Weekly Media Roundup: February 22, 2023

America’s After-School Afterthought, Vox

Durham Public Schools’ afterschool waitlist swelled to 720 students last summer. In Sioux City, Iowa, staffing challenges meant that the Beyond the Bell afterschool program could serve 300 fewer students late last year than before the pandemic. Nationwide, research from the Afterschool Alliance shows that cost remains a major barrier for families interested in enrolling their students in afterschool programs, as does program availability. These challenges are symptomatic of a structural problem: underinvestment in afterschool at the local, state and federal levels. But some states, including California, are investing more in afterschool, leading to major improvements in access, such as the Oakland School District now offering afterschool programs at every single school. “With this money, we can really provide kids now with what they deserve,” Oakland Unified Afterschool Coordinator Martha Peña told Vox.

STEMS4GIRLS Closing Achievement Gap, The Famuan (Florida)

In the STEM4GIRLS afterschool program in Tallahassee, Florida, college student mentors work with second to 12th graders, introducing them to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics and careers. The program also includes tutoring and opportunities for civic engagement and community service. The goal is to increase access to hands-on STEM learning, especially in underrepresented communities. “I really like science and math,” fifth-grader Savannah Washington told The Famuan. “We do presentations and activities to exercise the subjects. The volunteers are really patient with the kids, including me, and they also make sure that we understand. They’re fun and energetic.”

Rate Increase Will Bring in More Funds to Feed Hawaii’s Keiki, Lahaina News (Hawai’i)

According to recent findings from the 2022 “Feed Our Keiki” report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s reimbursement rate for Hawaii’s federal child nutrition program does not adequately cover the program’s costs. In early February, the USDA announced they will increase the reimbursement rate from 17 percent to 30 percent over the continental U.S. rate. “This increase will also help after school and summer programs provide meals for our kids and youth, ensuring that they have access to food outside of school time,” Paula Adams, executive director of the Hawai'i Afterschool Alliance and an Afterschool Alliance Afterschool Ambassador, told the Lahaina News.

Local After-School Programs Celebrated, Designs Will Appear on TriMet Buses, Hillsboro News Times (Oregon)

After a successful poster contest last year, Washington County Kids once again held its “Afterschool is Cool!” competition, inviting students in Portland, Oregon to share why they love their afterschool program. This year’s winners include students in local elementary, middle school and high school afterschool programs and the winning posters will be featured on TriMet buses and bus stops throughout Portland. “(The contest) was started to increase awareness of the fact that these programs really help kids out and that we need to support them, so more kids have access to them,” Washington County Kids President Katie Riley told Hillsboro News Times.