WELCOME TO NEVADA AFTERSCHOOL NETWORK
Nevada Afterschool Network (NAN) is part of the 39 CS Mott funded statewide afterschool networks. NAN focuses on actively coordinating, engaging and influencing key decision makers in support of school-linked afterschool/out-of-school-time (OST) programs that support the success of children and young people. The role of NAN is to build partnerships and policies that are committed to the development and sustainability of quality afterschool programs. NAN coordination includes all seventeen counties, including Washoe County (Reno/Sparks), Clark County (Las Vegas/Henderson), Carson City, Lyon and Storey Counties.
Professionals joining NAN, the centralized coordinated statewide effort are making a difference for high-quality, school-linked out-of-school-time programs; where resources and efforts can be leveraged to expand, enhance and extend the reach of OST programs.
Summer Learning
Comstock Kids a program of Community Chest understands that summer learning is critical to student success. “Students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer than they do on the same tests at the beginning of summer.” (Various studies: White, 1906; Entwisle & Alexander 1992; Cooper, 1996; Downey et al. 2004).
Community Chest’s Comstock Kids participated in National Summer Learning Day (a national event to showcase summer programs and highlight the importance of summer learning). During the week of June 21st Comstock Kids theme title was STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Highlights from the week included: Graphic design lesson conducted by Jason Mead of IGT; demonstration of endothermic reaction where kids made their own zip-lock ice cream, science experiments by Sandy Wallin from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension; group activity, measuring the school to calculate the volume; Comstock Kids Lead Teacher Kenny Goss (UNR student majoring in mechanical engineering) led activities that teach kids chemical reactions, introduction into engineering and fun math games; Darrin McKay the Storey County Youth Activity Director and students from the Teen Leadership Club assisted kids in making and racing recycled race cars where they will test propulsion and potential and kinetic energy, dissection led by TMCC Professor, Dr. Lance Bowen. The week concluded with a VC train ride to learn about locomotives. To continue summer learning H J Gallagher Elementary School Principal, Mrs. VanVoorst (Nevada recipient of “My Principal Matters” award) has ensured alignment with summer learning by providing reading activities to the children on a weekly basis.
NAN Recognizes Excellence in School Leadership
Collaboration between principals and afterschool coordinators provides a rich environment for leadership and development of a high-quality program that supports professional development opportunities for staff. A committee of representatives from various agencies had the difficult task of selecting 7 statewide principals to receive the “My Principal Matters” awards. Sample of the qualities and comments that describe these principals include the following: very supportive, communicates and keeps us informed, concerned about parents and families, shares her office space for meetings, integral team member, assisted with grant writing, supports extended programming during intersession, access to rooms, arranged for use of equipment and computer labs, encourages parents to be involved, reads with students, believes in afterschool learning, commits her time, includes afterschool personnel in school staff meetings. The Nevada Afterschool Network shares in your commitment and leadership. Congratulations to: Jonna Aucoin, Principal at Sierra Vista Elementary School in Washoe County; Theresa Lee Douglass, Principal at Kitty M. Ward Elementary School in Clark County; Michelle VanVoorst, Principal at Hugh Gallagher Elementary School in Storey County; Rhonda Van Deusen, Principal at Sun Valley Elementary School in Washoe County; Tim Adams , Principal at Rex Bell Elementary School in Clark County; Henry Rodda, Principal at George E. Harris in Clark County; Brenda J. McKinney at Wendell P. Williams Elementary School in Clark County.
