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. | |
Summer 2024 Youth Entrepreneurship (YE) Mini-Grant Recipients Announced! | Florida Afterschool is focused on expanding the entrepreneurial mindset of Florida's youth. We just launched our Summer YE Peer Learning Community to help build capacity and share resources across programs interested in expanding or launching entrepreneurship opportunities during their summer learning programs. Nine programs were selected and include: Arising Phenomenal Princesses (Volusia) Cunningham Family Child Care Home (Santa Rosa) James B. | | | |
If you have an idea for an afterschool spotlight or would like to be featured, email Holly to help share your story! | |
West Florida Public Libraries offering free summer lunch for youth | Some students rely on meals provided by their schools. Now that schools are out for the summer, local organizations are stepping up to make sure no child goes hungry. Now, working with Feeding the Gulf Coast, West Florida Public Libraries are providing free meals to kids 18 and under at their seven branch locations. In their first four days of providing the food, they served 416 meals. | | | |
Florida High School Athletic Association approves student-athlete NIL rules | The FHSAA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a seismic change in the organization’s bylaws to allow athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness, or NIL. The changes will be in effect for the upcoming school year. | | | |  |
Sustainable Community Garden to Provide Fresh, Healthy Food for Underserved Orlando Kids, Families | In an effort to ensure the children and families of Orlando’s Westlakes neighborhood have access to fresh and healthy food, 4Roots and the Ginsburg Institute for Health Equity at Nemours Children’s Health are partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida to create a sustainable community garden and a culinary and nutritional education project at the Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Family Branch. | | | | |
The Next Frontier: Black professionals aim high for NASA, STEM-related passions | The number of Black individuals in STEM-related workforces is increasing, marking a significant contribution to the Artemis generation. | | | | |
It's time for school-age advocates to raise their voices in state plans | The state child care planning template for the next three years is out! From now until July 1, State Administrative Agencies will be determining how to spend over $12 billion annually in federal Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) dedicated to helping eligible families find affordable, high-quality child care, afterschool, and summer programs for their children aged 0-13. | | | | |
June resources from Million Girls Moonshot | View June's STEM-related trainings, transformative practices, and activities provided by Million Girls Moonshot. | | | | |
Afterschool is increasing digital opportunity: Here's how | Many afterschool programs offer spaces where youth, who might not have broadband access at home, can develop digital literacy outside of the school day, increasing digital access opportunities for both the youth and their communities. | | | | |
Activities to do at Home- Crafts and Experiments for Kids | Find crafts and experiments for kids on PBS KIDS for Parents! You can search by age, educational topic or TV show. Explore fun, educational and FREE activities for the whole family. | | | | |
LEARNING FROM OTHERS: Denver mayor, schools superintendent announce youth summer programs meant to help curb gun violence | The city of Denver is aiming to connect 1,000 more teenagers with jobs this summer, help families find summer camps, and fund pop-up events like BBQs and basketball tournaments in some neighborhoods, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced last week. The efforts are meant to “prevent the risks of summer violence,” Johnston said, which tends to flare among youth once school is out. They come after several years of increased gun violence in and around Denver schools and community conversations about how to tamp it down. | | | | |
The 2024 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open! | This year we're looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. The artwork does not have to be created specifically for the Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest, but it must represent afterschool. The winning artwork will be printed on more than 50,000 posters that will be displayed at more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events around the world. The winning artist will be featured on our website, blog, and a national press release, and their afterschool program will be credited on the poster in addition to receiving the grand prize of $500! Artwork is due Saturday, June 15! | | | | | |
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ACRES: Asking Purposeful Questions
Webinar: Thursdays: June 6, June 13, June 20 from 11AM-1PM
Florida After School has partnered with ACRES, a free coaching resource for out-of-school time providers and or programs, to provide two peer learning communities on Asking Purposeful Questions. ACRES strives is to guide educators or after-school staff with the knowledge and confidence to facilitate STEM in their after-school programs. Questions are the beginning of a path towards discover, imagination, and STEM Exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is designed for educators who would like to grow in their practice in facilitating STEM learning within a supportive group of other educators.
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Info Session about Micro-credentials and Digital Badging
Webinar: Thursday, June 6 from 4PM-5PM
ACRES (Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM) is excited to offer additional Information Sessions about STEM micro-credentials, which are competency-based, digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals offered through the National Afterschool Association. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length. You will learn about what Micro-credentials are and how to apply for them.
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Asking Purposeful Questions - Evening Cohort
Webinar: Mondays June 10, June 17, June 24 from 6PM-8PM
Questions begin a path toward discovery, imagination, and STEM exploration. How can we help youth expand and clarify their thinking and develop their reasoning through the questions we ask them? This module is a great way to train staff on how to facilitate STEM learning. Experienced educators also love being part of a cohort as a way to connect with other educators across the country, to learn new lesson plans, and to reflect on practice. This is our introductory module and a prerequisite to other opportunities.
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! 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. | |
Now Accepting Nominations for the 2024 Afterschool Professional of the Year!
Out-of-school time professionals play an important role in the lives of the children and youth they serve and they deserve recognition and support! Who from your afterschool program is a super star and deserves to be recognized? Help us find the "2024 Florida Afterschool Professional of the Year." Nominate your local afterschool super star today!
Nominations are due Monday, June 17, 2024.
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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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