In This Week's ACROSS Your Desk:

• Nominate an OST Professional for the "Making a Difference in OST Award"
• 2024 NH OST Convention: Inspire, Lead, Thrive- Annual Celebration & Conference
• Earn a FREE SEL Literature Kit for Your OST Program and 3 PA Units
• SEL Corner: SEL-Connected Children's Literature Book Review
• Remember to Submit Your GSQ Quarterly Invoices
• Upcoming ACROSS NH Trainings:
• ACROSS NH Mindful March Training Series: 4 Trainings!
• OSTB 8: Health and Safety: March 6th
• SEML Community of Practice: March 13th
• How to Earn a GSQ Step in OST: March14th
• Intro and Overview of ERS and SACERS-U: March 20th
• OSTB 3: Child and Youth Observation & Assessment: March 20th
• Directors Circle with Amy Upton: March 21st
• OSTB 9: Program Planning and Development: April 1st
• How to Register for an ACROSS NH Training in NHCIS

Making a Difference in Out of School Time

Once again, ACROSS NH is celebrating the difference made by the work of out of school time (OST) professionals in New Hampshire! If you know someone who is making a difference in the lives of children and families, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BTZ68V8 and make a nomination by March 25th.

All nominees will be recognized at the NH OST Convention: Inspire, Lead, Thrive! Annual Celebration and Conference on Saturday, April 6th at the Waterville Valley Resort. Questions? Please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

Registration is Open!

Saturday, April 6, 2024

at the Waterville Valley Resort

NH Out of School Time Convention: Inspire, Lead, Thrive! Annual Celebration & Conference

The day includes Making a Difference in OST Awards, Recognition of Afterschool Credentials, Recognition of Granite Steps for Quality in OST, Awards for Champions of OST, 10 Trainings Designed Specifically for OST Providers, LOTS of Give Aways, Gift Basket Raffles, Breakfast, Lunch, and Vendors with FREE Resources for OST Providers. Professional Development will be awarded in NHCIS. Registration is only $20, and each participant will bring home a special gift for attending!

This annual celebration and conference for out of school time is provided by the collaboration of ACROSS NH, funded by the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration, and the NH Afterschool Network, funded by the Charles Stuart Mott Foundation.

Save your spot! The last day to register is March 31st.

Do You Have a Favorite Children's Book with an SEL Connection?

Earn a huge Social and Emotional Learning-Connected Literature Kit for your OST program at no cost from ACROSS NH and help us to celebrate International #SELday on March 8, 2024.

Follow the steps in the details below to see how you can send us your submission! Questions? Email ACROSS NH SEL Coordinator, Abigail Blodgett Argentine, at ablodgett@acrossnh.org.

Those who contribute a submission will receive an SEL-Connected Literature Kit AND earn 3 Professional Activity (PA) units to use toward their Afterschool Credential application or renewal for "Participating in a statewide program that shares activities to help promotes SEL" !

Due date for your submission is March 1st!

Today I Feel Silly: An SEL-Connected Book Review

Dear SEL in OST Community, 

Check out this amazing SEL-connected book review submission from Jannell Blodgett, the Afterschool Coordinator at East Side Learning Center in Concord, NH.

Choose a book and please email your submission to me by Friday, March 1st to celebrate #SELday! You could be featured in the ACROSS NH social media!

May you be well, 

May you have joy, 

May you have peace, 

Abigail J. Blodgett Argentine, B.S.; NH ASMP

ACROSS NH Social Emotional Learning Coordinator 

ablodgett@acrossnh.org

Social, Emotional, and Mindfulness Learning (SEML) in Out of School Time: A Hybrid Training Series

Why Social, Emotional, 'and' Mindful Learning?

Thursday, March 7, 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom

Mindful Self-Awareness and Emotional Regulation

Thursday, March 21, 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom

Mindful Social Awareness and Heartful Connecting

Thursday, April 4, 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom

SEML: Putting it into Practice

Saturday, April 6

(In-Person at the NH OST Convention at Waterville Valley Resort $20 Registration Fee)

Receive a FREE SEML Materials Kit!

Participants who complete all 4 sessions will receive a FREE SEML Materials Kit to implement into their program to celebrate and recognize their full participation in the training series! 

Join us for 1, 2, 3, or all 4 sessions!

Registration is required in NHCIS for the first three individual trainings. The last session will be during the NH OST Convention and will require a small fee to attend. Convention details are above!

Click here or on the flyer image to download the complete details. Save your spots now and register for the sessions you choose in NHCIS!

Calling for Program Snapshots and Highlights!

Hello OST Programs,

Greetings from ACROSS NH's Outreach and Support Coordinator! As we continue to create memorable experiences in OST programs, we're excited to invite you to be a part of our visual journey. Your stories and snapshots play a crucial role in showcasing the heart and soul of what makes OST programs exceptional.

Share Your Story!

We're on the lookout for captivating images that capture the essence of program planning and setup – the behind-the-scenes magic that makes OST programs truly stand out. Whether it's a creatively designed activity corner, a team huddle discussing upcoming events, or the thoughtful arrangement of materials, we want to see the dedication that goes into creating a quality OST experience.

We Want to Spotlight Your Work!

Additionally, we're eager to feature highlights of the enriching activities you're sharing with the children. From science experiments and arts & crafts to outdoor adventures and group projects, we want to spotlight the moments that make your programs memorable for the children we serve.

What Can You Send Us?

Your contributions will not only celebrate the hard work and creativity within our community but also inspire others in the OST network. Here's how you can participate:

1. **Capture the Moment:** Snap photos of your program planning sessions, setup arrangements, and any unique features that set your OST program apart.

