Visit our website at NY 21st CCLC Statewide Technical Assistance Center for registration and additional conference information

DON'T WAIT!
REGISTER TODAY!

NYS 21st CCLC - Annual Performance Report (APR)

APR Completion DUE DATE is October 6, 2008

Note: ALL NYS 21st Century Community Learning Centers (including Round 2 Grantees whose programs ended June 30, 2008) are mandated to submit a completed APR

Visit the NY 21st CCLC Statewide TAC for copies of a PPICS Tips Sheet* and an APR Checklist

Do you have questions on or are you experiencing problems with the APR Process?

Having the above-mentioned information readily accessible can make entering PPICS data much easier and save you much time and stress. If you have any problems or concerns, please feel free to contact either:

Learning Point Associates
at 21st CCLC Technical Assistance:
E-mail: 21stcclc@contact.learningpt.org
Toll-free: (866) 356-2711

NY 21st Statewide Technical Assistance Center (TAC)

Lorraine Lopez, 21st CCLC Program Manager

Email: llopez@mhric.org
Tel: 845-255-8989

*The Profile and Performance Information Collection System (PPICS) Tips Sheet was produced by Learning Point Associates

So What's Reality Check?

We're a group of NY teens who won't stand by and allow the Tobacco industry to continously try to manipulate us into smoking!

Need a bigger dose of Reality Check?

Visit us at realitycheckny.org

Upcoming Events

Lights On Afterschool

October 16

People from all walks of life, all ages and occupations, and all corners of the country will be participating in the 9th annual Lights On Afterschool, the only nationwide rally for afterschool programs. Lights On Afterschool is celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families and communities. The folks at the Empire State Building were so impressed with last year's Lights On Afterschool celebrations that they already agreed to light up in yellow this October 16 for Lights On Afterschool!

School-Age Care (SAC) Credential Distance Learning Prep Course
September 23 - December 23, 2008

Earn your SAC Credential Online!

The NYS SAC Credential is administered by AfterSchool Works! NY (formerly NYSSACC), the professional organization for people who work in before- and afterschool programs. For more information, visit AfterSchool Works NY or contact Sally Crosiar, 585-396-2945

QUICK LINKS

U.S. Department of Education

New York State Education Department (NYSED)

NYC Department of Education

NY 21st CCLC Statewide Technical Assistance Center

NYS Center for School Safety (NYSCSS)

New York State Afterschool Network (NYSAN)

Message from Our Director

Dear Colleagues:

Wow, it's September already! This has probably been one of the busiest summers of my entire life. In one breath it seems I said hello and now good-bye to the month that celebrates the creation of the labor movement (Labor Day) and marks the start of a new academic year.

Children rising early, experiencing the transitioning from night to day as they move from slumber to preparation for school, and then swoosh, out to catch those early morning buses. The latest in Hannah Montana apparel, bright vivid colors, leggings, retro jackets, colored skinny jeans, fitted baseball caps and new fresh Air Force One Nike sneakers are sure signs that school is in session.

Lorraine Lopez, Editor, TASE Newsletter and Program Manager of the 21st CCLC Statewide Technical Assistance Center filling the September edition with wonderful "Back to School" information and tips for after school program providers, teachers, parents and everyone, lets us know, that school is indeed in full swing.

Welcome back wonderful after school program providers! It's time to bunker down and start off on the "good" foot. As you kick off the 2008-2009 school year providing quality, enriching after school programming let us be mindful of those we serve, our children. And, so, here's our school kick off Butterfly in the Wind poem...

A child is as butterfly in the wind;
Some can fly higher than others;
Each one flies the best that it can
Why compare one against another?
Each one is different
Each one is special
Each one is beautiful
(Author unknown)

So, as we push through with the many tasks of the new school year, let's be encouraged and driven knowing that we are effecting positive change in the lives of each uniquely beautiful butterfly we serve.

For the youth,

Back-to-School Safety Tips 101

schoolbusforbacktoschoolsafety

Before and After School Child Care

- During middle childhood, youth need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to get them ready and off to school in the morning and watch over them after school.

- If alternate adult supervision is not available, parents should make special efforts to supervise their children from a distance. Children should have a set time when they are expected to arrive at home and should check in with a neighbor or with a parent by telephone.

- If parents have to choose a commercial after school program, inquire about the training of the staff and the child-to-staff ratio. The facility should be welcoming and clean. The playgrounds and external environment should be safe.

Backpacks

-Organize backpacks to use all compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student's body weight.

-Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

-Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.

Walking to School

-Make sure child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.

-If possible children should wear bright colored clothing to make them more visible to drivers.

School Bus

-If school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure students use them when in the bus.

-Have students wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.

-Encourage students to stay seated and not "horse around" on the bus.

Car

-All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.

-All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles. If you must drive more children than can fit in the rear seat (when carpooling, for example), move the front-seat passenger's seat as far back as.

-Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You should limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction; this is even required by law in many states. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone.

Bike

-Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.

-Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.

-Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.

Resource: American Academy of Pediatrics 2008

Back-to-School Teacher Tips

by The American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

Welcome back to school! The beginning of a new year is a crucial time for students and teachers alike. What you do to establish an effective classroom management system and create an environment that supports learning will influence what your students accomplish throughout the year.

Everyone knows that learning cannot take place in chaos. We also know that well-managed classrooms don't just happen. They are the result of teachers' careful planning before the year begins and their deliberate implementation of the plan on the first day of school and thereafter. Today there is a solid research base that identifies the practices of effective classroom managers at the beginning of the year. Studies have consistently found that the most successful teachers:

■ arrange and organize their classrooms to support instructional goals;
■ establish procedures for conducting routine activities and rules to govern student behavior;
■ teach rules and procedures as they would any new content area; and
■ actively monitor students and consistently apply appropriate consequences

While these findings validate many of the things good teachers do intuitively, the research also offers some new ideas and approaches. This guide summarizes the consistent findings from classroom management research conducted over the past 25 years. It is designed to help you and your students get off to a good start and have a productive school year.

