YOUR SOURCE FOR SUMMER LEARNING NEWS
May 10, 2022
Issue No. 46
Summer Learning Impact and NSLA Shine at U.S. Dept. of ED Summit
 
Dear Summer Learning Community,
 
As we all prepare to run and expand summer learning programs for millions of children dealing with the negative effects of the pandemic, it is inspiring to know our field has strong support from the US Department of Education. 

During their recent American Recovery Summit, numerous investments and innovative projects were highlighted including NSLA’s new project with the American Camp Association to launch camp-school partnership programs across the country. Also featured was NSLA's DiscoverSummer.org, an online resource to help families discover and sign up for summer programs near them. The website will be supported by a multi-million dollar national public service announcement campaign through our partnerships with Clear Channel Outdoor billboards and iHeartRadio stations. Be on the lookout for these ads! 

NSLA also teamed up with partners at the Afterschool Alliance, National League of Cities and Clear Channel to thank U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and his staff for their commitment to ensuring that all children, especially the most vulnerable, participate in and benefit from high-quality summer learning experiences every year.

As you get ready for this summer, please call on NSLA for any support you may need. Please mark your calendars to celebrate our collective efforts during National Summer Learning Week, July 11-15.

In partnership,

The NSLA Team
Helping Families Discover Summer
NSLA's new online family resource, DiscoverSummer.org, will reach new heights this year, with over double the amount of programs featured in its search tool, and additional resources to help families make more informed decisions regarding summer learning. Please share the resource with your networks.
"Summer learning programs have always been important for our students, but over the past two years, they've become essential," Secretary Cardona said. "I'm grateful to the NSLA and its partners for providing DiscoverSummer.org as a great resource for families."
SAVE THE DATE!
NSLA's National Conference

Summer Changes Everything™

October 24 - 26, 2022
The Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC.

Keynote speakers and sessions to be announced soon.
NSLA Announces 2022 Summer Innovation Fellows
Congratulation to NSLA’s 2022 Summer Innovation Fellows, Simone Gamble and Lerel Frederick. Simone will be working on a DEI focused project with NSLA award-winning summer program, Camp Fiver. Lerel will work on an arts focused project with NSLA award-winning summer program, Horizons National. NSLA believes summer is one of the most innovative, entrepreneurial times in education. It provides a unique chance to empower new leaders to implement creative ideas. NSLA will  provide each Fellow with funding, coaching and resources in support of their projects. We plan to expand the Fellowship in future years.
Simone Gamble

Simone (they/them/she/her) is an NYC-based community organizer and founder of the JEDI consultancy OAAARS. OAAARS is a people of color-led consultancy that provides social justice-centered training and education to workplaces looking to create safer, equitable, and inclusive work environments.
Lerel Frederick

Lerel is an experienced music educator, consultant, and leader in the music industry. He founded the ZOE LIVE Creative Arts Academy in 2016, and continues to serve as the Executive Director, with the vision of impacting the lives of youth and the general community through excellence in music education and performance.
2022 National Summer Learning Week Themes
July 11 – July 15, 2022
Our annual National Summer Learning Week is just around the corner. The week-long national celebration offers five unique, daily themes for partners to lift up. We encourage you and your staff to utilize the week to celebrate your programs and share your impact with local partners, funders, media, and policymakers.

Our 2022 themes are: Fostering Friendships, Love of Literacy & Learning, Wonders of Wellness, Summer Skill-Building, and Amazing Arts! Click below for easy-to-use resources and ideas you can leverage.
Professional Summer Learning Communities
NSLA has long invested in Program Quality and Partnerships through webinars, national conferences, training, research and tools. Leveraging our expertise, we have expanded our efforts to empower and engage more programs and leaders at all stages of development through the creation of Professional Summers Learning Communities (PLC).

Current PLC topics include: Environment & Outdoor, New Vision for Summer Schools, Public and Affordable Housing, Special Populations, Libraries & Literacy, Health & Fitness, Arts Education, Youth Employment & Internships, College Access & Summer Melt, Research & Evidence, and Health Sciences. Visit our PLC page, to learn more and sign up.
Tell Us About Your Summer Programming Needs!
Led by Brodrick Clarke, Vice President, Programs and System Quality, NSLA staff and our roster of expert Field Consultants are available to help partners plan, train staff, prepare, and measure effectiveness for the coming summer at both the program and systems level
NSLA can design tailored training solutions for your program and offer services in the areas of:

  • Program Planning
  • Program Management
  • Systems Building
  • Positive Youth Development

For more information, contact Brodrick at BClarke@summerlearning.org or click on the link below to tell us about your program needs.
Still Time to Help Families Get Child Tax Credit!
Tax season is over, but families can still claim the full 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC) - up to $3,600 per child per family! Join the "It's Not Too Late to Help Families Get the Expanded Child Tax Credit" webinar on May 19th from 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. EDT, to learn how you can help can help families claim the CTC through a simplified filing portal.

You do not have to be a tax expert. Multilingual, ready-to-use materials will be shared to help families claim the money to which they are entitled.
For more program, policy, and funding resources, events and opportunities, join our summer learning community by clicking the button below.