As leaders committed to improving the lives of young people, you intrinsically understand why summers matter for young people, which is why I'd like to extend a personal invitation for the National AfterSchool Association community to join the National Summer Learning Association and 600 national leaders for Summer Changes Everything™—our national conference focused on out-of-school time, and specifically on summer learning as a solution to improving student outcomes (October 12 – 14 in Baltimore, Maryland).

Seats are filling up fast, so if you haven't registered, here's your chance: summerlearning.org/conference

This year's conference theme, Renewing the Promise and Purpose of Learning, celebrates the joy of learning. Even amidst high-stakes standardized student testing and pressures of teacher evaluations, NSLA's national conference offers a chance for leaders across the country to reflect on the power we have to connect young people with their passions and grow them into confident learners and leaders.

You will also enjoy a remarkable opportunity to hear from one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World: Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and chair of President Obama's newly created President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. Dr. Hrabowski's newest book, Holding Fast to Dreams: Empowering Youth from the Civil Rights Crusade to STEM Achievement, will inspire all in this very important work of helping young people reach their fullest potential.

We look forward to seeing you in Baltimore!

Thanks,
Rachel

Rachel Gwaltney
Director of Policy & Partnerships
National Summer Learning Association

Photo courtesy of summerlearning.org/conference.