The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation

We were honored to welcome New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho to Logan on Friday as her exclusive Denver stop during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. As part of the Stories That Connect Us Series sponsored by @boulderbookstore and @theplayedcorp , Joanna shared her writing journey, cultural heritage, and the importance of representation in children’s literature. Students and families also learned about the growing scale of book bans across the country and explored ways we can thoughtfully resist by continuing to read widely, share stories, and amplify diverse voices. The visit also included a special piece of history: a signed copy of Governor Polis’ official Colorado proclamation recognizing May as AANHPI Heritage Month, generously presented to Logan by Shannon Milliken, Founder of P.L.A.Y. Education. A heartfelt thank you to Boulder Bookstore and P.L.A.Y. Education for making this experience even more meaningful by providing every Logan student with a copy of a Joanna Ho book! We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to celebrate storytelling, identity, and the power of books to connect us across cultures and experiences.

To honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (#AANHPIHeritageMonth), we are thrilled to welcome New York Times bestselling author, Joanna Ho for a special reading hosted in partnership with the @coloradoasian . Joanna’s stories center identity, intergenerational resilience, and cultural affirmation, creating space where AANHPI children feel seen, valued, and rooted in their authentic selves. "Stories That Connect Us" is a community‑led initiative strengthening belonging, representation, and social connection for AANHPI youth and families. Join us for our FREE Community Event! RSVP link is in our bio 📅 Friday, May 15th ⏰ 6:00pm-7:30pm 📍 The Social Fabric Hub 🍜 Refreshments provided This event includes: 🎤 A reading and book signing with @joannahowrites 📖 Free book per child, sponsored by @boulderbookstore 🗝️ Engraved keepsake from @yaygiftsandcards 🍪 Sweet treat by @glittersweetsco 📜 A signed copy of the 2026 AANHPI Heritage Month Proclamation by @govofco , sponsored by The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation and The Sakura Foundation, authored by community advocate, @lulubuckster The sponsored proclamation reflects our shared commitment to breaking down systemic barriers. When children see themselves represented in history, it affirms their belonging and rewrites the narrative of who is recognized, valued, and included in our community. This year’s proclamation builds on the foundation laid by Nga Vương-Sandoval, who authored the first ever AANHPI Heritage Month Proclamation in Colorado, last year. With gratitude to our sponsors and partners: Presenting Sponsor: @cohealthfnd Presenting Book Sponsor: @boulderbookstore Proclamation Sponsor: @tapeandtwine Education Advocates: @rmeq @ywca Community Partners: @asiangirlsignite @capu_2021 @sakurafoundation @beingbetterneighbors @coloradoasian @downtowneriecounseling

#aanhpiheritagemonth starts today! We are working to place 500+ culturally affirming books into the hands of children across the Front Range. Alongside @sakurafoundation , we are proud to have sponsored the second statewide AANHPI Heritage Month proclamation 🏛️, authored by community advocate, @lulubuckster -- helping elevate the voices of AANHPI children and families, and ensuring they can see themselves rooted in a community shaped by rich culture, history, and belonging. $12.00 = 1 Book 📖 $8.00 = A keepsake AANHPI Heritage Month proclamation for a family 📜 👉🏽 Give now: Link is in our bio

Shannon never grew up believing she was worthy because of how different she looked from those she grew up with. As a transracial adoptee, she learned early what it felt like to live outside the boxes our society uses to decide who belongs, who is seen, and who is valued. So when she found out she was having a daughter, she shamefully wished that her little girl wouldn’t inherit her eyes, the same eyes she had spent a lifetime wishing they weren't so different. Then she found the book Eyes That Kiss in the Corners. The book gave her language she never had growing up. It gave her and her daughter a shared story. Something Shannon had been searching for her whole life. If this is what belonging feels like, Shannon has committed her life’s work to creating these moments for other children and families. Our event, on May 15th, Stories That Connect Us is doing exactly that. 📍 The Logan School (AM) - School Only 📍 Monarch PK-8 (AM) - School Only 📍 The Social Fabric Hub - Community Event ⏰ 6PM 🍜 Refreshments 📚 Free signed book by Joanna Ho 🗝️ Engraved keepsake by @yaygiftsandcards 🎟️ FREE! Registration link coming soon! And this work isn’t just for AANHPI children. It’s for every child. AANHPI kids deserve to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. And these children are friends, neighbors and family members of these other children who don’t share those same identities. We’re raising 500+ culturally affirming books for classrooms and community spaces across Colorado. Help us reach our goal and make sure every child grows up seeing AANHPI stories as worthy, joyful, and part of our shared world. Support the campaign. Link in bio.

