PBS KIDS Go! seeks entries for writing, illustration contest

April 1, 2013

Eight, Arizona PBS is issuing a call for entries in the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest – a national-local contest designed to promote the advancement of children's reading skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest encourages children in grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces. The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is produced by PBS KIDS Raising Readers, managed by WNED-TV, Buffalo/Toronto and implemented locally by Eight, Arizona PBS.

The submission deadline for the Arizona contest is April 12, 2013 (postmark date). Each winner's story will be posted on the contest website at www.azpbs.org/asset. Download Full Image

Full details and contest rules here: http://www.asset.asu.edu/new/pbs_writing_contest.html.

Participants who enter the local contest through Eight Educational Outreach will have a chance at entry into the national competition. First, second and third place winners will be selected in each grade level in Arizona and the first place winner in each grade level will be sent on to the national competition.

The City of Phoenix and the Latino Institute have partnered with Eight, Arizona PBS for the past 3 years on the Arizona segment of this national contest, and will host the awards ceremony for the Arizona winners on April 27, which will feature a local children’s author/illustrator.

"The City of Phoenix is pleased to continue our partnership with Eight, Arizona PBS on this great event, and to support and encourage the development of writing skills early on in our kids’ education," says Carmela Ramirez of City of Phoenix, Arts & Culture division of Parks and Recreation.

Only one entry per person will be accepted, and each entry must be created by a single author or illustrator. All materials submitted as part of the entry must be the participant’s own original work. The entry form must have the required signature of a parent/guardian, confirming that the story and art are original, and granting certain rights to the entry materials. Entry materials become the property of Eight, Arizona PBS, however every effort will be made to return original entries if submitted with a self-addressed, stamped envelope of appropriate size.

Information regarding the national portion of the contest can be found at http://pbskids.org/writerscontest/contest-prizes.php.

All Arizona entries must be postmarked by April 12, 2013 and mailed to:

Eight Educational Outreach
PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest
555 N. Central Ave., Suite 500
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Entries will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling and integration of text and illustrations. Eight will judge all local submissions.

Eight, Arizona PBS was founded in 1961. Its signal reaches 86 percent of homes in Arizona. With more than 1 million viewers weekly, Eight consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. For more information, visit azpbs.org. Eight is a member-supported service and the public media enterprise of Arizona State University.

PBS KIDS host Miss Rosa comes to Arizona

Eight, Arizona PBS is hosting events in Phoenix and Yuma featuring PBS KIDS Host Miss Rosa and educational activities for kids, families and educators.

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PBS KIDS host Miss Rosa comes to Arizona

April 1, 2013

Eight, Arizona PBS brings beloved PBS KIDS host Miss Rosa to Phoenix and Yuma April 26-27, for two days of interactive activities for kids, families and educators, including themed performances, interactive storytelling, meet and greets, and one of Eight, Arizona PBS's monthly institute sessions for early childhood educators.

The events take place April 26 at multiple locations in Phoenix, and April 27 at Arizona Western College – Main Campus in Yuma (2020 S. Avenue 8E, Yuma, AZ 85365, in the Conference Center, Building 3C). Download Full Image

The Phoenix events April 26 are part of the El Día de los Niños celebration, organized by the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department's Latino Institute. Beginning at 9:15 a.m., Miss Rosa will perform a show for preschoolers, kindergarteners and first graders at Grace Lutheran Church (1124 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, 85004), followed by a meet and greet for children and adults.

Then the celebration moves on to Margaret T. Hance Park (1134 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004, near Second St. and Moreland), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, where Miss Rosa will perform at noon, preceded by a meet and greet at 11 a.m. In addition to Miss Rosa's performance, which includes interactive storytelling for kids, El Día de los Niños will feature more than 50 booths hosted by schools, colleges, youth and nonprofit organizations, and city libraries will offer interactive games, hands-on art activities, a reading village, live entertainment and giveaways. Both events are free and open to the public.

"El Día de los Niños is dedicated to promoting the importance of literacy and education for children, honoring the joys and wonder of childhood, regardless of linguistic and cultural background," says Carmela Ramirez of the Latino Institute and City of Phoenix, Arts & Culture.

Additional information about PBS KIDS host Miss Rosa's appearance at El Día de los Niños is available by visiting www.azpbs.org/asset and clicking on Upcoming Events.

The Yuma event is made possible by a grant from First Things First and is part of the Yuma Region Community Based Professional Development project. The initiative is focused on implementing developmentally appropriate practice with Yuma County's early childhood educators, including teachers, administrators, daycare professionals, and those involved with home-based care. Miss Rosa will give the opening keynote address at 9 a.m. targeted to educators, child care providers, preschool directors & teachers. In addition to the featured appearance of Miss Rosa, there will be breakout sessions from 10 a.m. to noon on:

• Family Relationships/Partnerships
• Professional Ethics
• Leadership Principles
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Language Development for Infants

The event is free, including all workshops and a light breakfast. All early learning professionals and caregivers in Yuma County are welcome to attend the Yuma event, however, registration is required. Details and registration for the Yuma Region Community Based Professional Development event featuring Miss Rosa are available at http://azpbs.org/yumapd, or by contacting Mark Becker at mark.becker@asu.edu.

"Through this series of monthly institutes, organized by ASSET and Eight, Arizona PBS, strategies are being taught and practice is being strengthened in an atmosphere of learning and collaboration," says Becker, associate director at Eight, Arizona PBS. "This event is for all early childhood educators in Yuma County. Whether you are center-based, school-based or home-based, please plan on attending."

Childcare will be provided. Check-in is at 8 a.m. and includes a complimentary light breakfast. All participants also receive a copy of the book Developmentally Appropriate Practice, by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

"We are pleased to have Miss Rosa as our keynote speaker. She is popular with kids and adults," says Becker. "Miss Rosa is the lovable, bubbly, preschool teacher you always wanted!"

A teacher of Costa Rican and Puerto Rican descent, Miss Rosa is bilingual and comfortably switches back and forth between English and Spanish. Miss Rosa helps young children navigate the world around them through art, song, dance, storytelling, humor and advice, encouraging children to explore and learn. When she is not teaching, she can be found in-line skating, dancing, cooking or volunteering in community reading programs.