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Dear BOOSTers,
It's February, the month known for LOVE! It is also Black History Month, Children's Dental Health Month, American Hearth Month as well as weekly observances throughout the month such as National School Counseling Week, Burn Awareness Week, Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, and Random Acts of Kindness Week just to name a few!
We have a jam-packed newsletter this month full of love: resources, grant opportunities, program and staff highlights, and promising practices to help support the quality of your program.
Thank you for all the work you do to support
children, youth, families, and communities,
Tia Quinn
Executive Director
BOOST Collaborative
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TRUST Conference
San Diego, CA
Join us on Friday, April 12, 2013 for the 1st Annual TRUST Conference- Teens Reflecting and Understanding Stigma Together.
TRUST CONFERENCE is an annual one-day conference created and organized by teens for teens. TRUST stands for Teens Reflecting and Understanding Stigma Together. Our Mission for the TRUST (Teen Reflecting & Understanding Stigma Together) Conference offers teens valuable tools and resources to identify and cope with real issues that occur in their every day lives.
Goals
* To reduce stigma relating to issues associated with challenges facing teens.
* To increase conversation and awareness among teens.
* To inspire and create a positive outlook for teens.
* To give teens a support network for finding solutions.
Who Should Attend
San Diego teens wanting to expand their knowledge about challenges related to emotional, physical, and mental health issues that they are facing or their family members or friends are facing.
Topics Covered include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bullying
- Panic
- Bi-polor Disorder
- Mental Illness
- Self-esteem
- Eating Disorders
- Self-harm
- LGBTQ
- Alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse
- Wellness
For more information on the TRUST Conference click here.
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Program Highlight
Walking School Bus
Cypress Elementary School
Redding, CA
Cypress School started a walking school in October of 2012. A walking school bus is a supervised group of students walking to school. The walking school bus is supported by the Healthy Students Initiative and Safe Routes to School, both programs of Healthy Shasta, which is a local partnership committed to decreasing childhood obesity. Two Cypress School staff members meet at a designated spot each morning (a church parking lot in the neighborhood). Parents drop their child off there, or children can be picked up along our route. Rain or shine, the walk is approximately ¾ mile trek through neighborhood. On our best day 28 students walked, typically we have 15-20 students. Our goal is to encourage our students to be active, to teach children to be safe walkers and also reduce vehicle congestion at the school. Cypress plans to continue its walking school bus until the end of the school year and with very high hopes to have it continue each year. Each month there is a drawing for students that participate; students also have received incentives, umbrellas, gloves, pencils provided by Healthy Shasta.
For more information on Cypress Elementary School's Healthy Shasta initiative, please click here.
 Submitted by:
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Program Highlight
Stand UP, Speak OUT
City of Fontana
Fontana, CA
 
City of Fontana's, Mayor and City Council are committed to the future of Fontana's youth. Mayor Warren worked closely with the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council and Jack Bulik Teen Center staff to develop the "Stand UP, Speak OUT" Youth Conference held at the City of Fontana Grover W. Taylor Council Chambers. The purpose of the conference was to encourage youth to be engaged in their community and to 'Speak Out' about challenges directly affecting them with policy makers within the City. Representatives from the Fontana Unified School District, Fontana Police Department, Fontana Fire District, Community Services Department, and several collaborative partners were in attendance to share teen programs, services, and resources. City staff and organizational representatives listened intently, while students shared challenges as teens. The event was a tremendous success with 80 students and 15 parents in attendance from 20 different Fontana and surrounding community's schools in attendance. 22 teens in attendance filled out a speaker cards and addressed the city leaders. Comments ranged from requesting more live bands at events to concerns about safety of students walking from their homes to school, as well as comments regarding school district policies and instruction.
City staff is in the process of compiling all of the youth's comments and information from the event to develop a follow up plan in response to the feedback.
For more information on Fontana's Stand UP, Speak OUT, please click here.
Submitted by:
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Suamhirs Rivera
Youth Leadership Trainer/Mentor
Caring Helpers Program
San Diego, CA
Suamhirs Rivera is currently a Youth Leadership Trainer/Mentor with the Caring Helpers Program of Mental Health Systems. He trains youth and adults on character development and leadership skills, as well as on the value of treating every child as if they may have experienced some kind of trauma in their life. This "Trauma-Informed" perspective helps avoid further pain for the children we are trying to help and assists in the reduction of stigma related to mental illness.
