April  2019 Newsletter
Supporting Quality Professional Development at the National Level
CLICK HERE  to read the full article written by Heidi Ham

The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) is the national professional membership association for people who work with and on behalf of youth during out-of-school time. They contribute to young people's success by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders. Research shows that  skilled staff are the linchpin to the program quality that produces positive youth outcomes . That's why NAA focuses on supporting the afterschool professionals and leaders that work with and on behalf of young people. While they work at the national level, state affiliates  - like OregonASK - who share similar values, work within the state to promote quality afterschool programs and professional development. 

NAA knows afterschool professionals and leaders want to be inspired, to connect, to share and to learn. NAA believes in the power of people, their passion, and what afterschool can do for youthIf you have a passion for positive youth outcomes, value your development, constantly strive for quality, and want to belong to the movement that's advancing the profession... continue to engage with OregonASK and join NAA.

You can read more here about the values of NAA, recommendations for  building knowledge & competencies,  Strengthening the School-Age Workforce, and many other resources that support our collective quest to provide Quality Afterschool & Summer Learning opportunities.
Woodburn Afterschool Coordinator Named Next Generation Leader 

After School Club coordinator named Next Generation Leader
Woodburn Coordinator named Next Generation Leader
OregonASK is beyond excited to share this great video created by Woodburn After School Club partners highlighting Ayanna Zamora as a Next Generation Leader for 2019Each year, National Afterschool Association recognizes individuals from around the country, bringing them to the national NAA Conference to recognize their hard work. We couldn't be more proud showcase this dedicated young woman who continues serving the youth and families of Woodburn.  Watch it Now!
Upcoming Training with OregonASK 

Here are a few of the upcoming trainings OregonASK is hosting, to see our full list of trainings and curriculum click here and or contact Katie Lakey on how to set up trainings.

Mind the Gap - April 12-13th
It's not too late to register to join OregonASK and
Oregon Association for Education of Young Children (ORAEYC) for our inaugural joint Spring Conference. Take a look at our list of school age targeted sessions and register to reserve your seat in you favorite sessions!  Click here for more information or contact  Susan Zundel with questions.

Join A Cohort!

Leadership in Afterschool: Final sessions April 5th & 26th
This series is geared toward Management level staff who can apply trainings to work with students as well as colleagues. The series allows individuals to drop in on one or take them all.  Register Now  for last two sessions in the series  Giving and Receiving Feedback  on
 April 5th and   Employee Wellness for Afterschool Providers on April 26th, both from 10am-12pm.  Contact  Susan Zundel  with questions.


Zero Robotics Summer Cohort
OregonASK has been supporting Oregon programs participation in Zero Robotics since 2015, fostering and increasing middle school youth exposure to computer programming that includes live interaction with astronauts on the International Space Station! 

This innovative and inspiring summer program introduces students to computer programming, robotics, and space engineering. It provides hands-on experience programming SPHERE(Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental, Satellites)
 emphasizes teamwork and gives youth fun tasks to complete. Register Now or reach out to 
Bernard Rahming  with questions.

Solve the Mystery of Making Math Fun - Join Crypto Club! 
The CryptoClub program uses games, treasure hunts, and other informal activities t o e ngage students in cryptography and mathematics, applying topics from middle school math standards. Apply now to join this local and national cohort, including ongoing support from our local trainer. There is a $25 fee for the educator manual and one student workbook. For more information or questions, please contact Rachel Kessler

OregonASK is expanding the Service to Careers Pilot to include specific focus on health pathways. If you're interested in joining the spring cohort and are able to participate in a two hour online training, register here or contact Kassy Rousselle.
Bills To Keep An Eye Out For

As many of you know, Oregon's legislative session is in full swing with quite a bit happening that can impact many of our partners. You can find the most recent update from Children First Here and use the links below to find out more about several key pieces of legislation this session. 
Proposals from Student Success Committee on funding categories and allowable expenses includes expanded learning opportunities and investments in before, after and summer programs.  Senate Bill 543 allowing formation of children's special districts has been passed into House Committee on Human Services and Housing.  Look for additional updates after the April 9th deadline that requires bills to be moved out of their originating committee.
Training Opportunity:  A Teacher's Way 
The Teacher's Way: Leadership Development in Expressive Arts & Embodied Learning 
Set-Two, 30hrs PPLD, workshop series with Bergin Learning Arts, School of Expressive Arts.  
Master Trainer: Lanie Bergin, M.Ed.

