Hoops with Some Heart: BGC Newark @ Burnet St Hosts Charity Basketball Game

From our partners at Burnet Street Elementary, Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark:

Local Kids Organized Charity Basketball Game

Proceeds, totaling more then $200, Benefiting Breast Cancer Research

Newark Global Village School Zone schools compete for worthy cause

Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark After-school Programs at Burnet Street School and Newton Street School Face Off

The Club members at the Boys & Girls Club/NJA3 after-school program at Burnet Street School, which includes children in grades 4-8, organized a Charity Basketball Game to benefit Breast Cancer research at the “Susan G. Komen for the Cure” Center. It is their first service-learning project. The kids chose the cause, researched and selected the organization, arranged for the donation, developed and implemented a publicity plan that includes social media, the school’s parents and faculty while even mapping their own route throughout the local community to spread the word! After all, teaching children that they hold the power of change in their small hands is an essential part to their social development and overall education. Youth-led service learning yields longer lasting impact as kids learn to change the world they live rather then adapt to it.

Professional Development Opportunity @ Essex County

Focus on Content: Resources Abound

With the end of the year coming, it is never too late to freshen up your program content. Here are some resources designed specifically for the afterschool community:

4-H Programs have made a wide variety of curricula available - from friendship games for K, to world culture activities for 8th graders.

This Coalition for Science After School has a variety of resources available.

April Showers Bring... Funding Opportunties!

While our #1 focus should be running high quality programs and ending the year strong, we must also begin to look forward to the next academic year. Here are some RFPs and interesting articles from the philanthropy world that you should take some time to review:

PNC is working with community organizations to roll our financial literacy curricula. With PNC being a NJ based bank, this could open up some opportunities for our Newark programs.

The NEA and Nickelodeon have teamed up to offer $5000 grants for service programs. This is a great opportunity to work collaboratively with a certified teacher from your school and show the extra value your organizations bring!

With Spring having fully sprung, it might be a great time for a school-based garden project. Whole Foods is offering $2000 grants to fund such projects.

As you write grants to support your programming, don't forget that your programs can be a key resource to improve literacy skills. Check out this article reinforcing what we already know - literacy is incredibly important, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.

Camp Vacamas at Quitman: Entrepreneurs in Action

On Friday, April 15th, the student-entrepreneurs at the Camp Vacamas at Quitman Street displayed their business plans, along with their "Going Green" service project - recycling and redesigning clothing! Check out these pictures!

And we cannot forget the wonderful work of the Quitman Street Photography Club!

These students presented their fully developed business plans to a full panel of reviewers, including Quitman Street Principal Erskine Glover, and an audience of proud parents and community members. 5th and 6th graders joined the festivities, showing off their unique recycling efforts, turning gently used clothing into unique and redesigned fashion must-haves!

$$$FUNDING ALERT$$$

Happy Spring Break to you NGVSZers! While you are taking in the sun (or at least not working as hard as you usually do), take a few minutes to check out some FANTASTIC funding opportunties for you, your programs and your program partners!

• Dollar General (which serves the Newark area) is giving away $5000 grants for non-profits (supplies anybody?)
• Are you tech-savvy? Do you have a tech club? The NEA is looking to give $1000 to individuals and organziations that develop mobile phone "apps" for school!
• Tell your certifed teachers that they can apply for a $3400 grant from PSE&G to support environmental education!

Unique Resources Available to You

For the creative program, we have available some unique resources, including...

• Free DVD cases (sans DVDs, of course)
• DVD cover art (see pic below)
• Recent (but old) magazines, including Nintendo Power, etc

Use them as incentives, or for art projects... if you can think of an idea, they are yours! Please email your program officer for more info!

A word on the magazines and cover art - these were given to me by my PT employer, Blockbuster. I have a whole box, and while there is a lot of good kid-centric stuff, not everything in the box is kid appropriate. You'll need to look through and sort it out. Even the non-kid appropriate stuff can be useful, though! Make these cardboard covers into bathroom passes, signs for rooms, flashcards - whatever!