Suamhirs is a young man who experienced many challenges in his life. He grew up in Honduras, where he was exposed to extreme violence at the hands of his father. When he was 15 1/2, he was kidnapped and brought to America, where he was trafficked and sold. When he was finally rescued from his abductors, he struggled in a system of care that was designed to help him. He did not speak English, he knew no one, and he had 17 different residential placements while he was in this system. During that time, Suamhirs was alone, frustrated, scared, and suffering from PTSD. It was a challenging time for him. He is now using that experience as a way to support others who are having similar experiences, and as a way to educate caregivers through the eyes of someone who has first-hand knowledge of what a child encounters in the system of care.
In addition to his job at Mental Health Systems, Suamhirs travels the Country advocating for youth and teaching caregivers and service providers how to create a relationship of trust and open communication with children who have been abused and traumatized. He offers suggestions about how the choice of words and actions can create rapport, impart trust, and empower youth to focus on their inner strengths as a way to move forward and become self-sufficient and productive adults. He shares his story of survival and hope and how one special adult created a relationship of mutual respect and trust in a way that empowered him to become the amazing young man he is today.
Submitted by:
Dixie Crane
Program Manager
Caring Helpers Leadership Training Program of Mental Health Systems
San Diego, CA
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Breakfast Club
We're always looking for new bloggers. Please contact Kristin at kristin@boostcollaborative.org
for more information on how to join this amazing group of bloggers today!
To Breakfast Club Blogs click here. |
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Research: The State of Mental Health Among U.S. Adolescents
Research shows that approximately one in five adolescents has a diagnosable mental health disorder, a leading cause of disability among this age group. This month, Child Trends is issuing three briefs in its Adolescent Health Highlights series focusing on adolescent mental health:
Adolescence is a time in life when many mental health disorders first arise. These briefs highlight several facts about mental health and adolescents:
- More than half of all mental disorders and problems with substance abuse (such as binge drinking and illegal drug use) begin by age 14.
- The most prevalent mental disorder experienced among adolescents is depression, with more than one in four high school students found to have at least mild symptoms of this condition.
- The mental health needs of adolescents are often first identified in schools, where students spend so much of their time.
Adolescents who are resilient find ways to reduce the negative effects of stress on their lives, such as getting regular physical exercise, avoiding substance abuse, and practicing relaxation techniques.
Click here for more information on Child Trends and other briefs.
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Youth Activity
Happy Lunar New Year!
People around the world celebrate the New Year differently and at different times. There are many cultures that have different traditions and customs. This month of February, people in China, Viet Nam, Korea, and other Southeast Asian countries are celebrating the Lunar New Year. New Year is an exciting time for all these countries. In the United States, Chinese Americans celebrate Chinese New Year and the Vietnamese Americans celebrate Tet which means "First morning of the first day of the new period". This year, Tet was Sunday, February 11th. Chinese New Year and Tet are very similar but we are going to take a closer look at Tet. The Vietnamese New Year. Additional information can be found here.
Prep time: 30 min
Activity time: 45 min - 1 hour
Grade level: K-8
Group size: Large Group
Environment: Indoor
Objective:
Students will explore the "Tet" the Vietnamese New Year. Students will participate in "Tet" traditions. Students will learn about the Vietnamese culture.
Materials needed:
Construction paper (White, Brown, Orange, red, green)
brown tissue paper
glue
scissors
writing utensils (pencils, pens)
markers
crayons
Preparation:
After students are given the overview and background of the Tet. Have students practice saying Happy New Year in Vietnamese to one another. "chúc m?ng nam m?i" (pronunciation) Explain to students that during Tet, Vietnamese Families choose a Tet tree, or which is a fruit tree with miniature oranges just ripening. The more fruit on the tree, the luckier the family. Greeting cards and good luck symbols are hung from the Tet trees.
Directions:
Today we are going to make our own Tet Tree using construction paper and make greeting cards.
1. The White Construction Paper will be the background of the tree.
2. Students can take brown tissue paper or brown construction paper to make their tree.
3. Have students cut mini circles to represent the good luck oranges. Students can write down things they wish for good luck with (ie. School, family, Passing a test, learning math facts, etc)
4. Students then can also create a greeting card to wish someone Happy New Year. Remember Red and gold are good luck colors. Get ideas of good luck symbols here. Tet and Chinese New Year are very close in traditions. Debrief: Have a few students share their tree and what they hope good luck in. Ask students how do their family celebrate New Year? How is it different and how is similar to Tet?
