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Dear friends,

Spring is in the air! While the warm weather and blooming flowers are a welcome change from winter weather, it’s also a reminder that the end of the school year is coming soon for many of our children and families. Here at Foundations, it’s a time to reflect, recharge – AND – get ready for "summer learning fun!"

I have spent time with our team reflecting on the nature of leadership and coaching models; learning to be a better leader is a personal goal as well as an organizational one. Sheryl Sandberg said that leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence. The same could be said in the field of education and the work we do every day. Our goal is to ensure a quality education for every child by improving the skills of the adults who surround them; we strive to make educators better and to make sure that impact lasts long after the professional learning session, webinar, or coaching is over.

I am feeling energized by Foundations’ mission, the spring weather, and all the exciting work of our staff, our colleagues, and our collaborators. I’m delighted to share some updates with you as we work together to create a brighter future for every child – every day.

Warmly,
UPDATE FROM THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
National Advisory Committee member Heather Norton is Vice President of Education at the Orlando Science Center. Let's check in with Heather to find out more about the exciting work coming from the OSC!
Beginning next fall, Orlando Science Center will be providing unique science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) based afterschool opportunities in their new Flight Lab and The Hive: A Makerspace. The Science Center will be recruiting middle students for programs in partnership with local afterschool providers, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida.

With generous support from the Office of Naval Research, the Afterschool Aviation Adventures will take place in the Science Center’s Flight Lab environment with module content focused on aviation principles and mission-based experiences that model real-world careers.

Afterschool in The Hive, funded by the Universal Orlando Foundation, will feature hands-on, STEM-based curriculum with access to tools, technologies, and materials. Students will learn how to harness their creativity while broadening their 21st century skills such as team building, collaboration, and communication.

Both programs will be facilitated by OSC with the goal of deepening students learning experiences and motivating them to explore advanced studies in STEM and help ensure they will be better prepared to reach their full potential as the STEM workforce of tomorrow.
FOUNDATIONS IN THE FIELD
Hershawna Turner, an Education Specialist at Foundations, is currently completing doctoral work on early childhood education and digital storytelling. Hershawna used her research to inform a presentation at Beyond School Hours on early childhood literacy, which she facilitated alongside Allyson Bullock, Director of Foundations' Center for Afterschool and Expanded Learning. Hershawna and Allyson are pictured here with one of the participants in their literacy session, Joyce Langford from Cache Public Schools in Oklahoma. Joyce took pictures with the facilitators of each workshop she attended in order to demonstrate to her students that SHE is a life-long student!
Hershawna, Allyson, and Education Specialist Dave McConnell also traveled recently to the National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C. where they met with members of National Geographic's education staff. The Foundations team was there to discuss how National Geographic's existing materials can be adapted for the afterschool environment. This work with National Geographic is part of a project funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation; Beyond School Hours attendees may have experienced the first round of afterschool modules developed through this project by Education Specialist Jenn Conner in conjunction with the education staff at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 21: Perspectives from the Field

This free webinar hosted by Shawn Petty is an educational, interactive conversation with special guest Dr. Colleen Lelli as they examine trauma-informed practice.


JUNE 30: Deadline for Presenter Applications

Preparations for Beyond School Hours 2020 are already in full swing! Are you interested in sharing your work with an audience of educators from across the nation? Learn more!
SAVE THE DATE
FEBRUARY 26-29, 2020: Beyond School Hours XXIII

Beyond School Hours is returning to Orlando in 2020 and you won't want to miss it! Register now and take advantage of earlybird pricing!