Arizona PBS Community Events Winter 2022

Arizona PBS is here to help you connect with your community, be more informed and explore new educational opportunities. Here are the ways we impacted local communities over the winter!

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SAZAEYC Annual Conference

Dec. 3, 2022 • Senior Regional Coordinator Kristine Nishimura participated in the Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (SAZAEYC) Annual Conference with an estimated 300 early childhood practitioners in attendance. With a focus on offering high-quality professional development opportunities for educators in southern Arizona, partnering with SAZAEYC makes it possible for us to support child development and child-centered practices.

Wushu National Competition

Dec. 3, 2022 • Arizona PBS Senior Regional Coordinators Gordon Brown and Susie O’Brien along with Project Coordinator Miranda Bellah hosted a table at the Wushu National Competition at the Phoenix Convention Center, an event for competitors from all over the nation to share their passion for martial arts. It was wonderful to see the families and young competitors!

Arizona PBS booth at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Farmworker Health Fair

Dec. 3, 2022 • Senior Regional Coordinator Susie O’Brien had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at the Farmworker Health Fair in San Luis, Arizona. Thanks to the work of many volunteers and partnering organizations led by Compesinos Sin Fronteras and the Yuma County Farmworker Services Coalition, farmworkers were able to receive the care they needed as well as coffee and cookies.

Attendees walk around at an Arizona PBS event.

Parker Christmas Event

Dec. 11, 2022 • The town of Parker celebrated the holiday season with Christmas in the Park. Our Education Team, including Program Manager Misty Standeford and teacher Marcie Felknor, were there to host a table of crafts and spread holiday joy at Western Park. It was truly magical to see so many families enjoying the lighted holiday trees, watch movies in the open air and decorate paper trees with us.

Children participate in an AZPBS event in Parker, Arizona

Christmastime at the Safe House Shelter

Dec. 25, 2022 • Susie O’Brien, and her husband Chris, a.k.a. Papa Claus, delivered presents including books and puzzles from Arizona PBS to children at a shelter in Yuma on Christmas Day. Your Arizona Connection happens every day of the year! In Susie’s words, “It was a full house at the Safe House Shelter and to see the children light up when Papa Claus greeted them was, WOW!”

Papa Claus gives a present to a child at Safe House Shelter.

The 100 Yards of Education

Jan. 11, 2023 • Assistant Directors Amy Pico and Lisa Ann Sepulveda represented Arizona PBS at the State Farm Stadium 100 Yards of Education event doing bubble experiments with middle school students. Did you know your Arizona PBS connection also included bubbles?? Watch out Lawrence Welk!

Be My Neighbor Day 2023

Jan. 28, 2023 • We welcomed Daniel Tiger to ASU Open Door for Be My Neighbor Day Arizona! Inspired by the themes of the PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, this free family event invited kids to learn what it means to be a caring neighbor through fun and enriching activities. With Clifford the Big Red Dog also in attendance, families also had a chance to sit at the Cronkite News desk to see what it’s like to be a news anchor. In a special effort to give back to our community, Arizona PBS collected toiletries, blankets and sweaters to donate to families in need.

ACTEAZ Midwinter Leadership Conference

Feb. 2 and 3, 2023 • One of our Senior Education Coordinators, Tammy Lee, hosted a table and led a session for leaders and colleagues at the Conference for Career and Technical Education in Yavapai County and Prescott. Tammy was able to spread the word about the Early Childhood Workforce Registry as well as the First Things First scholarship program. These programs help and inspire early childhood educators and students all over Arizona, and we are so happy that Tammy was able to be there to educate and invite colleagues to join!

Early Childhood Leadership Conference in Yuma

Feb. 11, 2022 • One of our Senior Education Coordinators, Susie O’Brien, had the opportunity to represent Arizona PBS and the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry at the Yuma Early Childhood Leadership Conference hosted by Milestones Preschool. Susie was thrilled to share her early childhood education experience as well as speak about the resources available from both Arizona PBS and the Registry for these dedicated educators. To quote Susie: “The energy of these professionals is infectious! It is incredible to witness the dedication these educators show to Arizona’s children and families.”

Educators pose for a photo at the Yuma Early Childhood Leadership Conference.

Digital Media Contest 2022 Celebration

Feb. 14, 2023 • Arizona PBS held the 2022 Digital Media Contest sponsored by Delta Dental. We asked kids to send in a video, photo, poster or audio recording of a creative story incorporating the theme of dental health. We received so many fabulous entries and our panel of judges narrowed it down to three winners. These amazing kids stopped by to tour the Arizona PBS studios, tell stories with their own unique characters and receive their fabulous prize baskets, courtesy of Arizona PBS and Delta Dental. A big thumbs up to these creative kids!

A young Black girl makes a craft while her father watches.

Bullhead City Health Fair

Feb. 25, 2023 • Program Manager Misty Standeford attended the Mohave Health Coalition’s 2nd Annual Family Health Fair held at Mohave Community College’s Bullhead City Campus. Vendors provided free health screenings including everything from dental checks to blood sugar analysis. Kids were able to get required immunizations as well. Misty enjoyed networking with these organizations and speaking with the community on educational resources provided by Arizona PBS.