Porter-Leath

Thank you to all the families and local vendors and services that came out today for Porter-Leath’s Cornerstone Community Expo! We had a great time meeting some new friends and learning more about the amazing community resources that are available in Shelby County.

**GREAT NEWS**
The Administration for Children and Families - ACF awarded Porter-Leath with federal funding to expand its and to add services in Shelby County. Both Head Start programs prepare America’s most vulnerable young children in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners. Learn more ➡ ➡ porterleath.org/news/posts/federal-expansion-grant.

We have LOVED hosting Nike volunteers at Porter-Leath Orange Mound and Frayser Academies in and classrooms!

Volunteers jumped right in wherever needed - engaging babies, practicing letters and numbers, visiting the playground and even playing with Play-Doh.

Thank you, Nike staff, for giving your time to lend a helping hand in our classrooms. By supporting quality , you are investing in the next generation!

Yesterday, Porter-Leath’s Academy in Frayser welcomed Khari Garvin, Director of the Office of Head Start at the Administration for Children and Families - ACF.

Director Garvin explored the Academy and met many of our and partners that work hard everyday to provide high-quality education and care for children.

He engaged with children in their classrooms and tried out interactive play features in our hallways! Thank you, Director Garvin for taking the time to visit one of our sites while you are in Memphis!

(Southwest Tennessee Community College, Hooks Dimmick Child Care, Kiddie Learning Center, Knowledge Quest, and University of Little Scholars)

Saturday, several of our team members celebrated the at the parade. Porter-Leath LOVES being part of of the Orange Mound community every day. Come by to visit us at our on Park Avenue!

Tragedy struck our nation 23 years on 9/11. As we reflect, we hope your Patriots Day was filled with gratitude for the bravery and selflessness of our heroes. It is important to tell the stories of hope and shared strength with the next generations.

Today, Tamika, Porter-Leath's Benefits and Leave Specialist, read a special book filled with imagery of our nation, "Blue Sky, White Stars" by author, Sarvinder Naberhaus. students enjoyed the descriptions of America's landmarks, historical figures and communities. They loved being able to point out colors and shapes, some of which matched their themed red, white and blue themed day!

Even Governor's Early Literacy Foundation mascot, Booker, participated in the story time. This exercise helped children see that reading is an essential part of learning about and sharing the history of our "helpers."

Happy ! We are grateful for grandparents who support our students' journey to become . Learning is more fun with our "seasoned" friends!

Porter-Leath's of the week is a special opportunity for an experienced, early childhood educator! Join our team as an Instructional Coach.

The Instructional Coach's primary goal is to improve teacher practice as it relates to socially and emotionally healthy practice and academic skill instruction. Learn more about specific job functions and apply at: porterleath.org/careers

**Child care leaders***

Curious about how you can elevate your childcare or preschool? Join NEXT Memphis for one of the upcoming virtual Resource HUB open houses on September 12th & 16th. Learn more at: nextmemphis.org/news-events

The NEXT Memphis Resource HUB is your gateway to a thriving network of early childhood education enthusiasts!

We're passionate about empowering educators like you with a wealth of free or low-cost resources tailor-made for your needs. From curriculum enhancements and development tools to essential teacher training, director support, cost-effective solutions, CPR training, and exclusive access to enriching education conferences, we've got it all and more.

One of International Paper 's corporate giving focus areas is quality education for children. particularly through foundational literacy practice. Their financial support of Porter-Leath's program has provided countless books to Shelby County children from birth until their fifth birthday.

Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's mascot, Booker, celebrated this support and his 20th birthday by joining Porter-Leath at International Paper's nonprofit agency fair. There, he spread the word about the importance of and encouraged employees to visit and read in one of our local classrooms!

Thank you, International Paper, for your investment into the youngest readers in our county!

Congratulations to Porter-Leath Parent Engagement Manager, Deaunn Stovall! Shelby County Commissioner Britney Thornton recently acknowledged Deaunn for her service and civic leadership in the community.

It has been H-O-T this week in Shelby County, but don't worry, Booker has been celebrating Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's 20th birthday with a cool treat! He met some of Porter-Leath's education team at a "Sundae on Monday" party where he sampled ice cream, while chilling out to read a book.

"Ice Cream Face" is a perfect summer read by author/illustrator, Heidi Sheffield. The story explores the range of emotions we all have experienced while waiting for and enjoying our delicious cold treat! Get the scoop on all of the reading resources available to you and your little ice cream eater at governorsfoundation.org.

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Talk with your preschooler about Labor Day by brainstorming the many jobs that are celebrated and activities that those workers might complete.

Source: dol.gov/general/laborday/history

Happy 901 Day!! Students at the Porter-Leath & University of Memphis Early Childhood Academy at Orange Mound celebrated a little early by rocking their favorite 901-themed gear. The 901 was celebrated in style with playground time, dance parties, and playdough shapes!

Pre-K teachers collaborate with the Pre-K Coordinator and Education Specialist to guide the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of each child in a one year high-quality program.

