Message from Director:
 Greetings Colleagues:
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, a big afterschool program champion, mounted his educational platform proclaiming that " Status quo is not good enough," followed by his four areas of reform: - Adopt rigorous standards that prepare students for success in college and the workforce;
- Recruit and retain effective teachers especially in classrooms where they are needed most;
- Build data systems to track student achievement and teacher effectiveness;
- Turn around low-performing schools.
Most support these reforms, however, we know that if there is to be true reform - not just more testing - we must rethink education for the 21st Century. I believe the new framework must include a global perspective and weave in the following seven skills from Tony Wagner's book, "The Global Achievement Gap": - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. The ability to look beyond what the right answer is.
- Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence. Teamwork is not insular but must be global.
- Agility and Adaptability. Able to learn and work across issues and departments.
- Initiative and Entrepreneurship. Create environments where initiative is paramount.
- Effective Oral and Written Communication. Ability to articulate a point of view and think, analyze and reason.
- Accessing and Analyzing Information. Ability to navigate mediums of technology.
- Curiosity and Imagination. Realizing that the sky is not the limit. Creative thinkers.
As we continue educational reform and to move toward accountability, let's do so past test preparation. Let's do so from a global perspective that incorporates the learning needs and styles of the students. For the Youth, 
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October: Crime Prevention Month and Halloween
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Crime Prevention Month and Halloween
October is crime prevention month. It is a time that highlights the power people have to fight crime. Thirty years ago parks, street corners and even school yards were havens for criminals. The leaders of 19 organizations decided to work together to develop the National Citizen's Crime Prevention Campaign.
The Coalition's 300-plus member organizations represent thousands of constituents and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) has grown to be the nation's premiere crime prevention agency.
October is also the month where thousands of children dress up and go trick-or-treating. Halloween is an evening of fun, costumes, and candy. The NCPC wants to keep families safe by providing families with tips and games on how to have a safe and fun Halloween.
Resources
Playing it Safe on Halloween: Pointers for Parents
McGruff's Halloween Safety Quiz and Coloring Page
McGruff's Halloween Safety Tips and Maze
Have a fun and safe Halloween!
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America After 3PM
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 The 2009 report, conducted by Afterschool Alliance and sponsored by the JC Penney Afterschool Fund, surveyed nearly 30,000 households across the United States. The survey finds that 8.4 million children participate in an afterschool program, an increase of nearly 3 million children over the past 5 years. Over the same time period, the number of children alone after school has risen to 15.1 million, an increase of 800,000 children. Through an examination of a number of key indicators, a set of "Top 10 States for Afterschool" emerged. These states have some of the lowest rates of self-care combined with the highest rates of afterschool participation and satisfaction. Hawaii, Arizona and New York ranked top 3 on the list. America After 3PM found that 21 percent of New York school-age children are enrolled in afterschool programs, up from 15 percent in the 2004 report. "New York is ahead of the pack on afterschool, and can be proud of that," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. "But the data also show another side of the story. The majority of New York parents who want their kids in afterschool programs aren't able to find them, usually because programs aren't available, they can't afford the fees, or transportation issues make it impossible. These are all barriers we can and should overcome. Quality afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working families. Every New York family that needs an afterschool program should have access to one." For key findings and national data, visit the Afterschool Alliance.
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Essential Elements of Standards-Focused Middle-Level Schools and Programs
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 Governor Paterson has declared the Month of October 2009 as the month of the Young Adolescent. The Essential Elements were developed by The New York State Education Department's Middle-Level Education Program in collaboration with the New York State Middle School Association, The Statewide Network of Middle-Level Education Liaisons and The New York City Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades reform. The seven essential elements of standards-focused middle-level school programs are: - Philosophy and Mission - Every young adolescent deserves a school that values academic achievement and personal development and provides a supportive environment.
- Educational Program - Every young adolescent needs a challenging, standards-based course of study that is comprehensive, integrated, and relevant.
- Organization and Structure - Young adolescents learn and develop best in a school that is organized and structured to promote academic achievement and personal development.
- Classroom Instruction - Every young adolescent requires skilled and caring teachers who have a thorough understanding of their subject(s) and of the students they teach.
- Educational Leadership - Every young adolescent should be educated in schools that have knowledgeable, effective, and caring leaders.
- A Network of Academic and Personal Support - Every young adolescent needs access to a system that supports both academic achievement and personal development.
- Professional Learning - Every young adolescent deserves an educational setting that values continuous improvement and ongoing professional learning.
The middle grades play a critical role in the education continuum. School with middle-level grades that are standards-focused attend to the twin purposes of academic preparation and individual self-development for all young adolescents. For more information see The New York State Middle School Association. |
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The After School Experience
Professional Development Training
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The After School Experience's professional development training will have a slightly different face this fall in our efforts to meet the needs of afterschool grantees in New York State especially 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) and Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention (ESD/SVP) funded programs. The two events entitled "Taking it to the Streets" will focus around developing the 21st Century student with emphasis on math and literacy. The foundation of the trainings is built from current research on afterschool programming and the 10 Standards for High Quality Professional Development espoused by the New York State Education Department.
