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NJ Afterschool Action News, Policy and Research
from NJSACC
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Welcome to NJ Afterschool Action!
| As the weather turns warmer, I find myself dreaming of all my favorite summertime activities. Many of you probably know that I raise monarch butterflies; last year, I released more than 100 and this summer I hope to release many more. As a lifelong nature lover, I'm always looking to help afterschool programs incorporate nature and science learning into their plans. That's why I am so excited to share this edition of NJ Afterschool Action with you. In it we highlight Project Ports, an environmental learning program at Lakewood Middle School. We also have exciting news to share about a new afterschool science initiative called Great Science for Girls. Do you have a story to tell about nature and science learning afterschool? Please share it by emailing [email protected]. Read. Learn. Get involved. Together we can make a difference. Diane Genco |
ELO In Action: How Many Lessons Can an Oyster Teach?
| Children at Lakewood Middle
School are throwing bags into the Delaware Bay. No, this isn't an
environmental disaster in the making-it's Project Ports, an
educational program on environmental stewardship and science, and its
opening eyes in Lakewood's afterschool program.
Project PORTS is a unique
community-based
restoration and education program. The program uses the oyster as a
vehicle to acquaint school children with the Delaware along with
important
concepts in science and math. "We dissect an oyster with students
so they learn about biology. We use the metric system to measure the
oyster, then convert it to learn math concepts. We even get into the
history and geography of the Delaware Bay," says Lisa Calvo, who runs
the program for the Cousteau Center at Bridgeton, Rutgers University.
>>Click here to learn more
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NJSACC Joins National Initiative On Great Science For Girls
| NJSACC was selected to join
Great Science for Girls -- a five-year National Science Foundation
initiative to build the capacity of after-school educators to deliver
programming that will broaden and sustain girls' interest and
persistence
in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Through Great Science for
Girls,
NJSACC will provide support to afterschool centers throughout New Jersey
to provide learning environments with the three ingredients necessary
for student success in STEM: engagement, capacity and
continuity.
Programs and activities will offer girls opportunities for leadership,
active engagement with concerned adults, and inquiry based
experimentation.
"The afterschool hours are
our best opportunity to expand learning. Great Science for Girls will
enable New Jersey afterschool programs to maximize this opportunity,"
says NJSACC executive director Diane Genco.
>>Click here to learn more
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Expanded Learning for Students Afterschool
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Expanded learning
opportunities, or ELOs, provide safe, structured learning environments
for students outside the traditional school day. Expanded learning comes in many forms. Programs might offer tutoring, community service, organized sports,
homework help, or art and music classes. While
the activities can vary widely, the key to
ELO programs is their focus on building connections to the learning that
happens during the school day through strong relationships between
afterschool and school staff. School and
afterschool staff share class curricula. they may also share data about
students progress so that afterschool programs can help students
address specific challenges. According to NJSACC Executive Director
Diane Genco, ELO programs "complement instead of
compete" with the learning that happens in the classroom. For example,
if students are learning about weather during the day, their afterschool
program could reinforce this knowledge through hands-on projects,
crafts, and outdoor activities that focus on weather. >>Click here to learn more |
Summertime Means...
Healthy Meals and Snacks!
| It is almost time for summer
and that means many afterschool programs will transition to summer
learning
programs. Just as a nutritious afterschool snack is a critical part
of a quality afterschool programs, meals and snacks play an important
role in summer learning as well. Hunger is one of the most severe
roadblocks
to the learning process. Research shows that children gain weight during
the summer months when they typically do not have regular meals and
activity routines. Hunger also may make children more prone to illness
and other health issues.
The Summer Food Service Program
(SFSP) provides free, nutritious meals and snacks to help children in
low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play and grow
throughout the summer months when they are out of school. The Food and
Nutrition Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
administers SFSP at the federal level. In New Jersey, the state
Department
of Agriculture is the administering agency. Organizations can be either
sponsors or feeding locations. The New Jersey Department of
Agriculture is looking for organizations interested in providing meals
for needy children this year under this federally funded program.
>>Click here to learn more
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Seeking Nominees for NJSACC Advisory Committee
| NJSACC, the Network for NJ's Afterschool Communities, seeks nominees for our 2010-2011 Advisory Committee. Meetings
are held quarterly. The Advisory Committee offers expert advice and
networking opportunities. Members will help strategize our campaign to
strengthen Afterschool in New Jersey.
If you are interested or would like to nominate someone, please contact us at [email protected].
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National Afterschool Association Conference and Afterschool for All Challenge a Great Success
| The National
AfterSchool Association's (NAA) annual convention, brought more than
2,500 afterschool providers, parents, youth, principals, and others to the nation's capital last week to learn, share
and advocate on behalf of afterschool. Denise Sellers, Executive Director of Haddonfield Child Care, described meeting several "entrepreneurs" -- individuals opening new afterschool programs to meet unmet needs in their communities.
More than 50 people from NJ attended, including 4 of NJSACC Afterschool Ambassadors: Jane Sharp, Theresa Roessner, Rosalind Norrell-Nance and Piedad Vasquez. On a single day, more than 600
advocates held meetings at 250 congressional offices to advocate for afterschool as part of the Afterschool Alliance's Afterschool for All Challenge.
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Deadline Extended for Annual Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest
| The Afterschool Alliance is seeking artwork for our 2010 Lights On
Afterschool poster. The submission deadline has been extended to June 11, 2010.
The winning image will be printed on 70,000 posters sent
to afterschool programs from coast to coast to use at their Lights
On Afterschool celebrations. The image will also be featured on
the Afterschool Alliance's Lights On
Afterschool website and facebook
page. The Afterschool Alliance will work with the artist and/or
program on an appropriate credit for the artwork.
Click here to learn more about the contest and enter your poster.
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Join NJSACC on Facebook | We're using Facebook to share information about trainings and events, and highlight important actions you can take to support afterschool. Simply click the Facebook icon below to visit and join!
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Thank you so much for reading this edition of NJ Afterschool Action. We always want to hear from you, so please send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected].
Sincerely,
Diane Genco New Jersey School Age Care Coalition
This newsletter is a part of the New Jersey Afterschool Network, the policy arm of NJSACC. The Network builds lasting public support for quality afterschool programs across New Jersey. Led by a public-private partnership, the network enhances public awareness and support; offers guidance for parents, providers, and advocates; strengthens relationships with policymakers, funders, practitioners, and parents, and shares best practices in the field. |
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