The Afterschool Advisor
April 2017
Last Week to Register for Impact 2017
Impact After School Conference logo Join 200 of your friends from across the state at the 5th annual Impact After School Conference! Topics will include creating safe and supportive environments, STEM, elementary and middle school literacy, elementary poetry, and much, much more! Be sure to register early to ensure your place at the Impact Conference. Find out more and register online here.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Simon Silva knows firsthand the importance of education and is the only person in his family to graduate from college. One of eleven children in a family of field workers, he grew up as a migrant student and relied heavily on his artistic skills and interest to cope with what was, at times, a difficult childhood. Simon shares an insightful view of creativity while telling a compelling story of struggle and hope. Simon connects with audiences with a powerful message about perseverance and success.

WORKSHOP TOPICS
Impact always brings you a wealth of workshops to choose from and this year is no different! Here is just a sampling of what to expect this year.
  • Elementary Poetry
  • Creating Safe and Empowering Environments for Youth
  • Rural Programming
  • STEM
  • Literacy
  • Investing in Yourself
  • Much, much more!
Download the final program for the conference here!

Register online today!
Advocacy Trainings in Your Area
Watching federal policy closely right now? So are we! Attend an advocacy training in your area to learn more about influencing policy through advocacy. There's likely one in your area coming up soon.

You'll leave with concrete actions you can take to advocate for the issues you care about and tons of resources to help you along the way. Lunch will be provided to all attendees.

Click the links below to RSVP.
 
May 5th
Storm Lake
10 - 1pm
RSVP   
 
May 12th
Waukee
11 - 2pm
May 9th 
Cedar Rapids
10 - 1pm
 
May 17th 
Mason City
10 - 1pm
May 10th
Red Oak
10 - 1pm
RSVP   
May 19th 
Ottumwa
10 - 1pm
Iowa Arts Grants Now Open
The Iowa Arts Council has opened another grant cycle for numerous grants. A few of importance to afterschool include:
  • Arts Build Communities Grant - Apply for funding to support an arts project that addresses a civic challenge or issue facing your community. Grant recipients will receive technical assistance to help develop the project from either Iowa State University, University of Iowa or University of Northern Iowa. $10,000; Apply by May 1.
  • Art Project Grant - Apply for funding to support the creation and presentation of new artwork, development of an arts experience or formation of an arts education program. Project grants provide you support to positively impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa by creating arts opportunities that are accessible to all Iowans. Up to $10,000; Apply by May 1.
  • Cultural Heritage Project Grant - Apply for funding to support a community project that creates jobs for Iowans and provides access to a cultural heritage experience. Up to $10,000; Apply by May 1.
Enrichment Grants Opportunity
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. The Foundation considers proposals that foster understanding, deepen students' knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them.

To find out more and to apply online, please visit their website at https://mccartheydressman.org/academic-enrichment-grants/.
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.
New Publication Series on Summer
The National Summer Learning Association has released its first issue in a series of publications on summer learning across the country called SPARK! The first issue explores the six key elements of successful systems for summer learning, including data management and leadership. Read the first issue online here.
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.
   
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. 
 
How to Write Winning Grants and Smile While Doing It
April 25, 2017; Des Moines, IA
This session from the write of Grant Writing for Dummies will lead you through the grant writing process, including logic models and evaluation plan. A panel of funders gives you more in-depth perspective on the grant process to help you write more persuasive grants in the future!

Iowa Impact After School Conference
April 27 & 28, 2017; Des Moines, IA
Join 200 of your friends and colleagues in Des Moines for the 5th annual Impact Afterschool School Conference! Topics will include creating safe and supportive environments, Pint Size Poetry, STEM, elementary and middle school literacy, classroom management, and much, much more! A special pre-conference focused on STEM will be held the Wednesday prior to the conference.

Register online here. 

Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children Institute: Saving Play
May 6, 2017; Altoona, IA 
Play, academics, and standards can work together with the right strategies and support from educators. Take an active role in child-directed play to guide learning, and become a strong advocate for saving play in early childhood education. Learn how child-led, open-ended play addresses learning domains, such as approaches to learning, literacy, mathematics, science, and physical development as well as our Iowa Early Learning Standards and Iowa Core.

For the registration booklet, visit the IAEYC website.  
 
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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