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About
the Afterschool Advisor | |
The Afterschool Advisor is a publication of the Iowa Afterschool Alliance for practitioners seeking resources to improve, sustain, and develop their afterschool program. |
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Program Directory Profile = Chance to Win iPad + iTunes Gift Card
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 Have you input your program into our Iowa Afterschool Opportunities Directory yet? If not, input your program data between now and MAY 31, 2015 for your chance to win an iPad and iTunes gift card!
Thanks to a grant from the Afterschool Alliance, we're able to offer this incentive for local programs to enter their program information into our database. To list your program visit http://www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org/afterschool-programs/register/.
As the IAA gets notices of new program entries, we will make sure to enter you in the drawing! We will contact the primary account holder if you win.
Let people know where to find you! Have them check the Directory at
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2015 Iowa Afterschool Champions Named at Impact2015!
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 You nominated and you voted! Here are your 2015 Afterschool Champions!Advocate of the Year: Barb Schmitz, Oelwein Community Schools "Oelwein has a large number of students living in poverty, and thanks to Barb's leadership, these students are able to participate in countless opportunities that they otherwise would not. In the words of her nominators, 'Barb Schmitz is the guardian angel that has blessed our community through Husky Adventures. She is a champion among champions and her infectious enthusiasm and compassion for the students and families of our community is second to none'." Afterschool Innovator: G World Johnson County
"G World is a self-identifying minority young women's group. Raquishia Harrington and Latasha Delouch, the powerful women who implemented this program over the past three years, have helped numerous junior high and high school girls grow and build social skills." Collaboration Award: City of Davenport Parks and Recreation and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach-Scott County "The two [partners] have collaboratively set the bar for quality out-of-school time programming within Davenport through the partnership with the Stepping Stones program. Their commitment to serving youth has allowed for the programs to grow and become accessible for all families, serving approximately 1,000 students each night in 15 schools across the Davenport Community School District." Friend of Afterschool: Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds
"Lieutenant Governor Reynolds works tirelessly to provide access to STEM in Iowa; she is one of the founding visionaries of the initiative and co-chairs the Governor's STEM Advisory Council. Over the years, she has been supportive of out-of-school time programs and STEM."
Outstanding Afterschool Student: Bobby Washington, Jr., Des Moines
"At just 10 years of age, Bobby Washington Jr., came up with the idea for Books From Bobby as a part of an entrepreneurial competition he entered. He has since turned this idea into a thriving organization and serves as the face of the organization's efforts in eliminating illiteracy. You will find him frequently speaking at events, carrying a book, and walking around the afterschool program talking about how the simple act of reading has opened so many doors and creative thought processes for him."
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Iowa named a State Pacesetter by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading!
|  "The number of children from low-income families reached by Iowa Grade Level Reading is almost 47,000; 38% of the state total. Presently, there are more than 30 state and local funders involved in Iowa's Campaign,
and philanthropic participation is growing, spurred by the energy, activity and progress in the original cohort of communities.
Citizen service is another strong aspect of Iowa's grade-level reading effort, with close to 2,000 volunteer tutors or mentors across the state.
The state has invested in extensive professional development for teachers and administrators and has created the Iowa Reading Research Center to disseminate best practices to improve student literacy, with a particular focus on struggling readers."
For more information on the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, visit their website at http://gradelevelreading.net/.
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Youth Civic Engagement
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 Civic engagement is getting involved with issues that affect society. Although some people might think this would be too complex for youth, it's really never too early to start teaching about civic engagement and showing children how they can positively impact the world around them. Check out this article from the National AfterSchool Association about how to lead a project and the lasting benefits of incorporating youth civic engagement activities to out-of-school time programming!
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Stipends for CryptoClub Project this Summer
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The CryptoClub Project at the University of Illinois at Chicago is looking for teachers and afterschool educators to participate with their students during the 2015-2016 school year in an NSF-funded research project.
During the project, students will make video tutorials to explain their solutions to mathematics and cryptography problems they encounter in CryptoClub. Tutorial-making can be an exciting way to get students to think more deeply about mathematics and to practice important communication skills.
In order to participate in the research project, teachers who are new to CryptoClub should attend both the regular CryptoClub Leader Training Workshop, June 25-27, and the Tutorial Training Workshop, June 29-30.
Stipends will be paid to participating teachers, Cryptoclub student books will be provided to students, and participating schools/organizations will have a budget for project-related technology.
For more information about the CryptoClub curriculum and Leader-Training Workshop, visit the CryptoClub Project website at http://www.math.uic.edu/CryptoClubProject/.
If you are interested in the project or have questions, please contact Debra Levine at dlevin6@uic.edu or 312-355-1183.
