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AFTERSCHOOL OBSERVER
FEBRUARY 2019
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CONVENE
SYNERGY CONFERENCE
Early Registration is now open for the annual SYNERGY CONFERENCE! We hope you will join us on April 24-25, 2019 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC. You can register here by February 10th for the discounted rate of $200. Regular registration will begin on February 11th at the regular rate of $225.
Afterschool, before school and summer programs that have never attended the Synergy Conference are being offered a special rate. If your program/organization has never attended or participated in the Synergy Conference, staff can register to attend at the rate of $175. Please send a registration request for this discounted rate to
ncafterschool@ncforum.org. In your email, please include your program/organization name and the names of staff that are registering.
***Note: This discount is specific to programs that have never been represented at the Synergy Conference.
We will continue the conference trend of engaging keynotes, a plethora or workshops, and networking with providers from across the state.
Keynote Speaker Spotlight
Byron V. Garrett will be this year's lunch and award ceremony keynote speaker.
One of the most compelling voices of our time, Byron V. Garrett is Chairman of
the National Family Engagement Alliance (NFEA); a nonprofit dedicated to
transforming education through meaningful family engagement. Byron is the
Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of The Valdecio Collection, a lifestyle brand
consisting of clothing, watches and fragrances. The former Director of
Educational Leadership & Policy for Microsoft, Byron is a consulting author for
Scholastic and released the Byron V. Garrett Social Emotional Learning
Collection in 2017 to foster social and emotional learning in today's classrooms.
This year, we have a full slate of 65 workshops with a range of topics within each of our workshop strands. This year's workshop strands include the following:
The SYNERGY CONFERENCE 2019 has a hotel block at the Sheraton Greensboro at
Four Seasons for the discounted rate of $145/night. You can make hotel reservations
here. Hotel reservations must be made by 5 pm March 25th to get the discounted rate. Please make your hotel reservations as soon as possible to secure your room.
THANK YOU to everyone that submitted a workshop or vendor proposal. The number of proposals submitted exceeded the conference capacity. All accepted proposals were notified.
We can't wait to see you in Greensboro!
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ADVOCACY
AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO FUNDING AFTERSCHOOL: 5 STEPS TO PARTNERING WITH FOUNDATIONS
Running a successful afterschool program is half the challenge. You'll need great educators, interesting curriculum, and engaged young people and parents. Finding funding for your program is the other half of the challenge and for some, the most daunting. Many programs struggle to maintain and grow their funding streams to ensure children and youth continue to receive vital academic and social enrichment while supporting working parents. For better or worse, it is up to the individual programs to find funding for the services that are most important to their community.
There are myriad ways to raise funds, but for this article, we'll focus on working with foundations. Here's how to get started:
Step 1 - Find funding
Develop a list of institutional funders with a history of funding in your community (including community foundations) or state. Rank them in terms of:
- Current funders of your organization (donors);
- Past funders of your organization (lapsed donors);
- Organizations with a connection to your organization (a staff member of your program may know a board member of the organization), foundations you have reached out to in the past, or those that have contributed to similar afterschool programs (prospects); and
- Institutions that state in their materials an interest in afterschool/education (suspects).
You can find prospects by tapping into your supporters such as board members and community leaders, as well as through any free search engine. There are also fee-based online tools such as the
Foundation Center Online.
Step 2 - Create a budget
Determine the amount of funding you need to run/expand your program and create a detailed budget of expenses such as staff costs, meals, supplies and field trips. Knowing what the total afterschool program budget is allows you to solicit foundations with a higher capacity to give, as well as reaching out to smaller foundations to support the individual activities
To read the full article, click
here.
Article from:
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CONVENE
AFTERSCHOOL CHAMPION AWARD NOMINATIONS
The NC Center for Afterschool Programs is accepting nominations for the 2019 Afterschool Champions. Nominees should demonstrate outstanding work in developing, supporting and promoting high-quality afterschool and out-of-school time programs to benefit youth and families statewide.
Afterschool Champion Award categories are below, followed by the nomination form. The deadline to submit nominations is March 7th. Selected award recipients will be recognized during the lunch and award ceremony at the Synergy Conference 2019 on Thursday, April 25th.
LIFETIME AFTERSCHOOL CHAMPION
This award spotlights an individual, program, or organization whose life or mission has demonstrated outstanding work in developing, supporting and promoting high-quality afterschool and out-of-school time programs to benefit youth and families. Nominees should have more than five (5) years of experience.
