AFTERZONE  

Spring  2014   

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Faces & Places: SL3 Logo
Summer Slide and SL3 
By Lynn Kneeland  

Most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months. Low-income students also lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains (Cooper, 1996). More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college (Alexander et al, 2007).    

 

The SL3 project is a partnership with the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), state-level stakeholders including the Oregon State Library and the Oregon Department of Education USDA, and community level partners and volunteers, to keep school libraries open during the summer.  

 

Each school site, on average, is open 2 hours per day, 2 days per week, for 8-10 weeks. In order to maximize participation hours, the program hours overlap USDA summer meal times. This year, the Oregon State Library has made their graphics and library reading program materials available to us, as well as activities that correspond with the state's reading program! Additionally a local partner, Salem-Keizer Leadership Foundation, provides free books to all students through Bazillion Books.


The Specs Last Year:   Total Students                        1,048
Books Distributed                   7,829

Free Books                             2,170

Library Books checked out       5,659

  

Here's why that matters: Children who read four or more

books over the summer do better on reading comprehension tests during the school year than children who do not read over the summer.  

 

This year, the project has almost doubled - so far we are working on keeping 26 libraries open. If you would like yours to be one of them, give us a call or return this interest form to us by May 15,  at [email protected]

New STEM AmericorpsVISTA
Please help us welcome Katie Lakey, our new AmericorpsVISTA! Katie joined our team at the end of April, and will be serving as the community liaison for afterschool and summer programs that are providing STEM activities throughout the state of Oregon and work to further the goals of the Oregon Girls Collaborative Project. She will also be managing the data collection of  the SL3: School Libraries, Summer Learning, Summer Lunch Project.  
Learning In Afterschool: Pedro Noguera
Pedro Noguera and the Relevance of the LIAS Principles
Pedro Noguera and the Relevance of the LIAS Principles

This video (18 minutes) features an interview with Pedro Noguera, Ph.D., Education Professor at NYU. Prior to NYU, Dr. Noguera taught at Harvard University and UC Berkeley.  
In this video, Dr. Noguera talks about the needs of low-income youth of color and the importance of the Learning in Afterschool & Summer learning principles. 
 
This video is an excellent training tool and was conducted by youth videographers at New York's Reelistic Media Group and was produced by Temescal Associates.  
Safe Kids Newsletter
April is youth sports safety month - check out the latest:Safe Kids Spring Newsletter for tips on keeping kids safe! 
Resources & Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Funding for programs in Oregon that strengthen or lift the level of student achievement and success submitted by eligible K-12 organizations. The Foundation favors organizations whose basic mission is in arts or education, not projects that are related to arts or education from organizations whose primary mission is in other fields.
Due July 21

2014 Lights on Afterschool Poster Contest!

The 2014 Lights On Afterschool poster contest is now officially underway! The winning poster could come from YOUR program-but only if you enter!

Encourage all of your program participants to submit artwork that celebrates afterschool programs and conveys the importance of keeping the lights on afterschool. This contest is a great opportunity for an afterschool program to gain national recognition for the great enrichment opportunities it offers, since the young artist's program will be credited on the poster, too!

  • The winning poster design will be printed on tens of thousands of posters
  • The design will be displayed at thousands of Lights On Afterschool celebrations across the country
  • The winning artist will be featured on our website, blog and Afterschool Storybook 

The deadline for submissions is June 2, 2014. See contest details and submission guidelines.

 

Each October, 1 million Americans and thousands of communities nationwide celebrate Lights On Afterschool to shine a light on the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. Last year, more than one million people gathered at more than 9,000 sites across the country and at U.S. military bases worldwide to participate in the only nationwide rally for afterschool programs.  

Grants Available to Help Feed Kids in Summer and Afterschool Programs - Activities Funded! 

 

 

 

Do you work for an afterschool or summer program that struggles to feed kids?

 

Oregon has grant funds available to help organizations cover start-up and expansion costs to increase participation in the Afterschool Meals and Snacks & Summer Meal Programs. 

 

Who Can Apply?
  • A current, approved Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Program Sponsor, OR
  • An organization wanting to provide Afterschool or Summer Meals through the ODE meal reimbursement program
How Much Money Can Be Requested?
Requests for funds can be up to $20,000 per organization.

When Are Applications Accepted?
Application are being accepted on the following deadlines OR until all funds ($448,000) have been expended:
  • 2014: June 2, Sept. 15, Dec. 15
  • 2015: Feb. 17
How To Apply:
  • For application materials, click here.  
  • For application questions, contact: Dana Christensen-Oregon Department of Education [email protected]  

 

Oregon Department of Education & Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon are equal opportunity providers.

2014 Summer Food Service Program Webinar Series
It's time to start thinking about Summer! Join any or all of these  interactive webinars about the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to learn how you can get involved with this wonderful program that feeds hungry children during the summer.  Or simply join the webinars to share your experiences and connect with other interesting people.  SFSP is a very creative program and it allows everyone to have a role whether you are a parent, business owner, non-profit, school employee, elected official, or concerned individual. For more information about SFSP please visit: www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp.