Introducing our new series: Defining Quality. Each week we will be using our ABC's of ELO's (expanded learning opportunities) to highlight a term that allows us to have greater shared understanding within our expanded learning network. This week's term is:

Growth Mindset:   The beliefs that talent and intelligence can be improved through learning and meaningful practice. 

We see it as a crucial skill for afterschool professionals to allow themselves to grow and be challenged in order to work with children from all backgrounds and abilities.  The terms Fixed and Growth mindsets originate with Carol Dweck and over the last decades, has been expanded on by partners such as Mindset Works .

At Oregon Afterschool Conference, the conference Keynote will be on 

The Power & Potential of a Growth Mindset & Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). There are also two sessions by our keynote for participants to apply concepts within two specific categories of our quest for quality:  

Growth Mindset Inspires Student Dreams

Participants will explore how a growth mindset and SEL supports quality programs that can inspire student dreams. The session will include deeper exploration around understanding and applying a growth mindset to working with youth. Participants will examine how their own behavior and actions impacts students on a daily basis.

Tapping into Growth Mindset to Build Quality Program Systems
Participants will explore how a growth mindset and SEL supports building quality through systems and structures. Participants will examine how to apply a growth mindset to systems, protocols, and actions to access individual potential while sustaining a quality program.

Make sure to register soon and select your conference sessions if you are interested in learning more about embracing Growth Mindset and empowering us all to continue growing.

Hooray to Lincoln County Youth Development Coalition who has already added their Lights On Event to the national database! 

Whether you have time to plan an open house or just take a picture for your social media, we hope you are able to help spread the word that having Lights On Afterschool makes a difference! Check out this year's resources: everything from social media and outreach templates to graphics and press release images.  Find out more here!

Last month, OregonASK participated in a collaborative summit for girls & women in technology where we met an inspiring young student who had built her own summer camp and now afterschool program, we couldn't help but share. 

Bit by Bit is a nonprofit organization run by students for students. They teach students of all levels how to code by helping them create real websites from scratch. They believe the best way to learn is to get down-and-dirty with real code and real projects. All programs are led entirely by women, with some for young women exclusively. They run three clubs -two in the Lake Oswego area and one in Beaverton that are free for students. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/BitByBitCode or contact the founder at 

[email protected]. 

They also run a summer camp called Hello World in August and are looking for ways to make it more affordable and accessible.  If you are interested in getting connected find out more at @bit_by_bit_coding or Hello World Code Camp.

Thank you to everyone who has participated and provided feedback throughout this process. We hope that by hearing directly from youth, families, and programs that we can make a stronger case for more resources and support in providing expanded learning opportunities in communities across Oregon. 

We will be reconvening our Data Design Work Group on September 27th and October 24th, to review updated data analysis of program staff, offerings, access to training and so much more. We will also take time to review drafted materials for implementation. You will be able to join online or at our office in Wilsonville. Please contact [email protected]

if you would like to be added to the invitation list. 

The final report will be released later this year, but in the meantime, make sure to check out our

Interim Report here!

 

If you are looking for local connections, think about joining our Oregon Afterschool Conference focused on addressing chronic absenteeism,  Equipping Programs to Increase Student Attendance with Sean Aker during the 3rd workshop block.

We were thrilled to keep Bernard Rahming on staff with OregonASK after his 1 year of VISTA service working in our Access & Equity/My Brothers Keeper role. He was able to continue efforts working as a Community Outreach & Research Project Coordinator, working directly with East Metro STEAM Partnership, Zero Robotics, and our Data Design Team. However, we are happy to say that Bernard will be taking a position with our friends at Oregon MESA as the Program Coordinator. Bernard will be focused on outreach and events, overseeing our community recruitment, outreach to volunteers, families and alumni and also taking a lead on MESA Day.

We look forward to staying connected as he joins us at OregonASK Partner Meetings and our continuing efforts around 

Access & Equity.

 We are looking forward to our first partner meeting of the new school year on October 11th from 9:00 am-12:00 pm! We will be reflecting upon the last year, discussing plans for our 3 year work plan under a new Mott grant, introducing our new quality campaign, reviewing the ABC's of ELO's (Expanded Learning Opportunities), and hearing updates from our partners. 

We hope to see you there!  RSVP here 

 OregonASK will be sharing our Quest for Quality stories with Oregon Legislators this winter, preparing to join legislators in Salem on January 15th during Legislative Committee Days. This January visit will be just a few weeks before the Legislative Session as committees review the work done since July and final decisions and rules being enacted. We will be keeping you updated this fall on key legislative opportunities and hope that many programs will be able to join us in sharing what makes you unique in providing Quality expanded learning opportunities.