Encore Careers Purpose Prize - $10,000

Among the many benefits of the NGVSZ is the opportunity we provide for "Encore Careers" - chances for Older Newarkers to "combine purpose, passion and a paycheck." The Encore Careers website is an excellent resource for highlighting these opportunities in our programs, and also gives us the chance to engage older job seekers through out the state.

Each year, Encore Careers highlights the work of dedicated older Americans (60+) who have invested their time and passion into serving their communities. The Encore Purpose Prize awards $100,000 in awards, and nominations are currently being accepted. Do you know someone 60 or older who might deserve some accolades? This is a great opportunity to recognize the work of someone on your staff, or in your organization, or from your community. Check out this link for more information.

Free Xerox Networked Color Printer!

Xerox is reaching out to organizations, offering free network-ready color printers! Here's how it works:

Xerox will lease you, at no charge, one of their networked printers, in exchange for a commitment to buy the supplies from their website. If you spend over $100/month on printing, or would like to expand your printing capabilities, check out the website.

STEM Resources; Pictures from RIF and Camp Fun from Vacamas

It's a jam packed post today, with reosurces from today's STEM curriculum training and pictures from our partners at Vacamas!

The Water Curriculum we reviewed today can be found here: http://www.state.nj.us/education/21cclc/casp/

Inexpensive eye droppers, required for several experiments, can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/100-PIPETTE-EYEDROPPERS-Transfer-Liquids-Airbrush-Paint/dp/B002J0NQCI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1299709636&sr=8-2

Here are some inexpensive magnifying lenses:
http://www.makingfriends.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=S-MAGGL

Make science a bit more fun (and tasty) by checking out what they offer at candyexperiments.com. 


NASA offers interesting resources for our programs at this site: http://universe.nasa.gov/au/links.html




And this comes from Vacamas:

Vacamas Programs for Youth staff members brought Dr. Seuss's stories to
life for the children of Sussex Avenue School through costumed
characters from his best-known tales and hands-on activities. Students
of all ages were engrossed in the captivating program.

84 students from Quitman Street and Eighteenth Avenue Schools came to
Camp Vacamas for an action-packed weekend in late February. Students
made four leaf clovers out of play-dough, hiked the Vacamas trails, and
played Minute to Win It, Vacamas-style. 

Essex County Parks Programming for Students and Families

Thanks to Lisette Curry from BGCNewark for sharing thsi info! If you have any information that our students and families would benefit from, don't forget to reach out to your NJ After 3 Program Officer!

LEARN ABOUT HORTICULTURE, HIKING, BUGS, GEOLOGY, PETS, PHOTOGRAPHY, YOGA AND MORE AT THE ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER Essex County Executive DiVincenzo Invites Children and Families to Expand their Understanding and Appreciation of the Environment

   
Roseland, NJ - A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of March that will teach children and adults about nature and help them gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our environment. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites children and adults to visit the Environmental Center where they can enjoy an enriching recreational experience through nature and conservation activities.

�Our Environmental Center has become the premiere location for environmental education and nature appreciation. With the help of our partner groups, our dynamic schedule of events and activities will captivate all ages,� DiVincenzo said. �Walk in our woods, discover habitats, get pointers on gardening, learn about nature photography and much more. It�s all about nature and it�s all at our Environmental Center,� he added.

