ESON & MSN Newsletter

February 2024

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Hello OST Program Providers & Community Partners!

We hope you are staying warm and cozy as we officially dive into winter weather. If you are thinking about summer amidst the sleet and snow, you are not alone - see below for the list of summer-related requests as we fly headlong into summer registration season. Yes, there are still snow angels and forts to be made, but planning ahead and communicating with families clearly about what’s coming will help us meet the needs of all families, particularly the ones who may not be watching registration and lottery deadlines closely. Come join us next week to talk more about what equity and access looks like in this landscape!

-Annie

Next ESON/MSN Network Meeting

Join us for our next ESON and MSN meeting on Wednesday, February 7th! This one is virtual - see Zoom link info below. We love seeing everyone in person, and we also love getting to hear from the wide spectrum of folks who can more easily join our virtual meetings.

Topic: "Equity and Access: Who Are Our Priority Youth and Families?"

When: Wednesday, Feb. 7th, 2024, 10-11:30am

Location (Virtual): Zoom Link

If you’ve been in our spaces, you’ve likely heard the term - “priority” or “high priority families/youth.” What does this mean? Where did it come from? What does it look like to put their needs at the center of your planning? Come to this meeting to talk more about what equity and access looks like in Cambridge out-of-school opportunities.

We will bring individual family/student stories, demographic data, and examples from our summer follow up effort to share; you bring your experience, questions, and concerns. Let’s get into the walk that’s behind the talk. Together, we want to come away with a sharper focus on the goal: ensuring equity and access to quality OST opportunities for all young people and families.

Save the Date for These Additional 2023-24 Joint ESON/MSN Network Meetings:

Rolling and Summer Resources Fair - March 2nd!
Mar. 6th (virtual) - Summer Prep
March-April: Summer Workshops in Upper School Classrooms (dates TBD)
Apr. 3rd (virtual)
May 1st (virtual)

View more about upcoming meeting topics and events here!

Opportunities & Resources for You

LAST CALL! Submit Your Program Info for 2024 Summer Opportunities Guide!

Action Requested (by 2/9/24): Please fill out this 2024 Summer Opportunities Guide Intake Form.

We want to include your info in our materials about summer programs in Cambridge. Parents & Caregivers will see your info in these materials about summer programs:

Our upcoming 2024 Summer Camp Registration Timeline (for K-5)
The Agenda for Children OST's 2024 Summer Opportunities Guide for JK-8th Graders. Paper copies of this guide are handed out to hundreds of families at the Rollin' & Summer Resources Event on Sat, March 2nd
Your program info will ALSO be updated or added to FindItCambridge.org, website for all things Cambridge

Rollin' & Summer Resources is Happening on March 2nd!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 1-4 PM.

Location: CSUS/King Open/Community Complex, 830 Cambridge St, Cambridge

Families will have the opportunity to explore 50+ summer camps, programs, and providers while enjoying roller skating, music, food and accessing valuable family and community resources.

Program providers are invited to come and set up a table to have families hear about and/or complete applications for summer programs. Fill out this form to reserve your table.

Families can register for the event and reserve bus transportation by using this form.

Summer Workshops in Upper Schools Are Coming!

In March and early April, we (Middle School Network) bring summer programs into Cambridge Upper Schools to generate excitement about summer programming, tell kids about their options and introduce them to kickass individuals (for example: YOU) who run these programs.

As part of the process, they fill out a survey about what they want & what help they need, which kicks off our Summer Follow Up Process with individual kids & families. Has it been a while since you’ve visited a middle school classroom? Come play in the schools with us!

PAUS is already set for March 13th - it’s an early release day, and we usually do one grade after another - schedule (and dates for other schools) are coming soon!

March 6-7th

Join National Summer Learning Association for this FREE virtual opportunity on March 6th and 7th to learn from leaders in schools, community-based programs, camps, libraries, outdoor education programs, and more.

If you are working with youth during the summer months, you will benefit from the Summer Planning Bootcamp.

These ideas and strategies including research and policy, academic support, mental and physical wellness, health, and enrichment.

Opportunities for Youth & Families

Winter-Spring Activities Slideshow

Agenda for Children Winter Slideshow Thumbnail

Looking for after school activities, programs, or sports? Our Winter-Spring Slideshow lists many of the available activities for Elementary/Middle School students happening in Cambridge and surrounding areas.

View Winter-Spring Activities Slideshow here!

February Break Fun Slideshow - Featuring 25+ slides featuring camps, festivals and activities for OST programs, families and kiddos!

Agenda for Children February Break Slideshow Thumbnail

View February Break Fun Slideshow here!

Want something fun and exciting to do over February break? Our February Break Fun Slideshow highlights engaging programs, events, and activities specifically designed for Elementary/Middle School students in Cambridge and nearby areas.

OST vacation week programs: Also, check out cool field trip ideas!

NEW! Summer Registration Timeline

Looking for registration details for K-8th full day camps? Check out our newly launched registration timeline! Find the start and end dates for most full day programs, along with program contact information and registration details. Plus, learn more about the DHSP lottery process and CPS summer programs.

Please share this valuable resource with families in the community!

Speaking of which...the DHSP Summer Lottery window begins on Feb 1st! Go to this website to learn more and to enter your child in the DHSP Summer Programs Lottery. The Lottery window goes from Feb 1st-Mar 3rd, families can put in their application at any time in that window!

Breakthrough Applications Now Open

Did you know that there’s only one opportunity for young people to join Breakthrough Greater Boston’s seven year pipeline of academic support? It’s right now.

6th graders apply to the program in the middle of their 6th grade year, go through family interviews and are admitted in the spring, then start Breakthrough programming in the summer after their 6th grade year.

The program follows young people (and their families) all the way through middle and high school and through the college process. It can be a game changer for young people, but they have to apply now.

Check out eligibility criteria and tell any 6th grade families you know!

Applications are available online and are due Feb 29th.

New Resource for Youth & Families

The Department of Human Service Programs is launching a brand new newsletter for families! Please feel free to share this link, Subscribe to DHSP News for Kids, Teens, and Families, with your staff, families, and community networks.

Interested in continuing your conversations from Network Meetings or want to establish better connections with the OST community, check out our OST Networking Contact Form!

To submit your contact information, please fill out your contact details here. Click here to see the current submissions on our expanding network contact sheet.

The Middle School Network (MSN) and Elementary Out-of-School Time Network (ESON) are programs of the Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time that aim to ensure equitable access and engagement of elementary and middle school youth in out-of-school time experiences in Cambridge. Agenda for Children Out-of School Time is a citywide intermediary situated in both the City’s Human Services and School Departments.

(Position Vacant)

ESON Coordinator

Cambridge Public Schools & Agenda for Children OST

Annie Leavitt

MSN Coordinator

Cambridge Public Schools & Agenda for Children OST

617-349-6018, aleavitt@cpsd.us

View the MSN/ESON Meeting Dates and Schedule for this Year

Check our Events Calendar for all other professional development opportunities and links to virtual meetings.