Arizona PBS Community Events Spring 2024

Arizona PBS is here to help you connect with your community, be more informed and explore new educational opportunities. Here are the communities our team visited this winter!

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Early Childhood Education (ECE) Spring Training

March 2, 2024 • On the Yavapai College Clarkdale Campus, 35 attendees participated in a three-hour ECE Spring Training Day, a free professional development event. To ensure participants received credit for the training, they were required to attend the entire event. Due to limited capacity, only individuals who had registered through the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry were eligible to participate. This event aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of ECE professionals, fostering their growth and effectiveness in the field.

Training for early educators

Yuma Early Childhood Educators’ Community

March 21, 2024 • Yuma Early Childhood Educators gathered for a Community of Practice event focused on the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL). The event provided a collaborative environment where educators worked together, sharing insights and strategies to enhance their understanding and implementation of social and emotional learning in early childhood education.

Two women are engaged in reviewing and discussing a document during a training session.
Four women seated across a table, closely examining documents and taking notes during a training session.

Be My Neighbor Day 2024

March 25, 2024 • The Thrive By Five Play Festival and Daniel Tiger’s Be My Neighbor Day brought joy and excitement to 3,000 children and their families. The event featured a variety of fun activities, interactive play zones, and educational experiences designed to promote early childhood development. Families enjoyed meeting Daniel Tiger and engaging in community-building activities, creating a memorable day filled with learning and laughter. The festival emphasized the importance of early education and neighborhood connections, fostering a supportive and vibrant community for young children and their families.

A father and son smile for a photo with Daniel Tiger
A mom and her two kids have fun with paper masks at Be My Neighbor Day 2024
Kids working with art and crayons

Early Childhood Career and Scholarship Outreach

March 27, 2024 • At Deer Valley High School’s College and Career Fair, we participated in an initiative focused on early childhood education careers and scholarships. The event aimed to inspire students and encouraged collaborative engagements coupled with resource sharing at key meetings. Direct interactions with students, coupled with follow-up efforts for dual enrollment scholarship opportunities, highlighted the commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering educational excellence in Pinal County.

Kid interacting in career fair

Payson Job Fair

March 28, 2024 • In Payson, we networked with key stakeholders in the child care sector. This outreach culminated in attendance at the inaugural Payson Job Fair, strategically designed to initially cater to Juniors and Seniors in high school before opening its doors to the wider community. This inclusive approach not only facilitated career opportunities for students but also fostered community engagement and collaboration.

Payson Job fair

Family + Community Learning Workshop Series

April 4, 2024 • The Guadalupe Branch Library recently hosted an engaging event to kick off the CPB Ready to Learn Molly of Denali FCL (Family + Community Learning) series. Attendees were immersed in an afternoon filled with learning, exploration and fun. The session began with an introduction to “Molly of Denali,” prompting participants to reflect on how Alaskan Native Values resonate with their own lives. Interactive activities, including playing the PBS KIDS fishing game, and shared reading sessions captivated both children and families, fostering a sense of togetherness and learning.

Kids participate in crafts at the Family + Community Learning event
A girl showing her drawing
Two children standing beside a cardboard cutout of a girl.
Two children standing beside a cardboard cutout of a girl.

Week of the Young Child

April 5, 2024 • In the spirit of the Week of the Young Child, an exhilarating event unfolded at the White Mountain Apache Christian Church in Cibecue, AZ. Participants, including representatives from Delta Dental and PNC Bank, as well as the beloved character Clifford the Big Red Dog, braved the windy weather to celebrate the importance of early childhood development. Against the backdrop of northern Arizona’s scenic beauty, attendees engaged in a variety of activities aimed at nurturing young minds and fostering community bonds. With the support of Arizona PBS, the event provided a platform for educational enrichment and joyful exploration.

Two women posing with Clifford

Early Childhood Awareness Resource Fair

April 13, 2024 • Lake Havasu witnessed a heartwarming event dedicated to nurturing the social and emotional development of its youngest residents. Hosted by the Lake Havasu Unified School District in collaboration with First Things First Play and Learn, the Early Childhood Awareness Resource Fair provided a platform for families and caregivers to explore a multitude of resources aimed at supporting the holistic growth of children.

Students participating in exercises to enhance social emotional skills.
An organized chaos of papers spread out on a table surface.

Yuma’s Early Educator Conference

April 20, 2024 • In Yuma, AZ, the Early Childhood Educator Conference, led by Yanira Martinez, a Program Manager at Arizona PBS, drew a full crowd. With six hours of professional development sessions available in English and Spanish, attendees also had the chance to engage with community exhibitors. The event provided a light breakfast and lunch, ensuring participants were nourished while expanding their skills and network.

Super Why Reading Camps Train the Trainer Event

April 24, 2024 • A Train the Trainer event, hosted to prepare educators for the new Super Why Reading Camps, took place at Sun Valley Academy and included staff from Gila Crossing Community School and the newly participating Paideia Academy. Teachers engaged in comprehensive training sessions designed to equip them with the tools and strategies needed to effectively implement the Super Why curriculum. The event fostered enthusiasm and readiness among educators, ensuring a successful rollout of the program to inspire young readers across the participating schools.

A group of people sits in a classroom facing a presentation screen displaying a slide about child care assessments

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Spring Training Day

April 27, 2024 • The ECE Spring Training Day at Yavapai College-Prescott Campus saw 37 Early Childhood Professionals participate in sessions on “Yoga in the Classroom,” “Stress Management” and “Tots and Technology.” The event required full-day attendance for credit and was open to those registered through the Arizona Workforce Early Childhood Registry. Four additional professional profiles were completed, marking a productive and engaging day of free professional development for the ECE community in Yavapai County.

Kelsey Ball receives a check as part of her scholarship program through First Things First
A group of adults seated in a classroom facing a screen displaying a
A group of professionals seated at long tables attentively listens to a presentation

Playtime with the Wombats

May 1, 2024 • The Buckeye Family Resource Center hosted “Playtime with the Wombats,” an engaging event centered around the “Work It Out Wombats!” television program. Families enjoyed interactive activities and games designed to promote learning and fun, creating a lively and educational experience for all participants.

A lively classroom with children engaged in an activity involving colorful circular mats placed on the floor.
Kids standing at a wooden play stand labeled ‘Everything Emporium Farm Stand’ with bins labeled ‘Red’, ‘Yellow’, and ‘Green’.
Four kids smiling for the camera at the Playtime with the Wombats event

Lattie Coor School Literacy Hub Fiesta Night

May 2, 2024 • The Lattie Coor School in Avondale, AZ, celebrated the opening of its new Literacy Hub with a vibrant Fiesta Night. The event, organized in partnership with Clifford the Big Red Dog, promoted early literacy and showcased Arizona PBS resources. Families enjoyed fun activities and had the opportunity to engage with Clifford, making it an exciting and educational evening for the community.

Woman and child posing for a photo with Clifford the Big Red Dog
A festive scene with people in Mexican attire joyfully dancing beneath a vibrant banner.

Our team participates in local community events around the state, handing out books and resources to families and educators.

Bright by Text is a free parent and caregiver messaging service that sends tips and resources promoting child development via text message.