Virginia Beach GrowSmart

12/19/2019

Virginia Beach City Government

Check Virginia Beach City Government operating schedule for the next two weeks! We hope everyone has a wonderful & joyous holiday season.

City offices/facilities will be operating under varied schedules for the next two weeks. Most city offices will be closed Dec. 23, 24, 25 & Jan. 1.

No waste collection Wed., Dec. 25 & Jan. 1, collection will instead take place on Sat. Dec. 28 & Jan. 4.

VB Landfill and Resource Recovery Center will be closed on Dec. 23, 24, 25 & Jan. 1.

FMI: https://t2m.io/6QYX4Wcu

12/12/2019

Building a World-Class Workforce Begins with Early Childhood Education

The future workforce is built beginning at birth. The earlier investments are critical to ensure a prepared workforce for generations to come. 🧠

by Barbara Lito, Virginia Beach GrowSmart Coordinator Leaders across the country understand that, to have a thriving community and economy, it is imperative that young children and families are thriving. A world-class workforce begins with a world-class education system, and the path to a good educa

12/12/2019

VA Infant & Toddler Specialist Network has named 2 centers in each region that have take efforts to improve the quality of infant & toddler care. GrowSmart is proud that two Virginia Beach centers represent the Eastern Region: Shyan Csatlos Family Day Home and Thalia Day School.

Shyan recently completed the Early Education Business Consultants, LLC Family day Home Business Class; Thalia Day School is a past graduate of the Early Education Business Class. Congratulations to both centers for their selection and the sustained commitment to providing quality care.

12/10/2019

Governor Northam Proposes Historic Investment in Early Childhood Education

Governor Northampton announced a strong investment proposal to elevate and empower early childhood collectively. This proposal will transform the Commonwealth’s early education system and increase access for at-risk three- and four-year olds.

Governor Ralph Northam, 73rd Governor of Virginia

12/05/2019

What an amazing year in 2019!

GrowSmart is excited for 2020, but want to reflect & celebrate all the amazing work and accomplishments in 2019. GrowSmart was out & about at a wide variety of community events, celebrated another successful Read Across America Day with Pharrell Williams’ book ‘Happy,’ graduates more LENA Start families, enjoyed another year of Celebrating Children, and was announced as a Bloomberg Philanthropies & What Works Cities grant recipient for a cohort on innovative early education solutions. Thank you for being a part of our journey & we can’t wait to see what’s ahead for us. 📚📖🧠

12/03/2019

#GivingTuesday with GrowSmart •••• Give the gift a literacy this holiday season with First Grade READS! First Grade READS is a tutor-mentor program of our local campaign for grade-level reading, VB READS. As part of the program, participating students receive a monthly take home book to build on their at-home libraries. 📖📚

🛒 Shop our Amazon Wish here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RNXL4PEU7QOD?ref=cm_sw_em_r_wl_dp_wVzjnn43OBxct

📦 Shipping address: 4525 Main Street, Suite 700 • Virginia Beach, VA 23462

11/28/2019

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
- John F. Kennedy

11/22/2019

CEO explains why he’s focused on helping children

“You can’t calculate the value of this investment- it’s too high” says a CEO on investing in early education scholarships for his employees families. Kudos to Mike Petters for investing in the current and future workforce.

Mike Petters is CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries, America’s largest military shipbuilder. He offers preschool scholarships to children of his employees and explains why it’s so vital to invest in early childhood education.

11/05/2019

Minus 9 to 5

Businesses can not operate without quality child care and early education. Thank you Governor Northam for recognizing the importance 💕 👶

Governor Northam is keen to make sure that Virginia’s youngest residents have access to early childhood education. Minus 9 to 5 couldn't ask for a stronger advocate. Thank you Gov. Ralph Northam!

