The California Department of Education’s After School Division (ASD) has changed its name to the Expanded Learning Division (EXLD). The name change better encompasses all that the department does in providing students and families with important learning opportunities and rich experiences before school, after school, and during the summer that complements what students learn during the traditional school day. With nearly 5,000 programs serving some 825,000 students, California has more publicly funded before school, after school and summer learning programs than all other 49 states combined. These programs operate with almost $700 million in state and federal funding and have aligned themselves in recent years with the broader state educational goal of preparing youth for 21st century careers, college, and life. 

The California Afterschool Resource Center (CASRC) maintains a free resource and curriculum lending library as well as a series of online training modules. CASRC recently revised four of its online training modules including: 

• English Learning in Action
• Making Sense of Common Core Math
• Hands on STEM - Garden–Based Education
• Snack Time – Providing Healthy Snacks in your Expanded Learning Program 

These online training modules, in addition to many more, are meant for expanded learning front line staff and coordinators. The online modules are interactive, take 30 minutes and give the option to take a five-question assessment. You will walk away with easy-to-apply strategies and connections to useful resources while earning a certificate when you complete each of the training modules to document your professional development with the option of copying a supervisor on the email that sends the certificate.

Let it Ripple is hosting Character Day, their annual global day devoted to developing who we are and who we want to be in the world. Character Day 2016 is set for September 22, 2016. Sign up your school, classroom, organization, company, congregation, or family to participate. It’s completely free! Whether you’re an educator, parent, student, or student of life, the growing Character Day Resource hub includes thousands of resources including lesson plans, discussion guides for different ages, research, suggested films, books, and apps, and so much more. Create an event that works for you and be a part of building character for youth. Read more about Character Day in the LIAS blog by Sam Piha. 

Bill Fennessy, Director of Community Engagement and Work-Based Learning at THINK Together, recently wrote a blog for the Learning in Afterschool & Summer blog series on preparing youth for work and career. “Preparing youth for work and career is now rapidly becoming an integral part in preparing youth with the skills they will need in school and life… All youth regardless of their age can begin expanding their ideas of what they might do as adults. Coupling those ideas with the experience of related work in the real world brings the important relevance which results in greater engagement in their work at school.” To read the blog in its entirety, click here. 

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