President – Economic Opportunity and Early Learning, Florida Chamber Foundation
Friday, July 30, 1–2:00 PM ET
Attendance Awareness PSA
Join the Florida GLR Campaign as we host Hedy Chang, Executive Director and President of Attendance Works, and Indian River Schools Superintendent, Dr. David Moore, as they share current attendance data along with outreach and engagement strategies necessary for promoting good student attendance as we return to school this fall. The Florida GLR Campaign will also debut our new Attendance Awareness public service announcement during this webinar and share more on our collaboration efforts with the Florida PTA Florida Attendance Campaign for Student Success.
Speakers
- Hedy Chang, Executive Director and President, Attendance Works
- David Moore, Superintendent, School District of Indian River County
georgia
Tuesday, July 27, 9–10:30 AM ET
Language as a Missing Link & Missed Opportunity
Join the Florida GLR Campaign as we host Hedy Chang, Executive Director and President of Attendance Works, and Indian River Schools Superintendent, Dr. David Moore, as they share current attendance data along with outreach and engagement strategies necessary for promoting good student attendance as we return to school this fall. The Florida GLR Campaign will also debut our new Attendance Awareness public service announcement during this webinar and share more on our collaboration efforts with the Florida PTA Florida Attendance Campaign for Student Success.
Speaker
- Emily Rubin, MS, CCC-SLP, Director of Communication Crossroads, Inc.
Tuesday, July 27, 1–2:30 PM ET
The Basics Chattahoochee Valley
Eighty percent of brain development happens during the first three years of a child’s life, making this time critical to children’s literacy and development. Founded on research by Dr. Ron Ferguson and the Achievement Gap Initiative, The Basics are five simple and evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles designed to give children ages 0–3 the best possible start in life and promote their intellectual, behavioral and emotional well-being. The Chattahoochee Valley became the first community in Georgia to adopt The Basics in 2019 as part of a global Basics Movement and has demonstrated strong successes since launch. This presentation will share how The Basics came to the Chattahoochee Valley, their cross-sectoral strategy in community-wide implementation of The Basics, and how partners use The Basics as one of their tools to promote early literacy and child development, particularly in the health care sector.
Speakers
- Garrett Cook, Collective Impact Grant Coordinator, Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy
- Grace Nagel, Director of The Basics Chattahoochee Valley, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley
- Jennifer St. John, Vice President of Community Initiatives, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley
- Susan McWhirter, Basics Healthcare Champion, Rivertown Pediatric
Friday, July 30, 1–2:30 PM ET
Get Georgia Reading Coffee Chat: Exploring the Link Between Early Literacy and Equity
We know that children who don’t meet third-grade reading proficiency standards are four to six times more likely to drop out of high school, be incarcerated, suffer poor health outcomes and face a host of negative quality of life issues. In our second coffee chat, we will begin to explore the potential of early literacy as a strategy to promote equity, and highlight Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, where leaders are using the Four Pillar framework to bring intentionality to this work.
Speakers
- Coming Soon
hawaiʻi
Wednesday, July 28, 3–4:30 PM ET — Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been rescheduled to early fall 2021. Please check the Early Childhood Action Strategy’s website in early fall for additional information.
Integrating Behavioral Health Into Early Childhood Programs
Your input, knowledge and creative solutions are requested! Please join us for a Peer Consultancy on Hawaiʻi’s Early Childhood Behavioral Health strategy. We will share briefly about Hawaiʻi’s first Hawaiʻi Integrated Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health Plan, first steps and anticipated systems’ barriers. We then hope to engage with the audience around solutions to some of the barriers and learn about what is working in your communities! The mental health impacts of COVID19 have impacted families across the globe, with anticipated social and emotional development delays in our youngest children. The time is now to build the system of support our families need. Representatives from Hawaiʻi’s State Department of Health, Head Start, Hawaiʻi Association of Infant Mental Health, families and partner organizations will participate in the panel discussion. We look forward to sharing with and learning from you!
