Researchers Say . . . Five Components Are Key to Improving Afterschool Programs

The National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, & Student Testing combed through research findings and program evaluations to develop an improvement model for afterschool programs. The focus is on goals, leadership, staffing, program characteristics, and evaluation.

1. Goals are clear, rigorous, and supported across the program in structure and content. Funding is adequate to support goals.

2. Leadership is experienced, well-educated, has longevity at the current site, uses effective communications, sets high expectations, and has a bottoms-up management style.

3. Staff is experienced, has longevity at current program, relates well to students, models high expectations, motivates and engages students, and works well with leaders, colleagues, and parents.

4. Program aligns to the day school, provides time for students to study, learn and practice; includes motivational activities, frequently uses technology, science and the arts to support youth development, student learning, and engagement.

5. Evaluation uses both internal (formative) and external (summative) methods. Evaluative information and data accurately measure goals; results are applied to continuous program improvement.

Follow this link to read the 15 page report published in Summer 2011: http://www.cse.ucla.edu/products/policy/huang_MAPB_v5.pdf

We were led to this report through free subscription to Y4Y News at
http://y4y.ed.gov. Do check out this wonderful resource.

Summer Meals, Anyone?

Does your summer program provide lunch? You should check out the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program that can help you. This program is administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education - visit their website for more information here: www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2626&q=320658

Connecticut After School Leader Honored as an After School Champion in Nation’s Capital

Dr. Agnes Quinones and Michelle Doucette Cunningham

The National Afterschool Alliance has recognized Dr. Agnes Quinones, Education Consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education, for her support of after school programs at the tenth annual “Breakfast of Champions,” a gala event in Washington, D.C. Dr. Quinones was one of just nine state champions from around the country honored at the Breakfast on May 17th. The Connecticut After School Network nominated her for the honor.

Dr. Quinones’ work in the policy arena has significantly improved learning opportunities for young people, both during and after school. She was a driving force behind the creation of STEM-focused after school curricula for middle and high schools, and helped to ensure that Connecticut has a sustained investment in science technology, engineering and math (STEM) during after school hours.

“Dr. Quinones is a committed and capable leader who can take a good idea and make it great,” said Michelle Doucette Cunningham, executive director of the Connecticut After School Network. “Her expertise and ability to collaborate have made the critical difference in helping to ensure that after school students have opportunities to learn and get excited about the sciences and math.”

The “Breakfast of Champions” is part of the tenth annual After School for All Challenge sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance, which brings hundreds of parents, educators, children, program directors and advocates from around the country for a series of events and meetings with members of Congress. Following the Breakfast, participants fanned out across Capitol Hill to talk with their members of Congress about the importance of expanding opportunities for kids to engage in STEM activities. This year is the Year of Science in After School.

Kaitlyn O'Leary, Gerald Barrett & Bill Stover stand behind Agnes and Michelle

Green Technology Education Helps Kids Win the Future at Stafford After School Program

Mr. Norm explains hydrogen fuel cell technology to the kids.

What happens when you combine a passion for science and ecology with a desire to teach it to future generations? You find the best possible outlet and get going. That’s when Norman Nadeau, green technology enthusiast, decided that the after school program at Stafford Elementary School was the perfect environment for him to share his knowledge with kids.

Nadeau, or Mr. Norm as he’s known to the students, started with the program as a Taekwondo instructor. As he finished his first book about energy alternatives titled, The Green Revolution (Random House Publishing), and had fully incorporated environmentally friendly changes to the way he lives, he decided it would be a good idea to teach the kids in the after school program all about going green. Now in the second year of the Renewable Energy Program offered at Stafford Elementary After School Program, Mr. Norm incorporates a 20-hour self-scribed syllabus that has the kids doing everything from learning about recharging batteries to constructing their very own hydrogen fuel cell! The program meets 2 to 3 times per week from about an hour and a half. Mr. Norm says he gets a fair mix of boys and girls who sign up – and will often have the same children signing up session after session.

“Our goal is to educate the kids enough to go home and educate their parents,” says Mr. Norm. He tries to instill the mantra of reuse, rethink and recycle to all the participants.

The kids constructing the hydrogen fuel cell literally put it together and run it on a specially constructed board. The volume of hydrogen is extremely low so there is no danger to anyone working on the project. The children also are learning from a hydrogen-cell “kit car” about the ways the technology will fuel our cars and trucks in the future. Mr. Norm has a real life hydrogen fuel cell converted Audi that he uses to demonstrate the real world impact of going green to these eager to learn children. He often assures them that by the time they are old enough to drive a car, the hydrogen fuel-cell cars will be a viable choice.

The Renewable Energy Program runs in concert with the Wacky World of Sciences Program taught by Marie Dawson. In this program, children are experimenting with solar powered ovens made from pizza boxes, potatoes that generate electricity and a clock that runs on water! In addition to the hands-on STEM learning experiences, participants also are introduced to the value of conserving energy and to think outside of the box when it comes to innovative ways to reach every day goals.

Carol Parker, the Site Director, is very encouraged about what she is seeing in the level of excitement the children seem to have reached. “The kids are so into what they are doing they can’t wait to tell me all about what is going on!”

The Stafford Elementary After School program is one of the recipients of the State Department of Education After School Grants. This high-quality program also offers an array of 18 – 20 activities for the children from physical fitness to science and math. There are well over 100 children at the site on any given day, all grades  2– 5, and the program meets 3 to 4 days per week. They are helped with homework, are given snack and “read time” in the first half of the session, and then at around 4:15 p.m. they move on to their planned activity for the day. The program is run by the school and virtually every available space is used to accommodate all the children. The program runs throughout the school year. Summer and vacation programming are currently not available. For more information about this unique program, contact Carol Parker at parkerc@stafford.k12.ct.us.

Connecticut After School Network Celebrates Art & Essay Contest Winners and Finalists

More than 150 children and their families gathered at the New Britain Museum of American Art on Saturday for an award and recognition ceremony for the winners and finalists of the 2011 Faces of After School Self Portrait Art Contest sponsored by the Connecticut After School Network. The contest was open to all children, grades K – 12, who participate in an after school program in Connecticut. View a stream of photos from the event here. 

Twelve winners and thirty-four finalists were chosen based on their skill, creativity and interpretation of themselves. They represented programs from the major cities like Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, and New Britain, as well as more rural areas like Madison, Enfield and Old Saybrook. Work was judged by grade group (K – 2, 3 – 5, 6 – 8 and 9 – 12). Hundreds of entries were received.

The Network received a grant from American Savings Foundation to offset the cost of the event and wall display of the children’s artwork in the Museum for the event.

A full list of the winners and finalists, as well as a virtual gallery of the children’s art work can be viewed by visiting our Web site www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org.