Have you heard of the "Summer Slide?" You probably have if you're a parent—and you most definitely have if you work in education.

4 ways to enhance orientation before the new school year starts

As fall is approaching and the new school year is underway, most afterschool programs have begun the cycle of hiring and orientating new staff. As you dust off your orientation packets and new staff checklists, this can be a perfect time to evaluate your current methods and consider new strategies that may increase effectiveness and assist your new employees in surviving the new school year. This critical time can be challenging for new staff, existing staff, families, and program participants.

Schools and parents are turning more and more to fundraising to support out-of-school time programs because of budget cuts. However, trying to convince businesses to help out can be challenging, and it's easy to get turned down by not following certain business protocols. Here are some tips to consider when fundraising from businesses, corporations, and people in the for-profit sector.