A link to the government-nongovernment plan can be found here.
illinois
Thursday, July 29, 12–1:30 PM ET
Partnerships Matter: How Schools and Communities Stepped Up to Support Kids and Families During the Pandemic
Private to Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois GLR communities
A panel of state and school district leaders, GLR community leads and funders from Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois will highlight efforts over the past 15 months and look ahead to strengthening these partnerships. This engaging session will include a video with cameos from GLR communities.
Speakers
- Amy Williamson, Deputy Director, Iowa Department of Education
Council Bluffs, IA
- Samantha Emerine, Director of Literacy Initiatives, Family Inc.
Dubuque, IA
- Shirley Horstman, Executive Director, Student Services, Dubuque Community Schools
- Paul Duster, Director of Community Initiatives, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Marshalltown, IA
- Theron Schutte, Ph.D., Superintendent, Marshalltown Community Schools
- Alison Wilson, Director, Family Development, Mid-Iowa Community Action Agency
Omaha, NE
- Martha Bruckner, Ph.D., Executive Director, Metropolitan Omaha Education Consortium
Quad Cities, IL
- Alex Kolker, Community Impact and Data Director, United Way of the Quad Cities
- Mike Oberhaus, Vice President Talent and Administration, Quad Cities Chamber
Sioux City, IA
- Brian Burnight, Ed.D., Director of Elementary Education, Sioux City Community School District
- Matt Ohman, Executive Director, Siouxland Human Investment Partnership
iowa
Thursday, July 29, 12:30–2 PM ET
Partnerships Matter: How Schools and Communities Stepped Up to Support Kids and Families During the Pandemic
Private to Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois GLR communities
A panel of state and school district leaders, GLR community leads and funders from Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois will highlight efforts over the past 15 months and look ahead to strengthening these partnerships. This engaging session will include a video with cameos from GLR communities.
Speakers
- Amy Williamson, Deputy Director, Iowa Department of Education
Council Bluffs, IA
- Samantha Emerine, Director of Literacy Initiatives, Family Inc.
Dubuque, IA
- Shirley Horstman, Executive Director, Student Services, Dubuque Community Schools
- Paul Duster, Director of Community Initiatives, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Marshalltown, IA
- Theron Schutte, Ph.D., Superintendent, Marshalltown Community Schools
- Alison Wilson, Director, Family Development, Mid-Iowa Community Action Agency
Omaha, NE
- Martha Bruckner, Ph.D., Executive Director, Metropolitan Omaha Education Consortium
Quad Cities, IL
- Alex Kolker, Community Impact and Data Director, United Way of the Quad Cities
- Mike Oberhaus, Vice President Talent and Administration, Quad Cities Chamber
Sioux City, IA
- Brian Burnight, Ed.D., Director of Elementary Education, Sioux City Community School District
- Matt Ohman, Executive Director, Siouxland Human Investment Partnership
Thursday, July 29, 6–8 PM ET
Talking With Children About Bias & Race
As part of the Science Center of Iowa’s exhibit on “The Bias Inside Us,” we are partnering with Sesame Street in Communities to host a training on Thursday, July 29, from 6–8 p.m. This free virtual workshop will share resources to develop children’s understanding, curiosity, resilience and empathy to prepare for the task of building a better world.
This training is led by Sesame Street in Communities in partnership with the Iowa Alliance for Healthy Kids and the Science Center of Iowa.
massachusetts
Monday, July 26 – Thursday, July 29
Looking Back to Look Forward in Massachusetts: Lessons Learned, Highlights of Progress Made, Examples of Impact and Opportunities for ACTION
Join us for a discussion with leaders from Springfield and Haverhill — two of the GLR Network communities in Massachusetts as we recognize GLR Week 2021. We will share lessons learned, highlights of progress made, examples of impact and opportunities for ACTION.
