Connecticut After School

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

2012-01-06T12:07:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-06-24T14:07:00.006-04:00

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

2011-05-18T11:53:00.001-04:00

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

2011-05-16T11:30:00.002-04:00


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

2011-05-09T16:34:00.002-04:00

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.

Advocacy Day Shines Positive Light on Windham Before and After School Programs

2011-05-02T14:57:00.015-04:00

(pictured L to R - Dr. Agnes Quinones, SDE, Michelle Cunnigham, Bill Stover, Windham Public Schools and Kim Russo of United Way. Bill is holding the Citation from the State General Assembly.)

The Windham Public Schools held their annual Advocacy Day at the Natchaug Elementary School in Willimantic last Friday.

A highlight of the morning program was a peek into the before and after school program and a presentation of the reading tutorial group of 3rd and 4th graders who meet twice a week for intensive literacy training in the program that runs from November through May. The kids come from the four elementary schools in the area, Windham Center, Sweeney, North Windham and Natchaug.

Although Advocacy day is meant bring attention to all the great programs and schools in the area, one of the reasons for holding the event at Natchaug Elementary was to invite the public into the school to see first-hand the happy children’s faces and dedicated classroom teachers in what has been unfairly referred to as the “worst” of the so-called failing schools in Windham.

“Advocacy Day brings attention to all the great programs and schools in the area,” said Bill Stover, Director of Windham Public Schools After School Program and National AfterSchool Association Ambassador. “For nearly a decade there have been UCONN students who come to tutor the kids regularly in the after school program and we’ve got the greatest Big Brothers/Big Sisters match in the state. Willimantic is a great city with its own Victorian neighborhoods and two universities nearby. It just gets a bad rap in the press.”

After a tour of a second grade English class and a third grade math class (both in progress) the Windham Community After School Task Force held a meeting to discuss upcoming events and funding issues, as well as to welcome some very distinguished guest speakers that included State Senator Don Williams, State Representative Susan Johnson, Dr. Agnes Quinones of the State Department of Education, Toral Maher of the Liberty Bank Foundation, and our own Michelle Doucette Cunningham.

Senator Williams emphasized that after school programs give children the added enhancement to a successful education and that we need after school programs to insure that children’s love of learning continues to grow in the future.

Speaking on behalf of the Liberty Bank Foundation, Toral Maher, promised continued support and urged the task force to consider Liberty Bank a partner in moving after school forward.

Dr. Quinones said it is important to recognize the value of after school programs and the meaningful experiences they provide for children. Programs do something different from the school day by bringing the community into the classroom.

Michelle Cunningham addressed the task force by first congratulating them on their success of bringing together business, colleges and funders to the after school task force. She remarked that Windham is a model for how an after school task force is supposed to work.

Representative Johnson presented the task force with a Citation from the Connecticut General Assembly.

Of course, budget concerns were a topic. Windham is a 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) grantee in its fourth year of a five year grant. Federal government cuts to 21CCLC funding will adversely affect the program. The State After School Grant appears to be safe for the near future with flat funding over the next two years. However, that funding hinges on the outcome of the state budget vote this week and the deliberation with state employee unions.

Yet time marches on and programs are gearing up for some great events including a “red carpet” event on May 24th showing a film written and produced by K – 5 graders in the after school program at Sweeny School. The $1 donation at the door will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. May 26th there will be a multi-cultural event. Students studied different countries exploring games, food, language, sports and music. There will be an international pot luck dinner and the kids are creating a cook book that includes recipes from each country they learned about.

Early in the day, Michelle Doucette Cunningham and Bill Stover were featured guests on WILI’s morning radio program. You can listen to the broadcast by visiting:
http://wili-am.com/images/audio/natchaug_advocacy_day_april_29_2011.wma

No Kid Hungry Campaign Launches in Middletown

2011-03-24T12:10:00.004-04:00

Yesterday End Hunger CT! and Share Our Strength launched their No Kid Hungry campaign at an event at Macdonough School in Middletown.

The compelling evidence that 127,000 Connecticut children are at risk of hunger on a daily basis – that’s one in six kids – is simply an unacceptable number that needs to be eliminated as quickly as possible. Right now Connecticut is poised to take action both politically and socially. The campaign has the full support of the Governor, the legislature and the countless nonprofit and child-serving agencies in the state. Funding will largely come from the federal government, whose food funding has gone virtually untapped by Connecticut over the last decade. The money is there – it needs to be accessed. That’s why such a large scale awareness campaign is necessary, “to increase the visibility and use of these programs through existing and new partnerships,” says End Hunger CT! Deputy Director, Dawn Crayco.

The first year priorities of the campaign focus on increasing participation in programs during out of school time, like after school and during the summer. There are at least 24,000 kids in Connecticut after school programs getting a snack that could be getting a meal, and an additional 150,000 meals can be served during summer programs.

Governor Malloy was on hand and spoke about the need for everyone to be more aware of the hungry kids in their midst, and to utilize and create tools to overcome the language barrier that prevents so many thousands from accessing the services that are available to them. Governor Malloy and the Democratic Governor’s Association have a strong relationship with Share Our Strength and are committed to the cause of ending childhood hunger nationwide.

Speakers also included Speaker of the House, Chris Donovan, Senate President Pro Tempore, Donald Williams, Under Secretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services at the USDA, Kevin Concannon, and Chris Buchanan, Senior Manager of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart. According to Buchanan, Walmart has pledged to donate up to $2 billion over the next five years to end hunger in America.

The No Kid Hungry campaign's goal is to eliminate childhood hunger in America by 2015. For more information on the No Kid Hungry campaign visit http://nokidhungry.org/

After School Day at the Capitol Message Heard Loud and Clear!

2011-02-23T14:59:00.010-05:00

Today we had an impressive turn out at our annual After School Day at the Capitol. Youth from programs in Stamford and New Britain got to witness first hand how the legislature works. An impromptu visit from Governor Dannel Malloy got the morning off to a great start! He met with students from the Stamford Public Schools' ALTA after school program. Turns out, he is an alum of West Hill High!

From there the youth and after school program advocates had an in-depth discussion with lobbyist Judy Blei on the role of lobbyists and the importance of regular citizens speaking up for their after school programs with their local legislators. Everyone did a lively role playing exercise with one group acting as legislators and another as advocates. The goal - to convince their legislator of the importance of after school programs and to remember to keep the funding for the after school grant in the budget.
Representative Betty Boukus stopped in to coach the kids (and grown ups) on how to testify at a public hearing. Many of the youth had never even spoken in front of a group of peers, let alone a group that included a State Representative. Some acted as mock representatives, others as opponents to funding. They all did terrific!
Later, Representative Tim O'Brien met a group of New Britain youth and program leaders in the corridor by our After School table displays. He was accompanied by his infant daughter, Olivia. The youth asked him questions about his role in the legislature and informed him of how much their after school program means to them!

All in all the day was a huge success! A big thank you to all who participated, especially the folks who set up their network tables, the kids, and of course Governor Malloy and Representatives Boukus and O'Brien. See you next year!

Enter the 2011 Art Contest!

2011-02-17T14:54:00.004-05:00

Faces of After School is a statewide after school art contest in which the many faces of after school come alive in artistic self-portraits! Children and youth participating in after school programs throughout Connecticut can enter the contest by creating self-portraits using any two-dimensional medium!

Many of the Faces of After School self-portraits will be on display in an art exhibit at the New Britain Museum of American Art, as well as in a virtual display on our Web site.

Click here to download the entry form.

Guidelines:

*       Children & youth create a self portrait using any 2-dimensional medium - Paint, collage, pastels, digital art...the opportunities are endless!

*       Self-portraits must be 8½” x 11” – any type of paper, the thicker the better!

*       Children & youth ages 5-17 participating in any after school program in Connecticut are eligible to enter.

*      Prizes will be awarded for the top three self portraits in each of four grade levels (K-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12)

Submission Information:

Mail completed self-portraits to the Connecticut After School Network, 12 Melrose Avenue, Branford, CT 06405.

The deadline for entry submissions is April 15, 2011.

Exhibition:

Winners and finalists of the Faces of After School Self-Portraits contest will be on display in the New Britain Museum of American Art and also on our Web site with the goal of calling attention to the importance of quality after school programs.

