Afterschool Quality Standards Project

Quarterly Newsletter

Truman Pierce Institute

July - September 2023

Spotlight on the Standards

Afterschool Quality Standards

Long-Term Sustainability for Afterschool Programs

Resources from Afterschool Alliance:

Funding
Cultivating Partnerships
Reaching Policymakers
Marketing Afterschool
Media Tools for Afterschool

Access the resources here

Social and Emotional Learning

23 Ways to Build and Sustain Classroom Relationships

by Andrew Boryga

These teacher-approved activities will help create the sort of classroom bonds that pave the way to academic success.

Fun, quick, and easy-to-implement
Can be used daily, weekly, and year-round
Help build relationships along four dimensions: teacher to student, teacher to class, student to student, and student to class

Read the full article

Health and Wellness

Get Moving with GoNoodle!

Exercise offers numerous benefits such as improved mood, increased focus, and lower stress.

GoNoodle provides short, engaging, interactive activities designed with children grades K - 5 in mind. Take a look at the FREE resources they provide to get kids moving!

Guided Dance
Exercise Breaks
Indoor Recess
and MORE!!

Click here to explore the site!

STEM ACTIVITIES

Engineering with Paper

Engineering design challenges encourage students to brainstorm, innovate, and problem-solve through fun, hands-on activities. Try these paper-based design challenges to help build positive peer relationships, enhance communication skills, and foster a growth mindset.

Windy City Tower

Paper Bridge Design Challenge

Newspaper Fashion Show

Paper Roller Coaster Challenge

Staff Support

9 Ways for Schools to Honor Teacher Needs this Year

by Daniel Leonard

Administrators can use these tried-and-true strategies to meet the needs of their staff - from planning time to bathroom breaks.

Focus on subtraction.
Take the temperature.
Reduce meeting clutter.
Respect (and leverage) teachers' expertise.
Make time and space for basic needs.
Give them planning time.
Defend a teacher's right to disconnect.
On self-care, go beyond lip service.
Avoid micromanaging.

Read the full article

Click here for more information

The Daniel Foundation of Alabama's

Education and Youth Grant

Supporting and improving education and youth development for Alabama’s children birth through 12th grade
Especially focused on supporting children in underserved and rural areas or those facing economic disadvantages

Important Dates: