AfterSchool of Thought
Welcome to the "AfterSchool of Thought," a blog series for those with products and offerings for afterschool programs and the professionals who work in the field.
Children categories
STEM Gems (1)
STEM Gems are short discovery-based experiences. They involve little or no materials and may be easily implemented by educators who are not STEM specialists. Each STEM Gem is designed to engage young people in active experiential learning. The activities begin by setting up connections to prior knowledge, then a hands on activity provides new concepts and the opportunity to design experiments to answer any questions the kids discover. Finally, a connection to a different scenario for the concept is provided to help cement and evaluate the learning.
STEM Gems are experiences designed to be used with kids of all ages. Younger children should be focused on one idea or concept and should perform the activity as a collective group with prompts and directions from the teacher. With older youth, the teacher should act as a facilitator. The older youth should be set up to work independently in small teams and encouraged to ask questions and try out their own experiments to answer them. Each team should report back on their findings, so a consensus around the concept is reached.
Each STEM Gem is presented in an easy to follow lesson plan:
Big Ideas and Science Talk
Central concepts and key words to give the adult the science background for the experience.
Engage
Open ended questions to stimulate discussion and generate connections to prior knowledge.
What You Will Need
A list of the materials.
Before You Begin
The preparation needed for the activity.
Explore and Experiment
The directions for the experience designed using open ended questions that focus the children on discovering answers.
Make the Connection and Extend and Evaluate
Connections to other scenarios that use the same concepts and related question(s) or additional activity to evaluate knowledge.
STEM Gems are available to members only. Login to access STEM Gems.
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The Afterschool Guide to Trauma-Sensitive Practices
The Afterschool Guide to Trauma-Sensitive Practices equips afterschool professionals with basic information about trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma-Informed Care versus Healing Centered Practices.
This eBook shares responsive approaches to behaviors youth may exhibit as a result of trauma. In addition to this, the guide provides self-care tips for afterschool professionals to utilize in an effort to reduce secondary traumatic stress and to help maintain emotional wellbeing.
This eBook is accessible to Executive members on the Leadership Resources page of your membership profile.
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NAA's Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders 2021 Nominations
Nominations are Now Closed
NAA’s Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders identifies young leaders and recognizes and cultivates the talent of rising stars who have the potential to influence the field of afterschool for years to come. The selected emerging leader honorees will have: demonstrated contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to organizations and communities, a proven passion for development of themselves and others, active engagement in efforts to elevate the afterschool field and demonstrated persistence in their work to grow as leaders.
Join NAA in recognizing extraordinary individuals, age 30 or under, strong believers in the power of afterschool―who are vested in things like advocacy, professional development, creative program design, the power of youth voice, data and evaluation and racial justice.
If you know of a candidate worthy of this honor, review the eligibility and nominations information below and then nominate them today!
Nomination Information:
For the Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders 2021, NAA is looking to highlight individuals who:
- Are age 30 or under as of November 13, 2020
- Are active in the broader afterschool community, including, but not limited to membership in NAA and its state affiliates
- Demonstrate contributions that have started to influence beyond an individual program to entire organizations and communities
- Are actively engaged in efforts to elevate the afterschool field
- Have a proven passion for development of themselves and others, and demonstrate persistence in their work to grow as leaders
- Demonstrate the NAA core competencies, specifically Content Area 10: Professional Development and Leadership
Other Considerations:
- NAA appreciates all afterschool professionals and leaders, but in this case we are searching for exceptional young leaders.
- Successful nominations will share specific examples that demonstrate the full extent of why a candidate is deserving of this special, national recognition.
- To ensure that honorees are representative of the diverse communities served by our profession, we encourage nominations of Black, Indigenous and other emerging leaders of color.
Each honoree will receive a free, NAA Executive membership, national recognition, on-going leadership development, support in broadening their professional networks and other opportunities to expand their impact. Those selected must be willing to respond to a written interview, submit a professional photo, agree to be featured in the Spring 2021 issue of AfterSchool Today magazine and be highlighted on NAA’s social channels and digital content.
Important Dates:
Nomination period: October 27 - November 13, 2020
Honoree notification: November 20, 2020
"The National AfterSchool Association knows that strong afterschool leaders develop the skilled professionals and teams that run strong organizations and quality programs that result in positive youth outcomes. These emerging leaders will help shape the next generation of the afterschool field."
-Gina Warner, President and CEO of NAA
Afterschool 2020: Timely Ways to Market Your Offerings
Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 1:00 pm ET
A special webinar for NAA Advocate members only
It’s 2020 and the new world we're living in has brought a lot of change to the role of afterschool programs and professionals. In addition to safety and funding challenges, they're also faced with reimagining learning environments, cultural responsiveness, youth engagement, family communication, and school relationships.
How can you better tailor and communicate your offerings to meet these unique needs? Join NAA's marketing team as we share more information about:
- How NAA members are engaging with youth, families and colleagues and what opportunities that lends to you.
