A Month Filled with Significant Celebrations and Observances
As we emerge from the mental confines and physical closures of the pandemic it can be easy to stray away from prioritizing the importance of summer. Summer Matters for many reasons but this year summer programming's impact could be extremely beneficial in mitigating unfinished learning and supporting whole child health. Get ready to celebrate National Summer Learning Week July 12-16th, 2021!
Juneteenth is considered the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. However, it has been shown the current state of the U.S. is a far cry from the true end of systemic oppression, racism, and continually high incarceration rates. As we honor this day, you may wish to reflect on your role and how you continue to teach our youth about these topics so that we can works towards a more anti-racist and equitable future.
Afterschool providers, school counselors, and youth educators play a key role in supporting LGBTQIA youth. As COVID-19 restrictions open up, it can be a fraught and confusing environment--especially for those who identify as LGBTQIA. When students are unable to be their authentic selves or when they are living in unsupportive environments, the effects can be overwhelming. LGBTQIA Pride month is a celebration of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of those who identify as LGBTQIA.
Now is a critical time to make suer all youth feel safe and included by promoting resilience, be mindful of mental health, and creating affirming and confidential spaces.
|
|
Highlights in Reimagining the Power of Afterschool |
|
Word of the Month: Cultural Humility
Project READY has developed a multi-module curriculum that addresses racial equity in school and out-of-school environments. They include the concept of cultural humility differentiated from cultural competency. Cultural humility goes beyond just the understanding of ones own world view and the awareness of other cultures (cultural competence) and has three key parts:
- A personal lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and self-critique
- Recognition of power dynamics and imbalances, a desire to fix those power imbalances and to develop partnerships with people and groups who advocate for others
- Institutional accountability
When implementing cultural humility into our daily structure it is important to keep in mind that beginning to change our responses to new situations takes practice, mindfulness, and patience with ourselves and others. As we enter into summer programming, keeping cultural humility practices in mind will help further the journey towards making expanded learning more equitable on all levels.
*Read the full article HERE to learn more about the importance of cultural humility.
|
|
|
|
Summer Wellness Activity Guides Training Moved to June 17th
This training will provide participant an overview of the newly created Summer Wellness Activity Guides. Units include nutrition, physical activity & education, SEL, and environmental health. These guides will be available this summer in English & Spanish.
The guides include 112 activities divided into wellness categories and differentiated for 4 different age groups; 5-9 year olds, 10-12 year olds, 13-15 year olds, 16-18 year olds.
|
|
|
|
Career Exploration for Middle School Youth with Possible Futures
June 21st from 11am-12pm
OregonASK will be facilitating training for programs interested in utilizing Jobs for the Future career exploration curriculum, Possible Futures this summer. This one hour training will provide programs an introduction on the curriculum that comes from an interrelated collection of research-based lessons created to prepare youth with essential 21st century skills and equips them to chart a path toward success. Students will build employability skills such as collaboration and communication, while identifying personal interests and strengths that can help inform and guide them on their path ahead.
|
|
SAN Re-Boot Training Camp
Register Now to join the Summer Re-Boot Training Camp being organized by 5 State Afterschool Networks from across the country, including OregonASK. Freshly launched, this website consists of a-synchronous Professional Development utilizing pre-recorded videos and other a-synchronous elements. With the hiring of many new staff, we hope this may serve an an opportunity for broadly inclusive professional development that can help staff understand the critical role they are playing this summer. Content includes a variety of topics for a plethora of roles, with each week having a special emphasis:
Week of May 31: Summer Programming 101: What to Expect
Week of June 7: More than Beads, Putting Intention into Activities
Week of June 14: Partnerships for Impactful Learning Recovery
Week of June 21: Connecting with Families and the Community
|
|
Elevate Afterschool with Open Minds, Open Spaces
Fall Virtual Conference 2021
October 21st-23rd, registration opening August 1st
|
|
Building Stronger Together with Mizzen
Struggling to find ideas for curriculum and engaging activities geared towards summer? Mizzen is here to help! Check out Mizzen By Mott app that includes hundreds of activities and curricula for everything from STEAM to Arts to Wellness.
The app is structured for both managers and instructors:
Plan Lessons and Activities
- Explore a wide variety of lesson plans from a catalogue of options
- See step-by-step guidance for each session, including learning objectives and necessary materials
Stay Organized
- Keep track of registrations and attendees
- Organize specific cohorts
Strengthen Your Staff
- Read suggestions and discover new ways to improve your techniques
- Learn best practices and browse pro tips
|
|
Oregon Summer After 3pm Data Released |
|
Interested in how summer programming is shaping up in Oregon? Check out the new America After 3PM Summer Reports. Data shows participation in summer programs is higher than ever, but the demand is far from being met. In Oregon, there are 179,941 children (36%) who are not in a summer program, but would be enrolled if a program were available to them. #AA3PM #OR Check out more statistics here.
|
|
|
Coming Soon: OregonASK Summer Programming Survey
Thanks to a grant from the National Conference of State Legislators, Oregon will be conducting a Summer Programming Survey starting the end of June. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon and help us understand more about the opportunities that youth and families have access to over the summer. We need your help to continue advocating for funding that supports summer specific opportunities!
|
|
National Training & Resources: Summer, STEM, and Equity |
|
Curious about Curiosity Camp? IF/THEN Collection Resources to Support Girls in STEM on June 22nd, 11am-12pm
In this webinar you’ll learn more about the IF/THEN Collection and Curiosity Camp resources, produced by GoldieBlox, and how to use them to support gender equity in STEM programs. Register HERE.