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Professional Development Opportunities
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The Iowa Afterschool Alliance keeps a calendar of opportunities regularly updated on our website. Visit it at http://www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org/resources/.
Community Youth Concepts Spring Training: Youth Voice and Engagement
May 8, 2015; 9-11:30 a.m.
Research shows that quality programs incorporate youth input at both activity and organizational levels. This workshop emphasizes the importance of offering real choices and meaningful participation to youth and nurturing youth leadership. The workshop focuses on providing meaningful choice and opportunities for youth input at all levels.
EyesOpenIowa Webinar, Commencement: The Beginning. Prepping our Seniors for CollegeMay 5, 2015; 12:00-1:30 p.m.
This webinar will provide ideas to empower seniors around health literacy and increase their self-efficacy as they graduate from high school. Topics include; consent, STD prevention, substance use, communication, locating services and much more.
CryptoClub Summer 2015 Leader Training Workshop
June 25-27, 2015; University of Illinois at Chicago
Cryptography, the science of secret messages, is an intriguing STEM topic and an important application of mathematics. CryptoClub is a 16-20 hour afterschool curriculum designed to teach cryptography and mathematics to students in grades 6-8. It uses games, treasure hunts, and other informal activities to engage students in learning cryptography and applying middle-school mathematics. The CryptoClub curriculum has been developed and tested with support from the National Science Foundation.
Click here for more details!
Dimensions of Success STEM Observer Training
Available once monthly; please contact Indira for more information
The IAA is seeking individuals across the state who are interested in observing afterschool STEM programs using the DoS tool. To ensure tool validity, observers must participate in a two-day online training via webinar. Thanks to funding from the Noyce Foundation, this training is provided at no charge.
If you are interested in becoming a DoS observer, please contact Indira at iblazevic@sppg.com to register!
You for Youth Online PD for Afterschool Professionals
Ongoing
Short online courses are available for afterschool and summer program staff through You for Youth, a website originally developed by the U.S. Department of Education for 21CCLCs. Courses cover topics like Project-Based Learning, Aligning with the School Day, STEM, and Strengthening Partnerships. Each course takes less than an hour and is available 24/7. All courses are accessible by the public!
New Literacy Content on Y4Y!
You 4 Youth is a free online professional development site that is designed to support 21st CCLC program staff, but is a valuable tool for any afterschool professional looking to build their skills! Recently, Y4Y has rolled out a whole module on literacy.
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Grant Opportunities
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Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants
Application Deadline: May 21, 2015
Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading.
Grant funding is provided to assist in the following areas:
- Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
- Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
- Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs
Click here for more information and to apply!
"From Failure to Promise" K-12 Educators Grant
Application Deadline: June 31, 2015
How would $500 help you move students/youth "from failure to promise" in literacy, math, science, or technology? To support educators, Dr. C Moorer & Associates, Inc., will award several $500 mini-grants in 2015 to community-based organizations, libraries, or schools with creative ideas for adopting and using "From Failure to Promise" in their curriculum.
Find out more and apply here.
USGA Alliance Grants
The United States Golf Association, with the National Alliance for Accessible Golf provides financial assistance and resources to help make the game of golf more accessible to people with disabilities. The Alliance is particularly interested in applications that demonstrate focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities in programs that involve those without disabilities with the ultimate goal of enhancing their inclusion into the fabric of their community.
Learn more and apply on their website.
American Family Insurance Corporate Giving and Sponsorship
American Family Insurance protects dreams by helping strengthen and support individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities. They also sponsor events and activities that build stronger ties with customers through memorable, beneficial experiences.
Learn more and apply for a financial contribution or sponsorship here.
Child & Adult Care Food Program
The federal "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act" program provides meals and snacks for school-age youth in afterschool programs. Find out more by visiting the Iowa Department of Education website.
Iowa Grants Guide Online
The Iowa Grants Guide is a web-based directory of Iowa grant-making organizations. Program information only is provided; grant applications are not. Click here for the Iowa Grants Guide
FindYouthInfo.gov Federal Funds Search Engine
Click here to search federal grant opportunities with a tool that lets you filter results by topic, such as Afterschool, Positive Youth Development, or Service Learning.
Spark Grant Finder Tool
This online tool locates national and state-specific grants for physical education, afterschool, early childhood and coordinated school health programs. Search for grants here.
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The Iowa Afterschool Alliance seeks to improve access to high-quality afterschool programs for all Iowa children, youth, and families through policy and partnerships, practice support and outreach and engagement.
To contact the IAA:
Michelle Rich, Iowa Network Coordinator
mrich@sppg.com
515-237-0328
2910 Westown Parkway, Suite 302 West Des Moines, IA 50266
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