EMERGING AFTERSCHOOL CHAMPION
This award spotlights an individual, program, or organization whose life or mission has demonstrated considerable work in developing, supporting and promoting high-quality afterschool and out-of-school time programs to benefit youth and families. Nominees should have between two (2) and five (5) years of experience.
A letter of recommendation or support should accompany every nomination. **Note: For a program nomination, a letter of support must be from a youth program participant or parent.
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ADVOCACY
PUBLIC SCHOOL FORUM RELEASES TOP 10 EDUCATION ISSUES FOR 2019
The Public School Forum of North Carolina released its Top 10 Education Issues for 2019 today during its fifth annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast in Raleigh, where the Forum's President and Executive Director Keith Poston asked state leaders to remember the value of public education in our society and re-commit our state to traditional public schools, educators, and students.
"The erosion of North Carolina's commitment to public schools for the public good is clear," Poston said. "The emphasis on choice and competition has led us astray from the intended purpose of public schools with a narrative that has often blamed teachers and school leaders for perceived failures, when in reality we should focus on systemic inequities and our own dismantling of support for and trust in our schools."
"It is time to reverse course and commit to implementing policies and increasing funding levels that will ensure that all of our children have equitable access to a rigorous education that will prepare them to be the thoughtful, empathetic, and creative leaders that we need for our future," Poston said.
Also in this year's Top 10 List, the Public School Forum urges state leaders to expand access to out-of-school programs, especially in rural communities and for low-income youth.
Public School Forum of North Carolina's Top 10 Education Issues for 2019
- Renew North Carolina's Commitment to Public Schools for the Public Good
- Target Rural North Carolina's Unique Education Challenges
- Directly Address Persistent Racial Inequities in North Carolina's Schools
- Seize Historic Opportunity to Advance Adequacy and Equity in School Funding
- Recognize that Teacher Recruitment and Retention Starts with Professional Treatment
- Strengthen Charter School and Private School Voucher Transparency and Accountability
- Eliminate Stress and Stigma in Testing and Accountability Policy
- Start at the Top by Investing in School Leaders
- Thoughtfully and Strategically Invest In School Safety
- Focus on Whole Child, Whole Day
To download the full Top 10 Report, click
here.
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INFORM
NC OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME MAPPING DATABASE
CONGRATULATIONS to the Iredell-Statesville
Schools Prime Time for Kids Program. Your program was randomly selected from the Mapping Database. The registration fee will be waived for a member of your staff to attend the Synergy Conference 2019 free of charge. Please email ncafterschool@ncforum.org to register your staff member for this year's conference.
Will your program win next month's free Synergy Conference registration?
Register you program
today in the Mapping Database. Program registration in the database is quick and takes less than five minutes...
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SUPPORT
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FREE SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR GIRLS WHO CODE
The
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a free seven-week experience for 10th- and 11th-grade girls interested in gaining exposure to coding and jobs in technology. Program participants will use computer science to create art, tell stories, make video games, program robots, build websites, and more. The program also features guest speakers, field trips, and connections with female engineers and entrepreneurs to expose students to potential jobs in the technology industry.
If you have female students who are interested in coding or STEM, encourage them to
apply! First round applications are due February 15 and second round applications are due March 15.
Article from:
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INFORM
NORTH CAROLINA CAMPUS COMPACT
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NC
Campus
Compact
is seeking higher education institutions or their affiliated community partners to host AmeriCorps VISTA members. The NC Afterschool Corps will build the capacity of afterschool and expanded learning programs that serve low-income children, while strengthening these programs' connection to local colleges and universities. NC Afterschool Corps are AmeriCorps VISTA members who will work to recruit and train afterschool volunteers, increase funding and resources to these programs, and expand local awareness of the value of afterschool. Corps members will also enhance civic and community engagement by implementing "Design for Change," a flexible, project-based curriculum that empowers young people to solve local programs through design-thinking and action.
The NC Afterschool Corps is a project of NC Campus Compact, a statewide coalition of colleges and universities that are committed to educating civically-engaged graduates and strengthening communities. These engaged campuses strive to enhance their students' sense of responsibility, citizenship, leadership, and awareness of community, and impact the community by partnering with local organizations to address real needs. NC Campus Compact works in partnership with AmeriCorps VISTA to meet the growing need for increased civic engagement around North Carolina. For more information about becoming a host site, please contact Tatiana Cleveland via email at tcleveland@elon.edu.
