Register Today for the Midwest Afterschool Science Academy
The Midwest Afterschool Science Academy: Engineering Youth Success in School, Work, and Life will be held December 2-4, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo.
The Main Topics of Exploration will be: Positive Youth Development/Quality Afterschool Programming; Quality Science Education for All; The processes of inquiry and experiential learning; Implementing high-quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Math experiences in youth programs; Engaging underrepresented populations in the sciences; Afterschool Science Professional Development; and School/Community Partnerships through Science.
The Midwest Afterschool Science Academy will help school districts, community-based organizations and community leaders offer science curriculum that promotes positive youth development; connect afterschool learning with academic content and support the lessons taught during the school day; develop the fundamental staff skills to facilitate science exploration and confidence to deliver on-going, high-quality science experiences; connect with resources that will support science learning and school-community partnerships and sharing best practices.
For more details and registration information, visit their website.
New study shows demand for afterschool programs
Each day after school, 168,614 K-12 children in Kansas are responsible for taking care of themselves. Similarly, 132,036 would choose to be involved in an afterschool program, if one was available in their community. These striking statistics come from a new study released by The Afterschool Alliance. Kansas After 3PM, a supplement of America After 3PM, provides extensive research on how children spend their afternoons.
The full study is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM.cfm.
Proclamation supports afterschool in Kansas
Governor Mark Parkinson is shown signing a document proclaiming October as Lights on Afterschool Month. With him are afterschool program participants, parents, teachers, and administrators.
Governor Mark Parkinson recognized the important role of afterschool programs in the state when he signed a proclamation declaring October Lights on Afterschool month.
Three students who participate in afterschool programs attended the signing ceremony in the state capital, along with afterschool program teachers and administrators.
"I found the ceremony moving as it was a celebration of support and recognition for our after school programs," said Chun Yan Hu of the Kansas City Chinese Academy. "My students were very excited to meet the Governor.
"I think it was a confidence-booster for both of them, and they were eager to share their adventure with their friends. It was an experience none of us will ever forget."
Attorney General Stephen Six, Senator Vicki Schmidt Attend Topeka Lights On Afterschool Event
"Attorney General Stephen Six, Kansas State Senator Vicki Schmidt, and Topeka Firefighters joined Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten and more than 150 students to highlight the importance of afterschool programs in Kansas.”
The Lights On Afterschool event, held at Christ the King Elementary School in Topeka, was sponsored in conjunction with the nationwide celebration that calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families and communities.
"Over 7,500 programs across the country are hosting events in recognition of the importance of afterschool programs in keeping kids safe and engaged afterschool" said Marcia Dvorak, Director of the Kansas Enrichment Network, who helped coordinate the event.
Honored guests Attorney General Stephen Six, Senator Vicki Schmidt, and Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten spoke at the event, which also was attended by Topeka Police Chief Ron Miller, members of the Road Runners Hockey Team, several Topeka Firefighters, parents, business owners and representatives from various community organizations.
"Having legislative support at our event solidifies for our parents and families how important afterschool programs are for Kansas youth," said Lisa Wilk, Early Care and Education Specialist with ERC Resource and Referral. "This also is an amazing learning opportunity for our youth to interact with important Kansas leaders."
The Topeka event featured students representing five afterschool programs, including Christ the King, YMCA Prime Time, Susanna Wesley, Asbury Mount Olive, Salvation Army and YWCA Kids Quest school-age programs. Across the state, nearly 100 afterschool programs participated in Lights On Afterschool events.
The Kansas Enrichment Network thanks the honored guests and afterschool programs for their support with this exciting event.
State-wide Summit Addresses Dropout Prevention
In an effort to address the dropout problem in Kansas, more than 300 concerned students, community leaders, school administrators, parents, and state lawmakers convened recently at the Kansas DropINs summit, which was held at Wichita State University. There, they shared concerns, focused on raising awareness, and brainstormed ideas to help prevent students from dropping out of high school.
Did you know, for example, that:
- One Kansas student drops out of high school every two hours
- In 2007, there were 3,641 students who failed to graduate
- Students dropped out of school because they had to take a job, became a parent, or dealt with family issues
Marcia Dvorak, director of the Kansas Enrichment Network, said it's crucial to identify and provide support for students who are at risk for dropping out long before they reach high school. Quality afterschool programs do just that by creating a safety net for these at-risk students by exposing them to caring adults and role models, providing them with safe places and constructive activities, focusing on healthy minds and bodies, developing skills for work and life, and giving them chances to help others.
"Research has shown that afterschool programs keep kids in school," Dvorak said. "More than that, these programs help students improve standardized test scores, develop better work habits, and reduce behavior problems.
"Quality out-of-school programs also prevent crime, drug use and violence by providing kids with a safe, engaging place to go once the school day ends. Every child in Kansas should have access to these programs."
The Kansas State Department of Education is hosting a free After School Program on Sustainability
This workshop is for anyone interested in learning how several Kansas-based after school programs have kept their programs running after the initial grant.
For more information click here
Show your support for Afterschool for All.
You can show your support for afterschool programs in Kansas by joining the Afterschool for All Campaign.
Afterschool for All is an effort to collect the names of all Americans who believe that young people should have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. Visit the website to join today!
Please join us by signing the campaign for Afterschool for All
