Latest News

Latest News

NASA is seeking candidates to apply for its 2013 class of astronauts

NASA is seeking candidates to apply for its 2013 class of astronauts. While the youth in your program may not quite be ready for such a job, use the application criteria for an activity for the older children.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics.

Have the children research those fields and write a paragraph or two about one that interests them and why. Have them research what jobs they could get once they have a degree in that chosen area.

Then, have a discussion as a group about the changing field of space flight. Would they want to go to space? Explore Mars? Why or why not?

To see the full astronaut candidate application, go to www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/302967000.

"FUN"draising - A Healthier Way to $upport Your $chool

Don't Miss SPARK's Upcoming Webinar:

"FUN"draising - A Healthier Way to $upport Your $chool

Each year, schools across the nation use fundraisers to subsidize underfunded programs and activities. Does your school sell cookie dough or candy bars to raise money? While this may be a popular choice, the reality is it promotes unhealthy behaviors and sends the wrong message to students, staff, and parents.

Sign up for the next SPARK webinar and learn effective strategies for putting the FUN back in FUNdraising and make it a healthy (and profitable) experience!

When: Wednesday, November 30th at 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: Free!

Click Here for more information...

Angela Award Presented by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

If you have a fifth- through eighth-grade girl in your program who has an involvement in science, consider nominating her for the Angela Award.

Presented by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the award recognizes one female student in the United States, U.S. territories or Canada who is involved in or has a strong connection to science.

The winner receives a $1,000 savings bond and is honored at the NSTA's National Conference awards banquet.

For complete rules and to download an application, go to www.nsta.org/pdfs/awards/Angela.pdf.

Entries are due by Nov. 30.

Making Summer Count: How Summer Programs Can Boost Children's Learning

A free Webinar on summer learning and how after-school professionals can help reduce summer learning loss was held early this month.

Educators who were unable to make the mid-day Webinar can now hear the taped event, posted at www.wallacefoundation.org/view-latest-news/events-and-presentations/Pages/Webinar-Stopping-the-Summer-Slide.aspx.

Visitors can also view the accompanying slides of the presentation at that link.

The Webinar includes information from a new RAND Corp. study, Making Summer Count: How Summer Programs Can Boost Children's Learning. Participants also will hear about summer learning initiatives taking place in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

Quest for Excellence Award

If you've been inspired by the work of a dedicated after-school professional - someone who works for you or with whom you work - take time to nominate that person for the Quest for Excellence Award.

The deadline is Nov. 15 and the process is simple. Just go to www.schoolagenotesfoundation.org/nomination.html to download a nomination form.

This award is exclusively for frontline staff members who work directly with children daily in an after-school program.

Nominees must have been employed in an after-school program for at least two years and work a minimum of 10 hours a week for a school-age-care program that meets five days a week. A supervisor, parent, board member or fellow teacher must submit the nomination.

The recipient of the award gets a one-year membership to the National AfterSchool Association, paid registration and airfare to the annual conference and hotel accommodations for three nights.

Contact Tracey Ballas at inbiz4kids@aol.com with any questions.

Operation Health Care Bound

Operation Health Care Bound is a FREE event for middle school and high school students and their parents. Students will have the opportunity to explore many available health care careers and participate in hands-on demonstrations and break out sessions.

4th Annual Operation Health Care Bound

Saturday October 8, 2011
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Reno-Sparks Convention Center
4950 S. Virginia Street
Reno, Nevada

Registration Outside Room A1
Parking $7
Off Site Options Available

Anticipated Hands On Learning Experiences

More Information
Like us on facebook - Operation Health Care Bound
Visit www.nursinginstituteofnevada.org

Josephson Institute holds Character Counts Week

Each year, the Josephson Institute holds Character Counts Week, an opportunity to highlight character education and its benefits.

After-school professionals can register at http://charactercounts.org/programs/ccweek/index.php to access free resources to use for this year's event, scheduled for Oct. 16-22. Registration is required, but is free.

Available resources include tips on involving students in Character Counts Week; ideas and resources for involving the community; word puzzles and lesson plans.

Three installments are available now and registrants will receive an e-mail when another installment is uploaded.

Benefits of Early Education Debated

NAEYC Executive Director Jerlean Daniel is live on C-SPAN2! Watch her and other panelists discuss the benefits of early childhood education. The Brookings Institution hosted a panel discussion on early education, focusing on pre-school and the Head Start program.

The Brookings Institution hosted a panel discussion on early education, focusing on pre-school and the Head Start program. The event centered around an article written by Dr. Steven Barnett, titled "Effectiveness of Early Educational Intervention," published in the journal Science. In a summary of the article, Dr. Barnett wrote about the importance of early childhood education, but said "two major U.S. programs perform relatively poorly."

