After-School Bulletin | July 31, 2019
It's Lights On Afterschool Season; Time to Plan Your 2019 Community Event
 It's Lights On Afterschool season! And time to get the word out about the 20th annual Lights On Afterschool national event on October 24, 2019.

To help programs promote their Lights On events with free promotional materials, the Afterschool Alliance encourages programs to register in order to gain promotional materials including postcards and a Lights on Deck for presentations at community meetings and webinars. Order them by emailing Ursula at uhelminski@afterschoolalliance.org .

Promotional opportunities also include free KIND snack bars for Lights On Afterschool celebrations. KIND is donating 150 free KIND Simple Crunch and KIND Kids snacks to programs for Lights On Afterschool celebrations. To qualify, register today .
 
Daunted by the idea of holding an event? Check out the Afterschool Alliance's comprehensive Event Kit and searchable events database to find ideas that fit your interest, timeline, and expertise.
 
KIND’s donation is part of the company’s commitment to “make the world a little kinder.” That mission also drove the creation of Empatico, a free research- and standards-based platform designed to help educators spark curiosity, kindness, and empathy. Empatico connects young people ages 6-11 around the world with their peers to share perspectives.  Get the details and sign up here to earn a $50 Amazon gift card for trying out Empatico.
Partnering with the Detroit Zoo for River Learning

Every afterschool program provider knows that forging important community partnerships is central to success. For students and teachers from the ACCESS 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, their partnership with the Detroit Zoo has created important environmental learning opportunities. On one special day this month, Salina Intermediate students took a Summer Discovery Cruise on the Zoo's "Schoolship" Clinton to explore the lower Detroit River and Lake St. Clair.

Students were able to discover first-hand the natural and historic wonders of unique areas on the river. They learned about concepts from biology and the importance of plankton in the environment; the effect of chemicals in the water; how long it takes for plastic and glass to decompose; and the use of oxygen on land and as well as in the water, said Program Supervisor Asya Obad . Students also learned how to tie various knots and other basic boating techniques.
For many students, it was their first time on a boat, Obad said. Afterward, they all enjoyed a picnic in the park. Congratulations to ACCESS for building such important partnerships!

-- The Michigan After-School Partnership
ACCESS students explore Detroit River habitats.
Exploring the beach along the Detroit River and enjoying a picnic lunch outdoors.
Afterschool and the 2020 President Campaign
With the 2020 presidential election 16 months away, more than 25 politicians and business leaders have declared themselves candidates. The first round of debates for Democratic candidates has already happened, most candidates are in full time campaign mode, and the first primaries and caucuses are only six short months away. Education has been a popular campaign topic for many candidates, from student loan forgiveness to increasing teacher pay, however several candidates have gone on the record in support of afterschool and summer learning programs as well.
 
While the nonpartisan Afterschool Alliance does not endorse candidates, we do track their proposals related to support for afterschool and summer learning programs and have summarized the positions of the candidates that have gone on the record in support of afterschool, community schools, summer learning, and wrap around supports for school age children.
 
As of July 2018, here is where the 2020 candidates stand with regard to support for afterschool programs.

-- Afterschool Snack
Developing K.I.D.S Among National Award Recipients
Developing K.I.D.S . in Detroit is among two dozen national award winners in the New York Life Foundation's 2019 Aim High grant competition for middle school out-of-school time programs serving disadvantaged youth.

Developing K.I.D.S. received a $15,000 grant to support professional development opportunities for staff. It was among 26 programs in 18 states that received awards totaling $1.35 million in all.

The Detroit-based program focuses on positive youth development in community locations and in two schools. Developing K.I.D.S alumni continue to receive support through counseling, mentoring, college care packages, paid project opportunities, job readiness and resource referrals.

Research has shown that for disadvantaged students more learning time in the form of high-quality afterschool, expanded-day and summer programs leads to greater academic achievement, better school attendance, and more engaged students.
Afterschool is Key to Middle School CTE Exposure

“Imaginations are what will carry us to the future, and (for me) Digital Harbor helped to expand it,” 7th grader Jacob Leggette proclaimed in front of the full room at the Senate Career and Technical (CTE) Education Caucus and Afterschool Alliance Briefing on June 25.

The briefing, “ Making the Most of Middle School Career Exploration in CTE, ” put a spotlight on the importance of community partners in career and technical education state planning and implementation.

Read more about career exposure and CTE in afterschool in this report from Afterschool Snack .
National Geographic Explores Boiling River, Congo
National Geographic Education has designed a set of  Explorer Classrooms  for summer learning programs in partnership with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Summer is a unique time to encourage career exploration and STEM learning , and to introduce youth to new ways to experience and explore the world. Explorer Classrooms are a great way to do both!

About National Geographic Explorer Classroom:
Explorer Classroom connects learners with National Geographic Explorers, bringing science, exploration, and conservation to life through live video events.

How it Works:
2.   Get Ready:  Educator Guide here . Help students brainstorm questions for the explorer. An unlimited number of groups can watch live on YouTube and 6 programs will be live onscreen; we'll let you know if your group was selected for an on-screen spot.
3.   Watch, Ask Questions, and Have Fun! Tune in at the scheduled date and time. Ask the explorer your questions and learn all about life as a National Geographic Explorer.

Opportunities to Explore :

  • Thursday, August 1st at 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT - Boiling River, in the Amazon: Take a journey into the Amazon with Andrés Ruzo @georuzo to explore the Boiling River where he's using science to explain an ancient legend.
  • Friday, August 2nd at 10:00am ET / 9:00am CT - In the Field, The Congo: Join a live-stream visit to the Congo to see how Sarah Michelle Pope uses primates to study human behavior.
Take Action Today
The Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Education and Labor Committees are considering reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. Tell your elected officials about how afterschool and summer learning programs can improve access to nutritious meals and snacks! (The Afterschool Alliance)
Michigan After-School Partnership | Website