CAN Newsletter – Spring into Action!
April 13, 2022
It’s the season of new beginnings! Spring is the season during which the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the colder winter months. During spring, plants begin to grow again, new seedlings sprout out of the ground and hibernating animals awake. In education, it’s also the time of year when we Spring into Action and start preparing for the traditional academic school year to end and continue planning for summer learning experiences. Additionally, things are quite busy as educators spring into all things with the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program to support all CA children, youth and families.
Though it’s a time for positive change, growth and freshness are in the air, we, unfortunately, are working through global traumatic experiences as we see the turmoil of war in Ukraine and nearby countries. It is important we continue to care for ourselves, our children and youth, and our families during these challenging times. This month’s newsletter is full of resources to support educators including Updates from the CDE, CAN News, Upcoming Events and New Information and Resources.
In This Newsletter:
Equity Evolution: CANs Growth Story
Vol. 7
Sensitive Content Warning - Our blog series is an open space for sharing stories and experiences on our equity journey. The following blog post includes the topic of sexual assault, and some might find this topic disturbing or traumatizing. Please care for yourself.
A Quick Glance in the Mirror
My name is Lupita Perez and I am
grateful for this chance to share part of my story with you
all. In this blog post, I wanted to explore a topic that is
close to my heart, but I do have to warn you that it is not a
“light” or openly discussed topic despite the disturbing amount
of people whom it resonates with. So let me get right to it, my
goal in signing up for April’s post of the CAN teams Equity Blog
Series was to bring attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month
while also weaving in my personal experiences and reflections
that have influenced my work and relationship with others.
UPK Planning and Implementation Guidance Release & Office Hours
UPK Planning and Implementation Guidance
The California Department of Education (CDE) is excited to announce that additional Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Planning and Implementation guidance has been posted on the California Educators Together website. See below for a list of new sections of guidance. The main web page can be found at Universal PreKindergarten/Preschool to Third Grade (UPK/P-3).
Supporting Inclusion from Preschool through 3rd Grade Webinar
Thursday, April 21, 2022; 3:30 - 5:00 PM PST
The California Department of Education is pleased to announce the next installment of the Opportunities for All Branch P-3 webinar series, Supporting Inclusion from Preschool through 3rd Grade, will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
The webinar is designed to support local educational agencies, community-based organizations, and their partners to understand the importance of inclusive classrooms for young children with and without disabilities, receive information about existing and proposed legislation and funding opportunities to support more preschool and early elementary inclusive classrooms, and learn more about best practices for effective preschool through third grade inclusion.
New Playbook: Working with Parents of English Learners
The Parent Organization Network (PON) recently published the PON Playbook for Working with Parents of English Learners. This resources provides approaches and strategies for leveraging parent and community leaders as advocates for English learners. It outlines a six-step process to support the capacity building of parents to see themselves as agents of change who can influence decisions for goals and allocations for English learners.
Meaningful Writing in Afterschool: Poetry, Spoken Word and Journaling
Wednesday, April 13, 2022; 10:00 AM PST
Sign up for HowKidsLearn Foundation and Temescal Associates’s upcoming webinar: Meaningful Writing in Afterschool: Poetry, Spoken Word and Journaling. Explore opportunities for youth to reflect on and express their thoughts and feelings are critical strategies for any afterschool program.
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
10:00 AM PST
SEL and Student Mental Well-Being: Flipping the Script Around Student Supports
Wednesday, April 13, 2022; 11:00 AM PST
Register for EducationWeek’s upcoming webinar on mental health. Explore a framework for a multi-tiered student well-being system (MTSS) to:
- Build necessary skills ahead of challenges
- Identify and target supports to emerging issues
- Efficiently lead students of high need to quality services
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
11:00 AM PST
Summit: Parenting Teens in Uncertain Times
Monday, April 25 - Wednesday May 4, 2022
Register for a FREE 10 day online summit for parents, caregivers and anyone who wants to create a better future for our teens. Explore a variety of topics concerning ways to effectively support adolescents academically, socially, and emotionally.
Monday, April 25 – Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Calling All Afterschool Artists! Lights on Afterschool Poster Contest
Deadline: May 16, 2022
The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year they’re changing the theme to reflect how youth see themselves and their futures because of their afterschool program! The winning submission will be awarded $500 and will have their design printed on more than 50,000 posters and displayed at more than 8,000 Lights on Afterschool events across the nation.
To learn more about the content and how to submit your artwork, visit their website!
Vaccinate Children 5+ So They Safely Participate in the Activities They Love!
As after school activities resume, students are spending more time out of the house and with their friends in sports, plays, and study groups. It’s a busy and fun time for families, which means it is extra important to take those extra measures to keep kids healthy and enjoying the things they love to do.
ARP Resources: Funding, Staffing, Trends
Afterschool Alliance has compiled a list of resources that detail how programs are utilizing ARP funds in their programs for staffing, program creation, and other trends in the afterschool sector:
- Helpkidsrecover.org, a resource site to help inform education leaders about tapping American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for afterschool and summer, includes the latest examples of ways state and local education agencies are using ARP funds for afterschool and summer programming.
- Comprehensive Afterschool Program Fact Sheet (Dec 2021): outlines what is meant by the term “comprehensive afterschool” used in the ARP law, evidence on outcomes, and key principles for effective programs. Use this to help educate your partners.
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!