Dr. Barnett gave the keynote address. The event also included a discussion with the head of the national Head Start Association and other education experts. The event centered around an article written by Dr. Steven Barnett, titled "Effectiveness of Early Educational Intervention," published in the journal Science. In a summary of the article, Dr. Barnett wrote about the importance of early childhood education, but said "two major U.S. programs perform relatively poorly."

Click here for more information.

STEM EDUCATION DATA AND TRENDS

New Web-based Tool for Accessing STEM Education Data

The National Science Board is pleased to present STEM Education Data and Trends, a web-based statistical tool for the STEM education communities. The new tool provides easy access to data for parents, students, guidance counselors, teachers and other stakeholders in pre-college and undergraduate STEM education. It uses data from the latest volume of Science and Engineering Indicators and allows the user to explore and analyze answers to questions such as:

The STEM Education Data and Trends is the first tool for accessing data fromScience and Engineering Indicators that focuses on the STEM education stakeholder communities. Like other Indicators web tools, this one includes access to the full Indicators report online.

We hope you will find this statistical resource to be highly useful to your community. Please share this information or a link to the STEM Education Data and Trends in your newsletters or websites.

You can access the complete Science and Engineering Indicators report and related statistical resources on the National Science Foundation website.

Unique Afterschool Leadership Position Available

The National Research Council released a report recently that provided recommendations for what schools and school districts can do to be successful in offering STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education from kindergarten through 12th grade.

According to an article in ScienceDaily, the recommendations include:

The NRC also provided recommendations for state and national policymakers.

To see a summary of those recommendations and the full ScienceDailyarticle, go to www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110628112758.htm.

Unique Afterschool Leadership Position Available

Collaborative Communications Group in Washington, DC, manages the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks with funding from the C.S. Mott Foundation. We are seeking a passionate, organized, detail-oriented, knowledgable professional in the afterschool field to coordinate the national network. From meeting design to online community management, this leader will coordinate all aspects of network development. As a senior associate at Collaborative Communications, this leader will manage large and small projects in education and out-of-school time learning, work with a dynamic team, and learn from a range of perspectives on the current field and future of learning. Ideal candidates will have afterschool systems building knowledge and experience at the national, state or local levels. Ideal qualifications include five years of experience in afterschool or related fields and a masters degree in education, public policy, public administration or related fields. For background on the work, visit www.statewideafterschoolnetworks.net. Visit www.collaborativecommunications.com for a complete job description and details on how to apply.

Engaging Infants/Toddlers and their Families : Nevada Summer Conference

BADGES FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

Helicopter 2050 Challenge contest

Children and youth ages 9 to 16 can submit their idea of what a helicopter in the future will look like.

Entries must explain what the helicopter looks like, how it is used and how it is fueled. Entries will be judged on uniqueness of concept (50 percent); description of invention/idea (25 percent); and creativity of presentation (25 percent).

For more information on the contest and prizes and an entry form, go to www.helicopter2050.com/?opt=aboutcontest.

All entries must be postmarked by Aug. 31.

For proven and practical resources, please visit School-Age NOTES at www.schoolagenotes.com.

National Endowment for the Arts

If your after-school program is connected to a school curriculum and instructional program, consider applying for an Art Works grant offered through the National Endowment for the Arts.

Projects that would qualify include:

The deadline to apply is Aug. 11.

For complete guidelines, go to www.nea.gov/grants/apply/GAP12/ArtsEdAW.html.

Ice-Cream

Kaboose Web site children can make ice cream using simple ingredients.

You may want to divide the children into small groups, with multiple sets of ingredients, so everybody gets a chance to take part.

For each group you will need 2 clean metal cans, both with lids and one can larger than the other; ice and salt. For the ice cream you will need 1 cup of very cold milk; 1 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon syrup.

Place the ice cream mixture in the smaller can and seal with the lid on tightly.

Place the smaller can in the larger can. Pour the ice and salt around the smaller can, making sure the smaller can is more or less in the center.

Seal the larger can with its lid and have the children sit in their groups and roll it back and forth for about a half-hour.

When finished, it's ice cream time!

VISTA SEARCH

The Nevada Afterschool Network (NAN) and the Nevada Department of Education (NV DOE), in partnership with the Afterschool Alliance, seeks an AmeriCorps VISTA to live in Elko. The VISTA will assist the selected seven 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) programs and the communities they serve develop sustainability strategies and partnership within the four counties (Elko, Eureka, Lander, and White Pine) to ensure that programs continue to be viable.

Click to review description.

Be Prepared for a Disaster

Consider preparing a disaster kit for your program site and encouraging children to make a kit at home with their families.