Speakers
- Chrissy Howard, Reading Success by 4th Grade, Springfield, Massachusetts
- Tyeshia Weir and Melissa Blissett, Parents from Springfield, Massachusetts
- Jenny Arndt, Campaign Director, Haverhill Promise, Haverhill, Massachusetts
- Representative Andy Vargas, Third Essex, MA House of Representatives
- Amy O’Leary, Strategies for Children, Moderator
mississippi
Tuesday, July 27, 1–2:30 PM ET
The Science of Reading & Why It Matters: Three State Perspectives
Join state leaders and practitioners from Arizona, Mississippi and Oregon for a thought-provoking discussion around the science of reading. Participants will hear unique perspectives from literacy leaders in three different states as they share their experience with integrating the science of reading into literacy instruction from the community level to the state-level. From practical implementation and issues of equity to policy, panelists will share successes, challenges and lessons learned as they walk participants through how the science of reading has influenced and shaped their state’s literacy journey. This event will also feature a breakout session by state, allowing participants to ask questions and have a more intimate conversation with the experts. Participants will leave the discussion inspired to examine additional ways to prioritize the science of reading in literacy instruction within their own communities.
Panel Moderator
- Terri Clark, Arizona Literacy Director, Read On Arizona
State Panelists
Arizona:
- Kaitlin Harrier, Policy Advisor, Education, Office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey
- Sean Ross, Deputy Associate Superintendent of High Academic Standards, Arizona Department of Education
Mississippi:
- Angela Rutherford, Director, Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, University of Mississippi
- Kristen Wynn, State Literacy Director (K-12), MS Department of Education
Oregon:
- Holly Mar-Conte, Chief Strategy Officer, United Way of Lane County
- Marina Merrill, Director of Research & Strategy, Children’s Institute
- Panel Moderator: Terri Clark, Arizona Literacy Director, Read On Arizona
missouri
Wednesday, July 28, 11 AM–12 PM ET
Introducing Missouri’s Office of Childhood and Pre-K Hubs
Meet Pam Thomas from the newly created Office of Childhood and learn about the Office’s services under the Missouri’s Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. Deanna Finch, Executive Director of United 4 Children, and Jovanna Rohs, Director of Early Learning at the Mid-America Regional Council, will also discuss the new Missouri Regional Hub Model.
Speakers
- Pam Thomas, Director, Missouri’s Office of Childhood
- Deanna Finch, Executive Director, United 4 Children (St. Louis)
- Jovanna Rohs, Director of Early Learning and Head Start, Mid-America Regional Council (Kansas City)
Wednesday, July 28, 2–3 PM ET
Resources for Attendance Awareness Campaigns
Learn how to access free materials to help promote school attendance this fall. Presenters, including representatives from Attendance Works and the United Way of Greater Kansas City, will provide an overview of available resources and attendance campaign communications plans.
Speakers
- Hedy Chang, Executive Director and President, Attendance Works
- Tricia Johnson, the United Way of Greater Kansas City
montana
Wednesday, July 28, 1–2:30 PM ET
Elementary Jump Start
Join us at Newman Elementary School as we promote reading and help the Jump Start students get ready for school! Jump Start is a school-based program for incoming kindergartners who might need additional support in preparing to start school.
Youth Volunteer Corps participants from United Way of Yellowstone County will join Jump Start students to encourage and support reading along with school success. YVC participants will also build “Jump Start Bags,” which will include a variety of educational tips and resources for the students to take home.
nebraska
Thursday, July 29, 12:30–2 ET
Partnerships Matter: How Schools and Communities Stepped Up to Support Kids and Families During the Pandemic
Private to Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois GLR communities
A panel of state and school district leaders, GLR community leads and funders from Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois will highlight efforts over the past 15 months and look ahead to strengthening these partnerships. This engaging session will include a video with cameos from GLR communities.
Speakers
- Amy Williamson, Deputy Director, Iowa Department of Education
Council Bluffs, IA
- Samantha Emerine, Director of Literacy Initiatives, Family Inc.
