TTP Newsletter

Turning the Page Receives Stamp of Approval from the Catalogue for Philanthropy
One of the best small charities in the Washington, DC region

Turning the Page is proud to announce our inclusion in the 2009-2010 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. Each year some 200-250 organizations survive a rigorous vetting process and are selected, according to Catalogue President, Barbara Harman, as "one of the best small charities in the Washington, DC region." This year a panel of ninety expert reviewers participated in the annual review process. Each year 68 new nonprofits are featured, and TTP has been selected for this year. Our page on the Catalogue website can be viewed here - where donations can also be made.

According to Barbara Harman, "We know that many nonprofits have had a very difficult year. For most, contributions are flat or down, and the decrease or loss of foundation and government funding has created significant budgetary challenges. Individual donors can make a real difference this year, keeping great organizations afloat during these tough times.”

Turning the Page has been part of the Catalogue family since 2004. Inclusion in the Catalogue this year will enable us to reach out to individuals in the region who would not otherwise hear our story. The Catalogue also provides us with a stamp of approval, and donors tell us that they appreciate the good housekeeping seal that the Catalogue provides.

Since its inception in 2003, the Catalogue has helped raise over $9.6 million dollars for local non-profit organizations. According to Harman, "the new Catalogue website is the broadest and deepest regional philanthropy website in the country."

Turning the Page is excited to be featured on it and proud to be called "one of the best!”

Community Night Author Visits Are Always a Hit
Six local authors share their stories with families

“How soon can you come again?” parents asked Robyn Ringgold as she concluded her recent Author Visit at Tyler Elementary School. Ms. Ringgold visited Tyler as part of Turning the Page’s Author Visit series, which brings local authors to our partner schools to share their books and tell their personal stories. Ms. Ringgold also visited with families at MLK, Jr. Elementary, sharing with both communities her book, My Mom Eats Tofu, the second in a series of children’s books designed to get students thinking about important environmental issues. Ms. Ringgold brought seaweed and almond milk for the children to try. After reading her story and having the students try the new foods, Ms. Ringgold discussed healthy eating and the writing process with parents.

Celebrated African storyteller Vera Oye Yaa-Anna, aka “Auntie Oye”, visited Terrell Elementary. Parents and students at TTP schools are always excited by the dynamic and engaging way she shares her stories, which includes singing, dancing, and drumming. Many parents mentioned how valuable Auntie Oye’s lessons were, particularly her focus on personal story telling. One parent simply stated that Auntie Oye taught her and her child how to “love ourselves.” 

This fall also included visits from authors, poets, and storytellers: Kwame Alexander, Fred Bowen, Elisa Carbone, and Jacqueline Jones. With themes ranging from environmentalism to historic fiction, sports to family and personal poetry the authors shared their stories and inspired the school communities they visited.

Vocabulary Workshop Gets Silly
Parents enjoy the second Community Workshop focusing on building vocabulary in fun ways

“My daughter saw a fish on the television and wanted to read more about it in the newspaper.”   Parents at this fall’s second Community Night, focusing on building vocabulary, created silly sentences such as this, demonstrating fun ways to use vocabulary words.  After drawing three random words from a hat, parents had to come up with a sentence incorporating all of the words while also focusing on something educational.  (The group that created this sentence drew “fish,” “television” and “newspaper.”)  The workshop was not all fun and games though, as parents discussed the Five Building Blocks of Reading and typical reading development. Parents enjoyed reading the children’s book Do Not Open This Book by Michaela Muntean and were excited to share it with their children and use it as a vocabulary-building tool.

Parent discussions and teacher presentations are always integrated into TTP’s workshop curriculum, and the ideas shared at this workshop were no exception. One parent from MC Terrell Elementary remarked that she does a grocery store activity with her children in which she has them cut out pictures from the supermarket circular and paste them next to the words of that particular item. When they go to the grocery store the children are tasked with correctly identifying the items while shopping. Parents from Tyler and MC Terrell talked about playing word games in the car with the children, pointing out all of the words that they can read on road signs and billboards. Teacher presenters also offered many great tips for strengthening vocabulary. Ms. McDowell and Ms. Douglas from Payne Elementary created a list of common site words that students can recognize while walking in their neighborhood, such as those found on street signs. Another Payne teacher, Ms. Johnson, created a handout entitled "Do Not Finish This Worksheet" that includes activities parents can do with their children based on Do Not Open This Book. At Tyler Elementary, Ms. Sanker shared an activity with her students called Word from Word. She gives the students a large word like Tetragonosaurus (a type of dinosaur) and has them make more words using the letters.  

As fall Community Nights draw to a close, new and exciting workshops are being created for the spring where parents will discuss healthy eating habits, preserving a healthy environment, and the DC-CAS standardized test administered in April. 

We are almost four weeks into our fall book sale, which opened in October.  Thanks to our new and our loyal Carpe Librum customers and those who have donated items. We are still looking for book and media donations, so please feel free to drop off items whenever we are open.

With our convenient fall sale dates, there's never been an easier way to get your holiday shopping done quickly and economically. 

2000 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

December 4th - 18th:
Weekdays: 10:00 am - 7pm
Saturdays, December 5th and 12th: 10am - 6pm