October 2018 Newsletter
Come Express Something at the Oregon Afterschool Conference! 

Expressing Yourself: To give participants additional time for learning from one another, we are including a series of Expression Sessions. These sessions will be discussion-based, facilitated with several specialists from each of the chosen topics. We have lengthened them  from last years 60 minute Campfire sessions  to a 90 minute session, to help make sure you get a chance to share and ask questions of one another. 

The Expression Session topics this year include a range of Tough Topics and inspiring ideas for getting youth fully engaged in school and expanded learning opportunities including; 
  • Youth Mental Health
  • Safety in Afterschool
  • Gender Identity & Supportive Environments
  • What does Culturally Responsive Mean?
  • Importance of Youth Voice
  • Incorporating Future Ready Skills in your Program
  • Keep Kids Coming Back for More
  • Principals as Your Program Partner
You can find a full list with descriptions HERE.  Click Here to Register Now for $99 
 OAC 2018 Workshop Highlight

Heather Singmaster is the Associate Director, of Center for Global Education at Asia Society. Asia Society is  a nonpartisan, nonprofit  dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders, and institutions in a global context. 

"Increasing diversity across our country means that students will be working and living with people from different backgrounds. Are students prepared for success in this interconnected workplace? Come discuss strategies for integrating global career ready practices required for all students into your programs. This interactive session will also introduce a new, free PD resource and toolkit."

Don't miss out on her workshop, Workforce Readiness Skills for All Students in a Global Economy, and be better prepared when faced with diversity in their programs! Register Here for OAC 2018.
Betty Grey Scholarship

The Betty Grey Scholarship supports the growth of quality childcare in Oregon by providing financial help for training and education. This applies for any childhood care or education professional working in Oregon Family Child Care, Center for childcare, Head Start, and before/ afterschool programs! For more information about scholarships from OCCD Click Here

These scholarship funds can be used towards attending OregonASK's upcoming annual Afterschool Conference on November 3rd, 2018. For more information on how to use this scholarship for registration contact Katie Lakey

Show Us How You Celebrate Lights On Afterschool!

Join more than  8,000 communities and 1 million Americans in celebrating afterschool programs for this year's  Lights On Afterschool!  This nationwide event, organized by the Afterschool Alliance, calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs and the resources required to keep the lights on and the doors open. OregonASK  is proud to be a 
Lights On Afterschool partner .
Too many American children-19.4 million-are missing out on afterschool opportunities. Participate in Lights On Afterschool and help call attention to this important issue.
To learn more about Lights On Afterschool, register an event, access event planning tools, or to find out what's going on in your area on October 25th, visit afterschoolalliance.org .  Those who register will receive free  Lights On Afterschool  posters to help promote their event, and their events will be promoted to media and the public by the Afterschool Alliance.   Lights On Afterschool  is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to afterschool programs.
Documentary Trailer: History of Afterschool 

Curious about how Afterschool began? This trailer is presented by How kids Learn Foundation, and is a new one-hour documentary on the History of Afterschool in America. It consists of 12 short chapters and is a great tool to use for training in your afterschool program. It'll be available for free downloading with a learning guide

To learn more about How kids Learn Foundation and to view this trailer go  here .
Governor's Strategies To Close The Skill Gap For Oregon's Future Workforce
In September, Governor Kate Brown released her Future Ready Oregon policy agenda that outlines her pathway for helping Oregon build a better equipped workforce, including:
a) Ensuring every Oregon student graduates high school with a plan for their future
 
As the Expanded Learning Partnership, we understand the important role that informal, free-choice, out-of-school, and summer learning play - no matter what you call it. To help more students build skills and develop the desire to be lifelong learners, afterschool and summer programs are key partners in helping youth access these opportunities to grow and explore. According to Governor Brown's report, "the state must commit to making changes in existing employment programs, investments in career and technical education, and workforce training." Specific strategies include several opportunities for expanded learning partners to help youth grow: 
  • Expand career and technical education (CTE) and other career-connected learning -Could we utilize afterschool and summer hours for community-connected, youth-led learning opportunities? 
  • Expand NextGen Apprenticeships - This is out of school, hands-on learning
  • Add Summer Work Experience Programs for under-engaged Oregon Youth 
  • Connect high schools to Oregon's WorkSource Centers and launch career coaching pilots - Building relationships with youth is what you already do- connecting to industry needs while building career awareness is a key opportunity to authentically support youth in this process
  • Invest in communities and populations that encounter significant systemic barriers to economic prosperity. Low-income, underserved, underappreciated youth describes many of the youth who you work with every day

Click here to read the full report from Governor, Kate Brown. 