**Closed Captions Enabled** We just launched our new campaign, Stories That Connect Us! This May, in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we’re launching a campaign rooted in belonging, representation, and community. We’re bringing New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho to Colorado for a three‑site book tour so children and families can feel seen in the pages they read. Join us for our community event! 📅 May 15th at 6:00 p.m. 📍 The Social Fabric Hub 🍜 Dinner will be provided, 📚 Every child will receive a signed book to take home This event is designed to remain free and accessible for families, and we welcome anyone who wants to be part of making that possible. If you’d like to get involved, we have sponsorship opportunities available and we welcome all donations, no matter the size. Sharing our campaign with your networks and engaging online are just as meaningful ways to support this work. The donation link is in our bio. Thank you for your support in creating environments where children can learn, grow and thrive;just as they are!

We are deeply grateful for the openness and willingness to collaborate with the @highlandspto . From the very beginning, you welcomed us without hesitation, without conditions, and without asking for anything in return. As part of our commitment to support organizations that model true partnership, P.L.A.Y. Education is proud to give a $200 check back to the Highlands PTO to support your initiatives. When we work together, we elevate each other. Thank you for showing that collaboration is not something to fear, it's a pathway to stronger, more innovative ways of serving our community. #pleaselearnasyou #bettertogether @coloradopta @stvrainfoundation

We did it! The #SpectrumofSound campaign reached its $10k goal, and it happened because this community showed up with intention and belief in what’s possible for our kids. To our sponsors, donors, families, and the 100+ organizations and local business partners who chose to stand with us: thank you. Your support fuels work rooted in education, public health, and equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (#edib) work that centers whole‑child school health, inclusive learning, representation, and affirming youth voices. Social justice is the purpose. It’s the commitment to addressing the systemic barriers that impact our most vulnerable youth and marginalized communities. How we do that work, by building capacity, developing infrastructure, mobilizing resources, and planning for sustainability, is what makes this approach both innovative and necessary. Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we keep going. #ErieCO #neurodiversity #PleaseLearnAsYou

🌙✨ Dream Getaways + Local Love + Summer Camp Savings ✨🌙 Our silent auction is stacked with experiences that celebrate Colorado in the most joyful, family‑centered way. 🏨 Overnight Escapes • A luxury stay at @brownpalace • A night at @limelightdenver • A two‑night lakeside cabin retreat in beautiful Red Feather Lakes @pattyharsch1 🛍️ Local Gift Cards That Celebrate Local Businesses • Independent bookshops @briggs_books_erie • Local florists @lafayetteflorist • Elway’s Downtown @elwaysdowntown • And so many Northern Colorado gems across Lafayette, Louisville, and Erie @piripioldtown @echobrewing @zaikaerie @chipcookiesco @rubyruseatery @morning_glory_cafe 🌞 Summer Camp Deals That Truly Make a Difference Bid on camps your kids already love and save BIG on summer care: • @snapologyboulderdenvermetro • @smbarocks • Groundswork Art Lab • Camp Elevate @namastemloco • @galileocamps • @mynaturelab ✨ Bid early. Bid often. Bid with heart Every bid directly supports P.L.A.Y.’s mission of creating environments where children can learn, grow and thrive; just as they are! #pleaselearnasyou #ErieColorado #silentauction

🎉 Our Silent Auction is LIVE — and the bundles and baskets this year are unreal! From cozy home vibes to Colorado adventures, creative play, and wellness support, this lineup is packed with joy, intention, and community love. ✨ Here’s a peek at what you’ll find: • Kitchen + entertaining baskets filled with the little things that make hosting feel easy. • Beautiful spring themed gift baskets from @coloradoinabasket , a Mama and Me Wellness basket and a festive holiday themed gift basket. • ALL the Squishmallows, inclusive children’s books, and creativity + art sets. • Vouchers, tickets and gift cards to The Art Hub in #lafayette, jungle escape room in #denvercolorado @caveofthewinds , @andersonfarmsco and @stanleymarketplace @rhw_erie . • A stunning Colorado landscape stained‑glass piece by @samaradesignsstudio . • Disney‑themed baskets for the magic‑lovers by @kimbush_lovethemousetravel . • Yummy sweet treats by @glittersweetsco . Register, take a peek and don't be shy to bid early! Registration link is in our bio. (/c/spectrumofsound/auction

