Newsletters

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month. BIPOC Mental Health Month became formally recognized in 2008 to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face in regard to mental illness in the US. As we embrace this observance, we recognize the critical role Expanded Learning programs play in supporting the mental well-being of our diverse youth. 

We hope that this July you are finding yourself in the midst of successful summer programs and that you had an enjoyable Fourth of July. As we celebrate America’s independence, we also reflect on the principles of freedom and dissent that were core to its founding. CAN is part of a national network of statewide afterschool networks. As such, we have the unique opportunity to see how policies and social movements impact the out-of-school time community nationwide. 

Our Executive Director, Jeff Davis reflected on this in a recent How Kids Learn publication, Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Afterschool Programs and Opposing Anti-LGBTQ+ Attacks. 

Join us in celebrating Pride Month and the end of another school year!

California AfterSchool Network stands alongside our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community, celebrating their identity and whom they love. Pride Month serves as a beautiful reminder of the invaluable gift that the LGBTQ+ community adds to the diversity of our country, which strengthens us as we pursue equity, justice, and freedom for all. 

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month)! This year’s theme for AAPI Heritage Month is Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity. The Million Girls Moonshot and all of its partners will be celebrating the successes of innovative AAPI computer scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals.

Explore some of the amazing work that has been contributed to the field of STEM by exploring this month’s IF/THEN ambassadors down below!

April 25th was National DNA Day! Every year since 2003, scientists, biologists, and genetics enthusiasts come together to observe National DNA Day, celebrating the discovery and research into DNA and the scientific advancements that helped make progress possible. National DNA Day encourages people to learn more about the science that makes them genetically unique. Help youth feel unique and special with the following resources to use all month long! 

Welcome to this edition of CAN’s Health & Wellness newsletter! March is National Nutrition Month! National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and 2023 is the 50th year of celebration! During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

It’s March, friends, and that means Women’s History Month! Women’s History Month is a wonderful time to honor the stories, achievements, and legacies of the amazing women who shaped STEM fields as we know them today. By educating ourselves about the past, we can create a bright future for women and girls to follow in their footsteps and forge new pathways to innovation.

Welcome to the first installment of our bi-monthly Health & Wellness newsletter for 2023! 

Happy New Year! A new year, a fresh start, and infinite possibilities! The CAN Team is looking forward to the next year and all of the awesome work, we, educators and practitioners in Expanded Learning / Out-of-School-Time will do together. As we jump into the second half of the school year and continue supporting children and youth in our communities, it is important we care for ourselves.