Now Open for Registration!   

Childhood Conversations
8th Annual Conference

Interactive Literacy and Music
Afternoon Keynote: Michael Levine
Co-founder of The Learning Groove (TLG), and music
producer of the first four New York Times bestselling
“Pete The Cat” books by Eric Litwin and James Dean

Friday, March 28 &
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Hartford/Windsor Marriott, Windsor


Learn more at www.childhoodconversations.com

Rethinking the Traditional School Day

Michelle (my boss) asked who would like to contribute to a blog on community schools. She provided some educational links and suggestions. I took this as a learning opportunity and volunteered. Suddenly I was reading about Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs) and Community Schools. Imagine that, ELOs are in businesses also! Our productivity is garnered no differently than our children’s are. Learning is lifelong and is accomplished when the community, businesses, schools, and government start understanding that we are all in the same life boat. We don’t succeed unless all of us do.

The world HAS changed since I was in grade school and yet many schools still teach the same way they did when I was 6 years old. How sad is that? Meanwhile the educational gap increases between what is left of the middle class children and children born into poverty (see links provided below).

I work with a group of well-educated and experienced people who are chomping at the bit to get going but they know that it takes slow and steady to create change, it doesn’t happen overnight. Reading through the Baltimore case study in the below links showed some of the strategies that devoted groups have to go through to get a program up and running. These are typical: transparent governance, the full enlistment of public sector partners, sustaining and growing available funding to reach scale, deepening the quality of available programs, successfully reaching and engaging older youth, and capturing and expressing a fuller range of anticipated youth outcomes. This is building the community school and ELO infrastructure.

When you prepare properly with the combined assistance of engaged community partners you are able to offer learning opportunities that were not as fully available as before. When parents see that they too can have opportunities to learn and engage with their children, it benefits everyone in society. We have programs here in Connecticut such as New Haven’s Community Schools BOOST! program and Hartford’s Community Schools that expand learning opportunities into the weekends for families and students. This is a good start.

There are many positive studies available. The Coalition of Community Schools has published a new report on Community Schools and Expanded Learning Opportunities at their website. You can download a copy and check out their blogs and case studies. As always if any of us at the Network can assist you please let us know.

The Growing Convergence of Community Schools and Expanded Learning Opportunities
http://www.communityschools.org/elo/

The After-School Needs and Resources of a Low-Income Urban Community: Surveying Youth and Parents for Community Change - email me for this document at rdugas@ctafterschoolnetwork.org

Director's Seminar Series 2014

Coming this January and March .......

Allowing yourself to Lead:  Voices from the Field

Date: January 24, 2014
Time: 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Middletown, CT
Panelists:Michele Rulnick, CEO Northern Middlesex YMCA; Tracey Lay, Director, School Age Programs & Development Services, EDUCATION CONNECTION; Carol James, Childcare Director, West Haven Community House

The field of after school is rapidly changing as the academic, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth has become central in the education and health sectors. Adaptive leadership is a core competency Directors and Site Supervisors need in order for your program to thrive and contribute to these conversations at the local level. This interactive panel session will feature leaders from the field that have seen change and professionalization of the field over time. They will share examples of their leadership journey in the field of after school and expanded learning and how they have adapted to changing programmatic demands, rose to challenges, and were able to see failures as opportunities

For registration information, click here.

Stress Management and Improving Relationships


Date: March 28, 2014
Time: 9:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Location: Windsor, CT
Presenter: Michele Stewart Copes, MS, M.S.W. Consultant for The Connecticut After School Network


Morning Workshop: Stress Management and Improving Relationships In this workshop participants will learn to identify common signs of stress in themselves, co-workers and family members. They will become familiar with the causes of stress and learn skills and strategies to reduce personal stress and be better able to help others and themselves navigate the needed relationships that create low-turnover, high-quality after school and expanded learning programs. This process will prompt a dialogue and a brainstorm of options to be able to improve relationships that may be impacted by stress.

Followed by Lunch Seminar: Strengths-Based Planning This lunch seminar will discuss the use of the Holistic Strengths Model to conduct strengths based planning for youth and their families. Participants will learn how to utilize the Theory of Change for a continuous quality improvement process and will develop awareness and skills in the following areas:

• Identification of Strengths, Needs and Culture.
• The Development of a Strengths, Needs & Culture Discovery within the Wraparound Process.
• Reframing Problems & Challenges into Needs.
• Basic Steps in Developing a Strengths Based Plan
• The Eight Youth Developmental Needs

For registration information, click here.

Afterschool is a REAL Solution Linked to Closing the Achievement Gap

We recently received a box of printed materials that excited Michelle and Ken.  Inside the box were copies of an unpublished research study by Deborah Vandell.  What she found was that when children attend quality after school programs consistently there is NO gap between low income and high income children's math achievement. No wonder they were excited; proof positive for what they have devoted themselves to.