Submitted by:
Trang Truong
YMCA of the USA
Chicago, IL
Do you have a youth activity that is fun, engaging, and easy to implement? Let us know about it and we may feature it here!
Email inspire@boostcollaborative.org
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Funding and Grant Opportunities
Deadline: February 22, 2012
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provide support to enhance childhood obesity research by fostering the formation of local, state, or regional teams consisting of researchers, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders in order to identify research questions and hypotheses, design and implement the relevant research, and translate the research into evidence relevant to potential policy efforts in this area.
Deadline: March 15, 2013
Enter your school for your chance to win $30,000 in prizes for your school's wellness program and a new playground from Playworld Systems. One grand prize drawing will be from among all eligible entries. The second grand prize drawing will be from among all eligible entries whose schools qualify for Title I Schoolwide Program. See eligibility in official rules.
Deadline: Rolling
The mission of Bank of the West's Charitable Investments Program is to help meet the needs of communities by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving quality of life, particularly for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. Bank of the West will consider requests for charitable investments from nonprofit organizations that qualify under the following charitable giving categories: Community and Economic Development, Education and Job Training, Health and Human Care, & Civic and Cultural.
To see more funding opportunities, click here.
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Surprise someone you love with a gift from the
BOOST Gear Shop
The BOOST Collaborative Gear Shop is the perfect place to find a gift for that inspiring person in your life. All proceeds benefit the BOOST Conference Scholarship. A purchase from the BOOST Gear Shop is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
 
To purchase your own BOOST Gear, visit the Gear Shop.
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Out-of-School Time in the News
Pennsylvania Representative Endorses Special Education Bill
February 12, 2013 Palmer-ForksPatch
February 11, 2013
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
February 8, 2013
TakePart February 5, 2013
eSchool News
Click here to read more news! |
Mapping Family Change and Child Well-Being Outcomes
The World Family Map Project seeks both to monitor the health of family life around the globe and to learn more about how family trends affect the well-being of children. This effort is particularly timely because of dramatic demographic, cultural, and economic changes affecting family life. Fertility and marriage rates are falling in much of the world, especially in higher income regions. The percentage of children living in two-parent families is also falling, particularly in Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Likewise, individualism is on the ascendancy, as is equality between the sexes, while family-centered values and adherence to traditional gender roles are losing ground in many regions. The global economic slowdown is also putting major pressures on family life, yet it is precisely in these times that strong families are needed to support optimal child and youth development. The World Family Map Project aims to broaden understanding about how these developments among families affect children and youth in different regions of the world.
To read this research, please visit Child Trends here.
Public School Graduates and Dropouts from the Common Core of Data: School Year 2009-10
This report presents the number of high school completers, the Averaged Freshman Graduation Rate, and the dropout data for grades 9-12 for public schools in school year 2009-10. State Education Agencies report annual counts of completers, dropouts, and enrollments to the National Center for Education Statistics' Common Core of Data nonfiscal survey of public elementary/secondary education as part of the Cooperative Education Statistics System established in section 157 of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, part C and the U. S. Department of Education's EDFacts data collection system. The purpose of this First Look is to introduce new data through the presentation of tables containing descriptive information. Data files and report tables include data for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 8 other jurisdictions. However, the findings discussed in this report focus on the reporting states and the District of Columbia.  To read this research, please visit The US Department of Education here. Data Sharing: Federal Rules and Best Practices to Improve Out-of-School Time Programs and Student Outcomes
The task of meeting the needs of all students and providing a well-rounded education is an extraordinary challenge, and at a time of shrinking resources and increased accountability, schools cannot do it alone. Research and experience tell us that coordinated data-sharing between schools and OST partners can improve the quality of OST programs and provide better learning outcomes for the students they serve. This policy brief seeks to demonstrate that FERPA can allow for data-sharing between schools and OST partners, and why it is a best practice to do so. By outlining examples from the field, this paper aims to pave the way for more OST programs and their school partners to use student data to improve educational outcomes and opportunities for all students.  To read this research, please visit The Partnership for Children and Youth here.
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Free Downloads
Download FREE BOOST Collaborative wallpaper for your desktop!
Click here to view more wallpaper and download them for your desktop.
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Fact of the Month
Did you know?
