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February, 2013
Afterschool Network
Conference & Breakfast of Champions
Compendium
Sequestration
Data-Sharing
Webinars & Conferences
Grants
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What is the Secret to Childhood Success?
Failure, according to New York Times best-selling author of How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, Paul Tough. This idea may be against conventional wisdom. Tough addressed childhood success and failure rates, the role of positive adult mentors and the correlation of an individual's IQ and academic test scores as measurable factors to a child's success at the open plenary session at the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks. |
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Young Leaders are Creating Change in the U.S. and Abroad
A passion to create positive social change-and the energy to see it through -help motivate many
in the U.S. and around the world. Examples of youth leadership in action are highlighted in three new features on the Mott Foundation's website. |
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A is for Apple, C is for Carrots: A New Look for School Vending Machines
Last week, the USDA released new proposed guidelines for snacks and beverages in schools. These new guidelines will affect the items sold outside the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program in vending machines, school stores, and a la carte items.
So What?
Well, the new rules could reduce student caloric intake by more than 150 calories a day. Similar rules have done just that in California where students "eat 158 fewer calories a day than kids in other states," according to an article in NPR's The Salt. Learn more about the proposed vending guidelines.
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Resources
TASC
ExpandED Schools Toolkit
Is your district ready for ExpandED?
This system-level readiness tool is designed for school districts, cities, and intermediaries to assess their readiness to implement the core elements of ExpandED schools;
- more time for a balanced, hand-on curriculum
- strong school-community partnership
- personalized and engaging instruction
- sustainable cost model
Read more to learn how TASC will enhance your effectiveness.
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Webinars
March 21, 2:30 pm (ET)
May 22, 1:00 pm (ET)
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STEM Position Available
The KC STEM Alliance is hiring a KC STEM Outreach Coordinator . The primary role of the STEM Outreach Coordinator is to provide support to the KC STEM Alliance (kcstem.org) and its associated initiatives in preparing more students for college and careers in Science, the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering, the vision of the KC STEM Alliance is to see that a diverse, innovative and sustainable workforce becomes a reality. The STEM Outreach Coordinator works with area employers, community organizations and K-12 administrators to identify opportunities and manage collaborative efforts.This is a grant funded position with full benefits, including paid time off, health, dental,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM.) As an independent initiative of A Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Human Resources or related fields or an equivalent combination of education experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired is necessary. Master's degree preferred. At least three years experience in an educational related not-for-profit or industry setting developing programs and working with diverse populations. This is a grant funded position with full benefits, including paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability, retirement and other fringe benefits, such as tuition reduction waivers through the University of Missouri system. Compensation commensurate with experience. To view the full job description or to submit application materials: www.umkc.edu/careers and reference Student Services Coordinator position number 57689.
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YouthBuild
The Employment and Training Administration announces the availability of approximately $75 million in grant funds authorized by the YouthBuild provisions of the Workforce Investment Act {29 USC 2918a}. Under this solicitation, DOL will award grants to organizations to oversee the provision of education, occupational sills training, and employment services to disadvantaged youth in their communities while performing meaningful work and services to their communities. Based on an estimate of FY 2013 funding, DOL hopes to serve approximately 5,200 participats during the grant period of performance, with projects operatng in a approximately 75 communites across the country. For more information visit,
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Summer Changes Everything
Online registration is now open for the National Summer Learning Association's (NSLA) 10th annual Summer Changes Everything national conference on summer learnng in sunny Orlando, Florida, Nov. 11-13, 2013.
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Kansas Enrichment Network |
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Dear Friends of Expanded Learning Opportunities:
The month of February provided an opportunity for celebration.
Senate Bill Three 2 Six (symbolizing the hours of 3 to 6 pm when young people should have quality learning and enrichment opportunities) was released. Check the story referenced below.
