Newsletters

As we move out of Winter and into the bloom of Spring, there’s a natural inclination to embrace renewal and rejuvenation. With longer days comes the opportunity and celebration of self-care in all of its different forms!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a perfect time to reflect on your well-being and how you can continue to support yourself and the people around you. 

As Women’s History Month draws to a close, let’s take a moment to honor the remarkable contributions of women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Throughout history, women have played pivotal roles in shaping the landscape of scientific discovery, innovation, and technological advancement. Today, we honor women making waves in STEAM, from ground-breaking research to fostering diversity. Their success emphasizes the importance of breaking gender barriers in pursuing our passions and shaping a brighter future.

This past February, we honored Black History Month with a profound appreciation for Black individuals’ resilience, achievements, and contributions throughout history. This month serves as a reminder of the struggles overcome, the triumphs celebrated, and the ongoing journey toward equity and justice.

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first installment of the CAN STEAM newsletter for 2024! In honor of National Mentoring Month, we reflect on the profound impact mentors have on shaping the lives of individuals. Whether it’s guiding aspiring minds, offering valuable insights, or providing a supportive shoulder, mentors play a pivotal role in nurturing the potential within each of us.

Welcome to a new year and a new beginning! In Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) fashion, CAN appreciates the lessons 2023 brought and the growth 2024 will show. Check out our post below with highlights from 2023; we are grateful for our experiences, partnerships, and work with all of you wonderful humans! We are excited to kick off a leap year with 366 new days and 366 new opportunities to support children, youth, and our OST and EXL fields.

It’s the season for love and cheer! On behalf of the California AfterSchool Network and the CAN Leadership Team, we wish our CA Community of Educators during the core day and Out-of-School-Time/Expanded Learning hours a Happy Holiday! 

Reflecting on the year’s ups and downs, we are grateful for all the memories made this year. Though the end of a year might seem bittersweet, it’s a new start that brings clarity and hope. In true CQI fashion, we embrace the lessons learned in 2023 to get wisdom, inspiration, and joy in the new year!

Love & Gratitude – As many lives, including children and youth, are impacted by war and violence in many parts of this world, we pause and lean into love and compassion for others. 

As September comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the significance of Suicide Awareness Month and the impact it has had on our collective understanding of mental health. Suicide affects individuals, families, and communities in profound ways. It’s a complex issue that thrives in silence but dwindles in the presence of understanding, empathy, and open dialogue. Suicide Awareness Month serves as an important reminder of the urgency to break the stigma, offer support, and save lives.

As a Vehicle for Advocacy and a Conduit for Communications, CAN is excited to kick off a new year with high-quality, engaging, and energetic learning opportunities to connect and advance Out-of-School Time (OST) and Expanded Learning (EXL) Programs.