Mizzen by Mott: Powering Those Who Empower Kids
As champions for children, you're doing everything you can during this time to keep youth safe and continue to serve them. We also know you're doing all you can to support your staff. You have risen to the challenge in every way.
 
In support of your efforts, we have a new resource to share with you.
 
Mizzen by Mott is a new app built with and for afterschool professionals to provide high-quality, engaging learning content to the afterschool field.
 
To meet the needs of this moment, the Mizzen team has added new activity playlists and multi-week modules that can be done at home or in small-group settings. The app's content focuses on youth learning and well-being and is provided by organizations like Jazz at Lincoln Center, the California Academy of Sciences, After-School All-Stars, OregonAsk and VentureLab. Through support from the Mott Foundation, the app and all of its content are available for free to afterschool providers.
 

Please let us know how this works for you and what other kinds of content you may find helpful as we head into summer. We'll be sure to pass along what we hear directly to the app team.

Thank you for all you do. 

North Dakota Afterschool Network
Summer Learning Updates
With summer quickly approaching and most programming still in limbo, The National Summer Learning Initiative has compiled a list of resources for programs, families and students who are looking to slow the prolonged summer slide. 

Check out their list of summer learning resources by clicking here or the logo below:
Afterschool Needs in ND amid COVID-19

To help identify and remain responsive to the top needs for afterschool in ND at this time, please let us know how we can help you and complete the brief poll below. 

Responses so far have indicated a need for ideas of activities, summer programming and professional learning for staff. Find activities and summer programming resources within this newsletter, on the Mizzen by Mott app, and on the Network's facebook page. Online learning courses through CypherWorx have been expanded and virtual training opportunities are coming this spring & summer.  
Network Expands Access to Online Learning Courses

Due to the shift in the way afterschool programs are operating during the COVID crisis, the Network is increasing access to the online learning platform CypherWorx at no cost to out-of-school time programs across ND. 

We know many programs are using this time for staff professional development. Through CypherWorx, hundreds of courses are available, including a 54-course series of online training designed specifically for afterschool professionals.  Program managers are able to assign courses to staff, keep track of training records, and design courses specific to their programs. 

For more information and to access the platform,   contact Kristin Knorr.
Virtual Learning Response Fund Launched
The COVID-19 outbreak has forced widespread school closures across the United States, shuttering traditional learning environments and creating long-term risk for student achievement. 

To address the need voiced by educators across the nation working to adjust to this new paradigm, Discovery Education has partnered with the National AfterSchool Association, a 501(c)(3), to launch the Virtual Learning Response Fund. 

Upcoming Trainings & Events
Thank you to our partner afterschool network, ACT Now in Illinois, for sharing their Afterschool During COVID-19 webinar series with out-of-school time programs in North Dakota! 

Facing Inequity with Youth and Families During the COVID-19 Era
May 7 | Webinar
The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing and widening existing social justice gaps in education broadly and out-of-school time is no exception. Given this unprecedented time, we focus on real-time approaches that afterschool and summer learning programs can use to move the needle on issues of equity and access. Register here.

Project-Based Learning (4-Part Series)
May 11 - 14 | Webinar
Join You for Youth to explore the three phases of project-based learning (PBL) and see how Y4Y can provide support. Student projects are the perfect way to tap into students' interests, develop their independent and cooperative learning skills, and make learning relevant and fun for students of all ages! Register here.

Summer Brain Games! Let's Play...Science
May 15 | Virtual
Join the Museum of Science and Industry and the Now We're Involved Afterschool Network for a virtual STEAM experience! Lorianne Willis and the MSI team will lead you through a series of STEAM that can also be used during summer to combat "summer slide." Session participants will engage in hands-on, fun activities, giving participants confidence to facilitate STEAM activities in their own programs. Register here. 

Literacy: An In-Depth Expedition (4-Part Series)
May 18 - 21 | Webinar
J oin You for Youth  for an expedition into literacy and how to incorporate it throughout your program.  Set the foundation for your literacy program and learn to develop high-quality, engaging literacy activities for all ages including families. Strengthen your literacy efforts through partnerships and collaboration. Register here.

Afterschool Quality Coaching Book Study
May 21 - June 25 | Virtual
Developed for program supervisors who support staff working directly with students in out-of-school time settings, the book study will cover the coaching process to improve support for staff in the areas of lesson delivery, classroom management, behavior management, and student engagement. FREE! Register here. 

STEM in Summer Learning
May 27 | Webinar
STEM summer programming can inspire students to learn through engaging, real-life and relevant activities. You for Youth will outline a nine-step process for designing a STEM-based summer learning program, best practices for delivering that program and tools to make planning easier. Register here. 
 
Get Your Coaching Fix! Coaching in Afterschool with Jill Jackson
July 29 | Virtual
The truth about teaching students is that it is really hard...and quite complicated! In our session, we will take a very practical look at what it means to start a coaching conversation without it feeling weird or uncomfortable. Jill will show you how to use what you have seen in the classroom and afterschool program to guide those conversations so that they don't feel like "gotchas!" or evaluative, when really all you're trying to do is help. We will look at very simple steps for supporting teachers in all kinds of programs so that you build teacher confidence...and your coaching confidence along the way! There will lots of very practical takeaways, so come ready to engage, take notes, ask questions and get your coaching fix!  Registration open May 11. 

Save the Date! 2021 ND Out-of-School Time Conference
June 29 - 30 | Farg o
Registration to open spring 2021. 
Kristin Knorr
ND Afterschool Network Lead
701-446-3195