ESON & MSN Newsletter

December 2022

This image of the BU Bridge represents our transition from one place to the next. Photo credit: Joann Vitali

Greetings AFCOST Network!

We’ve made it to December! There are just thirty-one days left in 2022. How do we want to close out? What do we need in our personal lives, what kind of push do our struggling young people need, and what does support look like for their families? Some of us set goals at the beginning of this year. We challenge you to review those goals, and begin to work towards anything that may have slipped off your radar--and then be sure to recharge and prepare for 2023!

Next Meeting Information

ESON, MSN, & RAY Joint Meeting (Virtual)

Topic: Supporting Transitions from Pre-K-to-Post Secondary

When: Thursday, December 8th, from 10:00am-12:00pm on Zoom

Joint ESON, MSN, & RAY Meeting Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 832 8664 1853

Passcode: 293828

We are excited to invite you to our next joint network meeting (ESON, MSN, & RAY) on Thursday, December 8th, 2022 from 10:00am-12:00pm.

The meeting will include time to connect with others, hear updates, and work with peers around what we can do to support the significant transition moments for our youth. Working groups will be in a “choose your own adventure” style.

Each working group will be based on one of the transitions:

PreK→K; 5th→6th; 8th→9th; 12th→onwards

We are looking forward to this space where we can think intentionally about where our young people and families are and continue to plan with a lens of possibility, vision, curiosity, and community. Read about the Bridge 2 CRLS pre-orientation, a *direct* result of last year’s transition work.

More details to come!

New Baby Alert!

For those who don’t know, our lovely Middle School Network Coordinator is currently out on maternity leave as she just gave birth to her new bundle of joy! Below are a few words from our Middle School Network Coordinator Annie & her husband Jesse.

Welcome Emory Judson Durso Leavitt

Born Nov 1st, 7lbs 4oz

"We are all doing well! The little guy (with white blonde hair!) is named after two great grandfathers (Judson and Durso) with a new name to make his own, for good measure. Much love to everyone and thank you for all the loving support and thoughts these last months!"

-Annie & Jesse

Resources for YOU!

ESON & MSN Slideshows

Be sure to check out our recently updated ESON and MSN OST Opportunities slideshows. Make sure your program is included and accurate. These slideshows are for families, Family Liaisons, OST staff, community partners, and they are and should be shown to students by educators and other staff in schools.

"K-5th Grade OST Opportunities"

View K-5th Slideshow

“What’s Happening After School”

View 6th-8th Slideshow

Actions for YOU!

2023 Summer Opportunities Guide Intake Form

It may be hard to believe but we’re already planning for Summer Programming! Yes, SUMMER PROGRAMMING!

Action Requested (by 1/20/23): Please fill out this 2023 Summer Opportunities Guide Intake Form with your initial summer program information for the following reasons and benefits:

Parents & Caregivers will have early access to when programs open, close and provide notifications about their summer program registration
Your program will be featured on our upcoming 2023 Summer Camp Registration Timeline
Your info will be included in the Agenda for Children OST's 2023 Jk-5th Graders & 6th-8th Graders Summer Resource Guide
Your program info will ALSO be updated or added to FindItCambridge.org

Fill Out Guide Form

Network Highlight!

Did you know, in 2021, 1% of Cambridge students in 6th and 7th grade reported using alcohol in the past 30 days? By 12th grade, this percentage increased to 29% (Cambridge Youth Health Survey, 2021).

My name is Sarah Lincoln and I am the Youth Wellness Coordinator at the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD). My work focuses on substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion for middle school and high school aged young people in the city. I currently work on a grant to prevent and/or reduce substance misuse among youth in Cambridge.

I’m looking to hold sessions with youth and parents/caregivers to get their feedback on information about this issue that CPHD has collected from focus groups, interviews, and the Youth Health Survey so far. This would be an hour-long activity where folks can look at posters of the information, sampled to the right, and write their thoughts, followed by a short discussion. Participants would receive a gift card for their time.

Please contact me at salincoln@challiance.org if you are interested in hosting a session!

Contact Sarah

Click poster to enlarge

Opportunities for Youth & Families

Caregiver Equity Summit

CPS Caregiver Equity Summit will be held on this Saturday, December 3rd, at Cambridge Street Upper School (840 Cambridge Street), 9:00am-2:30pm! You are welcome to come join CPS parents and caregivers to Learn, Connect, and Reflect with families as we identify what equity sounds like, looks like, and feels like to caregivers in the Cambridge Public Schools community. There will be workshops, music, food, and much more! Tyrique will be there, too! Sign up here!

Network Parent & Caregiver Advisory Group

We would love for OST Program Providers to refer Parents & Caregivers to our Advisory Group!

Can you think of any parents or caregivers in your program that have ideas on how to improve Out-of-School programs?
Have any of those parents & caregivers faced barriers that make it hard for them to participate in Out-of-School Time programs?
Would they like to see Schools and Out-of-School Time programs work together to support children?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, they are a candidate for our Parent & Caregiver Advisory group!

Please invite Parents & Caregivers to join us on zoom Tuesday, January 10th, from 6:00pm-7:00pm to learn more.

Network Parent & Caregiver Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 304 107 5037

Passcode: 696046

They can also email Shawn Proctor at sproctor@cpsd.us if they have any questions.

Upcoming Joint Network Meetings & Co-Working Sessions

Month	Network Meeting Date	Hosts	Other Network Opportunities
December	Thurs, Dec 8th 10:00am-12:00pm VIRTUAL (Zoom)	Joint Meeting: ESON, MSN and RAY
January	No Network Meeting this month		IN PERSON Co-Working Session Wed, Jan 18th 10:00am-12:00pm
February	Wed, Feb 1st 10:00am-11:30am VIRTUAL (Zoom)	Joint meeting: ESON & MSN	IN PERSON Co-Working Session Wed, Feb 15th 10:00am-12:00pm
March	Wed, Mar 1st 10:00am-11:30am VIRTUAL (Zoom)	Joint meeting: ESON & MSN	SCHOOL VISITS to talk about summer programs (scheduled throughout March--dates TBA)

The Middle School Network (MSN) and Elementary Out-of-School Time Network (ESON) are programs of the Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time that aim to ensure equitable access and engagement of elementary and middle school youth in out-of-school time experiences in Cambridge. Agenda for Children Out-of School Time is a citywide intermediary situated in both the City’s Human Services and School Departments.

Shawn Proctor

ESON Coordinator

Cambridge Public Schools & Agenda for Children OST

857-235-2946, sproctor@cpsd.us

Annie Leavitt

MSN Coordinator

Cambridge Public Schools & Agenda for Children OST

617-349-6018, aleavitt@cpsd.us

View the MSN/ESON Meeting Dates and Schedule for this Year

Check our Events Calendar for all other professional development opportunities