10/31/2019

Enjoy the fun of trick-or-treating tonight! 👻🎃

HAPPY HALLOWEEN VB! Trick-or-treating begins at dusk and ends at 8 p.m. Please also keep an eye on the weather tonight. Here are some safety tips:
🎃 If you'e passing out treats, please turn your porch light on so children will know they are welcome. Turn it off if you're not passing out treats.
🎃 Wear light-colored, flame-resistant or flame-retardant clothing that is short enough to prevent tripping. Also, add reflectors or glow-in-the-dark safety stickers for higher visibility.
🎃 Make sure your children can see clearly through face masks; consider using face paint or makeup instead of a mask.
🎃 Carry a lightweight flashlight in case one is needed along with a fully charged cell phone in case of an emergency.
🎃 Join in the fun and accompany young children, especially if they are under the age of 8. If you cannot accompany them, have them go with a group of other children. NEVER let them go alone.
🎃 Watch out for traffic and only cross at corners. Be careful not to cross between parked cars.
🎃 Let your family know ahead of time what route and streets you plan to travel and what time you expect to return home.
🎃 Stay within your neighborhood and visit only the homes of neighbors that you know personally.
🎃 Insist children use sidewalks to avoid injury. If sidewalks aren’t available, walk facing traffic.
🎃 Give or accept only wrapped or packaged candy and have children wait until they get home to eat their goodies so you can examine their treats before they are eaten.
🎃 An adult should stay home to welcome trick-or-treaters.
🎃 Pets can get a little excited over all the activity, so keep your pets under control and away from the front door.
🎃 Clear your garage, lawn and walkway of tools, toys and other items.
🎃 Use electric lights or luminary bags to light front walkways.
🎃 Keep candlelit jack-o-lanterns away from areas where costumes may brush up against the flames.
🎃 Most importantly, instruct your child not to ever go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Explain the dangers and what to do if someone approaches them and tries to take them.

10/31/2019

Hoping it’s a spooktacular Halloween full of treats! 👻🎃
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#happyhalloween #halloween #trickortreat

10/28/2019

LENA

Take a look at this great article on our early language work featuring Virginia Beach City Government Mayor Bobby Dyer. The article highlights Virginia Beach’s commitment to ensuring we prepare our future generations for success in learning and to be workforce ready.

“I look at this not only as a language acquisition program, but I also look at this as a parent empowerment program." - Kenneth Wong, Brown University professor

10/26/2019

Today I am inspired to be among such committed early education professionals who came out to sharpen their leadership. This opportunity was led by Early Education Business Consultants with support from our regional partners. Leadership matters, inspires, supports, grows, and transcends the day to day issues for a brighter tomorrow.

10/25/2019

Check out this event from Rouse's House! Councilman Aaron Rouse, what will your costume be?? 👻🎃

10/18/2019

LENA

Check out our VB family on the LENA blog! 🧠📚📖

Attending LENA Start classes through Virginia Beach GrowSmart helped the Ochoa family to realize how important it is to speak Spanish with their children.

10/16/2019

Chesapeake second-grade teacher reads to her students on Facebook Live after hours

Check out this feel good story from our neighbors at Chesapeake Public Schools! Mrs. Yearby shows the power of reading to children. Just keep reading! 📚📖🗣

#readingispower #readingisknowledge #ittakesavillage

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10/14/2019

By now, you've heard about LENA Start here in Virginia Beach! Our Fall classes are in full swing, but we're ready to plan upcoming classes.

Want to get in a future LENA Start class? Fill out the interest form below. Your input will guide us in planning. Share with friends & family, too.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDHz7AVgIAoBBhDNDivczkKJ6Tetj338P-aph-LcwGAMTITw/viewform

LENA Start is for parents & caregivers of children 0-3 years old. For 10 weeks, you'll be given tools to enhance the early language environment for your baby, along with shared reading books to add to your at-home library. Find your parent community in a LENA Start class today.

