The Afterschool Advisor
December 2016
Be a Part of Impact 2017!
Impact After School Conference logo Do you have expertise or experience to share with afterschool providers? Do you have youth that have something to say? Consider being a presenter at the upcoming 2017 Impact After School Conference or bringing youth to perform at the conference.

Speakers receive free registration to the conference. The conference will cover the mileage for youth to come to Des Moines to perform, as well as a nights stay at the hotel, if needed.

Be a part of this great annual event and share with your peers!

Call for Presentations
Call for Youth Performances

Watch for registration in early January 2017!
Fun SEL Games to Try Over Winter Break
How could playing games like, "Pass Me the Chicken, Wizards and Elves, or Laughing or Screaming Toes" help students in your programs learn and practice SEL Life Skills such as: decision making, leadership, wise use of resources, useful/marketable skills, communication, healthy lifestyle choices, accepting differences, and self-responsibility?
 
This resource from Washington State Extension offers details on how to integrate more SEL competencies into games for intentional skill-building.

If you're in Central Iowa, join the Central Iowa OST Network for a workshop on this topic on Friday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. at United Way of Central Iowa, 1111 9th St., Des Moines. No RSVP required! 
Computer Science Week All Year Long!
Celebrate Computer Science Week (December 5-11) all year long with the resources available through Hour of Code on their website https://hourofcode.com/us/learn. Through this resource you can:
  • Search for activities by grade level
  • Search by teacher and/or student experience
  • Search by length of time of activity
What to Expect at the Iowa Capitol in 2017
It is hard to believe that the 2017 legislative session is quickly approaching and will be here before we know it. As in the past, the IAA will provide bi-weekly legislative email updates during session to keep you up to date on the happenings at the Capitol related to afterschool.
 
Last month's elections significantly changed what the Iowa Legislature will look like in the coming session. The Iowa Senate changed to a Republican-held chamber, where Democrats had previously held on to a slim majority, giving Republicans control of both the House, Senate, and the Governor's office. If Governor Branstad accepts the Ambassador's position, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will step into the governorship.
 
Last year, House Republicans proposed education funding lower than the Governor's proposed appropriation. Now with Republicans controlling both chambers we can potentially expect to see a lower increase in school funding pass this year than last. Another area of focus related to school funding will be school choice and allocating dollars to subsidize private and home-school options.

Summer reading is expected to be a priority for education funding again this year.  

The IAA has developed advocacy guidance for supporters of high quality afterschool programming. Find it here.

For more information and resources, please visit the Iowa Afterschool Alliance website or the Afterschool Alliance website.
New Report Highlights Need for and Impact of OST
The Iowa Afterschool Alliance has released a key, statewide report on afterschool and summer learning titled the State of Afterschool and Summer Programming in Iowa. Released officially on October 20, 2016, at the Summit on Advancing Academic and Social Outcomes for Iowa Children and Youth, the report details current youth and community issues in Iowa and how afterschool and summer programming can help mitigate some of these issues.

Also included in the report are program profiles from across the state and a report on what afterschool and summer programming currently looks like statewide. Read it online on the Iowa Afterschool Alliance website at www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org.
Save the Date for IAA Legislative Events in 2017!
Attend a legislative event at the Iowa Capitol hosted by the Iowa Afterschool Alliance in 2017 to show lawmakers your love for afterschool! The IAA will host an Afterschool Snack the afternoon of Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14, then a legislative breakfast on the morning of Wednesday, February 15. More details regarding these events will be released in the coming months.

Iowa Afterschool Alliance Afterschool Snack Afterschool Snack: Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14; 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Come show your love for afterschool and bring your program youth! The IAA will coordinate Capitol tours and provide a snack for all in attendance.

IAA Legislative Breakfast: Wednesday, February 15; 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Visit with your legislators about the importance of afterschool and meet your fellow afterschool advocates in the Legislative Dining Room on the ground floor of the Capitol. Iowa Afterschool Alliance staff will be on-hand to help you meet with your legislators.

Please register online today!
Literacy Award Nominations Due Dec 16
The Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award winner will receive $10,000 for their program. In addition to being awarded $10,000, the Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award winner will be presented the award at the Afterschool for All Challenge, the Afterschool Alliance's annual conference that unites hundreds of afterschool advocates, thought leaders, policy makers, state and local officials, parents, youth and Members of Congress in Washington, D.C.  

Nominations will close Dec. 16, 2016.

