Half Price Books has generously donated more than 5,000 books for each child at all 89 EFS affiliate child care centers to receive a book for the holidays. Many thanks to Half Price Books for this very kind contribution to the education of our EFS children.

More than 2,800 children, family members and teachers attended the Fourth Annual Literacy Day at the Dallas Zoo. The children were entertained by Griot Storyteller, Afi Bell and children's entertainer and author Willy Welch. More than 2,000 books were given away and 62 Dallas library cards were issued. In addition, authors Tim Ostermeyer and Liz Garton Scanlon were in attendance to read to the children.

Be sure to join us for our 5th Annual Literacy Day at the Dallas Zoo on November 13, 2011! Educational First Steps (EFS) and the Dallas Zoo are teaming up for Literacy Day again. Well-known authors and children’s entertainers will be on hand to encourage the message that reading to children is fundamental. Celebrate the joy of reading with author talks, animal programs, and more.

The first Math and Science Fair was held October 16 at Cliff Temple CDC. The Fair provided two training tracks, one for infant/toddler and one for pre-k. Four trainers presented information — two infant/toddler math and science trainers and two pre-k trainers one math and the other science. Attendance was great with 104 teachers and directors attending. In addition, 93 classrooms received a Math/Science Kit. The next Math and Science Fair is scheduled for January 22, 2011 at Cliff Temple CDC.