CAN Newsletter – Back to School!
August 10, 2021
Happy 2021-2022 School Year! As we approach the close of the Summer Break, we welcome the Back to School season! Despite the challenges of operating schools and programs during the pandemic and its highs and lows, OST educators continue to rise to the occasion, and support children, youth, families, and communities.
The Expanded Learning workforce – community educators, site coordinators, leaders, and youth developers - is a dynamic group of diverse educators and leaders who throughout this past year found innovative and creative ways to connect with children and youth. Not only did they support the academic needs and growth of students, but also, with an overarching lens of Whole Child Health and Wellness supported their social-emotional wellness. Braiding trauma-informed approaches and practices and authentically building relationships, empowered young people to heal, grow, and work through the anxieties and challenges of this past school year, inequity of systemic oppression, and other adversities. We celebrate all educators, especially our OST professionals, who continue to be great examples of leadership, resilience, community, and changemakers who show up and create equitably-centered spaces for young people to learn, grow and thrive!
As we embark on the 2021-2022 school year, with its unique opportunities and challenges, we are reminded of Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education, and his motto to “Lead with Love.” In addition, we understand the OST/Expanded Learning field has several questions about the unique funding opportunities and changes. The CAN team, along with other partners, are working creatively, and with a sense of urgency, to support our OST/EXL family with resources and support to help move forward.
Until then, we highly recommend the following:
Grab some popcorn and watch the latest CAN Fireside Chat! In this chat, Heather Williams from the California AfterSchool Network is joined by Michael Funk and Sterling Williams from the Expanded Learning Division of the California Department of Education as they discuss key updates on the new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P). Below are a few highlights:
- It is the intent of the new ELO-P to work with existing ASES and 21st CCLC programs to ultimately provide a single comprehensive expanded learning program for students in CA.
- Another fireside chat will be filmed and released with the posting of the FAQs.
- FAQs to address some of the biggest initial questions are nearly final and likely to be released early next week.
Stay Connected and Informed!
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for other Fireside Chats and Videos!
- Follow CAN’s Social Media platforms for resources and updates!
Leading with Love,
The CAN Team
In This Newsletter:
Register Today for the Paving the Way Virtual Convening!
August 23, 2021, 10:00 AM- 12:30 PM PST
As schools and educators gear up to return to in-person instruction, and teacher shortages continue to be exacerbated by the pandemic, California is in dire need of well-prepared teachers. The majority of California’s Expanded Learning educators—which includes anyone who works in a before or after school program, in a summer program, or in an extended day program —are young, bilingual people of color who come from the same communities they serve and have strong knowledge and abilities in youth development, making them well-positioned to become the teachers of tomorrow.
Welcome to Our New Leadership Team Members!
The Leadership Team is the primary governing body of the California AfterSchool Network. The Leadership Team is responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, and support to the committees and participants in the California AfterSchool Network.
Attendance Reporting Starting July 1, 2021, and Other Information
Senate Bill (SB) 98 suspended many grant requirements in education code as a result of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Effective July 1, 2021, all statutory Pre-COVID-19 grant requirements were reinstated, this will include in-person programming and attendance requirements.
Per SB 98, grant reductions were suspended in Fiscal Year 2019–20 and 2020–21. Grant reductions will be reviewed starting at the conclusion of the 2022 Calendar Year. At the conclusion of the 2022 Calendar Year, the Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) will review the 75 percent requirement. At the conclusion of the 2023 Calendar Year, the EXLD will review the 85 percent requirement. Please see the attached chart.
Updated CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools to align with CDC’s existing guidance for fully vaccinated people and assist K-12 schools in opening for in-person instruction and remaining open. Additionally, the Considerations for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in K-12 Schools and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) has been updated to align with new CDC guidance.
Putting Data to Work for Young People: A Framework for Measurement, Continuous Improvement, and Equitable Systems
Every Hour Counts has created a new guide to help organizations assess and improve afterschool systems entitled Putting Data to Work for Young People: A Framework for Measurement, Continuous Improvement, and Equitable Systems. The framework consists of 11 desired system outcomes, however, it is more than just a checklist.
Better, Broader Learning: California Education Policymakers Prioritize Bolder Expanded Learning Opportunities
A new blog post co-authored by president of Learning Policy Institute, Linda Darling-Hammond, co-founder and senior fellow of the Forum for Youth Investment, Karen Pittman, and president and CEO of Partnership for Children & Youth, Jennifer Peck, elevate the importance of providing more engaging and personalized learning opportunities for students. They write how California’s investment in expanded learning opportunities is designed to address the impact of the pandemic and build a more equitable and opportunity-rich education system.
Student Voice’s 2021-2022 Program Sign-Ups are Open!
Application Deadline: August 22, 2021
Take action to advance education justice! Student Voice’s program sign-ups for the 2021-2022 school year are now open! Learning Lab members, Ambassadors, Journalism Fellows and Organizing Fellows receive pay, resources, connections and support to create change in their school and community through the 2021-2022 school year.
Everyday CQI Spark Deck and Webinar
Monday, August 23; 11:15-11:45 AM PST
Public Profit has created the Everyday CQI Spark Deck! This is an easy-to-use resource that can be used to make continuous quality improvement part of your professional practice!
In addition to this resource, Public Profit will be hosting a 30-minute coffee break webinar to learn more about how to use micro-practices to enrich CQI everyday!
Attendance Awareness: Back to School!
Taking action to engage students and families is essential for addressing the absenteeism, enrollment declines and educational inequities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Join the Attendance Awareness Campaign and address chronic absence today!
Check Out Our Other Newsletters!
Access the CAN newsletter archives to view past newsletters today! You may be interested in some of our other newsletters as well:
CAN Health and Wellness Newsletters
- Get informed on the connections between afterschool and Whole Child Health and Wellness.
- Subscribe today!
CAN STEAM Newsletters
- Get informed about the Million Girl Moonshot project and access other STEAM resources.
- Subscribe today!
CAN Policy Newsletter
- Get informed about policy-related content, including national, state, and local updates, that supports our Expanded Learning programs.
- Subscribe today!