Here are some great resources for fun Self-portrait lesson plan ideas:

Princeton Online, Incredible Art Lessons: www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/elem/selfport.htm

Dick Blick: www.dickblick.com/lessonplans/selfportraits/

National Gallery of Art: www.nga.gov/education/classroom/self_portraits/

Self-portraits become sole property of the Connecticut After School Network and will not be returned. A recognition and award ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the New Britain Museum of American Art.

Contact Jennifer Peifer with questions at 203-483-9757 or jpeifer@ctafterschoolnetwork.org

Don't Miss the Spring Into the Arts After School Conference!

2011-02-11T11:59:00.003-05:00

Click here for workshop and registration information!

The Connecticut After School Network, in partnership with Young Audiences for Learning Connecticut (an affiliate of VSA) present this one of a kind experience to the after school professionals who bring so much creativity to all of the many diverse after school and summer programs throughout the state.

Our emphasis this year is on the arts, be it drawing, dance, theater, literature - even puppets! The goal is to link these exciting activities with school curricula and bring another dimension of learning to Connecticut's children.

We're also offering an array of health and wellness workshops that include yoga, nutrition and fitness to inform and educate providers as well as get them on their feet!

Now more than ever it is imperative for kids to be engaged and interested in learning and school success. What better way to peak their interest than with colorful, creative activities designed to not only teach, but to inspire the imagination to think without limits.

So get ready for a high impact arts inspired day of learning! We hope the workshops peak your interest and introduce new ways to dazzle your after school kids and introduce them to a world of imagination and opportunities!

After School Day at the Capitol is February 23rd! Register Today!

2011-02-02T15:51:00.004-05:00

Now more than ever, it is critical to tell our legislators how essential quality after school and expanded learning opportunities are to the development of the whole child. For providing quality services, supporting working families, supporting economic growth, strengthening workforce development and keeping kids safe.

Click here to register for the event! Your registration enables us to get you the most up to date information on your legislator(s) and their committee assignments.
The children and youth that you serve need your voice to be heard at the Capitol this year. We're calling for your presence at the annual After School Day at the Capitol to tell your legislator how vital your program is to your community. For help contacting your legislator to make an appointment, contact Jennifer Peifer (jpeifer@ctafterschoolnetwork.org)
To get you started on the road to effective advocacy and prepare you for After School Day on February 23, check out the tools and resources below:

Register for After School Day at here.
Coordinate an on-site training for staff, parents, youth and other community members in preparation for After School Day. For more information, contact Sue Krampitz at skrampitz@ctafterschoolnetwork.org
Review information about the Connecticut legislature, the budget process, and afterschool policy, available at here and here.
For even more information at your fingertips,follow the Network on Facebook and Twitter!
Set up a meeting with your elected officials as soon as possible. For helpful suggestions on how to set up a meeting and what to say when you finally do meet with your legislator, follow these valuable tips. Once you have set up your meeting, let us know by contacting Jennifer Peifer at jpeifer@ctafterschoolnetwork.org
Parents, as the voting voice of their children, play a critical role in the advocacy process. Engage staff and parents at your program by encouraging them to register for After School Day at the Capitol, discussing experiences and stories to share with legislators, and arranging legislative meetings.
Contact your local media to spread the message of after school to businesses and others in your community. For more information on contacting your local media and sample letters to the editor, please click here.

Meeting with a Legislator or Aide

Work with program staff and participants to create something to give to your legislator that you can bring to your meeting – items like photos, posters, letters and drawings from kids and parents in your program not only provide examples of the great things you are accomplishing in your program, but will remind your legislator of the need for quality after school programs throughout the budget process.

Fostering Positive Behavior Workshop Enlightens and Informs

2011-01-18T10:16:00.002-05:00

The thermometer read -4 early Friday morning when a group of 50 after school program directors headed to the YWCA of New Britain to take part in a director-level workshop hosted by the Network. This was the fourth in it's seven part series of workshops aimed specifically at after school Program Directors and leaders on the rise. The Director's Seminar Series kicked off in October and to date has seen record attendance and enthusiasm about the series.

Friday's workshop focused on Helping Staff Foster Positive Behavior in Children. Our facilitator was Susan O'Connor, who is the Director of the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative (HSLI)*.

One of the most important messages that Ms. O'Connor got across to the class is that kids come to a program initially for the activities, but they stay for the relationships. It is vitally important that each child feels welcome, has a say in how the program operates and feels like a vital member of the group. O'Connor also outlined some interesting facts about the way children listen, how the right number and balance of rules impacts their behavior and what to steer clear of when planning program activities.

There are three more sessions in this year's Director's Seminar Series. Ms. O'Connor will conduct two of them: February 25, 2011 at the Middlesex YMCA, topic Program Planning and Design; and April 21, 2011 at the Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford, topic The Basics of Coaching for Quality Improvement.

For all the information about the Director's Seminar Series visit: www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org/training/DirectorSeminarSeries.htm

* HSLI was launched in the Summer of 2006 to bring equity in summer opportunities and learning for low income children. The initiative provides supports to a network of 45 programs, including thematic curriculum, training, technical assistance, action grants, scholarships and a teen apprenticeship program. HALS has merged with the WestMOST Network that works to build public awareness about the importance of after school and out-of-school time learning.

Participants working out a behavior scenario

Michelle Cunningham, Susan O'Connor and Ken Anthony

Susan O'Connor in action.

Another group analyzing behavior scenarios.

Middle & High School Conference Registration Now Open!

2011-01-06T14:51:00.009-05:00

We are now taking registrations for the 2011 Middle & High School Conference!

Click here for all the details!

Do you have a great idea for a quality Middle or High After School Program? Do you need information on how to both develop and market your program to the community? Come to the 4th Annual Middle & High School Conference on Friday, February 4, 2011, and hear directly from the folks who have successfully launched middle and high school programs and learn their marketing strategies and best practices. Our morning will consist of a panel discussion with directors of successful Middle and High School Programs in Connecticut. Our afternoon workshop will focus entirely on the research and tools you will need to develop and market a program, led by experts who have implemented these plans and watched them come to fruition.

Schedule of the day:

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. - Registration and light breakfast
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. - Announcements
10:15 - 10:45 a.m. - Team Building Session
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. - Panel discussion: How to Engage Youth in Programs and How to Attract the Right Staff
11:45 - 12:30 - Lunch
12:30 - 2:00 p.m. - Workshop: Research and Practice in Developing Quality Programs and Marketing Them Successfully

Director's Conference Brings After School Leaders Together

2010-12-07T11:33:00.003-05:00

On December 2, the Connecticut After School Network hosted a specialized conference for after school program directors at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell. Developed in conjunction with our highly anticipated Director's Seminar Series, this companion conference offered after school leaders the opportunity to examine their own capacities, strengths and areas to grow. Building on the premise that leadership is a critical component of staff retention, parental involvement and identifying the emerging leaders they currently employ, the Network hired renowned expert and speaker, Bill Corbett, as the keynote and facilitator of one of the two breakout sessions offered at the conference.

Corbett spoke extensively on the challenging behaviors after school program directors and staff encounter on a daily basis, and the tools that can help overcome the obstacles to managing the classroom. Corbett noted that if the program teacher lacks self-care and has become a discouraged soul, he or she may not be ready and able to manage the program or challenging behaviors. With the right amount of leadership and encouragement from the director, the teacher's spirit can be revitalized and recharged to go back into the program to redirect inappropriate behaviors and regain harmony in the classroom. He stressed that the after school directors should become the examples they want to see in their teachers, using more encouragement to help the staff regain their passion to work with children.

Two breakout sessions followed. The Powerful Lessons in Personal Change: Getting You and You Staff Back on Track, conducted by Corbett, went beyond the keynote and used leadership tips from Steven R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The session covered motivating staff and growing strong teams in after school programs.

Session two, Choosing the Right People, was conducted by our own Ken Anthony, Director of Professional Development. This lively workshop covered hiring and recruiting staff to help develop a high quality after school program. He spoke of ways to unlock the passion your staff have by tapping into their personal interests and hobbies in the hopes of making a connection that will resonate with the kids in your after school program. This session was offered at the 2010 National AfterSchool Association’s annual conference to an audience of well over 100.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive finding the content both informative and inspiring! The Network hopes to continue these types of events in the future.