2. **Showcase the Highlights:** Share images of the enriching activities and special moments you've had with the kids – those instances that truly define the spirit of our programs.

3. **Share Your Story:** Along with your pictures, feel free to include a brief description or anecdote about the significance of the captured moment.

Here's How to Do it!

Send your contributions to stainter@acrossnh.org. We'll feature selected submissions on our social media channels, giving you and your program the recognition it deserves. Please be sure to have permission to share any staff and/or children photos!

Thank you for being an integral part of our OST community. Together, let's showcase the passion, dedication, and creativity that make our OST programs truly exceptional!

Sonjia "Sunni" Tainter, M.S.; NH ASMP, LE 3

ACROSS NH Outreach and Support Coordinator

stainter@acrossnh.org

A Reminder to Submit Your Quarterly Invoices

Where can I find the Quarterly Quality Invoice to submit to the BCDHSC?

Go to https://www.nh-connections.org/providers/quality-care-matters/

Where can I email my completed invoice?

Mail your completed invoice to NHGSQ@dhhs.nh.gov.

For more details, refer to page 3 here

or visit https://www.nh-connections.org/providers/quality-care-matters/.

OSTB 8: Safety and Wellness

Wednesday, March 6th

6:30-8:30pm on Zoom

ACROSS NH is proud to provide free virtual and interactive Out of School Time Basics trainings on the National Afterschool Association (NAA) Ten Core Knowledge, Skills & Competencies. These trainings are provided at no cost to you thanks to funding from the NH DHHS and Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration.

Environments and curriculum are the foundation of your afterschool program! In this virtual interactive workshop, you will learn how to create engaging environments and prepare curriculum that provide fun and enriching activities. The session will also explore how children and youth learn through activities and play. You will leave knowing how to design and implement learning opportunities that include goals and objectives.

Social Emotional and Mindful Learning

Community of Practice

Wednesday, March 13th

10:15-11:30am on Zoom

At the heart of the OST field are the values of building positive relationships, creating quality learning opportunities, and making contributions to lifelong thriving outcomes for our children and youth. 

This SEML Community of Practice is for out of school time staff, site directors, and directors. We will focus on the guiding principles of social, emotional, and mindfulness learning in OST programs, share resources, practices, and collaborate with like-minded colleagues. Participants will walk away with a refocused lens on implementing SEL in OST.

How to Earn a GSQ Step in OST

Thursday, March 14th

12:00-1:00pm on Zoom

This training is for out of school time (OST) programs, and early childhood programs with an OST component that are planning to apply for a Granite Step for Quality (GSQ). We will review the details of the GSQ OST Rubrics. We will cover the pre-requisites needed, and the the staff requirements & the learning environment requirements needed for applying for a step. Participants will also acquire resources from ACROSS NH to support their work including a self-paced checklist to help you get organized!

Introduction and Overview of ERS and SACERS-U

Wednesday, March 20th

12:00-1:30pm on Zoom

The Environment Rating Scales (ERS) are observational tools that assess process quality of child care programs. This virtual training provides an introduction and overview of the ERS and the School Age Care Environment Rating Scale-Updated (SACERS-U) tool. We will examine the benefits of using the tool for children and for programs. Participants will practice how to use the SACERS-U tool in an out-of-school time (OST) program. This training is intended for programs with school age children in OST. This training fulfills the required Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ) ERS Training for the SACERS Learning Environment Standard Rubric.

This training is provided by Cathy Hazelton, M.Ed.; NH ASMP WT, PC, IM, NH ADS 3 & LE 3 and SACERS-U Anchor. ACROSS NH can provide a copy of the SACERS-U tool to your program by request once you have completed the training. Please email your request to chazelton@acrossnh.org.

OSTB 3: Child and Youth Observation & Assessment

Wednesday, March 20th

6:30-8:30pm on Zoom

ACROSS NH is proud to provide free virtual and interactive Out of School Time Basics trainings on the National Afterschool Association (NAA) Ten Core Knowledge, Skills & Competencies. These trainings are provided at no cost to you thanks to funding from the NH DHHS and Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration.

Effective out of school time programs depend upon the observation skills of the staff. We learn best about children when we have had the opportunity to observe them in their daily routines. But how do we observe children when our afterschool schedules are so busy? Join us in this engaging workshop to learn more about observation in an afterschool program.

How to Keep Staff on Board

Thursday, March 21st

10:30-11:30am on Zoom

Join Amy Upton and Jamie Nadeau for this special Directors Circle! Do staff know the vision and mission of your program and the role they play? Learn tips and strategies to motivate staff and make them feel like a vital part of your program.

Monthly virtual Directors Circles are an opportunity for out of school time (OST) directors to share their successes, challenges, network with like-minded colleagues in the field, ask questions, to build your knowledge in a specific topic, or just come to listen!

OSTB 9: Program Planning and Development

Monday, April 1st

6:30-8:30pm on Zoom

ACROSS NH is proud to provide free virtual and interactive Out of School Time Basics trainings on the National Afterschool Association (NAA) Ten Core Knowledge, Skills & Competencies. These trainings are provided at no cost to you thanks to funding from the NH DHHS and Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration.

Program planning and development includes supporting staff and serving as a role model, building healthy relationships with colleagues and families, providing developmentally appropriate practices, and utilizing resources. Join this virtual training where assessment practices will be explored and how evaluation can be used to support and implement their program’s mission and policies will be covered.

How to Register for an ACROSS NH Training in NHCIS

Log into NHCIS. Go to your "training tile" and click on "take a training." Scroll down and click on "Month" view. Advance to the date of the training that you want to register for and click on the "training title." If you are having trouble registering for an ACROSS NH training in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

For more information about NHCIS,

go to https://www.nh-connections.org/providers/nh-professional-registry/.