In the fast paced world we now live in a good education is a value not to skip. This infographic looks at education in the US and specifically high school education. The US ranks 12th in terms of the number of college educated adults in the population and every year 1.2 million students drop out of school. Education is a valuable tool not to be neglected.
For more on this topic click here!
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BOOST Boot Camp
BOOST Boot Camp includes your choice in a series of workshops in the focus areas listed below:
- Academic Enrichment
- Enrichment Elements
- Building Relationships
- Program Environment
- Program Fundamentals
- Older Youth
View a full list of available training topics.
If you would like to schedule a BOOST Boot Camp in your area, please contact Tia Quinn at tia@boostcollaborative.org
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Contact Us
BOOST Collaborative
1666 Garnet Avenue
PMB 126
San Diego, CA 92109
619-23-BOOST
(619-232-6678)
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Office Space For Rent at BOOST Collaborative
Little Italy, San Diego, CA
Looking for an office space rental? Tired of working alone out of your home? Just moved here and don't know anyone? Looking to network with like-minded professionals? Are you on vacation or here on business and need a work space for a day or two? Laid off or lost your job and need an office space to hold meetings, look for work, or just stay in the game? Or maybe you are a small business owner and need part-time office without the commitment? Stay in the loop: Be a part of a creative community-driven network of purpose driven, cool people doing good work. Join us in the BOOST Offices for month or longer and reap the benefits of making connections, networking and social interaction in a professional environment. You can also benefit from our amazing view of nightly sunsets! 
For more information and to set up a meeting to see the space call us at 619-23-BOOST!
(619-232-6678)
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Find the  Contest
Between Feburary 12th and 22nd, go to www.boostconference.org and find the heart image above hidden on one of our pages. Email inspire@boostcollaborative.org with where exactly you spotted the heart.
One winner will be selected at random from all who participate on by the end of the day on February 25, 2013. In honor of Valentine's Day, they will receive a Bradford Exchange Timeless Love Watch and Bracelet set valued at $119.
Click here to go to the BOOST Conference website to start searching for the hearts.
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BOOST Media
What's your energy pledge?
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Click on the image above to watch the Energy Pledge video
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What are your energy resolutions for 2013? download your own energy pledge card. Fill it out, take a photo of you and your pledge and send to energy.gov. They'll feature some of their favorites on energy.gov/pledge.
Click here to learn more about Energy Pledge 2013.
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Click here to learn more about Black History Month.
For ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids click here.
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BOOST Conference 2013
Register Today
 May 1-4, 2013 Palm Springs Convention Center Palm Springs, CA   
Only $440 per person!
Featured Keynotes:
 Paul Tough Click here for more info on Paul Tough.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Click here for more info on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  Christopher Emdin
Click here for more info on Christopher Emdin. 
Click here to share the Save the Date with everyone.
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Expanding Minds and Opportunities: Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success, edited by Terry K. Peterson, Ph.D., demonstrates the role that afterschool and summer learning play in improving and expanding students' education, the ways that communities with different demographics are building successful supports for their students, the role that afterschool programs play in education reform, the ways in which these programs are helping students become more career and college ready and engaged in learning, and more.
This seminal work features studies, reports, and commentaries by more than 100 thought leaders and provides a variety of concrete, effective approaches to expand learning after school and during summers to serve more students. Individual articles will be available for free download here.The book in entirety can be purchased here. |
Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 11-17, 2013
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation believes people should practice kindness every day, but during RAK Week, the hope is you will go above and beyond to make others feel special. If you're going out to eat, pay for someone else's meal or give the server a big tip! If you are light on money, think about volunteering your time at a local charity (and during RAK Week, make a commitment to volunteer more than once). If you don't live near family or close friends, make an extra effort to reach out to them with a phone call or hand-written letter instead of a text or email. If you live near an animal shelter you can donate food, blankets, towels or old (clean) t-shirts. For activity ideas for students of all ages, click here. Visit the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation's website for more information on how you can participate. |
Free Webinar:
Pythagorean Theorem: Exploring Space Through Math-Lunar Rover
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
In this professional development web seminar, participants learn to use the distance formula and the Pythagorean theorem to determine the minimal path and minimal time for a lunar rover to perform tasks on the surface of the moon. Participants will need access to a basic calculator that can perform square roots, graph paper, and a pencil.
Participants will be given an overview of the lesson and a look at where it fits in the math curriculum, including an alignment to the Common Core State Standards for mathematics. For more information and to sign up, click here!