This training series is appropriate for anyone working in education (teachers, school counselors, principals, and afterschool professionals) who can apply what they learned to their work with children of all ages, parents/caregivers and colleagues. Upon completion of the 30hrs, educators will receive a certificate from Oregon Center for Career Development. In addition, participants will receive a certificate from Bergin Learning Arts School of Expressive Arts in  Leadership Development in Expressive Arts and Embodied Learning

During the training program participants will receive coaching while practicing what they learned in real-time settings. The School of Expressive Arts certificate can be applied to advance training in Expressive Arts Education and Therapy programs with Bergin Learning Arts. Topics included:
* Self-care                                                  *  Personal and professional development
* Expressive arts therapy and eduction         *  Embodied learning in adult education
* Mindfulness and wellbeing .                       *  Conflict transformation
* Strategy development and goal setting .     * Collegiality
* Community support                                  *  Development and diversity development
* Reflexivity, witnessing, coaching and mentoring

For more information contact Lanie Bergin.
Access and Equity Survey & Focus Groups

We've received tons of great information from the programs we've been visiting. As we continue to collect surveys and hold focus groups across Oregon, we are working on summarizing survey and focus group data to include in our interim report  coming out in Spring 2019!  In April we are looking forward to hearing  more  during future trips to Bend and Prineville.

If you are interested in having your program represented in this work, sharing the voic e of your youth, and telling about the impact you've made, please make sure to take one of our survey's;  the  Program Management  or  Site Staff Survey.  You can also find out more about our  Afterschool Access & Equity  tools  or contact Juan Soto about sharing a youth survey  with your 4th-12th grade students.

THANK YOU to all who have participated! We hope this data will help grow resources so more programs can reach the youth and families who need quality expanded learning opportunities. 
Get a Jump on Summer!

With spring break behind us, summer is just around the corner, coming up quick! To get ideas about activities and  how to plan a summer program, The Nation Summer Learning Association (NSLA) has a plethora of resources available to implement summer plans. They've even decided to extend the annual summer learning day into a whole week to inspire as much summer learning as possible! Save the date for
National Summer Learning Week, July 8th-13th.  Click Here  for webinars to help you plan your 2019 Summer fun!
OregonASK Openings

OregonASK is still looking for a  dedicated and driven professional who wants to work for a cause that will have real impact in Oregon communities. The opening is full time, one year position: 

My Brother's Keeper VISTA  OregonASK will develop strong links to communities of color, community partners (community colleges/universities and workforce boards) and after school and summer learning programs to increase access to high-quality educational, enrichment and mentoring opportunities for youth of color. 

To see more or apply for this position  click here .
Saturday Academy
Summer Program Opportunities

Saturday Academy has officially opened registration for their classes & camps in the Portland Metro area for summer 2019. You are welcome to share their catalogue of opportunities with youth and families to ensure that classes are filled with enthusiastically curious students! The online catalogue of all summer opportunities includes information about class and camp times, locations, and financial assistance. You can find additional information on their Facebook and Twitter or contact Heidi Venneri with questions. 
2019 Save the Dates!
 
April 12th-13th -  "Mind the Gap" 
Hosted by ORAEYC & OregonASK

April 22nd-26th -   Afterschool Profession Appreciation Week
 
May 10th - OregonASK Partner Meeting
 
June 11th-12th- Afterschool for All Challenge
 
July 11th-  National Summer Learning Day

October 11th-  OregonASK Partner Meeting

October 24th- Lights On Afterschool 
 
November 2nd - Oregon Afterschool Conference "Quest for Quality"
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