The Vegas PBS Ready To Learn (RTL) project provides literacy and health based workshops to schools and families. Vegas PBS RTL focuses approximately 90% of its outreach efforts on Clark County School District (CCSD) Title I schools. New, free books are provided to participants through workshops to help maximize their educational impact.

During the 2011-2012 school year, Vegas PBS RTL provided over 50,000 new books to at-risk families, serving tens of thousands of children.  RTL staff also offered over 500 workshops during the past school year.  Vegas PBS provided more than a workshop a day, everyday, promoting good health and literacy.

Using Vegas PBS children's programming, Ready To Learn conducts workshops that integrate tips for viewing television, literacy strategies, and hands-on activities to extend children's learning at home.

New books are distributed after the workshop, in English or Spanish, to extend the concepts discussed and help build children's home libraries.

Vegas PBS Ready To Learn outreach efforts are seen in numerous locations throughout Southern Nevada, including:

Clark County School District (CCSD) classrooms
public libraries
childcare facilities
non-profit preschool programs
shelters
recreation centers

Workshop topics include: feelings, environmental print, music, nutrition, Reading For Smiles Dental Health, sign language, math and measurement, and Keeping Kids Fit.  Since exercise is important for maintaining a healthy body, building confidence, and sustaining focus on learning, Vegas PBS Keeping Kids Fit is a long term project designed to address childhood obesity.

The PBS Kids GO! writer’s competition is the largest annual national contest of its kind targeted to children in Kindergarten-3rd grade.  Locally, Vegas PBS has provided the competition as an important and all too rare showcase for young students to showcase their talents and the importance of literacy for many years.  Vegas PBS has also expanded the event to have a local effort adding grades 4-5.   As an exciting new collaboration, Vegas PBS is partnering with the Southern Nevada Writing Project to award each first place winner free tuition in the organization's annual summer writing camp, allowing students to enhance their talents under the guidance of skilled educators who possess a passion for teaching writing.

Visit the RTL website for more information.

Since good physical health helps children arrive at school “Ready To Learn,” Vegas PBS staff work to provide dental health resources to families in need. This project, initiated in October 2001 and dubbed Reading For Smiles, consists of family workshops featuring video clips, songs and hands-on activities. Children who participate in these workshops take home resource bags stuffed with new toothbrushes, dental flossers, an age-appropriate dental health book, and a variety of resource materials for parents. A large number of participating families speak only Spanish, therefore the RFS program makes every effort to have materials translated into their primary language.

In January 2007, RFS was presented the Outreach Community Impact Award by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). RFS was praised for its innovation and creativity, especially in serving Latino families.

Whether it’s new apps focusing on math or an augmented reality game using camera phones, you’ll be able to find the latest and greatest educational games at PBS KIDS Lab.  RTL has trained pre-k teachers to use this innovative website PBSKids.org/Lab, to enhance their classroom curriculum.  Additionally, 38 iPads have been provided to Title I Tots/Pre-K classrooms and parent centers, allowing children access to educational apps from programs such as Super WHY! and Sid the Science Kid.

Visit the Vegas PBS Ready To Learn website to learn more about the program.