Events scheduled for March are as follows:

�Wild New Jersey� is geared for adults. David Wheeler, author of the newly released book, "Nature Adventures in the Garden State," is the guest presenter. His book takes readers on a real-life safari through New Jersey. Mr. Wheeler will present an illustrated lecture on his adventures writing this book. He is Director of the Edison Wetlands Association and founder of Wildnewjersey.tv web site. Cost is $8 per adult and free for Essex County Nature Photographer members. Wild New Jersey will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Birding Hike in Essex County South Mountain Reservation� is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Hikers will search for winter birds and early signs of spring. Target species include Black Vulture, Pileated Woodpecker, and many forest birds. Meet in the parking lot of Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. Cost is $6 for NJAS members and $8 for non-members. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 3, 2011
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Site: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ

�Evening Yoga Series� is geared for adults. This �all levels� yoga series will focus on alignment, flow and warmth followed by a restorative pose to unwind the body and mind for bed. Explore some peace and stillness like that of a springtime blossom. All levels are welcome. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Cost is $50 for the series. Advance registration and monthly payment is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. No refunds will be given for missed classes. Evening Yoga is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2011
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Spring Yoga� is geared for adults. Spring is a wonderful time to begin yoga or continue on a yoga journey. The warmer weather naturally helps individuals enjoy and deepen their yoga practice. All levels are welcome. Join for the entire series or just one class. Cost is $10 per class. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. Spring Yoga will be held as follows:

Date: Fridays, March 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2011
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Three-Day Short Course on Beekeeping� is appropriate for ages 12 through adult. The Essex County Beekeepers Society will present this short course geared for new beekeepers as well as those who need a refresher. Participants will be led through a full year of beekeeping, including everything they need to know from purchasing and assembling equipment to harvesting, extracting, and bottling honey. Basics of disease and mite management and control are covered. Scholarships for this course are available to young people ages 12-22. Visit www.njbeekeepers.org for more details. The class will meet in Garibaldi Hall. For more information and to register, contact Pat Gamsby at bjornlass@aol.com or 973-396-8996. Snow day is April 2. Cost is $90 per person (includes Essex County Beekeepers Society and NJ Beekeepers Association memberships, class materials, continental breakfast, and afternoon snack). Beekeeping Course will be held as follows:

Date: Saturdays, March 5 & March 19, 2011
Field Day TBD
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Little Explorers Spring Nature Program� is a child-caregiver class that uses stories, walks and crafts to develop an awareness and appreciation for science and nature for the child as well as the caregiver. Each session, a different nature or science topic is covered. Space is limited. Cost is $6 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Little Explorers Nature Program is scheduled as follows:

Ages: 2 ? to 3 ? years
Dates and Times: Mondays, March 7 through May 23, 10:30 a.m.

Ages: 2 ? to 3 ? years
Dates and Times: Thursdays, March 10 through May 26, 10:30 a.m.

Ages: 3 ? to 5 years
Dates and Times: Mondays, March 7 through May 23, 1:30 p.m.

Ages: 3 ? to 5 years
Dates and Times: Thursdays, March 10 through May 26, 3 p.m.

Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Bug Club� is for children ages 6 to 10. The Bug Club is devoted to young people who want to explore the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. This club meets year-round. Cost is $6 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Bug Club will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Project Learning Tree Workshop� is for educators of grades K-12. Project Learning Tree is a nationally recognized activity guide that provides educators, 4-H leaders, Scout leaders or home school instructors with tools for increasing student environmental awareness. PLT activities engage students in interdisciplinary, hands-on experiences that develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation, literacy and research. The lessons in the guide are correlated to the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. Cost is $15 (includes curriculum activity guide). Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Project Learning Tree Workshop will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Outdoor Adventure Club� is for children ages 7 to 11. Participants will go outside and see where the hour takes them. Students might build forts, collect firewood, skip rocks, tell stories, dig for critters, spot wildlife, play tag and more. The hour will be directed by club members under the guidance of a Staff Naturalist who will facilitate all free-play activities. Dress for the weather as all classes will be outside. Cost is $6 per child per session. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Outdoor Adventure Club will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Birding Hike in Essex County Weequahic Park� is presented by New Jersey Audubon. This is a fascinating place to view a variety of gulls, ducks and geese, plus some woodland birds on their northward migration. Don�t miss out touring this hidden gem within the Essex County Park System! This hike is free. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 10, 2011
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Weequahic Park
Meeker Avenue
Newark, NJ