I did a little research on Deborah Vandell and found her a well published, passionate researcher on after school studies.  I look forward to reading some of the studies I found online.  If you are interested in what was in the box we received you can find a .pdf at this link:

http://www.statewideafterschoolnetworks.net/system/files/resources1/The%20Achievement%20Gap%20is%20Real_0.pdf

If you have any problems drop me a line and I can forward it to you.

A commencement speech that warms your heart and tickles your mind...

Philosopher Judith Butler on the Value of Reading & the Humanities: McGill University (Montreal) Commencement Address

Linda Chave from the Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield County sent me this link on a 6 minute speech that will make you shiver.  She talks about learning, empathy, and critical thinking.  Her words are eloquent and thoughtful.  This is one speech you will remember.  Take 6 minutes to hear it through.

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/06/07/judith-butler-mcgill-2013-commencement-address/

 Here's a hint of one small part of the speech:

"You will need all of those skills to move forward, affirming this earth, our ethical obligations to live among those who are invariably different from ourselves, to demand recognition for our histories and our struggles at the same time that we lend that to others, to live our passions without causing harm to others, and to know the difference between raw prejudice and distortion, and sound critical judgment.

The first step towards nonviolence, which is surely an absolute obligation we all bear, is to begin to think critically, and to ask others to do the same."

 

 

Bus Transportation to NAA in New York 2014

You CAN send your employees to the
National AfterSchool Association Annual Convention in New York!

Farmington Extended Care & Learning is sponsoring bus transportation for participants attending the National After School 2014 Convention in New York City February 27 – March 3, 2014.

There will be motorcoach shuttle bus service to/from Connecticut to the National AfterSchool Association 2014 Convention to be held at the New York Hilton Midtown, 1335 Avenue of the Americas in New York City starting on Thursday, February 27, 2014 - Monday, March 3, 2014.

Register for one way or round trip on the same or different days. Cost one way is $25; round trip is $50.

Bus pick up/drop off locations are Manchester, Farmington Town Hall, Education Connection (Litchfield), New Britain and Newtown. For bus routes and times please click here.

For more details and to register online visit our website at www.fpsct.org/fce or call 860.404.0112

---

Connecticut After School Network
12 Melrose Avenue, Branford, CT 06405 

phone: 203-483-9757 fax: 203-481-7160 email: info@ctafterschoolnetwork.org
Visit our Web site at: www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org

New Afterschool Matters issue published by NIOST

The National Institute on Out-of-School Time is pleased to announce the fall 2013 publication of Afterschool Matters, generously funded by the NOYCE Foundation and The Bowne Foundation. The pdf of the journal is available for free by clicking here. This national, peer-reviewed journal serves those involved in developing, managing, and working in programs for youth during the out-of-school time hours and those engaged in research and in shaping youth development policy. It’s one of the only resources of its kind. The fall issue opens with an article on the importance of content-specific out-of-school time training for professionals in the field. In addition to a piece on stimulating youth participation in social action and community service, this issue brings you several pieces on content and learning outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). If you have any questions, are interested in viewing past issues of Afterschool Matters, or would like to sign up for a subscription, please refer to NIOST's website.

Got Supper?

Fighting Hunger through the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program

We all know kids are hungry after school (school lunch can be as early as 11:00am!). Some children come home from school to empty fridges and cupboards because parents struggling to make ends meet may not be able to afford food.  Almost 1 in 5 (112,663) of Connecticut's school children participate in afterschool programs. While many programs offer a snack it is often not enough, especially when these afterschool programs end late in the evening with no meal waiting at home.

Recently, Connecticut became eligible to provide full meals ("suppers") to students 18 and under enrolled in an afterschool enrichment program. This is provided by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through federal funds. 

Afterschool supper participants benefit from more than nutrition; suppers can decrease behavioral problems in afterschool programs and can increase focus on enrichment activities.

Currently in Connecticut, only 7 out of 34 eligible towns are offering this opportunity to their students. End Hunger CT!/CT No Kid Hungry Campaign is working with the CT State Department of Education to increase the awareness and availability of this program, to ultimately  ensure that no child goes hungry during out-of-school time.

To find out if your afterschool program or school is eligible to serve suppers, please contact Shannon Robins at srobins@endhungerct.org.

Reposted from our friends at EndHungerConnecticut! 

Webinar Series with Terry Peterson

Have you heard about the Expanding Minds Compendium?  It is a guidebook of studies, reports, and commentaries by over 100 thought-leaders including educators, researchers, community leaders, elected officials, advocates, and other prominent authors. 