Afterschool Alliance Names Connecticut After School Director "Afterschool Ambassador"

2010-11-16T11:19:00.000-05:00

The Afterschool Alliance announced the selection of Bill Stover, Director of Supplemental Programs of Windham Public Schools, to serve as a 2010-2011 Afterschool Ambassador. He is one of just 18 local leaders from 16 states selected for the honor this year. Each Ambassador will continue directing or supporting a local after school program while also serving a one-year Afterschool Ambassador term organizing public events, communicating with policy makers, and building support for after school programs.

“Bill will bring great energy and talent to his role as an Afterschool Ambassador. I look forward to working with him to build even stronger support for after school among parents, business and community leaders, lawmakers and others. We are proud to have Bill on our team," said Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance.

“I’m thrilled to have this wonderful opportunity to help secure the future of after school programs for kids and families in our community, and across the state and nation,” said Stover. “After school programs are critical to student success and the economic security of working families. I look forward to helping expand support for them.”

The Windham before and after school programs offer safe, creative and educationally enriching activities to over 300 kindergarten through sixth grade students. Each day the students participate in a variety of learning enrichment activities, health and recreation time, academic support centers, as well as regular educational field trips to all parts of the state. To assist students to improve their reading skills, they are engaged in a reading tutorial program twice a week for a total of three hours. In addition, over 200 local university students provide one on one mentoring during the program as part of the Nutmeg Big Brother and Big Sister Program.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality after school programs. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

Advocating for YOUR After School Program

2010-11-11T11:29:00.003-05:00

Political activism is important to many after school programs! Local and state level politicians make countless decisions that impact after school providers and the families they serve. It’s crucial that legislators make these decisions based on good information, and the best way to ensure that is to personally contact them. Call or email your local Senator, Representative or Mayor, and if possible, invite them out to see your program in action! Now is an EXCELLENT TIME FOR SITE VISITS! The state legislative session doesn’t start until early January 2011, so the timing is perfect to call them now to ask them to visit your program.

STEP 1: Talk to your colleagues about setting up a site visit for state and local elected officials. The Afterschool Alliance has a great page on How to prepare for a site visit here. While their advice was written for Congressional visits, it also applies to Connecticut State Representatives and State Senators. Many of us work in towns different than where we vote, so we’ve posted information on how to find contact information for elected officials on our Web site, which you can access here.

STEP 2: Plan an activity with your students to send the new governor a photograph of all the kids with a congratulations card they make and sign. The new governor, Dannel Malloy, will take office on January 5, 2011. Plan now to have your students send him a giant card with a photo of all of them congratulating him. You can mail it to him here:

277 Ocean Drive East
Stamford, CT 06902-8219

STEP 3: Plan to attend After School Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Is it during school vacation week? Can you plan to bring students and families with you? If not, would you like to ask all of your parents to sign a letter you can bring with you on to the Capitol? Call the Network if you need ideas or help planning. (860) 730-2941.

STEP 4: Stay informed with the Connecticut After School Network. Get the Network’s email blasts! If you aren’t currently receiving two or three emails a week from the Network, you’re spam filter may be blocking them.

Here are my favorite Web sites for staying informed:
After school in Connecticut: www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org
Afterschool nationally: www.afterschoolalliance.org
Connecticut politics (latest news): www.ctcapitolreport.com
Connecticut news: www.ctnewsjunkie.com and www.ctmirror.org

STEP 5: Plan ahead to join the Network’s staff in Washington, D. C. May 16 - 17, 2011 to visit our National Senators and Representatives with 2,500 other after school leaders from across the country to talk about after school issues. Network staff will accompany small teams to hill visits next spring, called the Afterschool for All Challenge. Subscribe to the Afterschool Alliance’s newsletter to get information about this event, and check their Web site well in advance to register and reserve your hotel room. Call Michelle Doucette Cunningham if you have questions (860) 730-2941.

Remember – support for after school programs cuts across party lines. Everyone wants to see our children well cared for, inspired and safe during the hours that their parents are working when school is out and during the summer. Eighty-three percent of voters agree that there should be some type of organized activity or safe place for children/teens to go after school every day that provides opportunities to learn – and politicians are taking note.

Michelle Doucette Cunningham is the Executive Director of the Connecticut After School Network

Fall Conference Gets People on Their Feet!

2010-11-10T11:28:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday the Network hosted its annual Fall Conference at the Farmington Marriott. Over 200 after school professionals participated. Our keynote speaker, Tony Streit, really got the crowd moving with activities that included creating a "puff car" out of various provided materials such as life savers and straws, as well as creating their very own After School Super Hero! The focus of the keynote was Project Based Strategies to Revitalize After School Learning. This year's conference included a Director's Track of workshops with CEUs, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) track of workshops as well as sessions on Global Learning. Streit also conducted a Project Based Learning in After School Programs seminar the day before the conference as part of our Director's Seminar Series for 2010 - 2011. Check out these photos from the Friday workshop and Saturday conference!

Our Friday Group of Directors

Directors at the Friday Workshop

After School "Super Hero"

Creating an After School Super Hero

Racing the "Puff" Cars


Creating a "Puff" Car

Bridgeport Lighthouse Programs Celebrate Lights On After School!

2010-10-22T15:40:00.008-04:00

The Bridgeport Lighthouse After School program celebrated the 11th annual Lights On After School Day yesterday at an event in Bridgeport. Speakers included Mayor of Bridgeport, Bill Finch, and Superintendent John Ramos, Sr. Lights On After School Day is a nationwide day of after school program celebration created by the Afterschool Alliance as a way to bring awareness to the wonderful programs available to children of all ages. Over 1 million after school programs participate annually.

Hall & Marin Lighthouse Programs "Singing in the Rain"

Dunbar Lighthouse Program

Song in Sign Language, Tisdale Lighthouse 2nd and 3rd Graders

Tisdale Lighthouse Program, Directed by teachers from Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County

The CT After School Network in the Zeitgeist!

2010-09-09T10:59:00.000-04:00

The Connecticut After School Network is all over the media this week! Check out our profile in this month's Hartford Business Journal!

The news blog CT News Junkie also published an op-ed by Michelle Doucette Cunningham about the importance of quality after school programs. Click here to read it!

2010 Fall Conference

2010-08-26T10:32:00.005-04:00

We are now taking registrations for the 21st Annual CT After School Network Fall Conference. The conference takes place on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Farmington Marriott Hotel in Farmington, CT. Our keynote speaker is Tony Streit, Senior Project Director at Education Development Center, and a recognized leader in the fields of youth development, media education, and community technology.

This year we're offering a Director's Track with CEUs, as well as both STEM and a Global Learning tracks.

Register today - Space is limited!

Click here for all the details!

Join Us at the After the Bell Symposium!

2010-07-29T12:03:00.006-04:00

The Connecticut After School Network is hosting the After the Bell: Improving Student Learning With After School Programs, breakfast symposium for educators and decision makers, on Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell. Registration is now open.

Keynote speaker, Earl Martin Phalen is the co-founder of BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) and CEO of Summer Advantage USA. Mr. Phalen is the recipient of numerous awards including the President's Service Award, and he was recently honored at the 2010 BET Awards with the Shine a Light/Local Hero Award for impacting communities and being an education hero.

Also featured will be a panel discussion between in-state and out-of-state education leaders on how to successfully build partnerships between community-based after school/summer programs and local school systems. The panel will focus on providing practical solutions on issues such as scheduling, staffing, and program funding – practical solutions to meet everyone’s needs!

We all know that children don't stop learning after the school bell rings. In fact, the vast majority of their time is spent outside of a traditional classroom. Keeping them engaged academically is a challenge that involves diverse exposure and access to quality learning opportunities that can fuel their individual passions and ignite their knowledge-hungry minds.

Quality after school and summer programs can offer creative solutions to educators' dilemmas. Building partnerships with the out-of-school time community, including businesses and other organizations, may well be the key to helping our children succeed in learning.

This symposium provides a platform for participants to explore different points of view, the latest research and most importantly, real world examples of how they can forge and sustain these school-community partnerships to help meet the high expectations we have for all of our children. We hope to see you there!

Important Safety Message: Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning

2010-07-26T14:23:00.000-04:00

Please read this before you go to the pool or beach: Drowning doesn't look like drowning.

Hot summers like our current one in Connecticut bring more people to the beach, the lake, and the swimming pool searching for some relief from the hot weather. But before you go, please take a minute to read the information on-line at the link above. The extra minute you spend now could make all the difference in the world!

