In this issue:

Network News

Upcoming High School and Middle School Site Coordinator Telephone Workshops
The Network High School and Middle School Site Coordinator Telephone workshops offer opportunities for practitioners to learn new promising practices as well as share practices and resources with fellow practitioners at absolutely no cost. High School Site Coordinator Telephone Workshops cover a new topic the second Wednesday of every month. Middle School Site Coordinator Telephone Workshops cover a new topic on the third Wednesday of every month. Join the calls to learn from leaders in the field, share solutions to common problems, and connect with practitioners from throughout the state.

Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s Telephone Workshop!
Understanding Middle School Youth Culture and Culturally 
Relevant Programming: January 20, 2009

Listen to Recordings From Site Coordinator Previous 

Telephone Workshops
High School Telephone Workshop Recordings
Middle School Telephone Workshop Recordings
Access Other California Afterschool Network Virtual Workshops

Get Connected – Join one of the Network’s two new Committees
 

Network committee membership is a completely free way for statewide after school professionals to connect regardless of geography. Committee members have the opportunity to address common challenges, solutions, and promising practices with individuals that share their interests and focus areas. Committees also have the opportunity to inform Network staff regarding Network initiatives to support their work. Network Committee Membership is free, open to all, and subject to your availability. Most committee meetings happen via conference call. For more information about Network Committees, click here. For more information and to join the new committees of the Network, see below.

English Learners Committee: Will address how after school programs can improve conditions and outcomes for English Learners in California. Join this committee

Rural Programs Committee: 
Professional dialogue about the unique challenges, promising practices, and policy recommendations to improve conditions and access to rural after school programs. Join this committee

Learn About the Network SRI Science in Afterschool Partnership
The California Afterschool Network will work with SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development institute, on a recently funded project from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project is a five-year research study focused on science in afterschool settings. Researchers will examine the types and quality of science offerings within afterschool programs and the factors that influence them. The study will examine publicly funded elementary and middle school grantees of California’s Afterschool Education and Safety (ASES) program. SRI’s research study will explore the social networks connecting afterschool programs with each other and with outside institutions such as science museums and technical assistance providers. To view a press release announcing the project, click here.

California After School Policy

California’s Race to the Top
Update State applications for Phase 1 of the Federal Race to the Top competition are due today. Winners for the Phase 1 Grant Competition will be announced in April 2010. Race to the Top grants are asking States to advance reform in the following four areas:

• Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
• Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
• Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
• Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.

The California Afterschool Network has joined numerous other organizations that have signed on in support of California’s Race to the Top application. Many of California’s Local Education Organizations (LEAs) have also signed on in support of California’s application.

To learn more about the Race to the Top Grant, click here.

To view a list of organizations that have signed on in support of California’s application click here.

To view a list of LEAs that have signed on in support of California’s application, click here.

An important message from the California Department of Education regarding the After School Education and Safety (ASES) RFA.
The California Department of Education (CDE), After School Programs Office (ASPO) has released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the After School Education and Safety (ASES) Grant program serving elementary and middle/junior schools. ASES grants are open to current ASES grantees and to new applicants for funding of before and after school programs.

Current grantees whose grants were reduced may apply to restore funding up to the legislative cap of $112,500 for elementary schools and $150,000 for middle or junior high schools. All Education Code (EC) attendance requirements will apply, so grantees should understand that sites(s) must meet or exceed their annual attendance goal, with the numbers of students to be served increasing with receipt of any additional funds. Please understand that failure to meet attendance targets will result in a grant reduction. Failure to meet attendance targets for three consecutive years may result in termination of the ASES allocation for that school. Please note that the application is reviewed according to EC Section 8483.3 and the accurate completion of the forms in the RFA. There is no need to submit a narrative or a program plan.

We anticipate that the first grant awards will be issued after January 29, 2010, and continuous applications will be accepted thereafter. The applications should be submitted as soon as possible for consideration for funding in the initial round that we anticipate will be issued in February. Note that applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the date listed on the website, with subsequent awards to be made as funding becomes available. Awards are subject to the availability of funds. The complete RFA with details of the grant requirements is available on the ASPO web site at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r8/asesuni09rfa.asp.

If you have any questions, contact your regional consultant. Contact information is available at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ba/cp/regntwrkcontacts.asp.

This message has been posted by the California Department of Education (CDE)

Program Resources

Locate Activities to Implement in Your Program
KidActivities.net hosts free resources and information on a variety of subjects. You can find activities by age group, subject matter, by month, etc. You can find games, science activities, dramatic play, snacks or cooking ideas, and more. To access this website, click here.

CDE Instructional Materials Giveaway
The California Department of Education is hosting an Instructional Materials Giveaway at their West Sacramento warehouse. The Giveaway will be held on March 29 and 30, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. To view a flyer with all of the event details, click here.

KaBOOM! Playground Opportunities
KaBOOM is seeking community partners to build playgrounds in the following California Communities: 
Bay Area, City of Hope, 
Los Angeles, 
Mira Loma, 
Orange County, 
Redlands, 
Sacramento, 
San Diego, 
San Fernando Valley, 
San Francisco, 
Thousand Oaks, and
Victorville. Ideal community partners are usually child-serving non-profit organizations, but can be community development organizations, neighborhood coalitions, schools or any organization that can mobilize a volunteer force and is in need of a new playspace. If a community partner is selected they will receive most of the resources necessary to build a place space, two months of support from KaBOOM, among other things. For more information and to apply, click here.

Upcoming Training and Events

Webinar on Summer Program Planning
This webinar will be facilitated by the Association for Summer Learning Director of Professional Development, Erin Ulery. The webinar will draw upon the forthcoming publication Summer Starts in September: A Strategic Program Planning Guide. Its content will contain a review the program planning timeline, what tasks program planners should address in January, and further tasks to undertake moving forward. The webinar will also briefly touch on plans for Summer Learning Day 2010. This Webinar will take place on Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 12:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PST. To learn more and participate, click here.

Bridging the Bay – Region 4 Annual Conference
The Bridging the Bay Region 4 Annual Conference will feature engaging keynotes from speakers such as San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsome, and an expansive portfolio of workshop presentations. Line staff, coordinators, supervisors, managers, teachers and other staff from after school programs based at schools and other community locations are encouraged to attend. This conference is walking distance from Bart stations and will take place on January 29 and 30, 2010. To learn more and to register, click here.

Free Two Day Training: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: A Centerpiece for a Healthy School Environment
This free two-day training is designed for school personnel and community partners. It provides tools to support an increase of fresh fruits and vegetables on school campuses through fun, interactive, and skill-building activities. The trainings will be held all throughout the state in various locations from February 18, 2010 to March 18, 2010. The Training is free, however registration is required. For more information and to learn how to register, click here.