Access and Equity Survey & Focus Groups

Why do youth attend your program? What would get more kids engaged? How are you helping kids be better prepared for the future? What are the biggest challenges preventing families or youth from participating in expanded learning opportunities? Ever wanted the answer to any of these questions? We wanted to know, so we started asking.

OregonASK is continuing our work collecting data around issues of  Access and Equity within Afterschool programs in Oregon. Last spring, we unveiled several survey tools to collect data from any afterschool program. This fall, we will be adding focus groups/forums with youth and families to gather more personal stories. 

If you are an afterschool program manager, director, or coordinator, now is the time for you to take our  If you are interested in hosting or participating in a Focus Group, please  c ontact  Juan Soto

We will be releasing an interim report early next year that helps share some of the answers to those critical questions above and be able to  share how real the need is to support equitable opportunities for all youth in Oregon!  We are so grateful for all who have  provided information and look forward to including the voices of many more in the coming months. 
Upcoming Training Opportunities 

This is a national program that integrates open-ended science activities with children's books,
designed for children ages 3-10 and their families. This training provides techniques and strategies for engaging youth and their families within an accessible and familiar setting and includes a kit of materials.  Register below or c ontact  Rachel Kessler  with questions.
 
8:15-11:15am 
Four Rivers Cultural Center   Ontario, OR 


Partner Opportunities
The Digital Health Collaborative (DHC) is hosting a  Free one day workshop for Middle and High School Educators that have an interest in DNA, genetics, hands on science for kids and much more. The workshop is on  October 6th, 2018 from 8:45 am - 3:13 pm. Find out more and Register for the workshop  Here .


2018 OCSTA Fall Conference 

The OCSTA Fall Conference is a full day of learning and networking for Oregon Educators who have an interest in computation and technology.  It's on October 14th, 2018 (Saturday), at Chemeketa Community College & West Salem HS from 8:30am-4:00pm. 

The OCSTA Fall conference is free but registration by October 5th is required.

The day will include:
  • Senator Arnie Roblan Chair of the Senate Committee on Education as the Keynote
  • Session that are targeted at all educational levels 
  • Free continental breakfast and lunch

For the full list of topics and their descriptions see the 2018 Fall Conference web page

Don't Miss The Debate For Oregon's Future Oct. 2nd!

Children First for Oregon, KOIN 6, and Pamplin Media Group are organizing a debate for governor candidates. The stakes are high for kids as Oregon's 2018 governor's race heats up. That's why Oregon's candidates for governor are participating in a first-of-its-kind debate where
children and youth will be asking 100% of the questions
You can join in one of several ways:
  • Tune into your local KOIN affiliate from 7-8 pm to watch LIVE!
  • Youth who want to participate in the event can submit their questions online or send a video with their question (up to 30 seconds) to brian@cffo.org.
  • Adults can nominate a youth to ask a question at the event.
  • Follow the #Debate4ORFuture hashtag on social media and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and to view video submissions from youth.
  • Tell your friends and family!
ODE's Start-Up and Expansion Grant for At-Risk Afterschool Meals and Summer Meals Programs

Oregon Department of Education is hosting a webinar about the Start-Up and Expansion Grant for At-Risk Afterschool Meals and Summer Meals Programs on 
October 4th, 2018 9:30 am-10:30 am.

This webinar will provide information for potential applicants about the Start-up and Expansion Grant for At-Risk Afterschool Meals and Summer Meals Programs and the grant requirements, timelines and effective strategies. 

Some ideas to think about is this the enrichment part of these funds can be used to help school gardens, garden based education or farm to school activities as they relate to Summer Meals and At-Risk Afterschool Meals. 

Register here , if you have any questions contact Deanna Poynor .
 Final Stop for the Student Success Committee

This month,  the Joint Committee on Student Success will makes its final stops, traveling to the South Coast for meetings and tours in Coquille and Coos Bay, including a public hearing at Marshfield High School If you live in Southern Oregon and want a chance to share your perspective about supporting students successfully, now is your opportunity. If you plan to attend the final hearing, you can use our Expanded Learning Talking Points to help amplify the importance of supporting students beyond the traditional school hours and school year. 
  • October 10, Marshfield High School, 972 Ingersoll Ave,  
The summary of the committee's tour so far highlighted that they: 
  • Traveled 2,158 miles 
  • Held 8 public hearings
  • Conducted 10 student listening sessions involving 278 students from 42 schools 
  • Held 8 roundtable discussions with area education and community leaders
  • Held 4 meetings with regional business leaders
  • Toured 41 schools and programs in 25 cities
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