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Funding: Green School
Makeover Competition
For more information and to apply, click here!
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Planet BOOST
Don't forget to pack your BOOST gear for your upcoming travels!
Take a picture in your BOOST gear and send it to us, then you'll automatically be entered to win a FREE BOOST conference registration!
Karen Palmerlee, ASP Site Coordinator Butte County Office of Education Orville, CA Photo: Central Middle School Orville, CA September 2012
Visit Planet BOOST to see BOOSTers in their BOOST Gear.
To purchase your own BOOST Gear, visit the Gear Shop.
100% of the proceeds from all the BOOST Gear Shop benefits the BOOST Scholarship Program. Thank you for your support.
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Free App of the Month:
SAT Vocab
Do you want to learn new vocabulary? Are you studying for the SAT or GRE to get that score you can be proud of? The notoriously difficult verbal section at core is a test of one's vocabulary. Download this app today so that you can conquer it with confidence!
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Looking for quality staff? Check out the BOOST Career Corner to post job listings or browse available job listings for free.
Training and Outreach Manager
Foundations, Inc's Center for Afterschool and Expanded Learning (the Center)
Mt. Laurel, NJ
Starfinder Foundation
Seattle, WA
Policy Advocate - Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign
Environmental Health Coalition
San Diego, CA
Community Training & Assistance Center
Boston, MA
View more listings here.
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Vendor Fair
The Vendor Fair provides out-of-school time professionals access to a wide variety of products and services to enhance their programs. Browse through the Vendor Fair to learn more about the latest products and services for out-of-school time. It is absolutely FREE to use!
Vendor Fair Highlight
Positive Adventures
Camps and Team Building
San Diego, CA
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Join the Vendor Fair
The Vendor Fair is an online community providing out-of-school time professionals access to browse a wide variety of products and services to enhance their programs.
Click here to browse through the Vendor Fair.
One time fee of $395.00 for an unlimited listing of your profile.
Special rate for non-profits!
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Speakers Corner
The Speakers Corner provides out-of-school time professionals access to a wide variety of speakers, consultants, coaches, and trainer that can help you enhance your programs. Browse through the Speakers Corner to learn more about services that can take your program to the next level. It is absolutely FREE to browse!
Speakers Corner Highlight
Theresa Fox Bullying, Character Education, Diversity, and Cultural Competency Executive Director
What Every Child Needs
San Diego, CA
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Join the Speakers Corner
Join the Speakers Corner to take advantage of the opportunity to promote your consulting, training and speaking services to thousands of out-of-school time professionals. It's easy, inexpensive and a great way to market your expertise. Create a profile and get your name out there!
Click here to browse and join the Speakers Corner. One time fee of $395.00 for an unlimited listing of your profile. Special rate for non-profits!
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Free Resource Center
BOOST is proud to bring you free resources to enhance the quality of your out-of-school time program and professional development needs.
* newly added
Education Rights and Reform
Education Technology *
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BOOSTOPEDIA
Do you ever sit in a meeting and wonder what all these acronyms really stand for? We have created an easy-to-use guide to help you better understand and decipher common acronyms used in the out-of-school time field. Click the categories below to learn more.
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Get Connected
BOOST Yourself!
CONNECT with the out-of-school time field and join the conversation by connecting with us online through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Skype, LinkedIn and Flickr.
SHARE your story, promising practices, staff highlights and program successes through the BOOST Café or participate in any of our professional development opportunities.
COLLABORATE with BOOST! We are always open to discussing creative ideas of how we can work together to support children, youth, families and communities. Together we can make a difference!
PROMOTE careers within your agency through our Career Corner at no-cost.
GIVE BACK and volunteer with the BOOST Collaborative to make a difference.
SIGN UP for our RSS Feeds including the BOOST Breakfast Club Blog, BOOST Collaborative Monthly Newsletter, BOOST Conference updates, Healthy Behaviors Conference updates. We bring you the latest news, research, trends, funding opportunities and highlight promising practices in the out-of-school time field.
SPONSOR an out-of-school time professional or become a sponsor at one of our conferences or events.
SUPPORT the efforts of BOOST Collaborative by making a donation to the BOOST Scholarship Fund or shop online through one of our affiliate programs- all of the proceeds go directly to the BOOST Scholarship Fund.
ADVOCATE for out-of-school time programs and keep the lights on and doors open for youth during the critical hours!
Learn more here.
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