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Meet the Author: Sharice Davids
Saturday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. Register now »
Kansas 3rd district congresswoman Sharice Davids loves encouraging kids to use their voice and lift up their communities. Join us for a reading and discussion with Rep. Davids, co-author Nancy Mays, and illustrator Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley as they talk about the art and story in Sharice's Big Voice. Their book tells the triumphant story of Davids, one of the first two Native American women ever elected to Congress and the first openly LGBTQ+ congressperson to represent Kansas in Washington.
This Week at the Library
Walk and Read – Daily, All Week
“Take a walk and read a book.” Not normally sound advice, but that is exactly what Johnson County Library is suggesting families do this week at Black Hoof Park, (9053 Monticello Road, Lenexa, KS) and at various locations throughout Johnson County. Walk and Read creates a family reading experience in the great outdoors! Families who participate will read two stories posted around the path, one going each direction. When you finish one story, you can flip around to the other side of the sign and begin the next story, which will lead you back around the path.
Take and Make – Monday, Sept 13, 2 – 3 p.m.
Get creative and exercise your DIY muscles with the Black & Veatch Makerspace Take & Make Kits! Register on this page or call 913.826.4600 to pick up your supply kits at your favorite Library and you'll get a link to follow the pre-recorded online instructional videos with our Makers. The Take and Make kits include supplies and instructions, although some kits you may need additional supplies you may already have at home. One kit per registrant.
Meet the Author: Julie Bogart – Tuesday, Sept 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Kids have a natural passion for learning, but that doesn't always transfer to traditional subjects needed for high school, college, and career. Best-selling author and homeschooling expert Julie Bogart shows you how to help kids become successful lifelong learners as she discusses her book The Brave Learner. The program will conclude with a short question and answer session.
Moving is Learning for Preschoolers – Wednesday, Sept 15, 1 – 1:45 p.m.
A moving child is a learning child. Grounded in best practices and current research, this session helps connect the dots that link brain activity, motor and sensory development, movement, and early learning. Movement experts from Johnson County Parks & Recreation District will lead 45 minutes of activities, exercises, and games this week at Antioch Park, Shelter 1, 6501 Antioch Rd, Merriam. Best for ages 3-6 and a caregiver.
Remember 9/11
Today marks the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001. In some Library locations, visitors have been sharing where they were when they heard the news. If you'd like to join the conversation and contribute your memories of the day, head over to our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and join the conversation.
Moving is Learning Series
Join us weekly at parks around Johnson County for our Moving is Learning series.
A moving child is a learning child. Grounded in best practices and current research, this session helps connect the dots that link brain activity, motor and sensory development, movement, and early learning. Movement experts from Johnson County Parks & Recreation District will lead 45 minutes of activities, exercises, and games.
Beginning Sept 15: Moving is Learning for Preschoolers (best for ages 3-6 and a caregiver) »
Beginning Sept 16: Moving is Learning for Babies and Toddlers (best for ages 1-3 and a caregiver) »
Reaching for Your Dreams Writing and Art Contest
In connection with our author event with Congresswoman Sharice Davids and her debut children's book Sharice's Big Voice, kids are invited to join our youth writing and art contest, "Reaching for Your Dreams."
In Sharice's Big Voice, Sharice dreamed of making a difference in this world by pursuing politics and now represents Kansas as a Congresswoman. What are your dreams? How will you accomplish them? What stands in your way? How will you stay motivated and what happens if you fail? Any or all of these questions and more can be explored in your submission. Winners will received a copy of Sharice's Big Voice signed by the authors and illustrator. Open to ages 10 and under.
Short stories, essays, poems, and art can be submitted between September 1 and September 14 »
TBT: Santa Fe Trail Bicentennial
This September is the Bicentennial of the first organized wagon train down the Santa Fe Trail, in 1821. The trail between western Missouri and Santa Fe, Mexico (New México, today) was an important economic generator and its history played out across Johnson County’s landscape for more than half a century. Besides incredible history of tenacity, hardship, and entrepreneurial spirit, there are physical markers to denote important trail sites throughout the county. These were placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in the early 1900s, and still exist today.
Learn more about the historic Santa Fe Trail and the markers from the early 1900s in the jocohistory blog.
Meet the Author: Julie Bogart
Register now » for a virtual chat on Tuesday, September 14 at 6 p.m. with best-selling author and homeschooling expert Julie Bogart.
Kids have a natural passion for learning, but that doesn't always transfer to traditional subjects needed for high school, college, and career. Julie Bogart will show you how to help kids become successful lifelong learners as she discusses her book The Brave Learner. The program will conclude with a short question and answer session.
Julie Bogart is the popular voice of common sense and compassion in the homeschool community. She's the creator of the innovative writing program called Brave Writer and the popular fast-growing practice called Poetry Teatime. She’s the founder of a homeschool coaching community called The Brave Learner Home. She home educated her five children, who are now globe-trotting adults, for 17 years.
Julie draws from her work with over 100,000 homeschool families over the last 20+ years, and her own homeschool journey, to enrich the homeschool and parenting experience. Her writing program includes award-winning online writing classes and paradigm-shifting writing manuals that allow parents and kids to become allies in the writing process.
This Week at the Library
Walk and Read – Daily, All Week
“Take a walk and read a book.” Not normally sound advice, but that is exactly what Johnson County Library is suggesting families do this week at Osage Park, (6300 West 87th St., Overland Park, KS) and at various locations throughout Johnson County. Walk and Read creates a family reading experience in the great outdoors! Families who participate will read two stories posted around the path, one going each direction. When you finish one story, you can flip around to the other side of the sign and begin the next story, which will lead you back around the path.
One-on-One Genealogy Help via Zoom – Tuesday, Sept 7, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Basic Genealogy and DNA one-on-one help are now being held online via Zoom specific to your questions and research. Visit the Johnson County Genealogical Society at www.jcgsks.org to schedule an appointment. A volunteer will email a personal Zoom meeting link to you prior to the scheduled date.
Community Matters Book Club – Thursday, Sept 9, 6 – 7 p.m.
Explore identity and the world around us in a welcoming space. This inter-generational book club provides kids and families a place to read about the unique experiences of diverse characters and historical events. Each month we will provide a selection of books for you to keep, along with an invitation to join us as a family for discussion, questioning, and community building. Copies of the books will be provided to participants who live in Johnson County. Best for parents or guardians, and their children ages 8-12.
Brainfuse HelpNow – Daily, All Week
Brainfuse HelpNow has several ways to get homework help:
- Live tutoring daily 2 – 11 p.m.
- Writing Lab to get feedback within one business day.
- Skillsurfer for study resources and text prep.
- Send Question to get a response within one business day.
- LEAP to create a customized learning plan.
Plus, several more tools to collaborate and learn using the website or mobile app.