Weekly Media Roundup: February 19, 2020

Training, Support Unlocking WA After-School Programs' Potential, Public News Service

Afterschool programs in Washington state use a wide variety of supports to increase program quality and inclusivity, such as outside assessments, professional development and more. For example, Open Doors for Multicultural Families utilizes coaching from School’s Out Washington to ensure all its students, regardless of disability, cultural background, or income level, are able to participate in high-quality, intentional activities. “We're able to work with youth with different behavioral statuses, and we also are able to run a program that focuses on each student's ability,” Kayla Nichols, youth program coordinator for Open Doors for Multicultural Families, told Public News Service.

Innovative After School Program Seeing Positive Results, The Daily Jeff (Ohio)

The afterschool programs at Cambridge Primary and Intermediate schools in Cambridge, Ohio, engage community partners to provide opportunities to students. During the past school year, students learned about health from first responders, participated in outdoor recreation with the Deerassic Park Education Center, learned about oral hygiene from a dental clinic and more. Funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, the programs also include an immersive technology-driven gym program called Lü, which encourages teamwork and physical fitness, as well as crafts, yoga and more. “While the academic impact of the program is being seen through improved assessment scores, the success is also visible in non-measured aspects like social development and increased family time.,” Cambridge City School District Board of Education member Amy Kissinger wrote in the Daily Jeff.

Cara Moya and Veronica Chadburn: A Valentine to Lewiston 21st Century program, The Sun Journal (Maine)

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, parents Cara Moya and Veronica Chadburn published a letter in their local newspaper detailing why they love Lewiston 21^st Century, their children’s afterschool program. At the Lewiston, Maine program, students are tutored, complete hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects, learn about leadership, practice mindfulness, write poetry and more. “It is hard to be a working parent. You worry about your kids all day long and some of us worry most during the hours between the final school bell and the time we get home from work. Afterschool programs keep our children safe and busy during those hours,” Moya and Chadburn wrote in the Lewiston Sun-Journal.

After-School Program Opens in Hogansville, La Grange News (Georgia)

At the Elevation Youth afterschool program in Hogansville, Georgia, more than 100 students receive hot meals, get help with their homework, and discover new interests through activities such as pottery, professional music instruction, educational field trips and more. Pioneer Georgia, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing Hogansville, launched the program in November 2019 and will offer a summer learning program this year as well. “This opens up avenues for parents to go to their jobs or get jobs, and it gives vast opportunities to the students,” Elevation Executive Director Charon Prophet told the La Grange News.