The annual Statewide Afterschool Network Conference, hosted by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and other partners, occurred in the Washington, D. C. Laura Kaiser, Past Kansas PTA president, current PTA Family Engagement Chair, received one of 18 state Breakfast of Champions awards. Thank you, Laura, for your dedication to children, youth, their families and education! Congratulations on your well deserved award.
At the National Press Club in DC, afterschool and expanded learning celebrated the release of the Expanded Minds and Opportunities: Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success. We anticipate this Compendium can serve as a valuable resource for educators and afterschool personnel. Articles can be  downloaded free of charge or the entire collection can be purchased from Amazon. See article below for the link. Be sure to check it out. Articles can inform practices, serve as discussion topics for advisory board meetings, be utilized for staff development, or a variety of other purposes.
The Network is growing and hiring new staff. If you or someone you know is interested, be sure to watch for an email on how to apply or check out our website. Details will be posted soon.
Unfortunately, the snow storm caused us to cancel the February 23 Kansas City Metro Afterschool Alliance Conference. As soon as a new date is set, we will notify participants. If you were unable to register for the February 23 conference, the new date might work better for you. Details to come soon.
Other valuable opportunities are available. Be sure to check below for information on the Midwest Afterschool Science Academy and the National Dropout Prevention Conference.
Be sure to contact us if you have a story to share, an upcoming event that should be advertised statewide or a need for assistance.
Best to all,
Marcia Dvorak, Director |
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Policy
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Three 2 Six: Bipartisan Afterschool for America's Children Act Introduced in the Senate
Following rousing speeches by Sens. Boxer (D-CA) and Murkowski (R-AK) during the "Breakfast of Champions," the bipartisan Afterschool for America Childrens Act S. 326, was introduced in the Senate today. Sens. Boxer (D-CA), Murkowski (R-AK) and Murray (D-WA) introduced the Afterschool for America's Children Act that reauthorize the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative and builds on past afterschool and summer learning program success. The bill number, 326, symbolizes the hours of 3 to 6 p.m. when young people should have quality learning and enrichment opportunities.
The bill:
- Strengthens school-community partnerships to include sharing of data and resources, the ability to better leverage relationships within the community and provide an intentional alignment with the school day.
- Promotes professional development and training of afterschool program staff.
- Encourages innovative new ways to engage students in learning that looks different from a traditional school day, with an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); and physical activity and nutrition education. Supports approaches that focus on individualized learning that provide a variety of ways for students to master core skills and knowledge.
- Provides accountability measures that are connected to college- and career-readiness goals and show student progress over time toward meeting indicators of student success including school attendance, grades and on-time grade level advancement.
- Ensures that funding supports programs that utilize evidence-based, successful practices.
- Increases quality and accountability through parent engagement, better alignment with state learning objectives, and coordination between federal, state and local agencies.
- Does not prioritize any one model of expanded learning opportunities over another.
- Maintains formula grants to states that then distribute funds to local school-community partnerships through a competitive grant
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Policy: Sequestration | |
Impact of Sequestration on Kansas Youth
Based on the current law, sequestration will result in an estimated 5.1% cut to non-discretionary programs starting March 1, 2013. 441 Kansas children will be impacted by 21st CCLC sequestration see 2013 Budget Chart. |
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News | |
Expanding Minds and Opportunities Compendium Released
-DC, The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and Afterschool Alliance celebrated the release of Expanding Minds and Opportunities; Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success at the National Press Club on February 5, 2013. The compendium includes studies, reports, and commentaries by more than 100 authors on the power of expanded learning opportunities for children and youth, families, and communities.This landmark compendium is edited by Terry K. Peterson, Afterschool Alliance board chair and director of the Afterschool and Community Learning Resource Network. |
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Principals See Children Flourish in Afterschool
Without supportive principals, it's tough to develop engaging, high-quality afterschool activities that help children do their best academically and socially. Several Los Angeles-area principals whose schools host the Mott Foundation-funded LA's BEST afterschool program are among the field's strongest advocates. See why by linking to this short video.