#braindevelopment #VBGrowSmart #buildingbabiesbrains

10/11/2019

Moms & dads, you made it to Friday 🎉
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Credit ➡️ Ot_mama_of_twins

10/08/2019

Did you see us in the Sunday @virginianpilot?? GrowSmart made the FRONT page. Thank you to The Virginian-Pilot for highlighting GrowSmart, our LENA work, and our newest @bloombergdotorg and What Works Cities grant. 👏🧠🗣
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#VBGrowSmart #braindevelopment #earlylanguage #virginiabeach #talkbuildsbabiesbrains

10/06/2019

Turns out, baby talk might make sense - The Virginian-Pilot, 10/6/2019

Thank you, The Virginian-Pilot! We are excited to share our LENA story with Hampton Roads. Now, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, What Works, & Virginia Beach City Government, we are expanding the LENA models to improve early language environments in all environments for children 0-5 years old.

#VBGrowSmart #LENA #braindevelopment

Isaiah and Teresa Hunter and their daughter, Ivy, 2, pray out loud before dinner at their home Friday in Virginia Beach. Ivy is a graduate of a program called LENA Start that teaches parents about the importance of talking to your baby.

10/02/2019

Wearable device counts words Detroit parents say to their young children

GrowSmart is proud to be a part of Bloomberg Philanthropies and What Works Cities innovative early childhood cohort. As part of this cohort, Virginia Beach along with 4 other cities will replicate the Providence Talk model. Read more about our partner city in Detroit below.

We are in year three of our LENA Start programs, but we are soon launching into Home and Grow. LENA Home will be embedded into home visiting programs in the City of Virginia Beach; meanwhile, Grow will partner with early care & education centers to serve a professional development tool for early care professionals.

#VBGrowSmart #VirginiaBeach #braindevelopment #BloombergPhilanthropies #innovation #earlyeducation

A word pedometer is a listening device that counts spoken words to help boost literacy.

09/25/2019

Virginia Beach GrowSmart's cover photo

09/25/2019

Virginia Beach GrowSmart's cover photo

09/25/2019

The Power of Conversation in Virginia Beach

GrowSmart is thrilled to be a part of Bloomberg Philanthropies and What Works Cities’ cohort for innovative early childhood solutions. Virginia Beach City Government has a long history of commitment to improving and enhancing the quality environments for our youngest citizens. Since 2017, we’ve been working with LENA to implement LENA Start - the parent group model to elevate the home early language environments to children 0-36 months. With Bloomberg and What Works Cities’ investment, along with the City of Virginia Beach, we will take LENA to scale by implementing LENA Home and LENA Grow.

Read more about our story and our future here ⬇️

#innovativesolutions #VBstrong #virginiabeach #earlychildhood #VBgrowsmart #braindevelopment

How the city is investing in its future by replicating Providence Talks

09/24/2019

Five cities will replicate Providence Talks, offering LENA programs for parents and teachers citywide

*BREAKING NEWS* Virginia Beach GrowSmart, along with Virginia Beach READS, has been selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies to replicate Providence Talks with LENA! We are thrilled to launch LENA Home and LENA Grow to compliment and expand our already existing work with LENA Start.

LENA Home will collaborate with home visiting partners throughout the City of Virginia Beach; LENA Grow will partner with professional development training to provide high-impact early language support to childcare centers.

Virginia Beach City Government has scored a massive win for this investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies and What Works Cities.

Five cities have been selected to replicate Providence Talks — one of the first early language initiatives implemented at the municipal level — through funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities initiative…

09/18/2019

LENA

The science behind brain development is simply mind-boggling. By the age of 3, a child’s brain is 80% development - meaning those first three years are the most critical years. 🤯🧠

#braindevelopment #LENA #earlylearning #languagedevelopment

In the first few years of life, the 🧠 builds more than 1 million new neural connections every second!

09/12/2019

#ThrowbackThursday to GrowSmart's first Read Across America Day in March 2014! Virginia Beach Police Department Chief Cervera was one of many guest readers across Virginia Beach.