The After School Experience November 2009 newsletter will focus on professional development and logistic/registration details for the trainings. |
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Advancing Literacy with Hip-Hop and Poetry
ReadNex Poetry Squad
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Facilitators of social change, ReadNex Poetry Squad, empowers the next generation through their innovative workshops that teach the historical and cultural significance of Hip-Hop and poetry. By using Hip-Hop and poetry as a foundation and a medium of communication, youth learn how to redirect their emotions positively, discover constructive self-expression and gain an in-depth look on the impact of both art forms on their community and themselves. From January until June 2010, the ReadNex Poetry Squad will be conducting these workshops throughout the USA. Starting in New York, they will visit over 30 states and work with over 64 schools in the country, teaching our youth how to become leaders in their schools, and most importantly, in their lives. Visit the ReadNex Poetry Squad for information. |
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Funding Opportunities
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The Verizon Foundation Community Investments - The Verizon Foundation seeks to fund projects that work to increase literacy and educational achievement, prevent domestic violence, and achieve and sustain health and safety in communities. Awards range up to $4.5 million. Deadline: October 31
CVS Caremark Community Grants - The CVS Caremark Community Grants program awards funds to nonprofit organizations for programs targeting children with disabilities; programs focusing on health and rehabilitation services; and public schools promoting a greater level of inclusion in student activities and extracurricular programs, and initiatives that give greater access to physical movement and play. Deadline: October 31
College Board: Bob Costas Grants - Bob Costas Grants support exceptional teachers, who through their innovative teaching methods, motivate their students to write. Winning teachers are awarded grants to enhance successful projects currently under way. Projects can be carried out in school (public or nonpublic), through an after-school writing workshop, or during a summer program. Deadline: November 20
AmeriCorps State and National Grants - Subject to availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2010, the Corporation announces the anticipated availability of approximately $363 million to award new, re-competing, and continuation AmeriCorps State and National grants. The Corporation's funding priorities are projects that address compelling, unmet needs in: education, clean energy/environment, healthy futures, veterans and opportunity. Deadline: January 26
Student Achievement Grants - The NEA Foundation provides grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter.
The Wachovia Foundation - Each community has unique needs and opportunities. The Wachovia Foundation designates the majority of its philanthropic dollars to addressing these needs. Community Needs Grants are considered for organizations that meet the Foundation's criteria. Deadline: Ongoing
The Prudential Foundation - Each year, the Prudential Foundation invests over $25 million in grants in efforts that support the revitalization of communities. The foundation promotes sustainable communities by focusing its grant making on education, economic development and arts & civic infrastructure. Examples of funded projects are helping to improve schools, promoting neighborhood activities, and preserving parks and playgrounds. Amounts vary. Deadline: Ongoing
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Resources
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 Afterschool Matters Journal
Afterschool Matters is a national, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to promoting professionalism, scholarship and consciousness in the field of afterschool education. Published by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time. The journal serves those involved in developing and managing programs for youth during the out-of-school time hours, in addition to those engaged in research and in shaping youth development policy.
 The New, Longer Road to Adulthood Schooling, Work, and Idleness among Rural Youth
In many rural communities young people with higher educational and career aspirations often head for cities, leaving behind a population with less formal education. The Carsey Institute reports that rural communities need to find ways to improve supports and opportunities for young people...if they boost the prospects for those young people who stay and encourage college-bound students to return.
 Can After-School Programs Help Level the Playing Field for Disadvantaged Youth?
As schools struggle to meet federal achievement standards, after-school programs are increasingly viewed as a potential source of academic support for youth at risk of school failure. The hope among youth advocates and policymakers is that after-school programs can partially compensate for the inequities that plague our nation's schools and play a role in efforts to narrow gaps in achievement between more and less advantaged students.
 Thinking About Summer Learning
Over the summer, many students forget some of what they have learned during the school year, but "summer learning loss" is particularly severe among low-income youth and a leading cause of the achievement gap between them and more affluent students. The Wallace Foundation asked leading experts in the field of summer learning to explore how summer programs could be a solution to this problem and how they could be better supported, improved and made more availalble to the children who need them.
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Upcoming Events
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Lights On AfterschoolCongratulations to all who participated in the10th annual nationwide celebration of afterschool programs. One million Americans were expected to take part in Lights on Afterschool to help call attention to the afterschool programs that keep our kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.
Mark your calendars for Lights on Afterschool, October 21, 2010!The Partnership for After School Education (PASE) is a child-focused organization that offers professional development for beginners, advanced practitioners, program managers, and executive directors of afterschool agencies. Site-based professional development services are also provided by PASE. For a listing of trainings, certificate programs and scholarship opportunities visit their website.
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The New York 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Statewide Technical Assistance Center (TAC) is a government coordinating agency and information clearinghouse on issues related to 21st CCLC federally-funded afterschool programming.
Please contact Lorraine Lopez with ideas for types of articles and resources you would like to see in future issues.
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Disclaimer
Any publication included in this newsletter and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of the New York 21st CCLC Statewide TAC but remain solely those of the author(s). Such publications have been included only for ease of reference.
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Richard R. Buery, Jr. Named President and CEO at The Children's Aid Society
Richard Buery is the new President and CEO of the Children's Aid Society. Mr. Buery was formerly at Groundwork Inc., a community-based organization he founded in 2002 and a current New York 21st CCLC grantee.
Additional information can be obtained at
www.childrensaidsociety.org
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