CAN Newsletter – California Protects Afterschool
June 30, 2020
As California begins to re-open and conversations continue about what school looks like this fall we still very much sit in the midst of two pandemics, COVID-19 and racism. The children and families who rely on our state’s publicly funded afterschool programs are disproportionately affected by the current crises. Nine out of 10 children are children of color, and 84% are socioeconomically disadvantaged. A third of students in After School Education and Safety (ASES) programs are English language learners, and 25% are experiencing homelessness. Additionally, these children and youth are experiencing high levels of learning loss, social disconnection, and trauma. Afterschool programs have and will continue to meet the changing local needs as we continue to respond to these pandemics.
CA Budget Protects Afterschool Programs
Last night, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a state budget, approved by the State Legislature last week, that protects funding for afterschool programs for children and families across the state!
Thank you for raising your voice, again and again, to ensure that working families keep this vital safety net that keeps their children safe, engaged, and nourished. Because of you, there were no cuts made to state-funded afterschool programs (ASES). We are also grateful to our many champions in the legislature who understand the need for these programs, especially now, and fought against the $100 million proposed in cuts to afterschool. Read the full statement from CA3 to learn more. We will release our next fireside chat with Michale Funk later today discussing what this budget and the budget trailer bills mean for our programs in FY 20-21.
What’s Next?
While funding is protected at the state level, for now, it is important to continue local, state, and federal advocacy to protect this essential safety net for the children and communities that need it most. Here are just a few things you can do next. Be sure to stay connected as we share more.
- Reach out to Congress and let them know how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact families, youth, and the afterschool program providers who serve them. Urge Congress to prioritize youth in the Coronavirus response.
- Learn more and share this factsheet on how afterschool and summer learning programs are essential for recovery.
- Read this article about the local advocacy happening in Los Angeles: Hey Afterschool Leaders, We’ve Been Called In.
Anti-Racism Resources
While investment in afterschool is an important step, there is still much to be done to dismantle racism in our education systems and more broadly within our communities. You can find some great resources in our COVID-19 Equity Resource Center. There are also many other great Anti-Racist resources for youth, educators, parents/families, and organizations. Below are just a few places to start and we will continue to share more:
- 50 State Afterschool Network: Resources for Anti-Racism & Equity Education
- Child Trends - Resources to Support Children’s Emotional Well-Being Amid Anti-Black Racism, Racial Violence, and Trauma
- MindShift - How IBPOC Educators Envision a Better School Experience
- National Education Association - Racial Justice Resources: Justice for Black Lives
- Rachial Justice Now- Culturally Relevant Curriculum and Culturally Responsive Schools Toolkit
- Teaching Tolerance, Resources for Teaching Black Lives Matter
As always, the CAN Team is here for you. If you have questions, are looking for resources, or want to get more involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us.
In This Newsletter:
California Department of Education – Stronger Together: A Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of California’s Public Schools
California
Department of Education - Stronger Together: A Guidebook for
the Safe Reopening of California’s Public Schools (June
8, 2020)
This guidance was created through the statewide reopening schools
task force that fostered a collaborative process for our
educators and stakeholders to lend their important voices. Also
informed by the technical assistance and advice of many health
and safety organizations including the Centers for Disease
Control, California Department of Public Health, California
Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the intent of this
document is to be a guide for the local discussion on safely
reopening schools.
Afterschool will be critical to recovery—tell us what your community needs!
Across the country, COVID-19 is impacting afterschool programs, and the young people and families who rely on afterschool and summer programs, in many ways.
As leaders of afterschool programs, your local communities and organizations have an important perspective for elected officials, education leaders, and families considering the guidelines and safe reopening of programs.
The Afterschool Alliance has partnered with Edge Research to conduct a national survey of the afterschool community, and to follow trends in the months ahead.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey today. Start here: https://3to6.co/survey
To Reopen Safely and Responsibly, Schools Need Their Afterschool Partners
Edsource, May 29, 2020
This recent EdSource commentary authored Paul Gothold, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools and Jennifer Peck, Executive Director, Partnership for Children and Youth make it clear that “To reopen safely and responsibly, schools need their afterschool partners.”
American Institute for Research Resources
Recognizing the Role of Afterschool and Summer Programs and
Systems in Reopening and Rebuilding
This resource describes the role that afterschool and summer
programs and systems can play and offers strategies for
afterschool and summer programs and school leaders to work
together in support of youth, families, and the community.
Navigating Summertime Experiences in 2020: Helpful Resources and
Support for Program Providers
Check out some resources for those who intend to provide
summertime programs in-person, online, or in a digital format.
COVID-19
and Whole Child Efforts
Education and community leaders will need a shared understanding
of the common whole child terms and phrases as they work to
mobilize student supports. This resource provides
definitions for key terms and a crosswalk of the whole child
terminology to the reopening guidance.
