The Afterschool Advisor
January 2017
Registration Now Open for Impact 2017!
Impact After School Conference logo Join 200 of your friends from across the state at the 5th annual Impact After School Conference! Topics will include creating safe and supportive environments, STEM, elementary and middle school literacy, elementary poetry, and much, much more! Be sure to register early to ensure your place at the Impact Conference. Find out more and register online here.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Simon Silva knows firsthand the importance of education and is the only person in his family to graduate from college. One of eleven children in a family of field workers, he grew up as a migrant student and relied heavily on his artistic skills and interest to cope with what was, at times, a difficult childhood. Simon shares an insightful view of creativity while telling a compelling story of struggle and hope. Simon connects with audiences with a powerful message about perseverance and success.

Register online today!
Nominate an Outstanding Program and/or Student
The Afterschool Champions and 21CCLC Stars Awards recognize the best of the best in afterschool and summer in Iowa. Afterschool Champions are recognized in the following categories:
  • Advocate of the Year
  • Afterschool Innovator
  • Collaboration
  • Principal of the Year
  • Friend of Afterschool
  • Outstanding Student

New this year, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, specifically, will be recognized in the following categories as 21CCLC Stars:

  • Literacy Improvement
  • STEM Achievement
  • Youth Community Contribution
  • All Around

Please nominate a program or several programs today! They will receive an award and certificate, recognition at Impact 2017, as well as opportunities to be recognized by the Iowa Afterschool Alliance and Iowa Department of Education throughout the year.  

 

Nominate a program or programs online today!
Save the Date for IAA Legislative Events in 2017!
Attend a legislative event at the Iowa Capitol hosted by the Iowa Afterschool Alliance in 2017 to show lawmakers your love for afterschool! The IAA will host an Afterschool Snack the afternoon of Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14, then a legislative breakfast on the morning of Wednesday, February 15. More details regarding these events will be released in the coming months.

Iowa Afterschool Alliance Afterschool Snack Afterschool Snack: Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14; 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Come show your love for afterschool and bring your program youth! The IAA will coordinate Capitol tours and provide a snack for all in attendance.

IAA Legislative Breakfast: Wednesday, February 15; 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Visit with your legislators about the importance of afterschool and meet your fellow afterschool advocates in the Legislative Dining Room on the ground floor of the Capitol. Iowa Afterschool Alliance staff will be on-hand to help you meet with your legislators.

Please register online today!
Applications Sought for STEM Youth Board
The State of Iowa is seeking 5th through 12th graders to join a Youth Advisory Board focusing on STEM. The two functions of the Board are to:
  1. Provide youth perspective to the STEM Council for guiding policy and programs;
  2. Communicate to peers and communities the programs and policies of the STEM Council.
A 15-member Board will be assembled that represents the diversity of Iowa. Most meetings will be conducted via videoconferencing, with one or two in-person gatherings per year. Terms will be two years each with the opportunity for renewal. The Board will be chaired by Kwizera Imani, an Aerospace Engineering undergraduate at Iowa State University and member of the STEM Council.

To nominate a student, go online here. Nominations are due January 31, 2017.
STEM Grants Open January 24
STEM Scale-Up Grants available through your regional STEM Hub ( find yours here) will be open for applications on January 24, 2017. These grants allow programs to choose from a selection of high-quality STEM curricula or programming to offer in your afterschool and/or summer program.

For a list of this year's Scale-Ups, please visit the Iowa STEM website.  

New Report Highlights Need for and Impact of OST
The Iowa Afterschool Alliance has released a key, statewide report on afterschool and summer learning titled the State of Afterschool and Summer Programming in Iowa. Released officially on October 20, 2016, at the Summit on Advancing Academic and Social Outcomes for Iowa Children and Youth, the report details current youth and community issues in Iowa and how afterschool and summer programming can help mitigate some of these issues.

Also included in the report are program profiles from across the state and a report on what afterschool and summer programming currently looks like statewide. Read it online on the Iowa Afterschool Alliance website at www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org.
New Publication Series on Summer
The National Summer Learning Association has released its first issue in a series of publications on summer learning across the country called SPARK! The first issue explores the six key elements of successful systems for summer learning, including data management and leadership. Read the first issue online here.
Follow IAA on Facebook for Latest Updates
Facebook Follow the Iowa Afterschool Alliance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iowaafterschoolalliance for the latest updates on the Every Student Succeeds Act (formerly No Child Left Behind), PD opportunities, IAA activities, and grant opportunities. Expect an update on an issue of interest every day! You can also follow us on Twitter by following @iowaafterschool.
SEDL Resources for Afterschool
Looking for resources on how to run a high-quality program? SEDL, an affiliate of the American Institutes for Research, has no-cost resources on lesson plans, practitioners' guides, and training toolkits. Visit the National Center for Quality Afterschool here: http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/.  
Professional Development Opportunities
Out of School Time Professional Development Center
The Out of School Time Professional Development Center provides Out of School Time training to OST professionals. The classes provide in-depth curriculum and certificates.  If you or your staff are interested in signing up for courses visit the  Out-of-School Time  website . Check out the entire course catalog here . 
 