�Birding Hike in Essex County Hilltop Reservation� is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Participants will explore early spring migrants and late winter sparrows at a restored meadow habitat in the reservation. This is also an excellent place to view raptors. Meet at the sports field parking lot near the intersection of Courter Lane and Mountain Avenue in North Caldwell. This hike is free. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Saturday, March 12, 2011
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Site: Essex County Hilltop Reservation
Courter Lane and Mountain Avenue
North Caldwell, NJ

�Spring Safari� is for children grades K through 5. What plant can melt snow? Are there any flowers blooming yet? What early birds are back from winter vacation? Answer all of these questions, and more, as participants explore the wooded wetland just before the start of spring! Dress appropriately for outdoor exploration. Cost is $5 for New Jersey Audubon members and $7 for non-members. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-226-6082. Spring Safari will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, March 12, 2011
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Cloverbud Pet Club� is for children in grades K-3. Students will learn all about pets and small animals. Non-pet owners are welcome. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338. Cloverbud Pet Club will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, March 12, 2011
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Outside Nature Discoveries Club� is for children ages 5 to 6. Participants will venture into the wooded wetland with magnifiers, trowels, containers and more to observe living things in their environment. Curriculum is not structured; students will discover as they explore and document their observations in a journal. Dress for the weather as all classes will be outside. Cost is $6 per child per session. Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Outside Nature Discoveries Club will be held as follows:

Date: Monday, March 14, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�4-H Lego Club� is for children in grades 3 through 6. Students will use their imagination and build animals, castles and more with other children who are interested in Legos. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338. 4-H Lego Club will meet as follows:

Date: Monday, March 14, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Green Kids Club� is for children ages 7 to 12. Discover all areas of environmental science with hands-on fun and service projects! Advance registration and payment are required. Cost is $6 per child per session. (Additional material fees may apply.) For information, call 973-228-8776. Green Kids Club will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Nature Discovery Garden Club� is for children ages 7 to 12. As the warm weather approaches, the plants and animals herald the season with new growth and new families. Participants will design special pets that will grow their own live coats with a little care from us, help build a willow den in the meadow and design toad houses to place in the garden. Cost is $6 per child per session. (Additional material fees may apply.) Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Discovery Garden Club will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�4-H Super Animal Kingdom Pet Club� is for children in grades 4-7. Students will learn all about pets and small animals. Non-pet owners are welcome. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338. Cloverbud Pet Club will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Happy, Healthy Houseplants� is appropriate for adults. Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County will teach basic techniques to help plants survive all year long. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $8 per adult. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Happy, Healthy Houseplants will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�4-H Environmental Kids Club� is for children in grades 2 through 6. The environment is filled with things, big and small, that surprise and help us. Discover how much fun it is to learn about the world! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-228-3785. 4-H Environmental Kids Club will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Horticulture for Seniors� will be presented by the Master Gardeners of Essex County. Designed for senior citizens, this month�s topic is on propagation making new plants from old ones. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. This is a free program. Advance registration is required one week prior to the program. For information, call 973-379-5488 or 973-731-0717. Horticulture for Seniors will be held as follows:

