ESON & MSN Newsletter

June 2023

Hello OST Program Providers & Community Partners,

On Saturday, May 13th, the Agenda for Children OST, in collaboration with Cambridge Public Schools, hosted the first-ever Bridge to CSUS event for incoming 6th graders and their families. The turnout was incredible, with 36 students from across three CPS Elementary Schools, and their families in attendance. Students explored the beautiful Cambridge Street Upper School (CSUS) campus, got to hang with Dami and tour the Frisoli Youth Center, participated in an awesome STEAM workshop hosted by Damon from the Cambridge Public Library's the Hive, and asked pivotal questions about the transition to middle school during the panel discussion.

Parents and caregivers were able to connect with CSUS and OST staff members, to learn about many of the upcoming changes and transitions they can expect, and of course about the amazing out-of-school time offerings available for their rising 6th graders.

The event was a great success and we want to extend our deepest appreciation to members of ESON and MSN who participated including City Sprouts, Cambridge Public Library, DHSP, and the Cambridge Health Alliance and Public Health Department.

-Annie and Shawn

Join Us For Our End-of-Year Event!

When: Wednesday, June 14th

Time: 10am-1pm

Location: Moore Youth Center, 12 Gilmore St., Cambridge

Come join the Agenda for Children OST Networks and Communities of Practice as we reflect on the past year, express our gratitude towards the dedicated OST staff and facilitators, present awards, and enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch. Keep an eye out for another email containing additional details.

Opportunities For You

Calling all curious OST community members!

Curious about how STEAM Projects help youth learn?

There’s a lot of talk about STEAM, STEAM, STEAM in after school programming. This workshop will look at how Cambridge youth programs are building STEAM habits of mind in young people. The STEAM initiative examined Engagement, Persistence, Exploration and Curiosity and asked about Identity and Belonging. They have two years of research to share, and want to share it with YOU!

Participants will:

Be the first to see the full results of the Habits of Mind report, program observations, and youth focus groups
Connect with other OST staff about STEAM programming
Be thought partners in determining next steps of the research

When: May 31st 10am-12pm

A light breakfast plus coffee/tea will be available at 9:30am.

Read the Habits of Mind Executive Summary here!

The American-born Black Outreach Team (ABBOT) presents:

Life After…An intentional space for Black and Brown service providers

in Cambridge to Connect, Reset and Heal.

Thursday, June 8th, 10am-12pm

Location: Starlight

84 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge

Savory snacks will be provided.

For more information: Contact CET@cambridgema.gov

Super Soccer Stars is looking for program partners for two programs: Super Soccer Stars and Amazing Athletes.

Super Soccer Stars teaches the fundamentals of soccer in a fun, non-competitive, educational environment. Their unique curriculum uses positive reinforcement and a low child-to-coach ratio to make sure each child feels confident in their abilities, allowing kids to improve at their own rate.

Amazing Athletes uses sports as a catalyst to empower kids to discover their inner strength and athletic abilities. Their year-round multi-sport format introduces the fundamentals as they rotate through 2 sports a week, for a total of 10 sports.

For more information Contact: boston_office@supersoccerstars.com or 875-301-6003

Opportunities for You to Connect with Families

CPS Community Social is happening on June 1st!

Join the Family and Community Engagement Team and community partners for a social engagement! Come and join the festivities, indulge in some delicious food, participate in a raffle, and take home some swag!

Thursday, June 1st, 6pm-8pm

Location: The Foundry

101 Rogers St, Cambridge

Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Click here to register!

We would greatly appreciate your assistance in spreading the word to the Cambridge community by sharing this information with families.

If you would like a table at the event or have questions, please contact Mia at rferej@cpsd.us or 617-349-9786.

Opportunities for Youth and Families

Books Not Binaries Reading Club is back!

Join for a book discussion and hangout each month as you read books that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ experience. All readers age 10-13 are welcome! Pizza will be provided. Register online on the library's website or email hsaxton@cambridgema.gov.

The June book is This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us. Limited *giveaway* copies of the book are available for pickup at the Main Library Children's Desk, courtesy of the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.

The Reading Club meets at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway in the Curious George Room at 6pm, the last Wednesday of the month starting on June 28th.

Juneteenth Community Cookout

Cambridge Youth and Caregivers Connect, a collaboration between Equity Roadmap/Friday Night Hype and the Cambridge Families of Color Coalition, will be having their 2nd annual Juneteenth Community Cookout!

The event will be hosted by the Celtics arena host, Melisa Valdez!

The day will consist of:

Free food
2 DJs
Music performance by a young budding Cambridge artist, Mai Wave
Vendors
Mural Painting
Raffles
Basketball tournament from 10am-6pm

Interested in volunteering with the basketball tournament? Click here!

Do you have a child interested in playing in the basketball tournament? Click here!

City Sprouts Young Leaders Program

The Young Leaders Summer Program brings 11-14 year old youth together for an experience rooted in environmental leadership, with a focus on growing gardens. As they learn how to plant and maintain a garden, they will engage in project-based science and engineering activities that encourage them to think deeply and critically about the world around them. This summer, they will run from July 5th through August 4th, Monday-Friday (9am-2pm). There is no cost to families. All applicants must go to school and/or live in Cambridge or Boston.

You can apply HERE! If you have any questions you can email curiegas@citysprouts.org or middleschoolprogram@citysprouts.org.

Cambridge Community Pride Day

Friday, June 2nd, 3:30pm-6:30pm

Cambridge Rindge & Latin School

459 Broadway, Cambridge

Celebrate pride with the Cambridge community! CPS Community Pride Day will bring together Cambridge students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate queerness, queer identities, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Resources for Youth and Families

Summer Slideshows for JK-8th Graders

The summer programs and activities slideshows are now available! Make sure your program is included and accurate. These slideshows will be shared with families, CPS Family Liaisons, and shown in schools.

View the slideshows below!

Do you know a family who is looking for summer programs and needs assistance? Have them fill out the form (on the last slide of each slideshow) and we can follow up with them!

Our Summer 2023 Resource Guide is available online!

If you are looking for programs for your JK-8th grader in Cambridge, our summer guide lists a number of options!

Each program listing has links to applications and websites. If you would like someone to talk through your options, please let us know - we can help sort through the information you see here and choose what works for you and your family.

Click here to view the online resource guide!

Upcoming Joint Network Meetings

Month

Meeting

Joint or Separate

June

Wed, June 14th

10am-1pm

In Person

Moore Youth Center, 12 Gilmore St., Cambridge

Joint Meeting

ESON, MSN, RAY, COPs

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.

Shawn Proctor

ESON Coordinator

Cambridge Public Schools & Agenda for Children OST

857-235-2946, sproctor@cpsd.us

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.