The American Red Cross offers suggestions of the basic supplies needed for a kit on their Web site. Go to the Red Cross site at www.redcross.org/ and type in "disaster kit" in the upper right-hand search field.

You can also download a PDF that details what's needed in a kit for your site or parent bulletin board at www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Be_Red_Cross_Ready.pdf.

National Minority Health Month

April is National Minority Health Month. This year's theme, "Bring It or Buy It – Make Lunch Healthy, Green and Good! In Schools, even Food Can Teach Us a Lesson," highlights the importance of healthy food in tackling childhood obesity. According to the federal OMH, minorities participate in great numbers in the school lunch program; therefore, school food is a critical social determinant to the health of minority children. Governor Brian Sandoval signed a proclamation in recognition of this national health observance.

A message from President Obama on National Minority Health Month can be viewed at: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/assets/pdf/checked/1/Presidents_National_Minority_Health_Month_Message.pdf

Overview of USDA Food and Nutrition Service Programs,
2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization and Afterschool Programs

Afterschool programs can access funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). These federal funds are available to reimburse schools and non-profit organizations for nutritious snacks and meals served to children and youth in afterschool programs. Accessing these funds depends on the economic characteristics of the community being served; for example, eligibility to access funds is often linked to the percent of students that qualify for free and reduced price meals and snacks.

This document provides an overview of the USDA food programs available for use by eligible afterschool programs, including information on reimbursement rates, and program and area eligibility. It also offers highlights from the 2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization and its impact on afterschool programs. For more information, please visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov or your state's administering agency. Click here to read more.

The National PTA has released the Parents' Guide to Student Success that promotes the Common Core State Standards.

The guides - one developed for each grade from kindergarten through eighth and two for high school - in English language arts and math - provide clear, consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade so they are prepared for college and a career.

Each guide features:

While the guides were developed for parents, after-school professionals can use the guides in working with parents - and, in programs connected with school, with teachers - to promote the core standards.

The guides can be downloaded - in English and Spanish - at www.pta.org/4446.htm.

FY2011 spending bill that cuts $100 million from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative

Afterschool Alliance

The House just passed a FY2011 spending bill that cuts $100 million from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative, the only federal funding stream dedicated to afterschool programs. Contact your Members of Congress and ask them to oppose the cut.

Passed on Feb. 19, 20011, HR 1 includes over $60 billion in cuts overall. The bill, which is a Continuing Resolution funding FY2011, will be voted on by the U.S. Senate late this month or in early March. Call, write, email or visit your Senators and Representative in the coming days and ask them to oppose funding cuts to the 21st CCLC initiative. Let them know:

Consider attending local Town Hall meetings or inviting Members of Congress to afterschool programs (see our toolkit for Planning a Site Visit).

The bill contains widespread cuts to programs many children and families rely on, including eliminating the Americorps program. For more information on proposed cuts to education, service programs and nutrition assistance, see: http://www.chn.org/save4all/index.html and http://www.saveservice.org/

Serve on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Youth Advisory Board

Suggest to a young person you know that he or she apply to serve on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Youth Advisory Board for the 2011-2012 school year.

Board members serve as ambassadors for the Alliance, share feedback on empowerME programs and activities and lead service-learning programs related to preventing childhood obesity.

Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 17 and live in the United States (including U.S. territories) when membership begins in July. They must be willing to share their unique experiences and opinions to shape the programs of the Alliance's Kids' Movement to make healthy living the norm, not the exception.

To learn more and apply, go to www.empowerme2b.org/2011-2012-youth-advisory-board. The deadline to apply is April 8.

School-Age NOTES

After-school programs can put the focus on the children and youth they work with through an opportunity from School-Age NOTES.

School-Age NOTES is inviting programs to submit candid horizontal photos of children and youth playing or learning. Photos that are not staged have the best chance of being selected.

When selecting photos, consider the month that it might appear. For example, a picture of children wearing shorts that was taken in June wouldn't be considered for a winter issue.

Chosen photos will appear in the upper left-hand corner of the monthly newsletter. See past issues of School-Age NOTES to familiarize yourself with the style that is used. (If you're not a subscriber to the monthly newsletter, call 1-800-410-8780 to subscribe. A one-year subscription costs $33.95 and includes a 10 percent discount on any book orders.)

To submit a photo, send it as a 300 dpi JPG to erika@schoolagenotes.com. Please provide the name of the photographer and the program name. Questions also can be sent to erika@schoolagenotes.com

USDA Nutritional Information Posters

Encourage children to recognize the nutritional value of raw fruits and vegetables with free posters available from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The posters, available at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/nutinfo.html, show nutrition information for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits and vegetables in the United States.

Posters can be printed in various sizes to accommodate any printer and a text version also is available.