- What and how often you should be communicating your offerings.
- How you can match your offerings to meet their current needs.
- New opportunities available to you as an Advocate member.
Presented by:
Lisa Young, Director of Marketing, Serendipity Media
Jill Carroll, NAA Marketing & Media Consultant, Serendipity Media
Webinar: Playlist to Adapt Your Afterschool and Summer Programming
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 1:00pm EST
Join BellXcel and The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati for Playlist to Adapt Your Afterschool and Summer (or even school day!) Programming. This webinar covers:
- Essential ingredients for remote learning: Lessons learned from BellXcel’s innovations for remote summer learning—including programmatic design, learning environment, social-emotional enrichment, outcome metrics, quality, and strong professional development
- Summer success story: How the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati brought a strong summer remote learning experience to their community achieving scholar gains in Math and ELA
- Innovating for afterschool: Applying our learning to strengthen onsite programs for school-aged distance learners
As an attendee, you will have access to our webinar content, BellXcel’s Remote Quality Reflection Tool, and a worksheet to guide your own adaptive playlist.
Speakers:
Damon Johnson, Senior Vice President, Community Engagement, BellXcel
Jorge Perez, CEO, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
Trish Kitchell, Vice President of Youth Development, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
Brita Nordin, Senior Vice President, Product Management, BellXcel
About BellXcel
BellXcel partners with schools and youth organizations to license its evidence-based all-in-one solution for K-8 summer and afterschool programming. A leading national nonprofit in youth development with nearly 30 years’ experience innovating proven educational solutions, BellXcel is changing the way its partners empower educators and reach exponentially more children and their families.
Afterschool Products and Services Catalog Fall 2020
Summer is a popular time for back-to-school planning. From professional development and curriculum planning to supply purchasing and equipment upgrades, there’s a lot for afterschool professionals to consider.
In this guide, you'll find the top picks from our Advocate members and partners. We hope it proves helpful in making your 2020-2021 an awesome school year!
Not yet a member of NAA? Join here!
NAA Member Alternate Email Address
By providing your email address or cell phone number, you agree to receive communications from the National Afterschool Association.
Let’s Talk the Future of Afterschool Conversations
NAA is leading by example to carve out space to have conversations about the future—what do we know, what do we need to know and how can we share across the field.
PAST RECORDINGS
TOPIC: Open for Summer, Preparing for Fall
July 1, 2020
Host: Gina Warner, President & CEO
National AfterSchool Association
Guest: Ann Tancioco
Kids' Country
TOPIC: Five Ways to Provide for the Other Half of Education Amid the Coronavirus
June 17, 2020
Host: Gina Warner, President & CEO
National AfterSchool Association
Guests: Jen Siaca Curry
Change Impact
Alison Overseth
Partnership for Afterschool Education (PASE)
TOPIC: Strengthening Social and Emotional Support for Adults and Young People: Reopening and Beyond
June 3, 2020
Host: Gina Warner, President & CEO
National AfterSchool Association
Guests: Jessica Newman, Senior Researcher
American Institutes for Research
Ebony Grace, Director of Partnerships and Quality Initiatives
NJSACC, NAA Board of Directors
TOPIC: School and Afterschool Coordination
May 20, 2020
Host: Gina Warner, President & CEO
National AfterSchool Association
Guest: Jonathan Melendez, Coordinator
Fairfax County (Virginia) Out-of-School Time Network
TOPIC: Reopening
May 6, 2020
Host: Gina Warner, President & CEO
National AfterSchool Association
Guest: Isabelle Mussard, Executive Director
California School-Age Consortium
Let’s Talk the Future of Afterschool is a bi-weekly, interactive conversation that will provide timely updates and resources to our membership and inform policymakers, funders, and other decision-makers about the state of the afterschool field's efforts and needs.
These conversations—with program leaders, funders, researchers, and other decision-makers—will explore the current situation facing the afterschool field and, most important, look beyond the immediate crisis and into the future.
Each conversation will:
- Provide examples of effective responses to the crisis and data from the field
- Identify anticipated issues and the roles of influential people and organizations to provide resources to address them
- Learn about specific actions for different audiences to address short- and long-term issues
Participants will be able to ask questions, write comments and respond to others through the Zoom chat function.
Webinar: Level Up: How Automation & Technology Can Improve Program Management & the Parent Experience
Tuesday, April 28 at 1:00pm ET
Sponsored by:
Schools across the country are turning to technology to automate traditionally manual tasks. For afterschool professionals, a program management solution can be a vital tool for streamlining routine processes from registration to billing.
Level up your program and join us to learn how key technological trends are shaping parent preferences and how your program can meet these changes head on.
In this webinar, we'll:
- Take a look at technology trends that are shaping parent preferences and expectations.
- Cover two key areas where your program can utilize technology and automation to improve processes and the parent experience.
- Get an inside look at MySchoolBucks’ new registration platform, MSB Activities.
