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From the Director
Parents and caregivers are a child's first and most important teachers. As young children spend considerably more time learning at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting their evolving needs is an urgent priority. That's why we created Get Georgia Reading at Home, which features at-home online resources, getting ready for school activities, and more.
Get Georgia Reading at Home offers early learning resources for children from birth through age 5, learning resources for grades K – 3, and guidance on food access, health care, and financial assistance. Families are linked to the Georgia Home Classroom, a collaboration between GPB Education and Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to support at-home learning for all grade levels.
Downloadable PDFs feature examples of simple, fun activities to do at home, offline, and in the community that can help children begin building skills for grades K – 3. The GaDOE Division of Curriculum and Instruction identified these skills and activities based on the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) and the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).
Please share this collection of resources with families throughout our state.
With gratitude,
Arianne
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#GetGAReading this Month
Please share these posts on your own social media platforms this month.
 The first five years of life are critical to every child’s future, because a child’s brain is 90% developed by age 5. The Building Babies’ Brains Gwinnett team aims to ensure that all parents have access to the information and tools they need to be their child’s first and best teachers. https://bit.ly/34zqGjy
 Learning begins at birth and a child’s brain is 90% developed by age 5. The Building Babies' Brains Gwinnett online toolkit connects parents and caregivers with resources to help children from birth through age 5 become lifelong learners. https://bit.ly/34zqGjy
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 Whitfield County Recognized as Pacesetter and Bright Spot
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) announced that Whitfield County is being honored as a Pacesetter in Grade-Level Proficiency and a Bright Spot in Parent Success for the Get Georgia Reading Campaign community’s work in 2019. CGLR recently announced the 16 Pacesetter and 19 Bright Spots communities across the nation. This is the second consecutive year that Whitfield has been named a Pacesetter.
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 Gwinnett County Leaders are Building Babies’ Brains
The first five years of life are critical to every child’s future, because a child’s brain is 90% developed by age 5. That’s why a group of community members, businesses, nonprofits, and educators in Gwinnett County have created Building Babies’ Brains, a comprehensive website with local resources and content that gives parents the tools they need to help grow their child’s brain. Their mission is to ensure that children are ready to thrive in kindergarten.
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 Pivoting Toward Possibility in Peoplestown
When COVID-19 threatened to close Emmaus House’s Freedom School summer program this year, the organization and its partners at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy pivoted to convert the in-person program to a virtual model. Together, they crafted Vision 2020, a six-week virtual reading program that was augmented by family-based learning projects and ongoing outreach. Their work strengthens all four pillars of the Get Georgia Reading Campaign.
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 Georgia Pre-K Week Goes Virtual
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) and Voices for Georgia’s Children celebrated 10 years of Georgia Pre-K Week with a series of virtual events highlighting the importance and positive impact of this vital early learning program. More than 40 elected officials, educators, authors, and advocates recorded readalongs and special messages. Check out the video bank.
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 Atlanta Teacher Promotes Farm to School Efforts
Jenna Mobley, a public school teacher in Atlanta for 12 years and teacher trainer for Georgia Organics, is a leading provider and advocate of increasing educational resources in the areas of social justice, food access, and environmental education. She helps colleagues across the state bring to life lessons about gardening and healthy food in the classroom. Mobley discussed the future of Farm to School education access, tips on how to engage students, and more.
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Visit getgeorgiareading.org/coronavirus for a list of timely resources.
Investing in the Postsecondary Success of Student Parents
Ascend at the Aspen Institute has announced a funding opportunity to guide cities, counties, and states in spurring economic mobility and increased well-being by investing in the potential of student parents. Ascend will award 18-month grants of up to $150,000 to public sector entities to work in partnership with stakeholders to ensure that policies, systems, and services lead to credentials and careers. Apply by Dec. 11.
A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development
The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University has gathered resources and recommendations to help families, caregivers, child care providers, pediatricians, and others to support child development during the pandemic. The guide includes podcasts on early brain development, infographics, research, and easy-to-share tips.
Tips for Families Amidst Coronavirus
Zero to Three has compiled resources with tips for families, including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, Sesame Street digital resources, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing.
Building Reading Confidence with eRead Kids
The Georgia Public Library Service’s eRead Kids continues to provide children in pre-K through fourth grade with vital access to a digital collection of nearly 15,000 electronic and audio books, which can be accessed using your library card and library PIN.
GEEARS Virtual Civic Dinners: Parenting in a Pandemic
Join or host conversations that explore the joys and challenges of parenting in a pandemic and how the Georgia community can support families to provide our children with the strongest possible start.
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Lunch & Learn: Georgia Afterschool & Youth Development Resources
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 12:30 p.m.
The Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) will host this webinar about the Afterschool & Youth Development (ASYD) Initiative, which provides resources, including training and technical assistance, to help programs create and maintain quality environments and experiences that benefit youth socially, emotionally, and academically. This 30-minute walk-through of ASYD resources will explore how to access support designed to increase the quality and outcomes of after-school programming. Register Now
GLR Learning Tuesdays Webinars
Nov. 10, 17, and 24; 3 p.m.
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s (GLR) series of online learning events for the GLR Network helps lift up the best science, ideas, and programs to inform local efforts. This series now includes two sessions on most Tuesdays. Register Now
Crucible of Practice Salons
Nov. 10 and Dec. 8, 12:30 p.m.
This GLR webinar series provides a deep-dive exploration of how community coalitions are approaching and moving the work to improve the early school success prospects of children from economically challenged families, neighborhoods, and communities. Register Now
Funder to Funder Conversations
Nov. 17, 12:30 p.m.
The GLR Funder to Funder Conversations are designed to provide more opportunities for shared learning, collaboration, and even co-investing between and among local funders and their more national counterparts. Register Now
“Using Kid Friendly Resources” Early Learning Webinar
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.
This webinar, hosted by GaDOE and DECAL, will allow participants to explore free, developmentally appropriate resources that can be used in the classroom to help support the social-emotional wellness of students as they adjust to the new norm. Register Now
Summer Solutions Leadership Online Series
Monday – Wednesday, Nov. 16 – 18
The National Summer Learning Association will provide summer learning and after-school leaders and practitioners with rich content designed to offer inspiration and ideas for navigating these challenging times. In two-hour sessions over three days, the event will feature education influencers, researchers, journalists, and award-winning program leaders who will share their knowledge on emerging program practices, and policy and research shaping the out-of-school time field during COVID-19. Register Now
“School’s Out! Challenges and Solutions for School-Age Programs: Meaningful Activities” Webinar
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m.
This webinar offers a child-centered approach to developing activities that engage and enhance the program. Participants will explore a number of common challenges along with some possible solutions that can be adapted and applied in their work. Register Now
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We Want to Hear from You
Our partners are the heroes in this work, and we want to help connect you with each other and with resources that can help you get even greater results. And we want to hear more stories. Please share yours with us so we can post it to getgeorgiareading.org. Send your stories—or any questions about the Campaign—to Arianne Weldon at arianne@gafcp.org.
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