Read Across America Day kicks off National Reading Month in the month of March. GrowSmart has proudly grown the event is each year since 2014. In our 5 years of #RAAD, GrowSmart has added close to 20,000 books to at-home libraries and engaged almost 900 volunteers to serve as guest readers.

Looking forward to #RAAD2020!

#VBReads #VirginiaBeach #literacy #readingispower

09/10/2019

Sleeptight is celebrating Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Week through September 14! 👶🏼☁️ Visit their website https://www.sleeptighthamptonroads.org to learn more about safe sleep for infants.

#SafeSleep #Sleeptight757 #infantsafesleepawarenessweek

09/09/2019

6abc Action News

If it’s been a Monday, here’s your pick me up! 🤩Because sometimes a hug from you best friend is all you need.

Two toddlers in New York City are warming hearts all over Facebook after one dad posted a video of these two 'besties'

09/09/2019

Have time to volunteer this school year? Become a First Grade Reads tutor/mentor with GrowSmart! In partnership with VBSchools and City of Virginia Beach Office of Volunteer Resources, First Grade Reads is a valuable asset in our VB READS, a local campaign for grade level reading. Tutors/mentors will support striving first grade students to become confident in their reading skills and abilities. The program runs from October to May at 6 local elementary schools, with volunteers serving one hour a week or more.

Email us at [email protected] for more information on how to get involved today.

#VBReads #FirstGradeReads #VBGrowSmart #VBgivesback #CLReading #Pacesetter

09/04/2019

Rouse's House

Thank you to Rouse's House and Councilman Aaron Rouse for hosting an awesome Back to School Carnival earlier this past August. We hope everyone at VBSchools are having a wonderful first week of school.

#VBGrowSmart #VirginiaBeach #VBSchools

School is back in session and Rouse’s House wishes all students, parents, faculty and staff a successful and safe school year! Thanks to #TidewaterWavesMedia for capturing some of the best moments of the 2nd Annual Back 2 School Carnival, we can’t wait for next year! 📓📙📚📖📝✒️🏫
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Without the support of our sponsors, vendors and volunteers, this event would not have been possible so thank YOU: Walmart Neighborhood Market,Richmond Alarm Company, IPG MediaBrands,Bethany White, Virginia Beach GrowSmartFoundation, Julian Rivera codeNinjas, Purple Inc Marketing,Coca-Cola,Bryant Stratton College-vbhp, Kona Ice Chesapeake, Mister Softee and Prime757: Craft Meat and Seafood Virginia Beach Police Department Virginia Beach Fire Department Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad and many more!
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#backtoschool #charity #rouseshouse #give #foundation #schoolsupplies #vbpd #vbems #vbfire #education #carnival #community #nonprofit

09/04/2019

Virginia Beach City Government

Be prepared! Hurricane Dorian is making her way north and it appears we will feel impacts. Keep up-to-date with Virginia Beach City Government. ⛈💨

And, as always, #KnowYourZone - https://www.vaemergency.gov/hurricane-evacuation-zone-lookup/

While the exact path of #HurricaneDorian is still shifting, models currently indicate our area could receive 4-8 in. of rain along with sustained tropical-force winds. For more info about the City's storm preparations and what you should be doing to get ready, visit the link below.

09/03/2019

Happy First Day of School, VBSchools! We hope everyone has a wonderful start to a new school year. Now, let's see your first day pictures! #VBDayOne #VBschools #VBGrowSmart

Happy first day VBSchools family! #VBDayOne

08/30/2019

It's a bittersweet day here at GrowSmart. Today marks Kelsey's last day with us on staff. For the past year, Kelsey has been the GrowSmart Administrative Technician. She was responsible for First Grade READS, LENA Start, among many other projects. In March 2018, Kelsey found us from The Virginian-Pilot article highlighting our LENA Start programs. What started out as a possibility to just volunteer with GrowSmart turned into a job! We are so proud and thankful for the job she's done the past year with us. Her next adventure takes her to Hawaii - who can beat that? Help us as we wish Kelsey the most fun-filled next adventure!