Establishing a Management System

Good classroom management is the result of a three-stage process:
1. Before the year begins-planning and preparation;
2. During the first days of school-deliberate introduction and reinforcement of expectations; and
3. Throughout the year-maintaining cooperation through consistency and effective instruction.

For complete AFT report, visit http://www.aft.org/pubs/reports/downloads/teachers/tchrtips.pdf

Family Involvement

Next Issue: Bridging the Great Homework Divide...

Back-to-School Tips for Parents

For Younger School Children

To be prepared for back-to-school, it is important that younger children are familiar with:

■ Basic information such as their name, address, and phone number
■ Taking their outer clothing off and on
■ Basic toilet needs
■ Being considerate to others and knowing how to wait their turn

In addition, before the first day of school parents of younger children should consider:

■ Establishing a bedtime ritual
■ Immersing their children in social situations with other children their age
■ Familiarizing them with classroom basics including letters, numbers, colors, and shapes
■ Reading daily to their children
■ Determining the route they will take to and from school and then practicing the route
■ Taking their children to visit their school and classroom, if possible, to get them acquainted with the new setting

For Older School Children
Experts recommend a healthy, open dialogue with older children about back-to-school. Parents should:

■ Engage in discussion about their children's friends, classes, and activities
■ Work with their children to set measurable goals and expectations
■ Urge their children to be involved in extracurricular activities at school and in the community
■ Help them with budgeting their time and homework load

For Parents
Parents play a key role in helping make the back-to-school transition smooth. Here are just a few tips to help parents get started:

■ Determine set times and location for homework
■ Meet their children's teacher and school principal
■ Prepare for and go to parent-teacher conferences
■ Get involved in the school's PTA
■ Stay on top of the school calendar
■ Keep track of and attend school events

For more tips Parental visit The National Educational Association (NEA)

Resources

Measurement Tools for Evaluating Out-of-School Time Programs: An Evaluation Resource

The 6th publication in the series of Out-of-School Time Evaluation Snapshots, has been updated. A growing investment in evaluation, for purposes ranging from continuous improvement to accountability, has led to increased requests from the out-of-school time (OST) community for practical evaluation tools. This updated Snapshot describes instruments and tools that you can obtain and use for on-the-ground program evaluation.

Funding Opportunities

State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants 2009

With generous support from the State Farm Companies Foundation, Youth Service America is offering the annual State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant for youth-led community improvement projects across the United States. These grants of up to $1,000 support teachers and service-learning coordinators in engaging students (ages 5-25) to implement service-learning projects for Global Youth Service Day, April 24-26, 2009. We encourage semester-long projects that are launched on Martin Luther King Day on January 19, 2009 and extend through Global Youth Service Day. Deadline: October 15, 2008

The Disney Minnie Grants 2009

The Walt Disney Company and Youth Service America are excited to announce grants of up to $500 to support child-led service projects. These grants support children (ages 5-14) in planning and implementing service projects in their community. Teachers, older youth (15-25), and youth-serving organizations are also eligible to apply, if they engage younger children in planning and implementing the project. A significant part of the service must take place on Global Youth Service Day 2009, April 24-29. Deadline: October 30, 2008

Foundation for Technology Education: Professional Development

The Foundation for Technology Education Greer/FTE Grant encourages professional development of classroom teachers and supervisors in technology education. Maximum award: $1,000 to offset the expenses of attending an International Technology Education Association Conference. Eligibility: technology education teachers or supervisors for grades 6-12 who are members of the International Technology Education Association. Deadline: December 1, 2008.

Foundation for Technology Education: Quality Teaching

The Pitsco/Hearlihy Foundation for Technology Education Grant recognizes and encourages the integration of a quality technology education program within the school curriculum. Maximum award: $2,000. Eligibility: K-12 teachers who are members of the International Technology Education Association. Deadline: December 1, 2008.

Reader's Digest Foundation: 'Make It Matter' Grants

Reader's Digest Foundation "Make It Matter" Grants will identify people whose stories of giving back inspire others. The foundation will donate funds to a nonprofit organization that is associated either with a particular story or cause. Selected stories will appear every month in a new "Make It Matter" column in Reader's Digest and at www.rd.com, beginning in April 2009. Maximum award: $100,000. Eligibility: Anyone can submit a story; grant recipients must be 501(c)(3) organizations. Deadline: January 1, 2009.

The New York 21st CCLC Statewide Technical Assistance Center is a government coordinating agency and information clearinghouse on issues related to 21st CCLC federally-funded afterschool programming.

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Mary Grenz Jalloh, Executive Director -- New York State Center for School Safety

Dr. Felicia A. Watson, Director -- NY 21st CCLC Statewide Technical Assistance Center

Lorraine Lopez, Program Manager/Newsletter Editor -- NY 21st CCLC Statewide Technical Assistance Center

Diane Pezzo, Copyeditor -- Ulster County BOCES

Jenna West, Copyeditor -- NYS Center for School Safety

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Please contact Lorraine Lopez (llopez@mhric.org) at the NY 21st CCLC Statewide Technical Assistance Center with ideas for types of articles and resources you would like to see in future issues.

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175 Route 32 North ~ New Paltz, NY 12561

Phone: (845) 255-8989 ~ Fax: (845) 255-3836

Email: llopez@mhric.org

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New York State Education Department

89 Washington Avenue ~ Albany, NY 12234

Email: emsc21stcclc@mail.nysed.gov