Newsletters

As schools and OST programs return and welcome students, educators, families, and communities to the 2021-2022 school year, we recognize the unique times we continue to work through. While we continue to experience the COVID pandemic and its layers of challenges, unfortunately, regions of Northern California are also currently experiencing destructive wildfires. These fires are damaging homes, schools, communities, and ultimately impacting the environment. Our hearts, thoughts, and support are extended to our OST family and communities affected by these fires.

Welcome to CAN’s monthly STEAM newsletter!

This month, the Million Girls Moonshot will continue to focus on tools and resources for Networks, programs, and partners as they implement STEM in summer programming. As programs across the country slowly head back to hybrid and in person programming, this is an opportunity to reintroduce the four transformative programming areas: equity and inclusion, engineering mindsets, role models, mentors and families, and STEM pathways and transitions to the field and families.

We know there are many questions about the state budget and you all have been patiently waiting for updates! We don’t have all the answers yet but wanted to share what we do know. Below is what we know as of this moment, and things are rapidly shifting, so by the time you actually read this email, it could have changed!

Say no to hate. Stick with love. Our work in youth development needs to be centered on equity; where we create, build, and maintain emotionally and physically inclusive spaces for ALL children and youth to learn, grow, and be unapologetically themselves.  

As we celebrate Pride Month, we also continue to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community of youth and adults. We support the work to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ Americans, of all ages. In schools and OST programs, we have the opportunity to talk with young people about LGBTQ+ people and their struggles to achieve equity and justice in all aspects of their lives. It is also a great opportunity to learn about those who have created change in our communities. 

Each year the month of May highlights the opportunity to celebrate our AAPI community of children, youth, and educators. This year we celebrate and recognize the great contributions the AAPI Community has made to our nation, but also reflect on and condemn the violence and hatred that has been directed at the AAPI Community. We, as a nation, need to do better. We need to continue to teach, to learn and unlearn, and rebuild our communities with love, empathy, and inclusivity. Our AAPI children, youth, educators, and communities deserve equitable spaces to learn, live and thrive!

Welcome to CAN’s second monthly STEAM newsletter! 

This month, the Million Girls Moonshot continues to focus on diverse role models and mentors as a strategy to strengthen equity and inclusion across the Networks and in STEM programs. They dive deeper into how programs can incorporate STEM role models and provide examples of role models in action. Whether you are inviting a role model to visit your afterschool program, organizing a panel of STEM professionals, connecting with a role model virtually, or viewing a role model video, these resources ensure a positive, impactful experience for the participants and the role models.

Welcome to CAN’s first monthly STEAM newsletter! We will be sharing content from the Million Girls Moonshot and other STEAM initiatives that support STEAM in our Expanded Learning programs.

In recent weeks there have been many exciting but nuanced budget and legislative updates that impact Expanded Learning in California. Our most recent fireside chat with Michael Funk and additional resources are provided in this newsletter to help you navigate and provide input during this rapidly evolving time.