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. | |
15 More Tampa Area Schools to Get Free After-School Meals as Need Grows | Thousands of additional Hillsborough County students will be able to get a fresh meal before they head home from school. That brings the total number of schools offering a free supper to 190 in Hillsborough County. The meals are offered to any student at an eligible school who is taking part in an after-school enrichment program or tutoring at no cost to the parent. | | | |
If you have an idea for an afterschool spotlight or would like to be featured, email Holly to help share your story! | |
How are you showing your appreciation for Afterschool Professionals? Mark your calendars for APAW 2024! | |
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. | |
LAST CALL: Recognize an afterschool or summer learning program in your community! | How has your afterschool or summer program helped to #EngageEveryStudent? Apply today to the Engage Every Student Recognition Program to have your program recognized for its impact on youth! Applications are due TODAY (April 10)! | | | |  |
Youth of the Year Winner announced at event raising $435,000 for Boys & Girls Club | Sarah Lindo was named Youth of the Year at the 13th annual Youth of the Year event March 1. Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County's highest honor for youth, celebrating their leadership, service, and academic excellence. | | | | |
Leon Children's Services Council approves $1.7 million for 2024 summer programs | This summer, the council will fund 11 summer enrichment programs and offer a new funding opportunity for summer camps geared toward special needs children. This funding will enable these programs to offer scholarships for families who qualify. | | | | |
Boys and Girls Club Partners with Florida A&M University to Educate Jacksonville Youth About Unlawful Marijuana Use | During the series of in-person forums and town halls, the MMERI team will engage with youth and their parents in age-appropriate conversations about cannabis and Florida laws about the drug. | | | | |
The Mission U.S. workshop multimedia project immerses players in U.S. history content using free interactive games. The WFSU Education & Engagement team originally presented this content in 2013 as a free teacher workshop. The original workshop imparted information about the resources, but don't worry, you'll find everything you need to get your students started on this history adventure on this page. | | | | |
Florida Tech Offering STEM Camps Tailored for Rising 5-8 Graders | Florida Tech's summer camps are officially open for registration. The five-day camp, with sessions in June, July, and August, will immerse students in science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting, hands-on challenges, including coding robots to complete challenges, designing video games, manufacturing basic electronic circuits, and learning about cybersecurity. | | | | |
LEARNING FROM OTHERS: Just grow with it: YouthWorks and a new greenhouse operation | This summer the new greenhouse at the YouthWorks Ranch will be doing more than cultivating nutritious vegetables. Beyond growing food to nourish young bodies, the vegetables themselves will also be | | | | |
Some Florida universities are pushing back enrollment deadlines because of FAFSA delays | Students are still waiting on financial aid packages due to FAFSA delays. Some of Florida's largest universities are giving the incoming class more time to decide on committing to their school. | | | | | |
|
Elevating Youth Voice and Choice
Webinar: Thursdays, April 11, April 25, May 9 from 11AM-1PM
How often do youth in your program get to choose what they’re investigating or designing, the materials they might use and/or how they engage with the work? In this module, participants try out strategies for elevating youth voice and choice and apply the ideas as they redesign a STEM activity to incorporate a greater variety of youth input.
| |
Regional Workshops: How do you build quality programs? Start with the staff. Join us as we explore the program self-assessment process that aligns with Florida's Quality Standards. Learn how to make small changes for big impact and ensure your staff have what they need to be successful. Pick your location below to learn more & register. | | |
|
ACRES Coaching: Asking Purposeful Questions
Webinar: Tuesdays: April 16, April 30, May 14 from 11AM-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.
| | |
|
|
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.
| |
|
STEM4ALL (Virtual) Resource Fair
Webinar: 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.
| | |
|
|
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.
| |
SAVE THE DATE! 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. | |
|
Florida After School, Inc. | FLafterschool.com
For more information about Florida After School, Inc. and its many partners, connect with us on social media.
| | | | |