Special thanks to Mario Vittone for the blog post linked above, Dr. Francesco A. Pia for the original article in the Coast Guard's On Scene Magazine that inspired the blog post, and Patti Digh for the blog about the blog.

Summer Program Offers Creative Lessons in Financial Literacy

2010-06-25T15:36:00.003-04:00

This summer, the students at OPMAD will get a taste of what it’s like to actually earn “money” to pay for goods and services through a four-week program they are referring to as, “The Price is Right.”

The curriculum is designed to engage the students in learning about real world economic situations through authentic role playing and hands-on activities geared toward keeping kids engaged in financial literacy.

The curriculum will focus on building leadership, communication, team work, computation, decision making and organizational skills.

The overall goal of the program is to help the students understand the concepts of spending vs. saving, the value of consumer goods and the level of education necessary to earn a good living. The message: everything has a price and each decision they make has a cost.

Students will be active members in their classroom economy. They will choose a job in the class and create the rules and procedures for their economy game. Some of the specific “careers” within the classroom entail cleaning up at the end of class, materials distribution, daily weather reporting, bank teller, and shop keeper. Each job will have a designated salary. Students will have to pay for items such as seating and instruction, and can be fined for inappropriate behavior.

The students will keep a daily bank record of their debits and credits, and identify products they would like to save for at the end of each week. The younger children can spend some of their savings at the store run by the older students.

At the end of the week the students bring their bank books to the bank teller and withdraw the cash for shopping at the class store and bidding on items for auction. Using “The Price is Right” game show format, students will understand how the market works in setting fair market value for consumer goods while having fun.

OPMAD (Organized Parents Make A Difference) is a non-profit, parent-run organization that provides after-school and summer programs in Hartford’s public elementary and middle schools.

National Summer Learning Day is June 21st!

2010-06-15T10:30:00.005-04:00

The National Afterschool Association has an interview with Ron Fairchild, CEO of the National Summer Learning Association, on how you can get involved in this year's nation wide celebration of Summer Learning Day on June 21, 2010. Register your program event today!

Information on National Summer Learning day - click here.

To listen to the NAA Radio interview - click here.

United Way Marks 70th Annual Community Celebration

2010-06-03T12:02:00.011-04:00

The 70th United Way Annual Meeting was held on June 2nd at the Stanley Center for Learning and Innovation in New Britain. This year's program has a special focus on education, particularly after school programs, and the good they do for kids and the community.

Our own Michelle Doucette Cunningham was the keynote speaker. She stressed the significant role after school programs play in the academic achievement of children as well as in their social development. She underscored the vital importance of quality that focuses on intentionality and working directly with school systems to ensure the children are getting all of their academic and social needs met.

Tracey Madden-Hennessey, Board Chair of the Network, then introduced a group of middle and high school kids who have embarked on a project called "Photovoices" which chronicles their anxieties, concerns and excitement about entering New Britain High School through photographic displays. The group emerged from the work of the New Britain Youth Network, OIC and the YWCA with the support of New Britain High School. It hopes to improve the transition process from middle to high school in order to decrease drop out rates.

The Community Campaign Champion award was given to OKAY Industries, whose employees manage to annually break their giving records to the United Way.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Cindi Whitham of Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut.

Girls from Photovoices

Boys from Photovoices

Michelle Cunningham, Kim Russo from the United Way, and Tracey Madden-Hennessey of the YWCA of New Britain

Summer Programming Workshop Brings Fresh Ideas to Providers

2010-05-27T12:56:00.002-04:00

The Network offered its first Intentional Summer Programming full-day workshop on May 25th at Southern Connecticut State University. Erin Ulery, Director of Professional Development at the National Summer Learning Association facilitated the day.

The workshop offered both new and experienced providers practical training in the foundational knowledge of successful summer program implementation. Using networking, case studies and planning tools, participants gained an understanding of critical research and new ideas for engaging youth in learning over the summer months.

The vision of the National Summer Learning Association is for every child to be safe, healthy, and engaged in learning during the summer. To realize that vision, their mission is to connect and equip schools and community organizations to deliver quality summer learning programs to our nation’s youth to help close the achievement gap.

After School Art Contest Winners & Finalists Celebrate in Style

2010-05-26T13:05:00.003-04:00

Dozens of future artists representing after school programs from across the state converged on the New Britain Museum of American Art on Saturday to celebrate their participation in the Connecticut After School Network’s Art and Essay Contest. The theme: What do you learn at your after school program? The contest was open to children in grades K – 12 who attend an after school program in the state.

Twenty-four winners and twenty-one finalists were chosen for either an art or essay entry. They represent programs from the major cities like Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Middletown and New Britain, as well as more rural areas like Litchfield, Farmington and Torrington. Work was judged by grade group (K – 2, 3 – 5, 6 – 8 and 9 – 12).

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

After School Program in Enfield Showcases House They Built Themselves!

2010-05-20T14:40:00.006-04:00

Educational Resources for Children, Inc (ERfC) held an open house on May 5th to showcase the JFK After School Program's Skill Center.

The Skill Center featured "Raise the Roof" a two-room house built by the students inside of a classroom. The school-year project introduced 7th and 8th grade students to carpentry, electrical work and plumbing in a series of 12 hour-long workshops.

The project was designed and coordinated by ERfC business partner and engineer Rob Lamagna, of Matrix Consulting Group, in Enfield. Lamagna has been working with ERfC for the past 10 years developing The Making of Technology programs using project based learning in science, math, and technology.

The student contractors involved in the program had the opportunity to give personal tours to the guests. Mayor Scott Kaupin, Cynthia Adams from Mass Mutual Financial Group, Superintendent of Schools John Gallacher, JFK Principal Tim Neville, and Deputy Mayor Ken Nelson all spoke about the project and what it means, not only for the kids involved, but to the school and the Enfield Community.

Dr. Charles Warner Honored with Distinguished Service Award

2010-05-17T14:09:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday, May 12, the Connecticut After School Network was a cosponsor of New Haven’s Celebration of After School at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School. Dr. Charles E. Warner, Director of Instruction for New Haven Public Schools, and Connecticut’s After School Alliance Ambassador for the 2009-2010 school year, was honored at the event, which was the culmination of a year-long series of activities in the city.

The Network, together with Rachel Hereema of the City-Wide Youth Coalition, presented Dr. Warner, who will be retiring next month, with a Distinguished Service Award for his many years of dedication to the children and youth of New Haven. The event included remarks by State Representative Toni Walker, a tireless advocate for the city and its families (shown in photo center with Michelle Cunningham and Dr. Warner).

Dance, music, arts and sciences were represented by presentations and demonstrations from a variety of after school programs in New Haven.

Washington Highlights: National AfterSchool Association and the Rally on Capitol Hill

2010-05-12T15:07:00.006-04:00

Reflections of a networking junkie
By Ken Anthony, Director of Professional Development

The day started out warm and sunny, quite the contrast from the previous two days in DC. When we arrived Saturday, it felt more like February than April. We loaded the busses after getting an overpriced breakfast of bagel and mint tea and were on our way. There was excitement in the air as we had all been briefed the day before about the important points to cover with our representatives, senators, and aides. People were taking bets on the bus about whether or not we would actually see the elected officials from our states.

We arrived in the front of the majestic capitol building a little after 9 and were surrounded by droves of touring high school students, all there to get their civics 101 out of the way on their senior trip to DC. I was ready, poised like a panther to meet and greet, shake hands and speak the word of the importance of after school not only in CT, but in the country. This was a long way from after school day at the capital in Hartford - this was DC.

The sidewalk wound around the right side of the Capitol building and led us to the office of Joe Lieberman. While there, we met with his education aide and talked about the importance of maintaining the 21st century learning center funding (in fact doubling the amount) and supporting the increase to the CCDBG (Child Care Development Block Grant) as proposed in the President’s budget. This same message was echoed throughout the day not only by our contingent, but in 200 other visits to representatives and senators around Capitol Hill.

My day took me to the offices of Chris Dodd, whose windows had a great view across several of the white marbled buildings that surrounded the Capitol. We also went to John Larson’s office, who was the first keynote of the 2007 Childhood Conversations Conference in Windsor. After a brief lunch underground in one of the legislative office buildings, we made our way to Jim Himes office and met with his aide then it was off to the rally on Capitol Hill.