Great Content on Y4Y!
You 4 Youth is a free  online professional development site that is designed to support 21CCLC program staff, but is a valuable tool for any afterschool professional looking to build their skills! Recently, Y4Y has rolled out a whole module on literacy. Click here to register.

Afterschool Alliance Webinars
The Afterschool Alliance offers webinars on a wide range of topics, from policy and the new Every Student Succeeds Act, to STEM and Social-Emotional Learning. Find out more on their webinars website.

Iowa Child Care Training Registry
Find professional development for school-age programming on the State of Iowa Child Care Training Registry on topics ranging from health and safety to developmentally appropriate programming. Find out more online

NAA Talk Tuesday PD Resources
Talk Tuesday provides afterschool professionals with the resources to host relevant discussions among peers, colleagues, staff, or community leaders. If you are looking to connect with afterschool professionals in your area or engage your staff with relevant topics, Talk Tuesday will provide the materials for you.

Find out more on their website here.
 
Beyond School Hours Conference
February 22 - 25, 2017; Atlanta, GA
Get big ideas for immediate results. Take home skills, tools and a renewed passion for improving learning outcomes for young people across the entire day.

For more information and to register, visit the conference website at http://www.foundationsinc.org/beyond-school-hours-xx.

Afterschool STEM Institute 
February 27-28, 2017; Silver Spring, MD
This event is designed for the Statewide Afterschool Networks who are actively focused on Afterschool STEM Systems Building. The Institute will offer interactive discussions on sustainability, communications, quality and policy. We encourage building teams for the Institute which will help enhance those conversations and strengthen your STEM partnerships.

For more information, visit this link.

Polk County Extension/4H Portable Challenge Program Training
March 2 &3, 2017; Altoona, IA
Portable Challenge Training brings the outdoor challenge course to any location. During this two-day training, we'll focus on what it means to lead "challenge programs" and the principles behind team building. Our qualified trainers will guide you through a variety of warm up activities, "get to know you" games, and team initiatives. Upon completion, trainees will receive a manual full of resources, as well as access to the Adventure Learning Center's portable program equipment. Training is great for teachers, youth leaders, human resource professionals, or anyone who is looking to bring coworkers or classmates together as a team.

Cost is $150. Register online.

2017 Social and Emotional Learning Conference: Building Skills for Lifelong Success
March 13, 2017; Harrisburg, PA
This conference is designed to provide quality professional development opportunities for school administrators, school psychologists, school counselors, social workers, youth development workers, teachers, school nurses, SAP team members, alternative education teachers, homeless liaisons, foster care points of contact, early childhood professionals and other community partners.

Find out more at https://selconference.center-school.org/.

National AfterSchool Association Convention
March 19 - 22, 2017; Dallas, TX
NAA's Annual Convention delivers exceptional learning and networking opportunities for every participant. With inspirational keynote speakers, more than 150 engaging workshops and unique networking events, Convention is the premier event for afterschool and out-of-school time professionals. - See more at: http://naaweb.org/attend#sthash.M2U3vxZB.dpuf

For more information and to register, visit the convention website at http://naaweb.org/convention.

Best of Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Conference
April 18 - 21, 2017; Palm Springs, CA
Join the largest, most recognized and comprehensive global convening for after school, expanded learning, and out-of-school time professionals. Set in a retreat-like atmosphere, this annual, extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion, boost your direction for quality programming and provide tools and resources that will inspire you to create change.

For more information visit the BOOST Conference website.  

Iowa Impact After School Conference
April 27 & 28, 2017; Des Moines, IA
Join 200 of your friends and colleagues in Des Moines for the 5th annual Impact Afterschool School Conference! Topics will include creating safe and supportive environments, Pint Size Poetry, STEM, elementary and middle school literacy, classroom management, and much, much more! A special pre-conference focused on STEM will be held the Wednesday prior to the conference.

Register online here.  
 
NSLA Summer Changes Everything Conference
October 23 - 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ
This national conference on afterschool and summer learning brings together over 1,000 of the nation's top thinkers to share and discuss the partnerships, policies and programs that are breaking down traditional notions of when and where learning occurs.

For more information, visit the Summer Changes Everything website. 
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