About MSB Activities
MSB Activities is an all-new program registration and payments solution brought to you by the MySchoolBucks team at Heartland School Solutions. At Heartland, our mission is to bring effective solutions to K-12 professionals to help them better manage their programs and simplify their day-to-day tasks.
NAA20 Reimagined - Virtual Convention Coming Soon!
NAA is more than a Convention—it’s a community. NAA Convention is the place where afterschool professionals and leaders go to share, learn, connect, and be inspired. NAA20 Reimagined - Virtual Convention will incorporate all of this and more!
What to Know Before You Go
We look forward to seeing you in the Washington, D.C., area for the National AfterSchool Association Convention 2020! The important details below will help you get ready and make the most of your time at NAA20.
— BEFOREHAND —
What to Wear
Plan for business casual clothing, dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes.
Speaking of what to wear, the first public event is a Rally for Afterschool at the General Session on March 15 at 6 p.m. Participants wear statement clothing (like slogan t-shirts) and bring rally signs (or make them on-site) showing support of afterschool. During the Rally, participants sit in designated areas with other members of their states. A lead has been identified for each state who, if they haven’t already, will reach out to you with more details about the state plans for the Rally.
Prepare for Basic Needs
Plan to bring a water bottle and small snacks to stay hydrated and nourished. We’ll have water coolers and provide several opportunities for food, but you don’t want to miss anything because you’re stuck in line at the hotel gift shop!
Health and Wellness
With the ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we want you to know the safety of convention participants is of utmost importance to us. NAA Convention will proceed as planned. However, we have made some modifications to address concerns.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are declaring NAA20 a “Handshake-Free Zone.” Try these alternative handshake ideas at Convention.
In addition, our event team is working with the hotel to ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place for all participants. We also trust that participants will undertake all necessary precautions to protect their own health and safety—by traveling with hand sanitizers—while at the event and during travel.
In the meantime, please consider these proactive precautions as recommended by the Center for Disease Control, to protect yourself and those around you.
Importantly, if you have a respiratory illness or fever, please stay home.
Program Books
Program books are available online here and can be picked up at Registration. Note: If you need to document your training time, use the certificate located near the end of the program book.
Event Location/Hotel
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, Maryland 20745
P. (301) 965-4000
Check-in time is 3:00 pm
Check-out time is 11:00 am
All hotel guests are required to provide a form of payment at the Gaylord front desk upon check-in.
If paying for your hotel stay with a company card or a personal card, and the cardholder will not be present, you must complete a credit card authorization form prior to arrival. Company checks must be received 10 business days prior to arrival and are not accepted at the desk. Please note, we do not accept personal checks. Call the Gaylord at (301) 965-4000 ext. 5 for a guest service agent to assist you with completing the form. Note: paper credit card authorizations are no longer accepted before arrival or at the desk.
Become a Marriott’s Bonvoy Member to minimize check-in wait time at the Convention hotel by using the digital key. Click here to learn about digital key instructions.
Getting There
Washington, D.C. has multiple transportation options of varying price and duration. See some of the options and discounts in the NAA20 Convention App or click here.
Parking
Valet parking is available for $49 per day. Self-parking options are available at the hotel for $30 per day.
— DURING —
Name Badges
Stop by registration to pick up your name badge, swag bag and program book. Wear your name badge at all times for all Convention activities. Badges are required for session and Learning Expo admittance.
NAA20 Convention Registration and Help Desk
Located on the Ballroom Level. Registration is separated alphabetically by last name. Please bring a business card or photo ID when checking in.
Sunday, March 15 - 12:00 pm - 8:30 pm in Woodrow Wilson A
Monday, March 16 - 7:00 am - 5:00 pm in Woodrow Wilson A
Tuesday, March 17 - 7:30 am - 4:30 pm in Maryland Ballroom C Foyer
Bling Out Your Badge
While you’re at registration, pick up a badge ribbon or two to tell people more about you. All Convention participants are Executive members. Are you an Advocate member, presenter, or exhibitor? There are ribbons for all of you. First time participants are VIPs (Very Important Participants). If that’s you, add a VIP ribbon! Stop by the NAA Networking Hub in the Learning Expo for lanyard buttons that show your support for afterschool and afterschool professionals.
Afterschool for All Challenge
If you're registered for the Afterschool for All Challenge, visit the Challenge Check-In Desk in the Maryland Ballroom A Foyer for more details.
- Tuesday, March 17 - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Wednesday, March 18 - 7:30 - 10:00 am
Get Social
Share highlights, pictures and connect with others on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and in the NAA20 Convention App feed—include hashtag #NAA20. Daily social media contests will be announced in the app and are available in the program book.
Thank you for joining us at NAA Convention 2020––where afterschool professionals and leaders gather to get inspired, connected, learn and share!
National AfterSchool Association • 2961A Hunter Mill Road, #626 • Oakton, VA 22124 • info@naaweb.org