After a marathon day of crossing the capitol lawn and stairs, going underground from one office building to the next, and seeing all different organizations there to do the same thing, we all met on the lawn in front of the capitol with 700 other after school professionals. There was a buzz in the crowd of excitement and everyone celebrating in the moment under the warm DC sun. Several senators and representatives that are members of the “after school caucus” led the charge before Judge Glenda Hatchett came up to MC the event. She rallied cries for change that similarly echoed the same message only a year and a half prior.

Post rally, we were running again, this time to our last stop of the day with Chris Murphy. According to the information given to us by the After School Alliance, we were supposed to meet with him personally. There was excitement in our group that quickly usurped the sore feet and thirst from wandering around DC all day.
We got to his office and were greeted by his aide. She said that Chris was on the way back from the airport and hoped to join us. We hoped for the same, but were grateful to have time with his aide. It was about fifteen minutes later, and Chris Murphy walked in. This proved to be our longest visit of the day and he listened intently and gave us some feedback not only on the issues that we were prepped to talk about, but on the after school landscape as a whole and he saw that Connecticut needed to help close the achievement gap.

The busses rounded the Capitol one last time for the day and we were back on the highway, back to the NAA convention down the road in the DC traffic. There was agreement about the importance of sharing the knowledge and practice of what we do everyday to the people in power in DC. My hope in retrospect is that they too were listening that day to all of us.

Judge Glenda Hatchett, MC at the After School For All Rally

Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) speaking at the rally

Michelle Doucette Cunningham, Ken Anthony and Tracey Lay in the office of Senator Dodd

Art & Essay Contest Winners Announced!

2010-05-04T14:09:00.003-04:00

The winners and finalists for the 2010 Connecticut After School Network Art & Essay Contest have been announced! Please visit our Web site to view all the art entries and read the essays! A reception honoring the winners and finalists will take place on Saturday, May 22nd at the New Britain Museum of American Art. We'll have stories and lots of photos to post from the event. In the mean time, click here to check out the great work of our winners and finalists!

YMCA Trying to Fill After-School Program Gap

2010-04-26T14:50:00.001-04:00

Check out this article in today's Hartford Courant!

YMCA Trying to Fill After-School Program Gap - Courant.com

Posted using ShareThis

So Much to Do and So Little Time to Do It! Eight Sanity Saving Steps to Delegating

2010-04-13T10:29:00.002-04:00

By Kathy Wilby

June is fast approaching and there is so much to do! The regular daily stuff plus end-of-year celebrations, school meetings, final reports, finding storage, and… and… planning for summertime! I am only one person. How can I get it all done? Help!

Take a deep breath. When you become an after school program director the old adage, “If you want something done right you need to do it yourself,” no longer applies. Of course, you are responsible for all of these activities but that does not mean that you cannot share the load with your staff. Learn how to delegate and you will ease your stress and groom your staff for future responsibilities. Don’t hesitate to use this important tool. Here’s how:

1. Decide which task to delegate from your list of things to do. For an example let’s use the task of finding suitable places to go for summer field trips.

2. Give clear expectations. Eight trips for forty children with a set amount of funds.

3. Decide the level of responsibility. Specify the details and make sure the staff person is clear on this. Travel time and mileage to perform site visits to potential locations will be paid but must be conducted after completion of regular responsibilities.

4. Decide the level of authority. Do you want this staff person to create a list of possible locations or should this person make confirmations for the trip?

5. Repeat step #4. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises!

6. Establish a time limit. When does this task need to be completed? There are some people who like to get work done quickly but there are a great many people who will leave tasks to the last minute. Make a time limit very clear. When planning field trips it is important to be able to book ahead to avoid crowds and last minute confusion.

7. Establish a follow-up schedule. This will help you to monitor the progress and determine if the person needs help before it is too late. For example, tell your staff person, “We will meet each Monday at 3 pm for a just a few minutes so you can keep me up to date.”

8. Try to avoid “reverse delegation.” If you find that the staff person is struggling your own anxiety may tempt you to “take it back.” Do so only in extreme cases. Your staff person will miss the opportunity to grow and learn and your stress level will only increase.

Directors delegate not just to relieve their own load but to provide opportunities for staff to learn and grow. Be clear about the task, responsibilities, time limits, and reporting schedule and you, your staff, and your program will benefit.

For more information about delegating effectively and other management ideas visit:
www.careerknowhow.com/delegate.htm

Building a Staff Pipeline

2010-04-13T10:27:00.001-04:00

By Vincent D. LaFontan, MHA

Planning for the long-term success of a before and after school program requires many elements, some of which are accomplished on a daily basis and others only after years of purposeful ground work has been completed. Developing a strong pool of candidates from an incoming “Staff Pipeline” to meet your program’s ongoing staffing needs falls into the latter category and can be a great contribution from an administrator to an organization’s long-term health.

After school administrators continuously focus on safety standards, quality standards, strong financial management, staff development experiences and positive relationships with many stakeholders, just to name a few. However, staffing needs more often than not are at the top of that never ending list. For example, a common staffing mix for many after school programs includes most or all of these basic ingredients: Director, Coordinator, full time staff, part time staff, student interns, and some support staff. It must be noted that part time staff are the majority ingredient of the after school workforce in most organizations, and part time staffing by nature (in all fields, not just after school) has a higher rate of turn over than full time positions. This reality requires almost constant staff recruitment by after school administrators. However, if administrators build a “Staff Pipeline” they can significantly reduce the amount of energy, time and money spent finding new staff members each year.

A “Staff Pipeline” is a predictable pool of trusted and trained individuals interested in joining your organization as a staff member. The only two factors required in the creation of a “Staff Pipeline” are planning and time. Although each organization’s plan to build a Pipeline will be unique, the goal remains the same. The following steps outline a path to success geared towards a mid-sized, multi-site, full service (school year and summer camp) organization. Smaller or larger organizations could use the basic elements discussed and modify them to meet their specific needs.

Step One - Look inside first! Always begin by knowing your own staff member’s future plans and aspirations. A good student intern today may be a great part time group leader next year and a trusted full time Senior Group Leader in 5 years.

Step Two - Counselor in Training (CIT) Programs produce the skills you are looking for! Create a CIT Program and make entry into the program competitive. Formalize the training program, evaluate the participants, have the CIT’s “work” the last week of the program for their first paycheck and then hold a ceremony (in front of the whole camp or afterschool program). At the function give the students their certificate of completion (along with a check) to not only recognize the student’s successful completion of the program, but also to instill a sense of pride in them, in front of the many little faces they just worked so hard to keep safe and happy.

Step Three - Junior Counselor Programs start the Pipeline. The prerequisite for being a Junior Counselor is successful completion of your CIT program, and more importantly, having excellent evaluations during the program. If your summer CIT program has 10 participants the first year, then the second year it may contain 10 new CIT’s and 4 Junior Counselors, all of whom are returning CIT’s from last year. The Junior Counselors, upon successful completion of a designated period of time and positive evaluations could be offered a part time Student Intern position in your subsequent school year after school program.

Step Four - Student Interns refine skills and are prepared for regular part time positions. Paid student internships are an integral part of after school programs and allow Site Supervisors the time to provide many hours of on-the-job training. This training and mentorship will in many cases lead to interns becoming regular part time employees, especially if the student intern goes to college in the vicinity of the after school program. After that the sky is the limit, one of your CIT’s may be your organization’s Director some day!

In any event, if you spend the time discovering and training the talent within your own staff and community you serve, your investment can pay off in the creation of a “Staff Pipeline” supplying motivated individuals wanting to work for your organization for years to come.

Network Hosts Conference at Yale University

2010-04-01T14:48:00.014-04:00

The Network hosted a very successful conference at the MacMillan Center at Yale University on Saturday, March 27th. Our theme, Making Global Connections After Schoo l was a big hit amongst the participants. Alexis Menton of the Asia Society was our keynote speaker. Participants took part in workshops such as Creating and Maintaining a Safe Space for Global Learning, and Around the World and Across the Year: Global Learning in Summer Programs. The crowd also heard remarks from John Meyers of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut. A big Thank You to all who participated in the event and helped to make it so engaging and worthwhile!

