We have seen the election of our nation's first African-American president, bringing with him a new call to action for all of us to be part of the change to come.
We are facing difficult economic times not only in this country but also in many other parts of the world. Even if our lives are relatively stable, lives of those around us may not be. Jobs are being lost, and with them homes, health insurance, and yes, even food to make it to the next day. Our schools and afterschool programs will need to be more cognizant of the basic needs of survival our children and families are facing and adjust our work and our budgets to give support in new ways.
Our methods of communication are changing daily - as soon as we think we have mastered the latest technology, something new comes to light. We must remain nimble and ready to embrace what is new instead of thinking of how to put up barriers and obstacles to it.
Each of us must be ready to embrace change. Many of us are nearer to the retirement age than the "got my first job out of college" age. We need to be ready to mentor and learn from those younger than we are, to be ready to pass on the work to be done and be assured that while the methods used may be different than we would use, the task will be done in an innovative way to which we may have greater student receptivity.
We need to stop boredom - for ourselves and the young people we work with. We need to recognize that our way of seeing the world may need to be adjusted, that we may need new lenses and new alliances to keep us relevant and exciting.

From writer/coach/teacher Chris Trout (www.strengthinfocus.com): "shift your focus from fixing what is wrong to growing what is right..." And there is more that is "right" than "wrong" in every one of us.

So let's "grow" together, supporting each other and the young people we see and interact with in our schools, our afterschool programs, our community sites, our places of worship, our stores, and our neighborhoods. Let's work to be part of the change that can transform and move us to a better place where what is valued is human, not hardware.

My best to you in your work,

Mary Grenz Jalloh
Executive Director

New York State Center for School Safety

Family Involvement: Family Literacy & You

Lorraine Lopez, Program Manager

NY 21st CCLC Statewide TAC

The purpose of 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) is threefold.

Afterschool programs receiving 21st CCLC funds provide: (1) opportunities for academic enrichment; (2) positive Youth Development; and, (3) literacy & related educational development to families of students.

In order for your students to succeed academically, it is vital that your afterschool program provides quality literacy programming for the families of your students.

The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) identifies parental literacy as one of the single most important indicators of a child's success. The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) has concluded that youngsters whose parents are functionally illiterate are twice as likely to be functionally illiterate themselves. The statistics are overwhelming:

By age four, children who live in poor families will have heard 32 million fewer words than children living in professional families.
One in five, or 20%, of America's children five years old and under live in poverty.
Some 30 million adults in the United States have extremely limited literacy skills. If one teacher could teach 100 adults to read, we would need 300,000 adult education teachers to meet this need.
The Hispanic population is the largest minority in the United States and has the highest school dropout rate. More than two in five Hispanics living in America age 25 and older have not graduated from high school. (NCFL)

Though the above statistics are accurate, involving parents/families in literacy programs can change the odds for YOUR students. PTA(www.pta.org) notes:

When parents are involved, students achieve more, regardless of socio-economic status, ethnic/racial background, or the parents' education level.
When parents are involved, students exhibit more positive attitudes and behavior.
To have long-lasting gains for students, parent involvement activities must be well planned, inclusive, and comprehensive.
Children from diverse cultural backgrounds tend to do better when parents and professionals collaborate to bridge the gap between the culture at home and the learning situation. (edutopia.org)

"Parental involvement isn't a luxury -- it's an integral component of student achievement and school reform." (www.edutopia.org)

February Issue: Types of literacy programs to offer parents/families

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"The illiterate of the year 2000 will not be the individual who cannot read and write, but the one who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn." - Alvin Toffler

Goal Setting 2009

Julliet Coxum, Senior Youth Development Specialist

New York State Center for School Safety

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As we get set in motion for the New Year, we are being reminded to choose to be mindful of the way we interact with others, approach our day-to-day task and life in general. As an after school provider, you may ask yourself what is it that you want to accomplish this year in your programs and with your students. A few years ago I received this "Golden Rules for Achieving Goals" via e-mail and I have been successful in achieving my goals when I follow the rules. Add balance to your life by setting goals for every area that is important to you, encourage and mentor the young people that you work with to do the same. The Golden Rules provide a formula that will get you started on setting and achieving success in your life. It will also make you aware of the steps you might have neglected or missed, if you have not achieved your goals at the rate and level you felt you should.

Here are some pointers on how to achieve your goals this year and positively affect the lives of the young people that you serve in your programs.

1. Goals must be set - success just doesn't happen by chance (not usually).

2. Write them down - seeing them on paper and writing them down significantly increases your chance to achieve them.

3. Break them down into manageable steps so that it does not seem overwhelming. Put them into order of importance and give a deadline to accomplish them.

4. Do something each day no matter how small to work toward your goals.

5. Make your goals specific and real to you. You must believe your goals are obtainable to desire and achieve it them.

6. Nourish your goals daily by repeating affirmations and visualizing yourself accomplishing your goals.

7. Pay close attention to your progress by frequently monitoring whether your daily decisions bring you closer to your goals.

8. Share your goals with only those who will be supportive and caring, and nurturing of your goals.

9. Celebrate your accomplishments.

By following these simple guidelines, you come closer to achieving your goals. Remember to assert positive energy and emotion through positive conversation and interactions with other people especially our youth.

Healthy Kids, Healthy New York Afterschool Initiative

Create Healthier Kids by Following New Voluntary Guidelines for Nutrition, Physical Activity and Screen Time

After-School Programs That Implement the Guidelines Should Apply for Governor's Recognition Program

The Healthy Kids, Healthy New York After-School Initiative asks after-school programs to model easy-to-follow guidelines for nutrition, physical activity and screen time. Programs that implement the guidelines may apply for the Governor's Recognition Program. To view the guidelines, toolkit and Governor's Recognition Program application, please go to: www.nyshepa.org or www.nyhealth.gov

As we're all aware, New York State is in the midst of an epidemic of childhood obesity. Approximately 25% of children in our state are obese and obesity-related illnesses like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and asthma are skyrocketing among youth. Since so many children spend time in after-school programs, it is an ideal place to model healthy habits that will help our children lead long and healthy lives.

The initiative focuses on three areas in after-school programs - nutrition, physical activity and screen time. Simple model guidelines are provided for each area, which, if followed, will:

Ensure that children are served only nutritious snacks and beverages at after-school programs;
Ensure that children engage in an adequate amount of physical activity in after-school programs;
Reduce television and recreational screen time in after-school programs.

The toolkit, which includes the guidelines, was designed to help after-school providers easily implement the program. It includes:

A self-assessment instrument which will help the provider evaluate their current nutrition, physical activity and screen time environment;
Implementation resources and strategies;
Materials to help parents support their after-school program in implementing the guidelines and to develop healthier home environments.

Licensed after-school providers that implement the guidelines should apply for the Governor's Recognition Program. Applications must be received by March 4, 2009.