🎉 Family Fun Is Front and Center in Our Silent Auction! From big adventures to sweet celebrations, this year’s items are all about joy, connection, and play. ✨ Highlights include: • A drone experience with the @eriepolicedepartment • @konaice_lafayette_erie birthday party packages • Play‑filled outings to the @childrensmuseumdenver @lavaislandcentennial @sweetplaybroomfield @lmb.westminster @boondocks_co @winnerscirclecolorado • Gift cards to local shops @grandrabbitstoys @47_bakery • Tickets to the @denverzoo and @denvermuseumns • Escape room adventures at @atlasescaperoom for families who love a challenge Every bid helps create environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive; just as they are. Registration link is in our bio or can be found here: /c/spectrumofsound/auction #pleaselearnasyou #ErieCO #ColoradoNonprofit #familyadventures #silentauction

🎉 Our Silent Auction goes LIVE in less than 12 hours! Take a moment tonight to preview all 80+ baskets -- more than $16,000 worth of items in authentic gift baskets and packages that include family fun activities and summer camps, to overnight stays, memory-making experiences and exclusive items from local vendors and businesses across the Front range from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins! Registration link is in our bio or via the link below. /c/spectrumofsound/auction ✨ Early‑bird perk: Register before 8am tomorrow and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card. 💳 Quick note: You’ll be asked to enter a credit card when you register, but nothing is charged unless you bid and win. It simply keeps the auction secure and makes checkout easy for winners. Thank you to all the amazing businesses and organizations who have donated to support P.L.A.Y. Education's mission of creating environments where children can learn grow and thrive; just as they are! #Colorado #ErieColorado #ErieCO @denverzoo @eriepolicedepartment @atlasescaperoom @lavaislandcentennial @andersonfarmsco @glittersweetsco @caveofthewinds @coloradoinabasket @chipcookiesco @briggs_books_erie @elwaysdowntown @cb_orchardparkplace @cyclebarfortcollins @cyclebarloveland @yogapodboulderlongmont @thecornerboxing @k1speed @rodiziogrill @freqflyers @comedyworksdenver @brownpalace @namastemloco @groundworksartlab @limelightdenver @mynaturelabcolorado @smbarocks @kendrascott @loakley001 @big_city_mountaineers @dogtopiaoflafayetteco @kneadedcomfortbakery @blanchardwine @bouldervalleywomen

🎧 ✨ Spectrum of Sound keeps getting better ✨🎵 We’re thrilled to share that @coloradorespondertherapydogs , @communitylanguagecooperative , and @kingscloudscc will all be joining us for Spectrum of Sound, each one adding something meaningful to the way our community experiences belonging, regulation, and joy. 🐾 Colorado Responder Therapy Dogs Spectrum of Sound is vibrant, playful, and full of sensory input, which can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Therapy dogs offer a grounding outlet for anyone who needs a moment of calm without stepping away from the event. Their presence gives kids and adults a soft, steady way to regulate in an overstimulating space, and we’re grateful for the comfort they bring. 🤟🏽 Community Language Cooperative We’re also partnering with Community Language Cooperative to ensure ASL and interpretation services are available. Many organizations only hire interpreters after someone requests them but requiring families to ask for access is a barrier in itself. We don’t believe access should depend on who speaks up or who feels safe enough to ask. So instead of waiting for a request, we’re building these services into the event from the start. Access is not reactive, it’s part of the design. 🍭 King’s Clouds Cotton Candy And then there’s our 10‑year‑old entrepreneur from King’s Clouds Cotton Candy, who embodies exactly what P.L.A.Y. Education stands for: Please. Learn. As. You. He models what it looks like when children are trusted to show up as themselves, creative, capable, and full of possibility. If you want to be a business owner at 10, you be a business owner at 10! That’s the kind of self‑determination and joy we uplift every day. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of a fun-filled evening with your friends, family and loved ones and join us in celebrating our neurodiverse learners and uplifting their families! Tickets can be found in our bio! Or here: /spectrumofsound #spectrumofsound #pleaselearnasyou #silentdisco #neurodiversity #breakingdownbarriers