Date: Monday, March 21, 2011
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�4-H Young Gardeners Club� is for children grades 1 through 8. Have you ever wondered how vegetables and flowers grow? Where spaghetti sauce comes from? How you can find a rainbow in a garden? The Young Gardener's 4-H Club will help students find the answers to these questions and many more. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, call 973-353-1338. 4-H Young Gardeners Club will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�4-H Stamp Club� is for children in grades 4 through 7. Learn about the history of stamps and stamp collecting. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required. For information, please call 973-353-1338. 4-H Stamp Club will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Build Your Own Rain Barrel� is geared for adults. Participants will learn how to build their own rain barrel from a 55-gallon plastic drum. During the rain barrel informational session, Amy Rowe, Environmental and Resource Management Agent for Essex and Passaic Counties, will teach how to build and install a rain barrel, as well as provide water conservation tips. After the information session, there will be a hands-on rain barrel assembly. All tools and equipment are supplied for the assembly. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $58 per rain barrel. Advance registration required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Build Your Own Rain Barrel will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, March 26, 2011
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Nature Crafts with Children� is for children ages 7 to 12. Participants will make a craft to test if all bodies of water move, create a beautiful work of art with nature�s paintbrushes and design a special stepping stone for a home garden. Class meets rain or shine. Cost is $8 per child per session (includes $2 material fee). Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Nature Crafts with Children will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2011
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�New Jersey Woodturners� is for adults. Learn to turn with the NJ Woodturners Association! Discover the wonders of creating art from found pieces of wood, wood species, and turning tips and techniques. Topics vary month to month. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Cost is $8 per adult and free for NJWA members. For information, call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776. NJ Woodturners will meet as follows:

Date: Monday, March 28, 2011
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Rock-N-Roll Geology Club� is for children ages 7 to 12. Revel in the fascinating formations of Earth�s geologic creations. Hands-on club activities include exploring local geology, discovering what�s in local soil, and identifying rocks and minerals. Cost is $6 per child per session. (Additional material fees may apply.) Advance registration and payment are required. For information, call 973-228-8776. Rock-N-Roll Geology Club will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

�Birding Hike in Essex County Hatfield Swamp� is presented by New Jersey Audubon. Early spring migrants may include both passerines and raptors. If conditions are right, hikers may also encounter hundreds of waterfowl. Footing may be wet. Meet in the Stop & Shop supermarket parking lot in West Caldwell. This hike is free. Space is limited. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Meeting Site: Stop & Shop supermarket
Bloomfield Avenue
West Caldwell, NJ

Registration is required for all programs at the Essex County Environmental Center, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register, please call 973-228-8776.

The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 20 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.

STEM CURRICULA ALERT: Space-Focused Lesson Plans, Resources

For those of you looking for high quality STEM content, the Verizon Foundation has posted lesson plans, interactive tools and online resources that will help you and your students explore space (without the trip to Cape Canaveral). Check it out here. Once on the Verizon site, look around, as there is a lot to be discovered!

SIGN THE PETITION to Support High Quality Afterschool in NJ

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

The Value of the NGVSZ/NJ After 3 ELT Initiative: Two Thousasnd Words Worth of Pictures!

From our partners at Vacamas Programs for Youth:

"92 students from Vacamas Programs for Youth’s New Jersey After 3 Programs – including Sussex Avenue, 18th Avenue and Quitman Community - came to Camp Vacamas for an exciting weekend experience. In this first camp trip for Vacamas’ NGVZ students, activities included an egg drop, Family Feud, hikes and team building games."

High quality afterschool programs benefit students in myriad ways. Check out this article about the impact NJ After 3 programs like these have on the youth of the state:

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110226/NJOPINION0201/102260310/Many-influences-drive-educational-success

What is the real world impact of budget cuts here and around the country? Check out this Huffington Post article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20110225/us-broken-budgets-economy-state-cuts-glance/

Support Afterschool in NJ - Sign the Petition Today

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

Get Those Dollars!: Funding Alert

ATTENTION NGVSZ/NJ After 3 ELT Sites:

Turn your programming dreams into reality with some grant funding! We have just received a wealth (pun intended) of funding opportunities for your Service Learning programming. Have you developed an exciting new program that just needs a few more dollars to get off the ground? Would you like to take your program from small scale to BIG TIME? If so, then don't hesitate to read more about these opportunities HERE.

As always, you are always invited (and strongly encouraged) to submit your own posts by contacting your NJ After 3 Program Officer.

Advocacy Alert

-CALL TO ACTION!-

 Please take a few minutes to help New Jersey kids and nonprofits!

