CAN Newsletter – Winding Down the School Year
May 12, 2026
The school year is almost over! As Expanded Learning programs wind down and prepare for summer, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on everything you have accomplished this year, whether that’s growing your team, piloting new programming, or building a stronger sense of community with parents and families. All of it deserves celebration. You are making a difference every day!
Use the following journal prompts to help you reflect on the school year:
- What is one accomplishment from this school year that you are most proud of, and what made it possible?
- How have you helped strengthen a sense of community among the students, families, or colleagues you work with this year?
- What is one challenge you faced this year that turned into a growth opportunity for you or your program?
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. As you continue caring for the communities you serve, remember to intentionally care for yourself too. Keep an eye out for our Health & Wellness newsletter at the end of the month for more mental health resources!
In This Newsletter:
Don’t Miss the Final Spring 2026 EXL Office Hours Session!
May 22, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Join us for the final ExL Office Hours session for the 2025-26 year, on Friday, May 22, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM. We will return in July to kick off 2026-27 ExL Office Hours – stay tuned for dates!
For folks who may be new to the ExL community, the California AfterSchool Network
Sound Waves: Stay Engaged in the Ecosystem Plan Listening Strategy
May 2026
As part of California’s Expanded Learning Ecosystem Plan process, we continue to deepen our statewide listening efforts through the pilot of the ExL Statewide Listening Toolkit: A Flexible Guide for Decolonized Data Collection and Collective Meaning-Making, launched in March 2026.
Happy 1st CANniversary, Crystal-Jo Blanchard!
May 5, 2026
May 5th marks Crystal-Jo’s 1st CANniversary! As a Specialist for Equity & Quality, she is one half of CAN’s latest dynamic duo: the Wonder Twins. Crystal-Jo plays a vital role in supporting our workforce and apprenticeship initiatives. Thank you for being such an incredible part of the team, CJ, we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with you!
Learn more about Crystal-Jo in our staff directory.
Happy 1st CANniversary, Peter Alton!
May 5, 2026
Peter celebrates his 1st CANniversary on May 5th! As the other half of the Wonder Twins alongside CJ, Peter serves as a Specialist on the Equity & Quality team, where he supports our Physical Health & Wellness Initiative and Play Day activations. Thank you for always showing up as your authentic self, Peter. Cheers to many more years ahead!
Learn more about Peter in our Staff Directory.
Summer Planning Resources on YouTube!
Summer is almost here, and we wanted to remind folks about CAN’s YouTube Channel, which features 200+ videos on all things Expanded Learning, including our recent ExL Academies.
Important CDE Updates
April & May 2026
The California Department
of Education has recently shared key reporting
information & other important updates related to Expanded
Learning Programs. See below for
- FY2025-26 ASES Round 2: Live in ASSIST & next steps!
- CALPADS Reporting (EOY): Submission opened on May 5 and is due by July 17, 2026.
- Attendance Recovery (AR): New FAQs Available and Webinar Registration
Applications are open for the CalSAC Trainer Network!
Applications Due: Friday, May 15, 2026
Calling All OST Professionals! Applications are now open for the CalSAC Trainer Network, the largest statewide network of out-of-school-time professionals. Join us to strengthen your training and facilitation skills, access 85+ ready-to-use curriculum modules, connect with peers across California, and unlock exclusive leadership and professional development opportunities as a CalSAC Certified Trainer.
July 8–10, 2026
Fresno, CA
Application Deadline: Friday, May 15,
2026
This opportunity is ideal for experienced OST professionals ready to grow their impact!
To learn more about CalSAC’s Trainer Network, please click here. For any questions, please contact Vincent Arroyo, CalSAC Program Manager at varroyo@calsac.org
May is AANHPI Month!
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Beginning it’s official observation in May 1992, this month is a time to honor the rich histories, diverse cultures, and lasting contributions of AANHPI communities that have helped shape this country.
Check Out Our Other Newsletters!
Access the CAN newsletter archives to view past newsletters today! You may be interested in some of our other newsletters as well:
CAN Health and Wellness Newsletters
- Get informed on the connections between afterschool and Whole Child Health and Wellness.
- Subscribe today!
CAN STEAM Newsletters
- Get informed about the Million Girl Moonshot project and access other STEAM resources.
- Subscribe today!
CAN Policy Newsletter
- Get informed about policy-related content, including national, state, and local updates, that supports our Expanded Learning programs.
- Subscribe today!