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| Research | |
Kansas Afterschool Fact Sheet
Kansas Afterschool Fact Sheets are available in a downloadable PDF format-include state specific information on the number of students in afterschool programs, quotes from Kansas policymakers on the importance of afterschool programs and research on the benefits of afterschool programs, 21st Century Community Learning Center numbers and information on the Child Care Development Fund. For afterschool participation and funding levels in Kansas refer to the Afterschool in Kansas Fact Sheet. |
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Data Sharing Across School Systems
and Community Organizations
Research and experience tells us that coordinated data-sharing between schools and afterschool programs can improve the quality of student learning. In a new report the Partnership for Children and Youthdescribes how this can work in practice. Their report, Data-Sharing: Federal Rules and Best Practices to Improve Out-of-School-Time Programs and Student Outcomes, describes how school systems and their community partners can share student data effectively within the framework of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The report gives examples of how some school systems have coordinated their approaches to share data as a result were able to improve education programs and student outcomes.
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| STEM for High School Students | |
Physics Fun Day!
Come Experience all the fun that physics can be
This event for students in high school will include live demos that will fascinate and demonstrate how physics applies real life. Work with hands-on physics instruments and apparatuses and see how physics works for yourself. Learn about exciting areas such as electricity, magnetism, temperature, and optics.
March 9, 2013
Noon- 3:00 pm
K-State Olathe
22201 W. Innovation Drive
Olathe, KS.
Register at:
Olathe.K-state.edu/K-12/physics-fun-day.html
Presented by Kansas State University Olathe and Department of Physics |
| Professional Development | |
Conferences:
15th Annual Kansas Regional Reading Recovery &
Early Literacy Conference, March 4, 2013
For more information visit
www.emporia.edu/jones
National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, March 9-13, 2013
NLC's Congressional City Conference is an annual legislative forum bringing together more than 1,600 elected and appointed city leaders to Washington, DC., to discuss the most pressing federal policy issues affecting municipal governments. This year's conference will address protecting municipal bonds, comprehensive immigration reform, and many workshops focusing on federal policies and local practices that affect children and families, including:
- A Leadership Training Institute seminar on Comprehensive Planning and Funding Strategies for Violence Prevention (March 10)
- An Afterschool Policy Advisors Network Luncheon (March 11)
- A World Cafe session offering opportunities for interaction with representation of key federal agencies and a mini-plenary session on education issues (March 12)
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| Local Conferences: | |
March
March 12-14, 2013
Westin Kansas City Hotel
Crown Center
Kansas City, MO
April
April 14-17, 2013
InterContinential Hotel
Country Club Plaza
Kansas City, MO
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Grants | |
Honda
Funder:American Honda Foundation
Eligibility: $20,000 - $75,000
Contact: Honda
The American Honda Foundation engages in grant making that reflects the basic tenets, beliefs and philosophies of Honda companies, which are characterized by the following qualities: imaginative, creative, youthful, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic and innovative. We support youth education with a specific focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment.
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GTECH Afterschool Advantage
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Funder: GTECH
Eligibility: Afterschool sites must be a non-profit 501 (C)(3) community agency or public school, have an existing afterschool program and need for a computer lab, serve disadvantaged youth with diverse backgrounds between the ages of 5 to 15, and sufficient staffing and monetary support systems in place to sustain the lab.
Contact: GTECH
Agriculture an Food Research Initiative - Chilhood Obesity Prevention
Deadline: April 11, 2013
Funder: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Eligiblity: Public and State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
This program is designed to reduce the prevlece of childhood obesity among children and adolescents 2-19 years old. The Childhood Obesity Program supports multi-functon Integraed Research, Education, and or Extension Projects, Food and Agricultural Science Enhancements (FASE) Grants. Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American trbal organization, nonprofts having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS, individuals, small businesses.
Contact: Government
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PEP Grants-Apply by April 12th!
The 2013 Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant applilcations are now online. Applicants must develop, exand or improve their physical education programs and address ther states' physcial education standards. For more information, click here |
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