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. | |
Our Team is Growing. Expect Great Things. | | |
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Tammy Greer recently joined the Florida After School team to help us secure additional resources to expand access to high-quality and innovative out-of-school time programs and learning experiences across the state. She brings over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and grant writing with a remarkable track record of authoring thousands of successful proposals. Tammy takes pride not only in securing grant awards but also in sustaining funding, enabling nonprofits to flourish and expand.
Learn more about Tammy here.
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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! | |
Congress' 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs | This (bill) includes incrreases in Title I formula funding to schools. Title I funds can be used to support numerous local needs, including afterschool and summer learning programs. The bill supports early education and child care by investing more in the Child Care and Development Block Grant; these funds that can be used to support school-age students up to age 13. The numbers are broken down in this article. | | | |
5 facts about rural school districts' pandemic relief spending on afterschool and summer programs | A new fact sheet takes a closer look at if and how rural school districts have allocated their American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds toward afterschool and summer programming. Based on a review of nearly 2,000 rural school district plans, the five key takeaways are: | | | |  |
YMCA of South Florida's "Swim for Jenny" Week | With Florida leading the nation in childhood drownings, the YMCA of South Florida reaffirms its commitment to water safety and drowning prevention through its signature event, "Swim for Jenny." This week-long program offers free swim lessons to children and adults of all ages across South Florida, aiming to mitigate the risk of drowning and foster a culture of aquatic safety. | | | | |
New Florida law ensures public school coaches are trained in lifesaving skills | Under a new bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, all athletic coaches in middle and high schools in the state of Florida will be required to hold and maintain certification in CPR, first aid and the use of an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator). The new law takes effect July 1. | | | | |
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 April 10! | | | | |
Scholarships open for aspiring South Florida journalists | The National Association of Black Journalists-South Florida chapter (NABJ-South Florida) is accepting applications for the Dwight Lauderdale and Rochelle Bridges Scholarships, aiming to support aspiring young journalists in the region. Applications are due April 15 and/or April 29. | | | | |
LEARNING FROM OTHERS: YMCA of Greenwich launches After School Enrichment Program | The expanding waitlist for the program underscores the critical need for high-quality childcare within the community. To meet this demand head-on, the YMCA has strategically partnered with key community stakeholders, leading to the creation of a transformative and accessible program. | | | | |
New endowment provides Alachua County youth with state and national leadership opportunities | A new endowment established with the University of Florida honors their legacies of service to youth. The Alachua County 4-H Legacy Endowment is a permanently invested resource generating support for 4-H, including scholarships to help youth elevate their leadership development through district, state and national opportunities. | | | | |
Are you ready for the April 8 total solar eclipse? | |
We will not have the opportunity to see another total eclipse cross the U.S. until 2045, so the coming April is the perfect opportunity to use this beautiful celestial event to inspire interest in science by everyone, and as a wonderful learning experience.
For many locations in the northeastern U.S., this eclipse will occur during prime afterschool programming time.
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Prime Time Palm Beach County Requests Workshop Proposals for Afterschool Symposium | Prime Time Palm Beach County, Inc. is requesting proposals for its Afterschool Symposium 2024 that will take place on Friday, May 3, 2024, at the West Palm Beach Marriott in West Palm Beach, Florida. This year's theme is Recharge & Revitalize - Amplify Your Impact in the Out-of-School Time Field. | | | | |
Regional Workshops: It Starts with Staff | |
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. | | |
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Learn Solar Science with Lockheed Martin
Webinar: Monday, April 8 at 6AM
Planning to watch the April 8th Solar Eclipse? Before the midday event happens, learn more about solar science directly from a Solar Researcher working at leading global security and aerospace company, Lockheed Martin.
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ACRES Coaching: Facilitating Engineering Practices
Webinar: Wednesdays, April 10, April 24, May 8 from 1PM-3PM
Engineering has become a staple of STEM programming for youth. How can we confidently bring engineering into our programming and support youth as they engage in problem solving? In this module, participants gain first-hand experience with engineering by solving a design problem. They examine the components of the engineering design process and discuss ways to model the process with youth.
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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.
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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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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. | |
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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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