They ensure children's readiness for kindergarten and future educational success.

Apply Today: https://bit.ly/3XmAbOv

Booker continues to celebrate Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's 20th birthday with Porter-Leath's volunteers. We are thankful for the extra hands that help us relabel returned mail to place books back into the community and into the hands of little readers.

At Porter-Leath, we celebrate our staff members both for their work and on their personal milestones. Today, our Cornerstone team celebrated one of their own at an adoption party! Tiana recently adopted her two boys (4 years old and 1.5 year old) after fostering the boys since infancy.

Tiana has worked at Porter-Leath for over nine years and her passion for giving children the best start in life is at the core of all she does. Congratulations to Tiana during this very special time!

As their children’s first teachers, families are in a unique position to nurture their children’s growth and development and to be involved in their children’s education.

Porter-Leath offers family engagement opportunities at each of our five locations. Lending an extra hand for classroom activities, serving on a parent committee and sharing various cultural traditions are just a few ways families can become involved in our work.

The ongoing and collaborative relationships between families and our sites not only strengthen the efficacy of early education but also enable families to tap into their children's experiences.

Curious about how you can elevate your childcare or preschool? Join NEXT Memphis for one of the upcoming virtual Resource HUB open houses on September 12th & 16th. Learn more at: nextmemphis.org/news-events

The NEXT Memphis Resource HUB is your gateway to a thriving network of early childhood education enthusiasts!

We're passionate about empowering educators like you with a wealth of free or low-cost resources tailor-made for your needs. From curriculum enhancements and development tools to essential teacher training, director support, cost-effective solutions, CPR training, and exclusive access to enriching education conferences, we've got it all and more.

Last week, Booker attended Porter-Leath's Cornerstone Art Party with fun for the whole family. Children were invited to participate in sensory play, a key component in early development just like learning to hold a book and turning its pages. They created their own little works of art on cupcakes and had a delicious sensory experience.

We appreciate our who regularly share tips with families on practicing skills, supporting children's development and incorporating creative play at home. This event was so fitting for Booker's 20th Birthday with Governor's Early Literacy Foundation!

Booker celebrated his (Governor's Early Literacy Foundation) 20th birthday with another birthday buddy, Novel Memphis, which turned 7 years old last week! He stopped by the bookstore for story time and met new friends both young and old who LOVE to read!

Happy Birthday, Novel. Independent bookstores are gems in our community.

Did you know that Elvis LOVED reading?

It’s here in Memphis, so Booker had to fly over to to celebrate. He learned the “all shook up” over books. 📚

An avid reader of everything from spiritual text to karate instruction, Elvis shared his love of reading with his daughter, building a large collection of children’s books.

So, “don’t be cruel” and take some time to read with your family this week. Explore literacy suggestions and resources for children (birth to 3rd grade) through Governor's Early Literacy Foundation at governors foundation.org/programs!

📣Don't forget tomorrow's hiring event!📣

Join us at Porter-Leath's Back to School Early Childhood Career Fair! We are hiring parent educators, bilingual parent educators and Early Head Start classroom staff.

On-site interviews available for qualified candidates so bring your resume. Registration is encouraged but not required: porterleath.org/career-fair.

Porter-Leath's Back to School Early Childhood Career Fair Join us at Porter-Leath's Back to School Early Childhood Career Fair to explore exciting job opportunities in the field of early childhood.

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Mary Lou Thesmar - a faithful early volunteer for Books from Birth. Her passion for providing quality education and literacy was something to be admired!

Obituaries in Memphis, TN | The Commercial Appeal Mary Louise Cooper Thesmar of Collierville, TN died on July 28, 2024. Born on December 5, 1936 at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, TN she was the...

Porter-Leath thinks that our team and the children and families we serve are super! We enjoy engaging children by combining multimedia art with themes that children love.

Are you passionate about shaping young minds and making a difference in the lives of children and families? Join us at Porter-Leath's Back to School Early Childhood Career Fair! We are hiring parent educators, bilingual parent educators and Early Head Start classroom staff. On-site interviews available for qualified candidates so bring your resume. Registration is encouraged but not required: porterleath.org/career-fair.

Porter-Leath's Back to School Early Childhood Career Fair Join us at Porter-Leath's Back to School Early Childhood Career Fair to explore exciting job opportunities in the field of early childhood.

Some of our students recently went on an indoor safari. Children made their own binoculars, scoped out animals in our guidebooks and even demonstrated some animal impressions. We love using our imagination to visit far away places and create memories when we are on the prowl!

A great article about the relationship between lower cortisol levels (often called the "stress hormone") and children's higher level of ability to maintain control over their emotions and social interactions.

How do you manage your own cortisol levels?

Stress Hormones In Preschoolers Improve With Emotional Knowledge, Study Indicates - Early Learning Nation Picture this: a 3-year-old in a preschool classroom is playing with a popular toy when a classmate asks if they can have the toy. The first child says,