SF Early Literacy Network

Early Literacy Buffet

2011-04-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, March 25, 2011 the SF Early Literacy Network presented the Early Literacy Buffet at the San Francisco Main Library. This event brought 65 early childhood educators, many family daycare providers, out of the rain and into the library for a scrumptious breakfast catered by the Mint Café and morning of learning. With the goal of supporting, engaging, and nurturing this community, the event included a showcase of partners and resources, followed by a tour of the Main Library's Fisher Children’s Center and two concurrent professional development trainings led by ELN members. In additional to our booklists and Certificate of Professional Development, each provider received a copy of Lola at the Library and All the World to refresh their classroom library. Educators were overjoyed to receive such an abundance of resources.

Representing the San Francisco Public Library were Christy Estrovitz, Brian Castagne, Katrin Reimuller, Amy Perry, Loretta Dowell, and Toni Bernardi. ELN members included Catherine Aranda (Jumpstart) Janell Bolte (formerly of Raising A Reader), Karen Drachler (Bring Me A Book Foundation), Lynne Maes (Raising A Reader), Betsy Keever Russakoff (formerly of Raising A Reader), and Alli Spector (Jamestown Community Center).

A very welcoming Lynne Maes.

Molly Wertz and Karen Drachler manage registration with ease.

Healthy and tasty breakfast provided for all.


Robert Doerr and Ginger charm the crowd.

Christy Estrovitz highlights the wealth of early literacy and family activities
provided through the San Francisco Public Library.

Approximately 65 educators gain resources.

Katrin Reimuller collects the raffle entries at the ELN resource table.

Alli Spector draws a lucky winner.

Experiencing the Play to Learn area
during a guided tour of the Fisher Children's Center.

Katrin and Amy Perry highlight the resources and field questions.

Lynne and Alli lead a group through a wide range of learning activities in the
"Language and Literacy Development Through Song, Story, and Movement" workshop.

Lynne and Alli showcase creative dramatic strategies using "Where the Wild Things Are."

Janell Bolte and Betsy Keever Russakoff put theory into practice during the
"Recipe for Rockin' Read Alouds: A Delicious Treat for the Young Child."

Héloïse Courty, Catherine Arnada, Christy, and Toni Bernardi
in lively discussion.

Katrin debriefs with the rarely photographed Brian Castagne.

Educators model reading strategies.

Reading up a storm.

Janell and Betsy facilitate a spirited
"I am a Superstar because I love my books and I love to read!"anthem.

Thank you to all of the participants, facilitators, interns, sponsors
and all others who made this event such a rousing success.

Warm Regards, Christy

Photos by Amy, Betsy, and Brian.
Feel free to use them for non-profit purposes but please give credit / attribution.

2nd Annual Tricycle Music Fest West - October 2010

2010-09-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

Not-so-Gentle Reader,

The San Francisco Public Library will be the place for families to rock out, for free, this October. Please click this link (www.sfpl.org/tricycle) for more information on the 5 big events coming your way. The first event will be on Sunday, October 9, 2010 at the 3pm in the Bernal Heights Branch Library Meeting Room. The 5th and final event will be Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 11am - 2:30pm in Civic Center on the Larkin Street Steps outside of the Main Library.

Shine on you crazy diamonds, Brian

Read for the Record October 7, 2010

2010-09-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 7, 2010 will be Jumpstart Read for the Record Day! People all across the nation will read and share the same fabulous children's book - The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Please click on this link (Jumpstart Read for the Record) for more information on this world-record-shattering event.

All the best, Brian

Early Childhood Education Workshops - SF Public Library

2010-09-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Early Literacy Colleagues,

I am pleased to inform you that the Fall 2010 ECE Workshop Series provided by the San Francisco Public Library is in full swing! Due to high demand and limited space, the workshops are limited to early childhood educators currently working with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in San Francisco. The Fall series focuses on infant/toddler circle times, music and movement, and creative dramatics.

Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen kicks-off the series with “Mother Goose on the Loose: Circle Times for Infants and Toddlers” scheduled Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 10:30am- 1:30pm at the Main Library’s Creative Center. It is specifically designed for teachers working with infants, toddlers, and family day care environments.

For more information about these free professional development opportunities for San Francisco’s early childhood community please call (415) 557-4272.

Warmest regards,
Christy Estrovitz,
Early Literacy Specialist - San Francisco Public Library

ELN Mixer June 8, 2010

2010-08-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

Gentle Reader,

On June 8, 2010 The San Francisco Early Literacy Network hosted our first mixer in order to showcase our partnerships and build new relationships. We met at the beautifully renovated Potrero Branch Library and were fortunate to have Luis Herrera, San Francisco City Librarian; Margaret Brodkin, Director of New Day for Learning Initiative; Mardi Lucich, DCYF Citywide Child Care Administrator; and Lisa Lee, First 5 Training and Technical Assistance Director as honored guest speakers. We also benefited from the participation of many friends and colleagues who provide service to San Francisco Bay Area families. Below are photos of this meaningful and inspiring event. No photos of Brian, though - he took all of the shots.

All the best,
Christy Estrovitz and Brian Castagne
(San Francisco Public Library)

Our Mission Statement above some tasty treats

Betsy Keever and Luis Herrera

Luis Herrera and Margaret Brodkin

Marco Berger, Kristal Brister, and Jude Deckenbach

Tanner and a scrumptious cookie

Saeed Mirfattah, Betsy Keever, and Nancy Yamamoto

Mardi Lucich and Molly Wertz

Lisa Lee and Zoobi Waqar

Hosts Christy Estrovitz and Betsy Keever with Molly Wertz, Mardi Lucich, Saeed Mirfattah, and Kristal Brister

ELN members and guests including Kathy Katz, Dana Goldberg, Katrin Reimuller. Lynne Maes, Michael Andolina, Nancy Yamamoto, Margaret Brodkin, and JoAnne Hubbard

Cindy Lopez Chastain, Marco Berger, Luis Herrera, Katrin Reimuller, and Lynne Maes

Lisa Lee addresses the group

Michael Andolina and Nancy Yamamoto

Melissa Castillo and Cindy Lopez Chastain

Mardi Lucich and Chris Padula

Janell Bolte, Tera, and a nourishing book
-------------------------------------------
(All photos by Brian Castagne)

Nation Bookmobile Day Celebration in San Francisco

2010-04-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Gentle Readers,

Wednesday April 14, 2010 was the first ever National Bookmobile Day. If you click the image below you will be transported to an article in SF Gate about the San Francisco Public Library's Bookmobile event hosted by SF Early Literacy Network Member and SFPL Children's Bookmobile Librarian Katrin Reimuller and featuring hands on participation by City Librarian Luis Herrera, Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, and author Tom Corwin. Frenzied frolicking was facilitated by Boswick the Clown.

All the best, Brian

(Click the image above to see the full article at sfgate.com)

Photos from the Joy of Teaching Conference

2009-05-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Raising a Reader Contest judges.

(photo temporarily missing)

Raising A Reader Read Aloud Contest participants and winners.

Lynne Maes, Betsy Keever, Katrin Reimuller & Janell Bolte at First 5's Joy of Teaching conference.

Welcome

2009-02-24T15:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our blog. The San Francisco Early Literacy Network was formed in 2007 to coordinate, integrate, and strengthen literacy services for children from birth to 5 years old and their families. Our community-based agencies collaborate to help young children develop literacy, critical thinking, and communication skills. We provide workshops, materials, and resources to children, their parents/caregivers, and fellow educators to encourage sharing books and engaging in educational activities that lead to a lifelong love of learning.

Please check back now and again (or subscribe to a site feed from the sidebar) to see what's going on in our programs, view helpful content, and find links to useful sites. All the best, Brian