This series of webinars by Terry Peterson, the "godfather" of afterschool, is a new resource for all educators, community and afterschool leaders and funders to help you dig deeper into the research and best practices that that show how quality after-school and summer learning programs—including 21st Century Community Learning Centers—make a POSITIVE difference for students, families, schools, and communities.

The first webinar is being held on November 19th at 1:00 EST and is called:  

A New Resource for Educators, Community and Afterschool Leaders and Funders: Expanding Minds and Opportunities.

In this webinar you will learn how to use this resource that is filled with data points and research highlights. Examples will be given on how to improve your practice, develop new partners, and make the case for after‑school and summer learning programs.

To Register for this seminar click here.

To Learn more about this seminar click here.

---

The second webinar is on December 3rd at 1:00 EST and is called:

More Than Just Another "To-do" on the List:
The Benefits of Strong School, Principal, and Afterschool/Community Relationships

Student learning is no longer the sole province of schools. Learn how after-school leaders and school administrators are working together to build strong ties of mutual support for enriching the experiences of children in every learning community throughout our nation.

To Register for this seminar click here.

To Learn more about this seminar click here.

If you would like to explore and learn more about the Compendium online click here.

---

Connecticut After School Network
12 Melrose Avenue, Branford, CT 06405 phone: 203-483-9757 fax: 203-481-7160 email: info@ctafterschoolnetwork.org
Visit our Web site at: www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org

You have been identified as someone who is interested in After School issues in Connecticut. If this is not the case and you would like to be removed from this email list, please click here to unsubscribe. If this email has been forwarded to you from a friend and you would like to receive future After School Alert emails directly, please click here to subscribe. 

Embedding 21st Century Skills into Afterschool Programming Webinar

Participants will learn how these concepts can be embedded into programming that is already occurring in your afterschool curriculum. Tips and tools will be shared that will allow staff to hit the ground running with ideas and strategies. This is the first in a series of webinars offered by the Northeast Statewide Afterschool Networks funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for 2013-14.

Date: October 31, 2013
Time: 10:30 am
Duration: 1 hour
Hosts: Ken Anthony and Lynn Stanley

Register here!

Keeping the Lights On After School In New Britain, CT!

Johnny Burnham | Staff Students hold up signs at the Lights Out Afterschool rally Thursday at Central Park.

Congratulations to the New Britain Youth Network and everyone who helped make this great event possible!

Front Page coverage in the
The New Britain Herald : New Britain, Conn., and surrounding areas (newbritainherald.com)

Do you have more news, opinions, ideas about after school and summer youth programs in Connecticut? Send them to the Connecticut After School Network so we can feature them on this blog!

Oh My! Time for a Knowledge Boost!

You can help every child succeed AND have fun doing it!
Inspire, Connect, and Learn

    through workshops presented by the

Connecticut After School Network Fall Conference

The Power of Potential:Expanding Minds & Opportunities

Workshops like:

Words and Pictures through Circus Illusion
Take Better Photos and Videos
Making Positive Discipline a Reality Even with the Most Challenging Children
Staff Survival 101
Building Partnerships – Working with Schools, Parents, and Community
Creating a Common Core Learning Environment in After School
Lego Robotics and More

There are 37 Workshops like those above.  You will leave with new knowledge and a smile on your face. Be aware though, our workshops fill up fast.  Don't leave this to the last moment.  If you are a member, the pricing is even lower (ask us how you and

your organization can join).

So please join us Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Farmington Marriott Hotel
To register and find out more about the conference please click here.
For membership information please contact Sue Krampitz at skrampitz@ctafterschoolnetwork.org

Lights On! After School Art Contest

“Something Wonderful I Learned in After School”

October is Connecticut’s Lights On After School Month.                
Join us! Bring awareness to after school!            
Involve your program in our art contest.              

Any child or youth in the state of Connecticut can enter by creating a piece of art celebrating the wonderful things that they have learned in after school. Prizes will be awarded for the top three pieces of art in each of four grade levels (k-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
Deadline is October 24th.  Enter now.
For more information and a registration form please click here.

Conference Registration Deadline Approaching!

9 days away for the last day of registration!

The Connecticut After School Network is asking YOU to register before October 26th - the very last day to register.  Don't miss out on your opportunity to:

     Inspire, Connect, and Learn

          
This is the only conference that is specifically designed for YOU - after school and summer providers for Connecticut's children.

Workshops are still available.  Sign up before the 26th to get the workshop you WANT! 

So please join us Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Farmington Marriott Hotel

To register and find out more about the conference please click here.

Consider becoming a member, for membership information please contact Sue Krampitz at skrampitz@ctafterschoolnetwork.org