After school program students create World Festival

2010-03-29T10:33:00.003-04:00

NORWALK, CT - March 24, 2010 – Students in the After School Program at Family & Children’s Agency brought the world to their classrooms at Norwalk Community College recently. For their “World Fair,” each student researched and reported on a country, gathering currency, clothing, and other items for display and cooking a traditional country dish to share with fellow students and their volunteer tutors. Assata Toney, shown in a salwar kameez from India, was one of several students who wore traditional clothing from their countries.

During the festival, the students viewed each others’ presentations and answered questions developed by the program staff, ranging from the capitals of the countries to the location of the Taj Mahal, the name of the Emperor of Japan, and famous Jamaicans. While completing their question sheets, the students also had bindis painted on their hands and foreheads, made and sampled crepes, and created mandalas. Finally, the students tried foods from around the world, such as Thai wraps, tandoori chicken, Polish chruscik, sushi, Jamaican beef patties and cocoa bread, Greek baklava, and many other treats.

Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) is a non-profit family service organization meeting the needs of more than 10,000 individuals – including children, adults and families – throughout Fairfield County. Skilled professionals serve clients in seven impact areas: youth development, family strengthening, foster care, adoption, behavioral health, homeless services, and services for seniors. For every dollar donated to FCA, 89 cents goes directly to help clients in these programs areas. For more information on FCA programs and services, visit www.FamilyandChildrensAgency.org or call Family & Children’s Agency at (203) 855-8765.

Article taken from NorwalkPlus.com

Rep. Boukus Named 2010 “Champion of Youth”

2010-03-25T10:13:00.003-04:00

State Representative Betty Boukus (D- Plainville, Bristol, New Britain) has received the 2010 "Champion of Youth" award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Connecticut. The award was presented to Rep. Boukus by Michael Suchopar, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol, during a ceremony Wednesday at the State Capitol. Also in attendance were Todd Czuprinski and Kingsley Boakye from the Boys & Girls Club of New Britain.

Since 2006, only eight people have received this award. The ceremony has been dedicated to the late Representative Richard Belden of Shelton, who was committed to the work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Connecticut.

“I am so pleased to be recognized by the Boys & Girls Clubs,” Rep. Boukus said. “To receive this award named after my friend Dick Belden, knowing how strongly he felt about youth programs, is an overwhelming honor.”

During the ceremony in the Capitol’s Old Judiciary Room, Executive Director of the Connecticut After School Network Michelle Doucette Cunningham said, “Betty epitomizes what a youth champion should be. Her commitment to after school programs is beyond compare. She is an advocate that people respect because she always tells it like it is.”

Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville, Bristol and New Britain. She is a Deputy Majority Whip and chair of the Transportation Bonding Subcommittee.

Enter the 2010 CT After School Network's Art & Essay Contest !

2010-03-04T14:42:00.005-05:00

Do you like to draw, paint or write? Enter the Connecticut After School Network's 2010 Art & Essay Contest! Show us through art or essay some of the cool things you learned this year at your after school program - from academics to dance to sport - the possibilities are endless! We would like to highlight an array of some of the terrific activities and learning opportunities after school programs offer to their participants!

Prizes will be awarded for the top three essays and the top three artworks in each of four grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12). An award and recognition ceremony will be held on May 22, 2010.

All art work should be done on 8.5 x 11 paper. Essays should be 500 words or less. The contest is open to all students grades K - 12 who attend an after school program in Connecticut. Be sure to include a completed entry form with each child's work.

Click here to download the official entry form!

Entries must be received by April 15, 2010!

All finalists' art and excerpts from essays will be available for viewing on this Web site! All entries become property of the Connecticut After School Network and may be used for advocacy, marketing and/or promotional purposes. For more information contact the Network at 203-483-9757 or email info@ctafterschoolnetwork.org.

After School Physical Plant Licensing Regulations Public Hearing Announced

2010-02-23T17:02:00.002-05:00

This just in - There will be a public hearing at the Capitol on Monday, March 1st on the proposed bill HR 5306 "AN ACT CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS AND GROUP DAY CARE HOMES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS." It addresses the issue of physical plant licensing regulations for community based programs operating in public school systems. Email Michelle Doucette Cunningham if you are able to testify and are available between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

After School Day at the Capitol is Wednesday March 3rd!

2010-02-18T12:45:00.006-05:00

We need YOU to speak up for after school! Join us in Hartford on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 for the annual After School Day at the Capitol!

We are hoping for a strong showing of after school providers, parents and professionals. There will not be a formal program, but we will be coordinating meetings with individual legislators throughout the day. Network staff will be available in the Capitol from 9:30-2:30 to discuss talking points, answer questions and to coordinate group meetings.

Please RSVP by email (info@ctafterschoolnetwork.org) no later than Wednesday, February 24th if you plan to attend, and let us know the town(s) you live and work in so we can prepare the appropriate materials for you. We already have some volunteers who will act as the point people for specific legislators, so please let us know ASAP if you want to attend so we can help to arrange for these meetings.

There are two issues that we will be focusing on this year:

Maintaining $5 million in funding for state after school grants - we must push for continued funding for the $5 million After School Grant line item in the State Dept. of Education budget.
Removing the burdensome licensing requirements related to school buildings that affects many nonprofit after school programs - we are working to exempt community based programs operating in school systems from the Dept. of Public Health Child Day Care licensing physical plant portion of the regulations. See sec. 19A-79-7a of the regulations. (Beginning on page 28 of the State of Connecticut Regulations).

Let your voice be heard! RSVP today!

Network Middle School Conference Packs the House at the CT Science Center

2010-02-09T13:34:00.018-05:00

Yesterday’s annual Middle School/High School conference brought after school to the Connecticut Science Center with an info packed agenda that included a fantastic keynote and an afternoon of hands-on fun!

Hillary Salmons, Executive Director of the Providence After School Alliance (PASA) was on hand to share the planning secrets and strategy that have made Providence’s “After Zones” such a successful solution to creating middle school after school programs where kids thrive and want to be. She stressed the importance of including the youth voice in planning and marketing and following their lead. Equally important are the partnerships and relationships that must be cultivated between local leaders, school boards and other non-profits. The key message was to never lose sight of the end goal which is to serve children. Teamwork and transparency are essential, but more importantly, youth are the customer. Once those concepts are accepted the sky is the limit! But it doesn’t stop there. Progress must be tracked and everyone needs to be on the same page where the brand is concerned.

The innovations such as real time tracking for program participants (which takes safety to a whole other level), and the sharing of neighborhood resources (such as gyms and art space which utilizes consolidation), create a win-win situation and are a couple of key reasons why the After Zones, now in their 5th year, are thriving.

After a delicious lunch, participants were encouraged to explore the museum for the afternoon. The museum is closed on Mondays so we had the entire place to ourselves! At any given exhibit there were folks crowded around, turning knobs, pressing buttons and most of all having fun. Everyone’s inner child was definitely out!

Big thanks to Hillary Salmons, the staff at the Connecticut Science Center, our vendors and of course, the participants. See you next year!

Making Science Cool - New Videos from The After School Corporation!

2010-02-02T15:15:00.004-05:00

Check out these great short videos of kids using science in their after school programs!

Oobleck

Oobleck is a hands-on science activity that introduces kids to inquiry, observation and states of matter. Here's one after-school educator trying Oobleck for the first time with her kids:

Science Training for After-School Educators

Programs don't need science or math experts to lead activities. Well-trained after-school educators are in some ways better prepared to model the inquiry process, given that they discover the answers to science inquiries alongside kids. See the difference training can make:

Who Does Science?

At the beginning of the After-School Science PLUS curriculum, after-school educators ask kids to draw pictures of scientists. After several months of science programming, the kids do the "Who Does Science?" activity again. This time, the results are very different:

Why Do Science After School?

Engaging in science after school is not a substitute for having kids acquire basic math/science skills and knowledge at school. It's a way to excite kids about acquiring that knowledge, to involve them in tactile, surprising, real-world applications. See the telescope build by Harlem third graders in this video:

The Business of Before and After School Funding Diversification is a Must!

2010-01-15T13:56:00.000-05:00

Congratulations, you will receive a grant for three years. This predictable income will allow you to begin your program or to expand into other program areas. But what will you do when this revenue source dries up and you have staff salaries to pay and program supplies to purchase, let alone the fact that your new program is successful and serving lots of kids and families who are all now relying on you?

The smart program will use those first precious grant funded years to design and implement a plan to diversify it’s funding sources, so that when one funding source ends others begin to fill in the gap. Easier said than done you say; I beg to differ. The money is out there, many non-profits today are thriving, but only through planning and purposeful diversification of revenue sources will they continue to succeed.