2021 Grand Ronde Education Summit on June 24th
Join for a day of trainings and conversations around indigenous learning. A number of different sessions will be offered, including: Grand Ronde Tribal History, Oregon SB 13, cultural responsive teaching, bringing native culture into the classroom, and much more. Sign up HERE.
ARP: School Aged Child Care Opportunites for Afterschool and Summer on June 3rd
This webinar discusses the details of the new American Rescue Plan funds. It will also explore ways in which these funds can be equitably utilized within the field of afterschool and child care. Register HERE.
|
|
National Summer Learning Association Webinars
Get ready for National Summer Learning Week with resources found HERE. National Summer Learning Week is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school ready to succeed in the year.
Find more resources online and view all Voices of Summer Webinar Series upcoming and recorded webinars HERE.
|
|
American Rescue Plan
The American Rescue Plan provides millions of funding that is dedicated to unfinished learning, summer programming, and afterschool - each with their own bucket.
Oregon Department of Education will make a plan for distributing:
- Over $11 million set-aside for summer enrichment
- Over $11 million set-aside for afterschool programs
- Nearly $60 million for learning recovery/unfinished learning, which can include afterschool and summer programs
Oregon will also recieve dedicated funding for child care, which can include school-age care, which will flow to state child care agencies.
Afterschool Alliance Youth Ambassadors
Any youth 13 or older can apply to join the national ambassador program. The entry includes sharing the importance of afterschool and summer to you. If you know of any youth interested, please share this survey link.
ARP Template
Looking to create your own American Rescue Plan educational flyer? We have created a template with Oregon specific ARP data for programs and districts with to add their own branding and anecdotal narrative. Click the image on the right to view a sample PDF. Click HERE to view the editable template.
|
|
State Policy
HB 3073 Child Care Reform has been having smaller task group meetings and is still waiting in Joint Ways and Means.
|
|
Engaging Girls in Northeast Portland with Brite
Brite is an online, interdisciplinary STEM program built for girls ages 13-16. The first Brite Pilot was offered in the summer of 2020. Brite 2021, a joint venture between the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and Hello Studios, will be July 12-22, 2021, providing a high-quality, online suite of activities centered on collaborative learning with female role models.
Brite 2021 will consist of two courses: Art x Science, featuring role models and activities at the intersection of art and science, and Dream Big, Take Risks, featuring role models and activities that introduce girls to audacious careers in STEM. A customized online platform, accessed through a 1:1 device, will serve as a launching pad for girls to participate in individual, small group, and community-wide activities.
OregonASK will be partnering with N/NE STEAM Coalition and several local partners to host 2-3 in-person locations for girls to interact with educators and get direct guidance. There will also be the option to join the program online for safety precautions surrounding COVID-19.
|
|
|
Winners Announced! 2021 Oregon Afterschool Wellness Award |
|
Congratulations to the Boys & Girls Club of Albany and Eugene Family YMCA for winning the 2021 Afterschool Wellness Award! These programs have worked hard to implement and promote outstanding wellness policies and practices. Wellness policies play a crucial role in promoting healthy behaviors in staff and youth alike, and as a result, reinforces messages about nutrition, physical activity, and life-long wellness habits.
The Nutrition Council of Oregon, the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council, and OregonASK, join the Oregon Department of Education in recognizing these schools. We recognize that the Boys & Girls Club of Albany and Eugene Family YMCA have worked hard over the year to ensure the holistic wellbeing of their programs. Both recipients will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a banner, and a certificate of recognition. Keep up the excellent work!
|
|
In need of hiring summer professionals? Check out the OregonASK Job Board Page
As we enter into summer full throttle we want to remind you, as employers and employees, you are able to take advantage of OregonASK's new Jobs Board to help connect in preparation for this summer. As an organization, our goal is to enhance, support, and expand the fluidity of the work of our partners. We hope this addition to our website assists your hiring process. See the Listings page, plus more, HERE.
OregonASK LinkedIn Page
Check out our brand new LinkedIn page HERE.
|
|
Seeking an Equity Strategies Coordinator
OregonASK is excited to continue our journey of growth and change by opening this position to all our partners and friends across the state. The position will be posted HERE until filled.
|
|
2021 Save the Dates!
June 19th: Juneteenth
August 20th: OregonASK Partner Meeting In Person!!!
October 21st-23rd: Open Minds, Open Spaces Fall Virtual Conference
December 3rd: OregonASK Partner Meeting
|
|
OregonASK Expanded Learning Partnership
Wilsonville, OR 97070
|
Want to stay up to date on OASK events as well as general OST information?
FOLLOW US
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
