Dear Colleagues,
Last month, at RIASPA’s quarterly membership meeting, we unveiled our goals for the next ten years. As a result of a decade’s-worth of accomplishments, we believe that the time has come for afterschool practitioners and allies to harness their collective power and unique expertise and join other educators in the task of ensuring that all Rhode Island children and youth reach their fullest potential socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. RIASPA’s goals include (1) creating atmospheres of engaged learning in which children and youth participate in hands-on, experiential activities that reinforce academic concepts in new ways; (2) reducing summer learning loss; and (3) providing multiple pathways for high-school students to achieve success towards graduation. We hope you’ll partner with us in these efforts in 2012 and beyond!
Last week, the RIASPA team travelled to San Francisco to attend the annual Mott Foundation conference which convenes teams from 40 statewide afterschool networks across the United States. Attending the conference served to reinforce our new goals and provided us with an inspiring look at the great work of afterschool around the country. Whether it is STEM, working with older youth, or providing high-quality programming, Rhode Island continues to be a leader nationwide, and that is something we should all celebrate.
All best,
Leslie
A VOICE FROM THE FIELD
“Recently I started a model building program for teenage boys at Smith Hill Library. At first we were building model soldiers, but it quickly grew to building street scenes and dioramas. At this point, the girls and some younger children joined in, too. Our projects grew as well, as donations of model airplanes, tanks, and cars arrived. The program is finishing its second year with a good following. Youth are learning how to follow directions and read instruction sheets. They are also learning about history, as we discuss each model kit and its importance and relevance to the time period in which it was used. It has also encouraged reading, as youth researched the airplane, tank, car, or soldier they were building. A good afterschool program is fun for all (including the provider) and encourages learning.” — Alan Gunther, Library Manager, Providence Community Library
AROUND-THE-STATE NEWS
Introducing our Afterschool Champion of the Month: Jackie Ascrizzi!
Dana Borrelli-Murray, the Director of Expanded Learning Time at Highlander Charter School, describes Jackie as “afterschool’s biggest cheerleader at the Department of Education.” In addition to being a maven of 21st Century Community Learning Centers in Rhode Island, Jackie has lent her expertise to statewide endeavors related to summer learning, expanded learning opportunities for high school credit, and adolescent health issues. Visit our website to read an interview with Jackie, in which she shares her vision for afterschool as well as a bit of the wisdom she’s accrued as result of her work.
Want to nominate an upcoming Afterschool Champion of the Month? Email Leslie with the name of the person you’d like to nominate and a brief description of the fine work they’ve done in our field.
RESEARCH/TAKE ACTION
The Power of Afterschool and the Future of Learning
As part of our January 25 quarterly membership meeting, RIASPA unveiled The Power of Afterschool and the Future of Learning, a new research brief showcasing the gains the afterschool field has made in the last decade as well as our vision for the next ten. If you were unable to attend the meeting on January 25, please take a moment to peruse the publication and if it resonates with you let us know! We’re currently in the process of identifying partners in the field to help us improve education in Rhode Island.
A total of 36 states–Rhode Island included–have policies in place that provide school districts and schools with some flexibility for awarding credit to students based on mastery of content and skills as opposed to seat time. This publication discusses the critical role governors can play in driving this work at the policy level.
RESOURCES
Youth Advocate Kate Bornstein to speak at Brown University
Kate Bornstein, youth advocate and author of Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws, will be speaking at the Salomon Center for Teaching at Brown University on Saturday, February 18 at 4 p.m. This event is a keynote address that will be open to the public as part of the IvyQ conference, an annual gathering which aims to create a community of LBGTQ students and allies across all eight Ivy League schools.
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Lowe’s Toolbox for Education
deadline: February 17, 2012
Any individual K-12 school or nonprofit parent group associated with a K-12 school are eligible to apply online. Funding requests that have a permanent impact (indoor or outdoor facilities enhancements, landscaping projects, etc) will be favored, as well as those that encourage parent involvement and build community spirit.
Disney Friends for Change Grants
deadline: February 29, 2012
Youth ages 5 to 18 are eligible to apply for a $1,000 grant to help make a lasting, positive change in the world. Disney and Youth Service America are looking for projects that highlight the creativity and commitment of young people working to meet the needs of others, communities, and the planet.