Let’s follow one path to financial stability:

ABC Afterschool is based in an urban setting and has just received a three year Foundation grant to operate an afterschool program in an elementary school. The funding available pays for everything (with the exception of some in-kind support from the Board of Education i.e., free rent, electricity, heat, telephone service). The administration of ABC hires staff, purchases supplies and creates a great program, markets and finds lots of participants, and for three years provides excellent services. ABC refiles for the grant on time, however at the last minute the grant review committee chooses another program based at a local community center over the ABC program because of better facilities (it has a pool). At this point ABC must close it’s doors right? No, because the ABC administration was previously concerned about this scenario, they had created a funding diversification plan to protect the organization from this exact outcome. The plan they put in place included the following three components: First, a conservative one-year budget for the year after the last grant funded year (how much money will we need? This gave them the baseline numbers to use when working on the rest of the plan). Second, they enlisted the support of others to study and decide on other possible revenue sources, and most importantly, the third item was how they plan to go to work attaining the funding.

I’m all about “the who,” “the how” and “the why” when it comes to a plan, so let me break down the three steps ABC took listed above to find their sustainability in program revenue. Step one was creating the budget. The ABC administration took the budget they submitted for the grant and then reviewed and adjusted it at the end of their first year. They carefully reviewed the budget and made a final adjustment to compensate for a conservative, barebones bottom line. This way they felt confident that they could defend every dollar in their budget, and still run the program (they could survive!). Step two was getting help in their cause. The ABC administration turned to its parents, school community, neighborhood, local businesses, and local foundations to assist them in helping themselves.

The first meeting was just a meeting of the minds; a meeting in which stakeholders and those just concerned with one afterschool program’s health could sit and talk. The outcome of that meeting was the development of a core group of people representing many organizations, who committed to simply assist in developing the sustainability plan. The following meetings over the course of a year were all spent on developing, writing and refining the plan. At the end of this process the plan included two pie charts, the first one representing the current revenue source (which in this case was only the grant) and the other representing the projected revenue sources (grants, fees for services, donations, fundraising, State Aid). Finally, the third step included an even smaller number of key people from the group, including the ABC administration, a parent, a funder, and Board of Education member, creating a strategic revenue diversification plan listing known sources of revenue in each of the above stated pie chart areas, who will do the work to acquire the funds and set a deadline for when it needs to be done. The final step was the action of implementing the plan.

Let’s give a positive outcome to this hypothetical situation: The administration, with the support of mainly the smaller group, using the larger group when needed, were able to successfully add pieces to the pie in the form of annual fundraising (they started the first annual ABC Golf Tournament), an annual appeal to their community, the sponsorship of a local bank, funding from a state agency (for services they already were providing—but now the state is utilizing), a sliding scale fee for some of their services, and a commitment of continued in-kind support from their host Board of Education. You get the idea, there are ways to diversify out there, but it must start with a discussion which leads to a plan that is then implemented. This is taking control of your own financial destiny and reducing the annual heartburn associated with grants. (Hey, and if ABC Afterschool still gets a grant or two they can expand their Programming!)

Vince LaFontan has worked in the after school field, and as a consultant to youth-serving organizations, for 16 years. Currently he is the Director of Farmington Extended Care & Learning in Farmington, CT, a member of the National AfterSchool Association’s Board of Directors in Washington, DC as well as a board member of the CT After School Network.

Fun is a powerful tool

2010-01-07T12:21:00.005-05:00

The best after school programs are fun and engaging,while also increasing student learning, supporting positive social and emotional development, and promoting physical activity. This video captures exactly how FUN can make all the difference. Visit the original website at http://www.thefuntheory.com/ if you have trouble with the video pasted below - I especially like the piano staircase. Thanks to the folks at Volkswagen for such a great initiative, and to Kathy Evans from OPMAD for sharing this with us!

Connecticut After School Network Awarded Grant to Guide After School Programs to Financial Stability

2009-12-16T10:18:00.000-05:00

In these uncertain economic times, sustainability is a word sometimes whispered or even avoided in conversations between after school programs. It is often the very last component of a program’s strategic plan due in part to the illusive and complicated nature of funding streams. The Connecticut After School Network aims to change that perception and aid struggling programs in adopting viable sustainability plan s that enable them continue to do great things in their communities. Thanks to a new $25,000 grant from the Perrin Family Foundation awarded to the Connecticut After School Network, help will soon be on the way for programs throughout the state.

This important funding will significantly boost the Network’s efforts to take the mystery out of sustainability planning and offer concrete solutions to programs uncertain of how to take the first steps to financial stability.

With over 1,400 professional members serving thousands of youth and their families, the Connecticut After School Network is the preeminent source for training, legislative and public advocacy, information sharing and networking for after school professionals across the state.

“We’re so grateful to be collaborating with the Perrin Family foundation,” said Michelle Doucette Cunningham, Executive Director of the Network. “With the economic instability gripping so many after school programs in Connecticut, we are fortunate to be given this opportunity to positively engage them in their planning for the future."

The Perrin Family foundation, founded in 1994, is committed to providing equal opportunities for children and young adults to lead safe, productive and creative lives. Based in Ridgefield, Connecticut, the Perrin Family Foundation funds a continuum of direct social services and empowerment programs in Fairfield County as well as youth engagement and social change programs throughout the state to address unmet needs. The goal of the Perrin Family Foundation is to encourage and support non-profit organizations in areas of education, health, social services and advocacy for youth in under-served communities. For more information, visit the Web site at www.perrinfamilyfoundation.org.

Totally Awesome Math Rap!

2009-12-09T11:13:00.002-05:00

Courtesy of TeacherTube.com and our friends at Edutopia.

2010 Middle School - High School Conference Announced

2009-12-08T14:36:00.002-05:00

We'll be hosting this year's Middle School - High School Conference at the Connecticut Science Center! The event takes place on Monday, February 8, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Keynote speaker Hillary Salmons is the Executive Director of the Providence After School Alliance. There will be an opportunity for participants to take part in a Science Center open house with hands on exhibits and a Q & A with Science Center Staff!

Click here for registration and schedule information!

Network Celebrates 20th Anniversary at Fall Conference

2009-11-16T11:34:00.021-05:00

The Network celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding on Saturday at its annual Fall Conference at the Farmington Marriott. A recognition ceremony honored long-time members, some of whom have been with the organization since 1989, during a special extended luncheon. The day-long conference had the largest attendance in the organization’s history with a record breaking 275 participants!

(Pictured above are Dr. Agnes Quinones of SDE, Susan Krampitz of the Network, Michelle Doucette Cunnigham of the Network and Carole Eller, 2009 Children's Champion)

This year, the keynote speaker was Ellen Gannett of the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST). Her speech, “Memory is the Power to Gather Roses in Winter – Reflections of an After School Lifer,” covered her 35 years in the industry and all of the remarkable changes both in public perception and legislative action that the after school field has experienced. She was especially concerned with the many assumptions of what after school is supposed to accomplish and the challenges of securing funding when there are so many diverse opinions of what after school really is. She also remarked on the dangers of promoting after school as a vehicle for successful high-stakes testing scores and forgetting the simple joys of play and self-discovery emphasizing that after school can and should provide young people with opportunities that schools cannot.

Gannett believes that the number one factor for a successful after school program is quality. She urged providers to find allies and collaborate as much as possible.

During the lunchtime celebration, we honored Carole Eller, former Extension Educator in Youth and Resource Development with the Cooperative Extension System of UCONN and longtime supporter of the Network from the beginning, as our “2009 Children’s Champion.” Carole was one of the first to recognize that staff of after school programs need educational opportunities specific to working with school age children and through her position at the University of CT, she arranged workshops designed for after school professionals. She also founded the KIDS newsletter which was devoted entirely to school age topics. She is the author of numerous articles about working with school age children including The Hours We Can’t Be Home, a guide to starting an after school program and Developmentally Appropriate Programming for School Age Children.

We also recognized members who have been with us for well over a decade - some even the full 20 years! Many were past and present board members. They included: Susan Krampitz, Arlene Swatson, Deborah Funke, Tracey Madden-Hennessey, Alfreda Barber, Christina Ramoglou, Francine Schoffner, Jo Ann Suzor, Michele Rulnick, Susan Smey, Monica Whalen, Adela French, Tracey Lay, Arline Linger, Harry Mangle, Rochelle Murphy, Peggy Waszkelewicz and Ginger Vickstrom.

