Tips for a Successful New School Year

Safety First: Review your school site emergency and safety plan with staff and program participants. Take the necessary steps to create an emotionally and physically safe environment for everyone.

Belonging: Help everyone feel welcome and included. Plan plenty of “get to know you” activities to help staff and participants begin to form new relationships and re-establish old ones.

Collaborating: Create formal and informal opportunities to connect with your parents, your participants, teachers, staff and your community partners. Listen to what everyone has to say and use this information to constantly improve your program.

Informing: Take part in a school staff meeting to share all your great plans with the teachers. Listen to their suggestions and create a partnership that works to strengthen both programs. Write an article about the program for your school newsletter.

Teaming: Share your afterschool program goals and clarify expectations with the principal. Take a team approach to planning. Share ways that everyone can work together to provide a positive learning environment for the students at the school.

Training: Make certain that all afterschool team members have the knowledge, tools and skills they need to implement a high quality program.

Implementing: Now is the time to put all of your great program ideas into action. Make certain you get input from your participants and staff to determine what they would like to see included in the afterschool program.

Celebrating: Take the time to celebrate your successes each day. Acknowledge your good work by sharing your successes with the school staff. Make certain you host a “Lights On Afterschool” event to showcase your program.

Connecting: Become a part of two important organizations that are dedicated to improving afterschool programs in California and the nation. Become a participant in the California Afterschool Network and join the Afterschool Alliance.