Dubuque, IA
- Shirley Horstman, Executive Director, Student Services, Dubuque Community Schools
- Paul Duster, Director of Community Initiatives, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Marshalltown, IA
- Theron Schutte, Ph.D., Superintendent, Marshalltown Community Schools
- Alison Wilson, Director, Family Development, Mid-Iowa Community Action Agency
Omaha, NE
- Martha Bruckner, Ph.D., Executive Director, Metropolitan Omaha Education Consortium
Quad Cities, IL
- Alex Kolker, Community Impact and Data Director, United Way of the Quad Cities
- Mike Oberhaus, Vice President Talent and Administration, Quad Cities Chamber
Sioux City, IA
- Brian Burnight, Ed.D., Director of Elementary Education, Sioux City Community School District
- Matt Ohman, Executive Director, Siouxland Human Investment Partnership
new york
Wednesday, July 28, 10–11:30 AM ET
New York State Communities Roundtable: Learning Loss and Acceleration
This will not be a session where we talk at you, we truly want to learn from and with you.
This session is designed to bring together the 10 GLR Network communities in New York to share a story, program/initiative or best practice associated with COVID learning loss, recovery and acceleration. From practical implementation to policy and systems change, communities are invited to share successes, challenges and lessons learned as they walk participants through their priorities for summer programming and school year reopening. This event will also feature a deeper dive by UWNYC (United Way of New York City) and one other NYS community, allowing participants to ask questions and have a more intimate conversation while examining data. Participants will leave the discussion with best practices, resources, new relationships and connections to collaborate in the future.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We are aiming to have 100% of the 10 New York State GLR communities represented and have created time in the agenda for five-minute share outs from each community. Please come prepared to share community best practices, successes and/or challenges.
north carolina
Tuesday, July 27, 12–1 PM ET
Making Way for Families: Reflections From Literacy Partners in Durham County, NC
Literacy partners in Durham County, North Carolina, are collaborating in innovative ways to support parents and caregivers as decision-makers, advocates and community leaders. In this panel discussion, four partners participating in Durham’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading coalition will highlight how parent leadership and engagement are key in creating narrative change, driving equitable processes and creating impactful programs. Panelists will highlight successes and challenges through various county-wide processes and literacy programs, including book boxes, a summer library and distribution program, and parent engagement in the county’s Early Childhood Action Planning process. Parents will also share their experiences.
Speakers
- Caitlyn Bergmann, Book Bank Manager, Book Harvest
- Cate Elander, Early Childhood Coordinator, Durham County Cooperative Extension
- Karlene Fyffe Phillips, Manager, Family Literacy and Community Services, Durham County Library
- Katie Starr, Program Coordinator of Community Initiatives, Durham’s Partnership for Children
- Moderator: Lisa Finaldi, Community Engagement Leader, NC Early Childhood Foundation
ohio
Wednesday, July 28, 10 AM ET; 6–8 PM ET
Turning Everyday Moments Into Playful Learning — Play On Purpose Unveiling in Montgomery County
The Press Event will be held at 10 a.m. to reveal our first “POP” Spot — the Mosaic of Hope, a 400-square-foot mosaic with early childhood games embedded within. Speakers will include representatives from Learn to Earn Dayton, the Hope Center for Families, Montgomery County Commission, Artists of the mosaic and a local family.
The Community Celebration will be that evening from 6–8 p.m. We will have fun food and games for families with young children, community members, and all of the many volunteers who volunteered more than 150 hours over the last three months to put the mosaic together.
oregon
Tuesday, July 27, 1–2:30 PM ET
The Science of Reading & Why It Matters: Three State Perspectives
Join state leaders and practitioners from Arizona, Mississippi and Oregon for a thought-provoking discussion around the science of reading. Participants will hear unique perspectives from literacy leaders in three different states as they share their experience with integrating the science of reading into literacy instruction from the community level to the state-level. From practical implementation and issues of equity to policy, panelists will share successes, challenges, and lessons learned as they walk participants through how the science of reading has influenced and shaped their state’s literacy journey. This event will also feature a breakout session by state, allowing participants to ask questions and have a more intimate conversation with the experts. Participants will leave the discussion inspired to examine additional ways to prioritize the science of reading in literacy instruction within their own communities.