For more information and to get the link for nominations, visit the Afterschool Alliance website.   
Follow IAA on Facebook for Latest Updates
Facebook Follow the Iowa Afterschool Alliance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iowaafterschoolalliance for the latest updates on the Every Student Succeeds Act (formerly No Child Left Behind), PD opportunities, IAA activities, and grant opportunities. Expect an update on an issue of interest every day! You can also follow us on Twitter by following @iowaafterschool.
SEDL Resources for Afterschool
Looking for resources on how to run a high-quality program? SEDL, an affiliate of the American Institutes for Research, has no-cost resources on lesson plans, practitioners' guides, and training toolkits. Visit the National Center for Quality Afterschool here: http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/.  
Professional Development Opportunities
Out of School Time Professional Development Center
The Out of School Time Professional Development Center provides Out of School Time training to OST professionals. The classes provide in-depth curriculum and certificates. If you or your staff are interested in signing up for courses visit the Out-of-School Time website. Check out the entire course catalog here. 
 
Great Content on Y4Y!
You 4 Youth is a free online professional development site that is designed to support 21CCLC 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. Click here to register.

Afterschool Alliance Webinars
The Afterschool Alliance offers webinars on a wide range of topics, from policy and the new Every Student Succeeds Act, to STEM and Social-Emotional Learning. Find out more on their webinars website.

Iowa Child Care Training Registry
Find professional development for school-age programming on the State of Iowa Child Care Training Registry on topics ranging from health and safety to developmentally appropriate programming. Find out more online

NAA Talk Tuesday PD Resources
Talk Tuesday provides afterschool professionals with the resources to host relevant discussions among peers, colleagues, staff, or community leaders. If you are looking to connect with afterschool professionals in your area or engage your staff with relevant topics, Talk Tuesday will provide the materials for you.

Find out more on their website here.

Fun SEL Games Workshop
December 16, 2016; United Way of Central Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa
How could playing games like, "Pass Me the Chicken, Wizards and Elves, or Laughing or Screaming Toes" help students in your programs learn and practice SEL Life Skills such as: Decision Making, Leadership, Wise Use of Resources, Useful/Marketable Skills, Communication, Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Accepting Differences, and Self-Responsibility?
 
Come play with us and find out! Join us Friday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. at United Way of Central Iowa, 1111 9th St., Des Moines, IA. No RSVP required!

Beyond School Hours Conference
February 22 - 25, 2017; Atlanta, GA
Get big ideas for immediate results. Take home skills, tools and a renewed passion for improving learning outcomes for young people across the entire day.

For more information and to register, visit the conference website at http://www.foundationsinc.org/beyond-school-hours-xx.

Afterschool STEM Institute 
February 27-28, 2017; Silver Spring, MD
This event is designed for the Statewide Afterschool Networks who are actively focused on Afterschool STEM Systems Building. The Institute will offer interactive discussions on sustainability, communications, quality and policy. We encourage building teams for the Institute which will help enhance those conversations and strengthen your STEM partnerships.

For more information, visit this link.

2017 Social and Emotional Learning Conference: Building Skills for Lifelong Success March 13, 2017; Harrisburg, PA
This conference is designed to provide quality professional development opportunities for school administrators, school psychologists, school counselors, social workers, youth development workers, teachers, school nurses, SAP team members, alternative education teachers, homeless liaisons, foster care points of contact, early childhood professionals and other community partners.

Find out more at https://selconference.center-school.org/.

National AfterSchool Association Convention
March 19 - 22, 2017; Dallas, TX
NAA's Annual Convention delivers exceptional learning and networking opportunities for every participant. With inspirational keynote speakers, more than 150 engaging workshops and unique networking events, Convention is the premier event for afterschool and out-of-school time professionals. - See more at: http://naaweb.org/attend#sthash.M2U3vxZB.dpuf

For more information and to register, visit the convention website at http://naaweb.org/convention.

Best of Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Conference
April 18 - 21, 2017; Palm Springs, CA
Join the largest, most recognized and comprehensive global convening for after school, expanded learning, and out-of-school time professionals. Set in a retreat-like atmosphere, this annual, extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion, boost your direction for quality programming and provide tools and resources that will inspire you to create change.

For more information visit the BOOST Conference website.  

Iowa Impact After School Conference
Save the Date! April 27 & 28, 2017; Des Moines
Watch for more information as it becomes available at our website www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org.  
 
NSLA Summer Changes Everything Conference
October 23 - 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ
This national conference on afterschool and summer learning brings together over 1,000 of the nation's top thinkers to share and discuss the partnerships, policies and programs that are breaking down traditional notions of when and where learning occurs.

For more information, visit the Summer Changes Everything website. 
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