COVID-19 Summer Program Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to serve as a gathering place for a wide range of resources to support program relaunch after closure due to COVID-19. All resources provided, or linked to, are offered purely as examples and should not be considered advice, guidance, or requirements. Further, this toolkit does not attempt to interpret government orders, but rather connects you to the most up to date and relevant information from state and local government.
WRiTE BRAiN Free P.D. Webinars: Thriving Thursdays!
July 2020
Next month WRiTE BRAiN will be offering FREE professional development opportunities for our CAN subscribers – check them out:
-
Session #1: Creative Writing & Connection in OST
When: Thursday, July 9th at 11am PST -
Session # 2 S+E+L = Whole Student Success in OST
When: Thursday, July 16th at 11am PST -
Session #3 Engaging English Learners Through Creativity
When: Thursday, July 23rd at 11am PST
Read on to learn more about each session.
Webinar Series: Recovery and Renewal: Principles for Advancing Public Education Post-Crisis
Thursday, July 2, 2020; 2-3pm ET
Join the Aspen Education & Society Program for a public series called “Recovery and Renewal: Principles for Advancing Public Education Post-Crisis.” They have set forth five principles to help education leaders stick to as they craft the plans required for the new school year: Equity & Engagement, Coherence, Science of Learning, A Long-term View of Student Success, and Innovation & Continuous Learning.
The series will kick off on Thursday, July 2 by digging into equity and engagement through students and parent agency with three distinguished panelists:
- Emmanuelle Sippy, Student Co-Director, Prichard Committee Student Voice Team
- Veronica Palmer, Co-Founder and CEO, RISE Colorado
- Desmond Blackburn, CEO, New Teacher Center
This is a moment to cede power to those most affected. Find out how proven programs already in use across the country are doing just that. Register today.
Online Speaker’s Forum Healing the Impact of Racial Injustice and Inequity: The Role of Afterschool
Tuesday, July 7, 2020; 10-11:30 am
A Webinar with Dr. Shawn Ginwright, Hosted by How Kids Learn
The COVID-19 pandemic and the long list of African Americans killed by police has laid bare the racial injustice and inequity in our society. We know that many adult staff and many of our youth participants in afterschool are people of color. In the wake of this turmoil, how can we address the needs of our staff? How can we prepare staff and redesign our programs to promote racial healing? What is the best way to facilitate discussions of systemic racism? How is afterschool positioned for this? Should we urge/ support youth to engage in civic action? And, is there a way to do some of this work remotely, as programs may not re-open in the Fall? Dr. Ginwright will address some of these questions in his presentation and will be available to respond to questions.
Celebrate National Summer Learning Week!
July 6 - 11, 2020
National Summer Learning Week is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year. This year, we’re bringing back themes you can use to highlight activities during the celebration. Some suggested themes are: Dive into a Book Adventure, Discover STEM and Soar, Eat Healthy and Grow Strong to Win at Wellness, Celebrate the Future Leaders of Tomorrow, and Make a Masterpiece.
21st CCLC Grant Program 2020 Summer Symposium
July 14-16, 2020
Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant Program 2020 Summer Symposium
Registration is now open!
This year’s Summer Symposium will be held July 14-16. The symposium is virtual and registration is free.
ACSD Virtual Conference: Virtual Conference: Respond, Reimagine, Restart
July 16 - 17, 2020
Join thousands of your peers to discuss strategies and solutions for the challenges educators will face in the upcoming school year. This ASCD Virtual Conference will bring together practitioners and thought leaders to share their perspectives and offer insights, tools, and strategies to help you plan for the 2020–2021 school year.
Important CDE Updates
The 2019–20 Annual Grantee Outcome-Based Data Report for Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is due Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
Please read the full content of this message, as it contains important instructions for submitting this report.
Afterschool Matters – Special Summer Issue
Special Issue Celebrates 40 Years of The National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST)
The National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) at Wellesley College is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special summer edition of its Afterschool Matters journal, featuring an interview with NIOST founder Micki Seligson, a nationally recognized leader in afterschool and in childcare policy and practice.
Other articles in this issue include:
From Prevention to Diversion: The Role of Afterschool in the Juvenile Justice System
The Afterschool Alliance discusses how afterschool and summer learning programs can mitigate risk and support the development of protective factors that help keep young people out of the juvenile justice system. The afterschool field can also operate as a point of service to support youth already involved with the juvenile justice system, serving as diversion pr
ServiceVote: Ideas to Help Youth Engage in the 2020 Election
ServiceVote is YSA’s campaign to engage all young people, ages 5-25, as advocates and activists in the political process by connecting with their peers, voters, candidates & policymakers.
Get Support Through CalSAC’s Slack Groups
At CalSAC, out-of-school time professionals have been at the center of hearts and minds over the past two months. Hundreds of thousands of young people and families who are struggling right now – to keep up in school and more urgently, to access meals and safe places to shelter in place hold an especially dear place in their hearts – which is why they have cpme together to join in community to navigate this unfamiliar together.