The Fall Conference is a professional development opportunity for after school program providers and staff offering hands-on comprehensive training on a variety of topics from autism and special needs to craft ideas and physical fitness. After school professionals from all over Connecticut attend the conference annually.

Honorees!

Michelle Doucette Cunningham and Ellen Gannett

Rep. Betty Boukus stopped by to address the crowd

An Integral Part of the System: Why School-Age Programs Must Be Part of Early Learning Systems

2009-11-12T14:27:00.003-05:00

By Dr. Bette Hyde, Director, Washington State Department of Early Learning

When we think “early learning,” many immediately envision young babies. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers are key “customers” for the Department of Early Learning (DEL), to be sure! However, building a comprehensive statewide early learning system must include school-age children.

After all, school-age children continue learning even when school is out—we must ensure there are safe places for them to learn and grow. And we know research shows that quality programs beyond ages birth to 5 are essential if we want to reduce the “fade out effect” of early learning programs.

Until joining DEL, I’d spent my entire career working within the K-12 system in various capacities, most recently as a school district superintendent. I’ve seen firsthand how strong connections between early care and education programs and school-age programs benefit children and families in powerful ways.

It’s why I’m committed to ensuring school-age programs and providers are part of the conversation as we work to build a statewide early learning system that addresses all aspects of children’s health, well-being and development.

Here are a few ways we’re working to include school-age programs in the conversation:

Including school-age programs in our working definition of “early learning” for the purpose of creating a statewide Early Learning Plan as required in statute. This plan is in the works right now, with a sub-group of DEL’s Early Learning Advisory Council taking the lead on drafting a plan to be shared broadly with stakeholders and other interested parties early next year.

Inviting representatives of the school-age community to be part of the Professional Development Consortium’s work to create a clear, comprehensive statewide system to support educators and caregivers.

DEL and School’s Out Washington staff are partnering to create a new section on DEL’s Web site dedicated to information and resources about school-age programs: why they’re important, what’s available in our state, and how to find out more.

DEL has contracted with School’s Out Washington to deliver recommendations on updating the state’s child care licensing rules for school-age care. This partnership will allow us to update these rules in a way that includes broad input from providers, parents and others, and create rules that reflect the needs of families and support school-age providers.

DEL partnered with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and many other groups to present the P-3 Starting Strong conference this past August. The conference looked at four key elements needed for successful P-3 early care and education efforts: leadership; instructional practice; community coalitions; and collaboration and family partnerships.

There are many other ways in which we can and will partner with the school-age community, and I’m excited by the possibilities and continued discussions about this important work.

Dr. Bette Hyde joined the Department of Early Learning as Director in April 2009.
Article re-printed by permission of School’s-Out Washington.

Expanding Horizons...After School and Global Learning

2009-11-03T14:35:00.001-05:00

For more information visit www.asiasociety.org/education-learning/afterschool

Novelist Chimamanda Adichie Tells Her Story...

2009-11-02T10:36:00.001-05:00

Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.

Click here to link to a site with more information.

2009 After School Credential Recipients Honored

2009-10-28T12:48:00.007-04:00

Charter Oak State College, in partnership with Connecticut Charts-A-Course honored the 2009 recipients of the Connecticut Director's Credential, the Credential in After School Education and the Infant-Toddler Certificate at an awards reception at the Holiday Inn in Waterbury on Friday.

Recipients of the After School Credential include: Megan Dowling of New Britain, Ivette Marcano of New Britain, Joann Suzor of Enfield and longtime Network board member Mary Jane Pych of Enfield. Ms. Pych also received her Director's Credential. (Ms. Pych seen in photo on left. Carole Weisberg (right) of Charter Oak State College presented the certificate.)

The Credential in After School Education is a voluntary credential with established education and experiential competency standards for professionals in the care and education of children and youth ages 5 - 15.

Enfield Program Hosts Lights On Afterschool! Event

2009-10-23T11:05:00.020-04:00

On Thursday, October 22nd, a large crowd gathered in the auditorium of the Henry Barnard School in Enfield to celebrate Lights On Afterschool! The event highlighted the Educational Resources for Children (ERfC) after school programs. The kids did a fantastic job of accommodating all the guests. They hand-crafted pins and bracelets, served punch and other refreshments and entertained us with two musical numbers, “This Land is Your Land” (my personal Woody Guthrie favorite!) and, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”. These kids are really proud of their after school program and it showed!

Several after school advocates spoke, including Enfield’s mayor, Scott Kaupin, State Representative Karen Jarmoc, State Senator John Kissell, Enfield Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Gallacher, and our very own Michelle Doucette Cunningham (seen here with Rocky the Rock Cat). The emcee was Tom Higgins – Enfield’s Teacher of the Year 2009.

ERfc teams with kids, communities, schools and families to grow resilient kids. Through innovative community collaborations, they help kids learn, reach their goals and contribute to their communities. ERfC currently operates in three after school learning centers representing five Enfield schools. ERfC After School Learning Centers are funded through grants and community donations. Learn more at www.erfc.us.

Lights On Afterschool! was launched in October 2000 with celebrations in more than 1,200 communities nationwide. Each year, more than one million Americans celebrate Lights On Afterschool! across the United States and at military bases around the world. Connecticut hosted close to 100 Lights On Afterschool! events this year.

Global Education in After School

2009-10-14T15:38:00.002-04:00

Expanding Horizons in an Expanding World
By Alexis Menten

It is a well-worn cliché that the world is getting smaller. But as the speed of technology, travel, and modernization shrink our world, our understanding of it has to grow. Whether via the Internet, the global economy, or our increasingly global communities, we now have more opportunities to communicate, compete, and cooperate with people around the world. Today’s young people will graduate into a world that requires global knowledge and skills for careers, citizenship, and life in general.

This presents a new opportunity for afterschool programs to continue their innovative work preparing youth for future success. In today’s interconnected world, a new competency has become essential to this preparation – global competency. Knowledge about the rest of the world, skills to communicate and collaborate across boundaries, and values of respect and understanding are now critical to success in the 21st century. Afterschool programs can help young people from all backgrounds realize both the capacity and the right to be successful on the global stage.

Although we live in an increasingly interconnected world, many of America’s young people have not had the chance to go beyond their block. And yet, our communities now contain an abundance of diversity that mirrors the diversity of the world. Successful afterschool programs develop and promote strong relationships among youth, schools, families, and communities. They already provide opportunities to connect learning to authentic settings in the real world. And afterschool educators bring a wealth of experience in developing understanding and appreciation of diverse peoples and cultures.

An intentional focus on building global competency helps afterschool educators provide everything a young person needs to succeed in an interconnected world. In turn, a global focus provides relevance and meaning to students who often find little practical application to the content they are required to learn in schools. It offers the opportunity to achieve the basics while engaging young people in the projects they like to do, whether in the arts, science, sports, or civic participation.

Afterschool programs are powerful resources for global literacy, and as such they can:
• Expose young people to in-depth content about global issues as well as cultures, countries, and languages
• Enable social and emotional development critical to cross-cultural understanding, communication, and collaboration
• Provide youth with opportunities to develop and use media literacy and technology skills to conduct research and communicate effectively on global topics
• Develop leadership and civic participation by empowering young people to take action on issues of both local and global relevance
• Engage youth in learning about international possibilities in future education and careers

Over the next year, The Connecticut After School Network is partnering with Asia Society’s Partnership for Global Learning to develop a professional development toolkit and training program to help afterschool programs integrate global learning. Due to the high quality of afterschool programs and local networks in Connecticut, The Connecticut After School Network was one of six across the country chosen to collaborate in this effort. The toolkit and trainings launch is slated for spring 2010, however for our November 2009 conference call, the Asia Society will be hosting a discussion on integrating global learning in afterschool. Go to www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org for more details.

For more information about the Partnership for Global Learning and the recent publication Expanding Horizons: Building Global Literacy through Afterschool Programs, please visit: www.asiasociety.org/afterschool

As Delia Pompa, Vice President for Education at the National Council of La Raza states, “When we look at developing globally minded kids, we need to open up their vision of what is around them and what is far away. It’s not just about learning about cultures or languages. It’s about developing a new world view.”