Panel Moderator
- Terri Clark, Arizona Literacy Director, Read On Arizona
State Panelists
Arizona:
- Kaitlin Harrier, Policy Advisor, Education, Office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey
- Sean Ross, Deputy Associate Superintendent of High Academic Standards, Arizona Department of Education
Mississippi:
- Angela Rutherford, Director, Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, University of Mississippi
- Kristen Wynn, State Literacy Director (K-12), MS Department of Education
Oregon:
- Holly Mar-Conte, Chief Strategy Officer, United Way of Lane County
- Marina Merrill, Director of Research & Strategy, Children’s Institute
- Panel Moderator: Terri Clark, Arizona Literacy Director, Read On Arizona
pennsylvania
Thursday, July 29, Time – Coming Soon
Million Minute Challenge — An Emerging Collaboration in Pennsylvania GLR Communities
Reading Challenge and Awareness Initiative aligned with Dr. Seuss / Read Across America Week.
Speakers
- Angela Zanelli, Vice President, Policy & Advocacy Campaign Director, Lehigh Valley Reads
Register: Coming Soon
south carolina
Wednesday, July 28, 10:30–11:15 AM ET
NiA Presents: The Little Garnet Gamecock (and The Mr. Darion Who Cried Tiger)
Tune into Richland Library’s Facebook page at 10:30 AM for a fun mashup of two classic tales. Mr. Darion and friends are trying to tell a story (or two). With help from Cocky’s Reading Express and a super Librarian, they share their own version of two classic tales, The Little Red Hen and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.
Speakers
- NiA Company, and Mr. Darion
tennessee
Tuesday, July 27, 1–2 PM ET
Supporting Literacy Through Family Partnerships for Marginalized and Immigrant Communities
The development of language and literacy are key foundations for social and emotional development, reading achievement, cognitive development and overall school success. The challenge for educators is that children’s early language and literacy environments often vary, with the amount and kind of experiences differing across families. Children bring to centers and schools a great variety of oral language levels; some speak more than one language while some are limited in a single language. Vocabulary banks can range from limited to very sophisticated. Many children have not been read to and were exposed to print primarily from the environment. The task of supporting the variety of needs that children bring to educators is often daunting due to shortage of materials, time, teacher preparedness, and family and community support.
To address these issues, Read to Succeed will feature Dr. Maria Trejo, a national and international consultant and coach in the areas of literacy, mathematics and program implementation pre-K to university. She will highlight suggestions for engaging families and community partnerships to enhance center or school literacy instruction. This session will review key skills and dispositions of early language and literacy development needed by all children, and specifically those who may be at risk of falling behind.
Speaker
- Maria Trejo, Consultant
Thursday, July 29, 1–2 PM ET
Using Parent Assets to Support Children’s Literacy Development
This Read to Succeed session will feature Klem-Mari Cajigas with Bringing Books to Life, Nashville Public Library. Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. As such, they are in the best position to positively affect their children’s literacy development. In this workshop, we will discuss how to highlight and deploy parents’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds as assets in their children’s literacy development.
Speaker
- Klem-Marí Cajigas, Nashville Public Library
texas
Wednesday, July 28, 10 AM–12:30 PM ET
Unraveling the Mystery of Texas Early Childhood Data
This session is private and intended for Texas communities only; if you would like to learn more or register, please reach out to megan.hall@uwtexas.org
United Ways of Texas and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) will co-host a series of virtual learning opportunities built specifically for Texas early childhood community collaboratives. Members of any community-based collaborative focused on young children throughout the state are invited, including DFPS-funded early childhood coalitions, Start Smart Texas (CGLR) collaboratives, Help Me Grow teams and local Early Matters groups. This monthly series began in April and concludes in July, and it offers an opportunity to hear from state experts on early childhood education, maternal/child health, child welfare and education data.
Participants can download the Participant Workbook built for this series with links to state data sources and activities to help community collaboratives integrate the data into their work. Communities that turn in their plans after the July session will be entered to win a gift card for treats for their next collaborative meeting!
Date and Time – Coming Soon
USVI Mixed Delivery System Working Session
Public
Facilitated working session in partnership with USVI PDG B5 Grant team (VI Dept. of Human Services and Caribbean Exploratory Research Center)
Speakers
- Coming Soon
Register: Coming Soon