This is your weekly newsletter featuring program spotlights, innovative resources, and training opportunities for the out-of-school-time industry in Florida. Together, we can ensure all children and youth in Florida have access to affordable, available, high-quality expanded learning opportunities to foster their success in school and beyond. | |
2024 Conference Registration Now Open
Secure early bird pricing by registering now for the 2024 Annual Conference on October 1-4, in Orlando, Florida. We return to the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, and will unite hundreds of professionals across a variety of disciplines who are committed to keeping Florida’s students in school, enhancing their academic and personal achievement, and guiding them toward a successful future. Let's build brighter futures, together.
It's time for us. It's time for Afterschool.
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If you have an idea for an afterschool spotlight or would like to be featured, email Holly to help share your story! | |
APAW 2024 is HERE! How are you showing your appreciation for Afterschool Professionals in your program this week? | |
Research shows that skilled and knowledgeable program staff are the backbone of program quality and are key to desired positive youth outcomes. We hope everyone joins us April 22-26 in celebrating afterschool professionals and then continues to advocate for job quality in support of these essential professionals throughout the year. | |
How Youth-Led Research Really Makes a Difference | Youth research leader reflects on her experience studying out-of-school time programs and what's next. Youth participatory action research (YPAR) operates under the principle that young people should be deeply involved in developing solutions to challenges that directly affect them. | | | |  |
It's time for school-age advocates to raise their voices in state plans | The state child care planning template for the next three years is out! From now until July 1, State Administrative Agencies will be determining how to spend over $12 billion annually in federal Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) dedicated to helping eligible families find affordable, high-quality child care, afterschool, and summer programs for their children aged 0-13. | | | | |
Gadsden County students are lacking exposure to STEM careers; school district is working to change that | |
Demand for jobs in STEM fields in Florida has increased by more than
63%. Gadsden County is working to get their students more opportunities to learn about STEM careers.
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Florida High School Athletics mulls adding E-sports | The Florida High School Athletic Association could potentially sanction competitive video gaming, or e-sports, as an official sport, amid growing interest from member schools. The organization distributed a survey and received responses from 425 schools, 58 percent of its member schools. | | | | |
ACHIEVE OST Incentive Award Program - Prime Time Palm Beach County | ACHIEVE OST is a tiered incentive award program that rewards practitioners for participating in trainings and earning certificates and degrees, with an emphasis on best practices in youth development. ACHIEVE OST is designed to increase afterschool program stability and improve program quality by reducing staff turnover and encouraging afterschool practitioners to continue their training and education. Are you eligible for an ACHIEVE OST incentive? | | | | |
GEMS program at Florida Gulf Coast University empowers girls in STEM | FGCU's GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) program was held on Saturday, where middle school students (grades 6-8) participated in hands-on STEM activities led by FGCU STEM majors and faculty. | | | | |
PBS KIDS Self-Paced Learning FREE Resources to Engage Young Learners | PBS KIDS offers this FREE collection of flexible self-paced learning to help inspire teachers and provide support for the classroom. Spark new ideas and expand your skill set by starting a learning path from the catalog below. | | | | |
The 2024 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open! | This year we're looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. As always, the winning artwork will be printed on more than 50,000 posters that will be displayed at more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events around the world. The winning artist will be featured on our website, blog, and a national press release, and their afterschool program will be credited on the poster in addition to receiving the grand prize of $500! Artwork is due July 15, 2024! | | | | |
LEARNING FROM OTHERS: Brooklyn kids map solutions to gun violence | D.I.V.A.S., which stands for Digital Interactive Visual Arts and Sciences for Social Justice, focuses on empowering youth through technology for social change. One of their impactful programs is the free, after-school S.T.E.A.M. program, equipping students aged nine to 14 with critical 21st-century skills. But S.T.E.A.M. goes beyond just technical expertise. The program is designed to make students active participants in their communities. This year’s project, the Anti-Gun Violence Asset Mapping Project, tackles a crucial issue. | | | | |
Help us help you! Take the Florida Afterschool Tools & Resources Survey | Make time to answer this brief survey (estimated time to complete is less than five minutes). The information you provide will allow us to make adjustments to the tools and resources we provide to help you be more informed and effective as afterschool educators. | | | | |
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Ready Set Go (because STEM is everywhere)
Webinar: Thursday, April 25 at 1PM
Are you nervous about doing science activities? Do you feel pressure to have your activities include more STEM? Join this fun hands-on session to learn different strategies to help you facilitate activities with youth of all ages. You will be surprised at how comfortable STEM teaching can be when you look at activities through the lens of "STEM is everywhere". This engaging session will give you a glimpse at the free resources available and provide you with plenty of opportunities to reflect on practice and connect with your colleagues. And boy will we laugh when we think about some funny educational metaphors. This workshop is designed to inspire you to lead amazing STEM lessons where you and the youth in your program can thrive.
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STEM4ALL (Virtual) Resource Fair
Via Zoom: Wednesday, May 1 at 11AM
Join us for a completely virtual resource fair designed to connect programs and individual educators to free (or low-cost) STEM resources you can take and start using tomorrow in an afterschool or summer program. Come explore multiple vendor “booths” to find the perfect resources to enhance, expand or start STEM education at your program.
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ACRES Coaching: Nurturing STEM Identity and Making Career Connections
Webinar: Mondays: May 6, May 20, June 3 from 6PM-8PM
How do you help youth recognize their connection to and role in STEM? How do you help youth learn about STEM careers? Participants experience several easy-to-implement strategies, including a photo elicitation activity that can help youth form STEM identities, and then learn how to conduct related activities with youth.
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Click 2 Engineering: Including All Learners in Engineering
Webinar: Wednesday, May 8 at 12PM
In a highly competitive world, how do we create program spaces that help young people feel like engineering is a discipline in which they can succeed and thrive? Join this virtual workshop to develop strategies for creating engineering experiences that are engaging for all youth. Dive into what makes an engineering activity open and inclusive. Experience hands-on engineering and come away with ideas you can put into practice.
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Info Session about Micro-credentials and Digital Badging
Webinar: Wednesday, May 8 from 1PM-2PM
ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) is excited to offer additional Information Sessions about STEM micro-credentials, which are competency-based, digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals offered through the National Afterschool Association. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length. You will learn about what Micro-credentials are and how to apply for them.
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! We are a recognized leader for providing high-quality professional learning experiences that are timely, relevant, and engaging. Join us in October for our annual conference as we convene at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Get ready for fresh ideas for youth engagement, strategies for business and staff development, and tools for local advocacy. Learn more about what to expect here. | |
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Florida After School, Inc. | FLafterschool.com
For more information about Florida After School, Inc. and its many partners, connect with us on social media.
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