September 2017 Around Hampton Roads


Virginia Beach Selected as One of 11 Communities for LENA Start Initiative


Innovative technology strengthens kindergarten readiness


The Lena Research Foundation has selected the City of Virginia Beach as one of 11 new communities to join LENA Start, a program that helps parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers (0-30 months) close the talk gap. Research shows that talking with babies is one of the most critical elements in their early brain development. LENA Start uses innovative "talk pedometer" technology with simple strategies offered in a series of efficient, engaging sessions. Parents learn to use feedback from the LENA System™ about their home language environment and receive home parent materials, free books to build a home library and easy-to- use talking tips to increase interactive talk with their children.


The program will be one of the new offerings from GrowSmart, a division of Virginia Beach Economic Development, to ensure healthy development and school readiness for children in Virginia Beach. The program is a cost-share model with United Way of South Hampton Roads, LENA Research and the City of Virginia Beach. The program will be launched with GrowSmart collaborative partners such as Virginia Beach Public Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Early Intervention, Head Start, Military Fleet and Family Services, Square One and other community-based organizations.


LENA Start takes a cost effective and scalable approach by delivering LENA feedback and strategies to increase talk to groups of parents. A 3-month sequence of weekly 1-hour sessions builds family engagement and social capital as well as strengthens engagement between families and the community. Staffing needs are reduced, while impact is increased. Effective implementation is ensured by delivering the program through videos and scripted instruction—and by continuous data feedback. The goal is to increase communication between parents and young children to bridge achievement and word gaps and increase children's school readiness.


"We will launch in October, and in the first year we will establish four parent groups that will reach 60 families," said Barb Lito, GrowSmart coordinator. "In year two, we will increase the number of parent groups to six for a reach of 90 - 100 families. This vital training unlocks parent's power to build children's cognitive potential, and we are very pleased to be selected to share this successful model with our families."


Virginia Beach READS Needs Volunteers


GrowSmart is also seeking community volunteers to assist with the Virginia Beach READS program. Volunteers spend one hour a week reading and mentoring to 1st-grade students in select schools in the city. To volunteer, call Barb Lito at 757- 385-6464 or email vbgrowsmart@vbgov.com.


Virginia Beach READS is part of the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading Upcoming Events


Computer & Resume Tutoring (Adults & Teens) Event Dates:


Tues. 11 am - 2 pm & Thurs. 2 - 4 pm Event Location:


Barron F. Black Branch Library 6700 East Tanners Creek Drive Norfolk, VA 23513 Contact info: (757) 441-5806


Chesapeake Branch NAACP Monthly Meeting Event Dates:


First Tuesday of the Month 7 - 8 pm Event location:


Providence United Church of Christ 2200 Vicker Avenue Chesapeake, VA Contact info: (757)485-8916


Think Tank Event Dates:


Mon-Thursday 2:30 - 4 pm Event location:


Slover Library - 5th Floor 235 E. Plume Street, Norfolk, VA Contact info: 757-727-1610


Norfolk Branch NAACP Meeting Event Dates:


2nd Monday of the month 7 pm - 8 pm Event location:


Huntersville Community Center 830 Goff Street, Norfolk, VA Contact info: 757 627-1096


Virginia Beach NAACP Meeting Event Dates:


Second Monday of the month 7:00 pm


Event location:


868 North Newtown Rd. Suite 101 Virginia Beach, VA Contact info: 757-490-7799


Newport News Branch NAACP Event Dates: Monthly Meeting


2nd Thursday of the month 7 pm Event Location:


Newport News Community Center 605 South Ave, Newport News, VA Contact info:


757-532-9486 | 757-532-4701


Job Readiness Class Event Dates: Every Thursday 9:30 am until 1:00 pm


Norfolk Workforce Development Event location:


201 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk Contact Info 757-664-6000


Free Youth Steel Drum Classes Event Dates: Every Monday


2:30 pm until 4:00 pm Event location:


DGCC 2410 Wickham Ave Newport News, VA Contact Info 757- 247-8950


Coffee Downtown Event Dates: Every Tuesday


8:00 am until 9:30 am Event location:


Hatch 111 Granby Street Norfolk Contact Info


757- 295-8635 or 757-393-8501


Halls of Art XIX Returns to the Hampton Roads Convention Center Event Dates:


Wednesday, June 7 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Event location:


Hampton Roads Convention Center 1610 Coliseum Drive Hampton, VA 23666 Contact Info:


757/315-1610 or info@thehrcc.com Visit www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com for more free events!


Submit your upcoming Free events to our website and you may see them here!


Hatch Startup Night Event Dates:


Second Thursday of each month 6:00 – 8:00 pm


Event location: Pierce McCoy, PLLC 101. W. Main st Norfolk, VA 23510 Contact info:


Zack Miller 703-618-0939 zack@ startwithhatch.com


Strong Men & Women in Virginia History @ Hampton Main Library Event Dates:


Every Day 9:00 AM-5:00 PM Event location: Main Library


4207 Victoria Blvd. Hampton, VA 23669 Contact Info 757-727-1312


The 27th Annual Southeast Community Day Parade and Festival Event Dates:


Friday, September 08, 2017 - Sunday, September 10, 2017 Event location: Newport News, Virginia. Contact Info:


www.southeastdayparade.com. Andrew Shannon (757) 877-0792


Planning an event in Hampton Roads?


Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration (Family) Event Dates:


Thursday, September 28 @ 4:30 PM


Event location: Larchmont Branch 6525 Hampton Boulevard Norfolk, VA 23508 Contact Info: 757-441-5335


Enchanted Engineering: STEM activities and fairytales (School Age) Event Dates:


Fridays in September @ 1:15 PM (September 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29) Event location: Slover Library


235 E. Plume Street Norfolk, VA 23510 Contact Info: 757-664-7323


STEM Festival (School Age) Event Dates:


Saturday, September 23 @ 1 PM Event location: Blyden Branch


879 E. Princess Anne Road Norfolk, VA 23504 Contact Info: 757-441-2852


Kid's Coding: Scratch (School Age) Event Dates:


Saturday, September 30 @ 2 PM Event location: Blyden Branch


879 E. Princess Anne Road Norfolk, VA 23504 Contact Info: 757-441-2852


Hampton Roads Messenger Publisher Angela and her daughter, Angelica, in front of a Scotland Yard office, a Royal Horse Guard, and Big Ben in London, UK. To view more photos visit HamptonRoadsMessenger. com


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


The Hampton Roads Messenger 13


which focuses on three pillars of success proven to directly impact reading proficiency in the early years. By emphasizing the importance of school readiness, summer learning, daily attendance and reading by grade level, Virginia Beach READS is committed to moving the needle on reading. Community partners in the local campaign include Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Virginia Beach Libraries, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, Office of Volunteer Resources, United Way, Square One and GrowSmart.


GrowSmart is operated through the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development. GrowSmart exists to promote and improve the healthy development, school readiness and reading proficiency of young children ages 0-8. In addition to providing resources for parents and families, GrowSmart also offers programming to ensure the availability of high quality early education. Visit www.vbgrowsmart. com for more information.


HRM Photos of the Month


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