Poetry creates opportunities for children to explore a variety of topics and emotions through writing, and Pikes Peak Library District’s annual Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest engages 4th and 5th-grade writers. 2024's theme was Lost & Found: Poems of Importance. Young poets reflected on something they had lost or found in the last few years as they worked with poetic devices like imagery, form, meter, and rich vocabulary to create an original poem for a chance to win a prize. This contest continues Jean Ciavonne’s legacy of connecting children with poetry and writing.
Congratulations to our 2024 winners!
- Elsie Byrne, 5th Grade, Homeschool - "Overlooked"
- Lilia Gerber, 5th Grade, Gerber Homeschool - “Black and Brown Again”
- Enray Liu, 4th Grade, The Classical Academy Central Elementary - “Melody of Courage”
- Clara Pavri, 5th Grade, Colorado International Language Academy - “Figures on a Crinkled Map”
- Sara Schmidt, 5th Grade, Thomas Maclaren School - “My Lost Heart”
- Sienna Shafer, 5th Grade, Monument Academy - “The Best Dream”
Jean Ciavonne Remembered from PPLD TV on Vimeo.
In November, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) joins with people and organizations across the nation to draw attention to hunger and homelessness through education, programs, and events.
Pikes Peak Library District Collects to Share is once again putting out the call to collect hand-crafted items for our community shelters. Starting in November, as part of Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, we will be accepting donations every month for a year. If you have knitted items such as hats, scarves, socks, and blankets that you would like to donate, please bring them to the public desk at any Library location and let staff know that they are for PPLD Collects to Share. Through your hard work and creative generosity, we donated over 120 hand-crafted items to those in need in our community since November 2022. Thank you!
Programs
- Community Conversation: Hunger and Homelessness Awareness
Thu/. Nov. 16, 6 - 8 p.m. at the East Library Community Meeting Room, click here for more information on panelists
Resources
- Helping Hands Community Resource
The Helping Hands El Paso County Community Resources guide is a list of services available in El Paso County. - PPLD Community Resource Officers
Pikes Peak Library District offers community resources across the District. Our Community Resources Specialists are here to help you navigate and connect with services by providing referrals and information to get the help you need for your specific situation.
Website Links
- Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness.
Materials for this eclipse Take and Make will be available at area PPLD libraries beginning Friday, October 13, 2023.
Materials and Instructions
Materials Included in Take and Make:
Black paper
Circle template
White, non-toxic chalk
You provide:
Pencil
Scissors
Masking Tape
OPTIONAL: Brightly colored construction paper or foam sheets for cut-out horizon detail.
Instructions: See pdf file below for more pictures and science information.
1. Place the template on a piece of dark paper. Secure with a loop of masking tape or simply hold down with one hand.
2. Draw a thick circle of chalk around the template. Go around 2 or 3 times. It does not need to be neat.
3. Holding the template in place, smudge the chalk away from the center of the circle using a finger to create the corona of the Sun.
4, When you are done smudging, remove the circle template.
5. Add words, pictures, or fun designs.