Local News and Program Updates | |
New Hampshire Youth Risk Behavior Survey to Include Out-of-School Time Participation Question! | |
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We’re excited to announce that the New Hampshire Afterschool Network has successfully added a new question to the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) about youth participation in Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. This question, from the CDC’s optional list, will ask students how often they participate in organized afterschool, evening, or weekend activities like school clubs, community groups, and cultural programs.
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Decades of research show that afterschool programs help young people build social skills, boost self-confidence, and reduce problem behaviors. By including this question, New Hampshire will gain valuable insights into how afterschool participation affects youth behavior and well-being, including its impact on mental health and risky behaviors.
The data from this new question will help shape future policies to support youth success and well-being in our state.
This addition to the YRBS is a significant milestone for afterschool advocacy. It will provide crucial data that can influence future decisions, policies, and investments in afterschool programs across the state. By documenting the real impact of these programs, we can better support efforts to ensure all youth have access to the opportunities and environments they need to thrive.
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Get Ready for Lights On Afterschool October 24, 2024! | |
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Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.
Here are some of the most popular ways people celebrate:
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Open House: Share your program's story by inviting your community to participate in a Day in the Life or special event at your program.
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Talent Showcase: Put the talents of your students centerstage and celebrate everything they are learning at school.
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Art Day: Download coloring pages and decorate your program with artwork from your students.
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Carnival/Festival: Set up interactive games, booths, snacks, and group activities. You could even host a Halloween party!
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Planning a memorable event for your OST program doesn't need to take a lot of time or energy! October is a busy month, and not everyone has a chance to attend a Lights On Afterschool event. That's why they have a digital event to ensure that everyone who wants to celebrate afterschool programs gets a chance: The Lights On Afterschool Lightbulb Challenge! Simply register your event and take a picture of your afterschool program posing in the shape of the Lights On Afterschool logo and post it on social media with hashtags #LightbulbChallenge and #LightsOnAfterschool, and don't forget to add your programs hashtag! Then challenge other programs to do the same!
if you're looking for more ideas, check out the Event Idea Database!
If you need help planning and promoting your program’s Lights On Afterschool celebration, check out the Afterschool Alliance’s Event Planning Guide and their partner communications tools today!
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After you have registered your event, you'll receive an event starter kit and make you eligible for cool prizes each week! | |
New Hampshire Declares October 24, 2024, as Lights On Afterschool Day! | |
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We are excited to announce that the New Hampshire Afterschool Network has successfully reached out to the Governor's office, and October 24, 2024, has officially been proclaimed as Lights On Afterschool Day! This special day will celebrate the important role afterschool programs play in enriching the lives of children, supporting working families, and building stronger communities across our state.
Lights On Afterschool is a national event that brings attention to the value of afterschool programs and the critical support they provide to students and families. By officially recognizing this day, New Hampshire is highlighting the vital need for continued investment in these programs, which help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating the amazing work being done in afterschool programs across the state.
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Training and Professional Development | |
The last day to register is October 12th. There are only a few spaces left! | |
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Register to join more than 1,200 senior, cross-sector leaders focused on serving youth, family, and communities including:
- Executive Directors and Program Directors
- Board Chairs and Board Members
- School, District, and State Education Agency Leaders
- Leaders from Mayor’s Offices, City Councils, Local County, and State Boards of Education
- Parks and Recreation Administrators
- Affordable and Public Housing Leaders
- Librarians and Literacy Experts
- Researchers and Evaluation Experts
- Foundation and Corporate Partners
- College Access, Internship and Youth Employment Leaders
- Anyone who wants to help more youth learn and grow over the summer
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Support Health & Wellness in OST- Free PD Events this Fall! | |
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Join the National AfterSchool Association for two upcoming professional development opportunities focused on the adoption of NAA's Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Standards in Out-of-School Time - all for free! | |
Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Standards in Out-of-School Time: Training 101
October 23, 2024 from 2:00 ET - 3:30 ET
This free, interactive webinar will showcase how the National AfterSchool Association’s Health Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards can be used to support youth and staff health and well-being in out-of-school time (OST)! Hear from experts in the field and leave with actionable ideas and resources that you can implement immediately to promote healthy habits and provide access to nutritious foods and safe spaces for physical activity in OST.
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Moving from Assessment to Action with the NAA HEPA Standards
This series of four virtual workshops will provide a highly engaging space for OST leaders to come together with their peers and other experts to think big and make concrete progress toward their OST wellness goals using the Collaborative for Advancing Health Equity in OST's Assessment to Action Guide: Six steps for implementing the National AfterSchool Association’s (NAA) Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards for OST, through an equity lens.
Sessions at-a-glance (all meetings will be held from 12pm-PT/2pm-ET to 1pm-PT/3:00pm-ET):
- November 13 - Getting started: Taking stock and building partnerships
- December 11 - Identifying, prioritizing, and anticipating challenges to strategy adoption
- January 29 - Planning for success: Creating smarter (using “SMARTIE”) action plans
- February 26 - Bringing it all together: Putting plans into action and next steps for continued success
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The NH Child Care Scholarship Program helps eligible New Hampshire families pay for child care by providing direct payments to qualified early childhood and out-of-school time providers for children under the age of 13 years old (or under 18 years old for children with a disability). | |
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Hey there, Game Changers and Guardians of Glee! The gears have jammed at Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab, and the Worldwide Day of Play presented by Nickelodeon Our World is just over the horizon (September 28th is closing in!).
Is fun your superpower? Dive into the wondrous world of game-making with us as you analyze what makes games cool and fun—and then craft your very own game from the ground up. It’s your chance to shape the future of fun! Ready to tinker, invent, and wow your friends?
Gear up now because just when you thought out-of-school time couldn't get any better, Worldwide Day of Play presented by Nickelodeon Our World (set your calendars for September 28!) is coming to our community. Nickelodeon Our World and Mizzen Education are merging our superpowers to launch an exhilarating new partnership and a learning series that’s all about elevating play within the OST community.
Nickelodeon—yes, THAT Nickelodeon—has thrown down the gauntlet, and it's a call to fun like no other! So grab your Krabby Patties and get ready!
| “I’m ready. I’m ready. I’m ready.” — SpongeBob SquarePants | |
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Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab needs your help to conjure up awesome new games for the Day of Play! Dive into a world of fun as you explore different games and discover what makes them super cool. Then, unleash your creativity by designing your very own game from the ground up. Let’s make sure you’re game-ready when the big day arrives! Team up, get inventive, and let’s make fun happen on September 28—and throughout the year!
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Explore Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab on Mizzen Education!
Game on!
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