Two Pennsylvania educators talk about the importance of reading to young children to prepare them to learn literacy in phonics when they reach Kindergarten.

Two Pennsylvania educators talk about the importance of reading to young children to prepare them to learn literacy in phonics when they reach Kindergarten.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

Literacy and Phonics in Schools

It’s been over a week since hurricane Helene made landfall near the Florida panhandle. Along with Florida, there’s been extensive damage in Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Georgia. At last count and time of recording at 10 a.m. Friday Oct 4, the death toll has exceeded 200 and is expected to increase.

In this journalist roundtable, Lilly Knoepp of Blue Ridge Public Radio and Jeffrey Collins of the Associated Press appeared on The Spark to discuss their recent hurricane Helene coverage.

“This disaster isn't unprecedented compared to others, is it's just not your traditional cleanup. It's just not making sure we get all the branches and trees that fell and, you know, repairing a pothole or two. I mean, like just the roads themselves. I mean, if you see some of the drone footage and everything. Like major highways, like U.S. highways look like trails. I mean, they look like primitive trails now because the, you know, the river just completely gouged them out. And then you won’t not be able to even rebuild on top of where the original road was. So somebody is going to have to figure out if they need to if they can rebuild on the road or they can go somewhere other place. So yeah, I mean, the thing I've heard about cleanup is it's just not like it's going to be a week or two. We'll get all the debris out of there. Everything will start to get back. I mean, you're going to have to rebuild entire infrastructure like it never existed in the first place, “said Collins.

Listen to the podcast to her more from the conversation.

It’s been over a week since hurricane Helene made landfall near the Florida panhandle. Along with Florida, there’s been extensive damage in Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Georgia. At last count and time of recording at 10 a.m. Friday Oct 4, the death toll has exceeded 200 and is expected to increase.
In this journalist roundtable, Lilly Knoepp of Blue Ridge Public Radio and Jeffrey Collins of the Associated Press appeared on The Spark to discuss their recent hurricane Helene coverage.
“This disaster isn't unprecedented compared to others, is it's just not your traditional cleanup. It's just not making sure we get all the branches and trees that fell and, you know, repairing a pothole or two. I mean, like just the roads themselves. I mean, if you see some of the drone footage and everything. Like major highways, like U.S. highways look like trails. I mean, they look like primitive trails now because the, you know, the river just completely gouged them out. And then you won’t not be able to even rebuild on top of where the original road was. So somebody is going to have to figure out if they need to if they can rebuild on the road or they can go somewhere other place. So yeah, I mean, the thing I've heard about cleanup is it's just not like it's going to be a week or two. We'll get all the debris out of there. Everything will start to get back. I mean, you're going to have to rebuild entire infrastructure like it never existed in the first place, “said Collins.
Listen to the podcast to her more from the conversation.

Journalist Roundtable:  Hurricane Helene

Our Braver Angels segment for the month of October was about how to prepare for the election no matter who wins. Nita Landis is a registered Independent, Monica Guzmon (Blue), and Chris Hausner (Red) was apart of the discussion today. During the podcast, Monica also discusses her book, "I never Really Thought of it That Way" and speaks about her experience coming to grips with the political differences she had with her family. We also discuss the Family and Politics Workshop in Lititz on November 2.

Our <a href="https://braverangels.org/">Braver Angels</a> segment for the month of October was about how to prepare for the election no matter who wins. Nita Landis is a registered Independent, Monica Guzmon (Blue), and Chris Hausner (Red) was apart of the discussion today. During the podcast, Monica also discusses her book, "I never Really Thought of it That Way" and speaks about her experience coming to grips with the political differences she had with her family. We also discuss the Family and Politics Workshop in Lititz on November 2.

Braver Angels:  How to prepare for the election

Menstrual products are coming to some Pennsylvania schools thanks to Governor Shapiro’s million-dollar program.

Dr. Khalid Mumin Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education says it’s important to create conditions where students can learn without having barriers to the basic needs that may be acquired.

 “First and foremost, the governor and the first lady advocated for this funding because they believe that all Pennsylvanians, especially our kids, deserve real opportunity and freedoms to be able to chart their course for success, “said Dr. Khalid Mumin.

Pennsylvania Department of Health, Dr. Debra Bogen, says this is a win-win across the commonwealth, and she’s glad to see this program move forward.

“There's no bell that goes off that says I'm going to have my period today. So, it's really important that we have the flexibility in schools to respond to the needs of children when they when they need them. So, this is such a smart and easy, important, not easy, but it's an important program, right? We provide all kinds of things for our children to ensure they're ready for their school day. And this is just another important need that is met for children where, you know, you can't always have everything you need, always at your fingertips. And so, this is making sure the schools have those needs met, “said Dr. Bogen.

Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder says period poverty affects so many people. Now there are period products located in all county buildings within Montgomery County.

“Like as I mentioned earlier, they’re we believe, based on the 2022 census data, that there are over 13,000 females that are living below the poverty line and age 12 to 44 of menstruating age. And so, you know, the poverty challenges aren't just affecting our children. Right. And so, this is you know, people come to our county built buildings to do a lot of business, you know, vie for a marriage license. You might have to go to court for something, taking a walk in one of our parks or playing at one of the playgrounds. So it just really but the continuity of addressing period products, this is a great example from, you know, your schools to where people are doing business, you know, for every day, everyday life, “said Winder.

Menstrual products are coming to some Pennsylvania schools thanks to Governor Shapiro’s million-dollar program.
Dr. Khalid Mumin Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education says it’s important to create conditions where students can learn without having barriers to the basic needs that may be acquired.
 “First and foremost, the governor and the first lady advocated for this funding because they believe that all Pennsylvanians, especially our kids, deserve real opportunity and freedoms to be able to chart their course for success, “said Dr. Khalid Mumin.
Pennsylvania Department of Health, Dr. Debra Bogen, says this is a win-win across the commonwealth, and she’s glad to see this program move forward.
“There's no bell that goes off that says I'm going to have my period today. So, it's really important that we have the flexibility in schools to respond to the needs of children when they when they need them. So, this is such a smart and easy, important, not easy, but it's an important program, right? We provide all kinds of things for our children to ensure they're ready for their school day. And this is just another important need that is met for children where, you know, you can't always have everything you need, always at your fingertips. And so, this is making sure the schools have those needs met, “said Dr. Bogen.
Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder says period poverty affects so many people. Now there are period products located in all county buildings within Montgomery County.
“Like as I mentioned earlier, they’re we believe, based on the 2022 census data, that there are over 13,000 females that are living below the poverty line and age 12 to 44 of menstruating age. And so, you know, the poverty challenges aren't just affecting our children. Right. And so, this is you know, people come to our county built buildings to do a lot of business, you know, vie for a marriage license. You might have to go to court for something, taking a walk in one of our parks or playing at one of the playgrounds. So it just really but the continuity of addressing period products, this is a great example from, you know, your schools to where people are doing business, you know, for every day, everyday life, “said Winder.

Literacy and Phonics in Schools

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