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SUPPORT
NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
The National AfterSchool Association is the voice of the afterschool profession; the national membership organization for you, people who work with and on behalf of children and youth during out of school time. NAA, like NC CAP, is on a mission to promote development, provide education, and encourage advocacy for the out-of-school-time community to further the afterschool profession.
Together we are building the capacity of the field and the knowledge and competency of the afterschool community - be it children and youth who attend the programs, entry and developing staff who work directly with children and youth, leaders at all levels who play a variety of key roles, and mastery level professionals who provide research and thought leadership.
Would you like to be engaged with a national community comprised of afterschool and youth development professionals from across the nation?
If so, there are currently two membership levels for individuals:
- Executive Level - Your $99 annual contribution (that amounts to $8.25 per month) provides benefits designed specifically to meet the needs of current and emerging afterschool leaders AND supports the overall development of the afterschool profession.
- Ambassador Level - A free starter membership provides benefits designed for entry and developing afterschool professionals.
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INFORM
DOODLE 4 GOOGLE
The 11th Annual "Doodle 4 Google" contest theme "When I grow up, I hope..." invites students to draw upon their dreams and imagine the ways the world can be better. Food for everyone? Shoes that can fly? A pill that cures anything? An Earth-cooling fan? It's up to youth to interpret the theme, where they take it artistically, and what materials they use to create their unique doodle.
53 students will be named winners from their state/territory. Five finalists will be flown to Google's Mountain View headquarters, and one winning student from among the five will receive:
- A $3,000 college scholarship
- A $50,000 Google for Education technology package for their school
- Their artwork will be placed on the Google homepage for a day
The remaining four finalists will win a $5,000 college scholarship. The competition closes on March 18. Check out
https://doodles.google.com/d4g/ for the entry form and more information.
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ADVOCACY
THE POWER OF AFTERSCHOOL IN NORTH CAROLINA REPORT
The Power of Afterschool in North Carolina Report was released at Lights On Afterschool NC in October of 2018. The annual report was developed to spotlight data that illustrates the afterschool landscape, both statewide and nationally. Statewide data is reflective of programs registered within the NC CAP mapping database of out-of-school time programs. National data was provided by the National Afterschool Alliance. The report was made possible by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the MOTT Foundation.
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SUPPORT
OST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES
As part of their commitment to high-quality programs, MeckEd offers professional development opportunities to their partners. Their 2018-2019 professional development offers opportunities for program assessment, feedback, and coaching. The sessions will be held from 9:30 am - 11:30 am at Grier
Heights Community Center in Charlotte, NC on:
March 6, 2019
ROCKSTARS WANTED: Building & Engaging a Dynamic Volunteer Base
April 3, 2019
PLAYING IN THE SANDBOX: Collaboration For Success
For additional details or to register to attend their professional development series, click here.
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
NC CAP wants to highlight your program!
The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs would like to highlight program successes statewide. Tell us about your program and you might be our Program Spotlight in the next edition of the Afterschool Observer or on Social Media. Click the Program Spotlight below to be redirected to the updated survey link to tell us about your program.
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SUPPORT
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund has opened it's application for the 2019 Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) grant awards. SSEP supports diverse programs with a common goal: to enable primary and secondary students to participate in creative, hands-on STEM activities for K-12 students and pursue inquiry-based exploration in BWF's home state of North Carolina. These awards provide up to $60,000 per year for three years. The application deadline is
April 16, 2019
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The
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation is offering funding of up to $500 to design and implement a creative program for your school or library! Public schools, public libraries, and public preschool programs are encouraged to apply. Previous successful projects have included a public story walk, a multicultural portrait project, a school garden, a bookmaking workshop, and an inter-generational storytelling day.
NEW YORK LIFE GRANTS
This coming May, the New York Life Foundation will make 26 awards to out-of-school time programs serving disadvantaged youth through their Aim High grant program. The Aim High program is part of the New York Life Foundation's ongoing investment in middle school OST programs to help economically disadvantaged eighth-graders reach ninth grade on time. The grant program will fund a total of 26 afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs nationwide, based on a competitive application process. This year, the Aim High grant program will provide $1,350,000 to support 26 awards nationwide.
The Westinghouse Charitable Giving Program provides financial support to communities in one or more strategic areas of giving including (1) Education with a focus on STEM, (2) Environment Sustainability, (3) Community Safety and Vitality.
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MISSION
To influence policy and serve as a catalyst, convener, and clearinghouse for afterschool programs through advocacy, professional development, and quality improvement.
VISION
High quality afterschool programs accessible to all North Carolina children and youth helping them to succeed in and out of school.
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