                  

Red Tape Commission Testimony

Take advantage of this opportunity!

The Center for Nonprofits has been encouraged to seek input from the nonprofit community for the Lieutenant Governor's Red Tape Review Commission.  This is an opportunity for the nonprofit community to highlight unnecessary red tape, bureaucratic duplication, government over-reach and micromanagement.  This is an excellent opportunity to remind the Governor's Office and the Legislature that nonprofits are an often over-looked segment of the businesses community and Government red-tape, duplication and over-regulation costs the sector millions in unnecessary administrative overhead costs.   To see the economic power of the nonprofit community check out this brief report.

Please consider submitting testimony and testifying before the panels (they request 9 copies of your testimony).  This effort will be coordinated by the CNP; you can reach Linda Czipo at (732) 227-0800 or Lczipo@njnonprofits.org.  You can register via email - but be sure to let us or Linda know if you plan on testifying.  Testimony should be less than 10 minutes and illustrate a bigger picture issue (shorter testimony is often better).  You may also submit written testimony that goes into more detail, specifies specific regulations/legislation, and/or proposes fixes to the problem.  Submission of comments beforehand is encouraged, or the day of the hearing (9 copies).   

Meeting Information

Venue: New Jersey City University

- March 2, Jersey City: Meeting will focus on permits and licenses.  This would be an excellent time to highlight some of the challenges afterschool programs face with licensing regulations.

- July 19, Trenton: Red tape issues for small businesses, including nonprofits.  Of course, feel free to attend that March 2 session if the topic also resonates with you.   

Save AmeriCorps and YouthBuild! Call your Congress Rep Today.

Across the country, thousands of service programs, including YouthBuild and AmeriCorps, are in danger of being entirely defunded by proposed budget cuts in the U.S. House of Representatives. Help make sure that service continues to be a national priority! Contact your member of Congress and sign this letter with the name of your organization. Click here for talking points when calling the House of Representatives.

Protect Preschool in New Jersey

Urge New Jersey legislators to support vital investment for our youngest, most needy students. Advocates for Children in New Jersey has issued an action alert on this matter - click here to read it and help save Preschool.

NJ After 3 Updates for NGVSZ Sites

-Training and Technichal Assistance-

CEO Meeting, March 9th - Register

The meeting is mandatory for New Jersey After 3 Partner CEOs, which will be held at the New Jersey Principal's & Supervisor's Association located in Monroe Township, NJ. 

Site Coordinator Meeting, March 9th - Register

This month, the mandatory Site Coordinator meeting will include a special training on the 21st Century Afterschool Science Project (21st CASP) This curriculum is designed to enrich student learning through inquiry-based, interactive science experiences with everyday materials. This free curriculum is perfect for the afterschool learning environment.

Focus on Observation

The best ELT and afterschool programs all hold one trait in common: careful and consistent observation of direct service staff that is connected to a well defined process of feedback and implementation. In order to fully realize the vision of a true expanded learning time experience for youth, we must work with staff members, supervisors and our partners in school administration to establish an observation and feedback system at all of our sites. Though there are many demands that compete for our time and attention, it is critical to the overall success of this endeavor that each site coordinator dedicate time each week to:

• observing staff interacting with participants in a variety of settings
• providing timely, consistent and solutions-oriented feedback to staff
• having intentional coaching conversations with staff that draw directly from your observation
• following up with support and resources based on the coaching conversations

To make the most of this investment of your valuable time, we would strongly suggest using one of the many readily available observation tools to guide this process. If your organization doesn't provide such a tool, or you feel you could benefit from the addition of another resource, here are a list of resources that have been tested and are aligned with the best practices in the field of youth development:

• The National Collaboration for Youth's Competency Assessment Observation Tool (also includes a brief listing of YDW Competencies for review with your staff and school partners) is ideally suited for classroom observation, and covers the competencies needed by our afterschool educators.
• Sponsored by the National Youth Development Information Center
• The Quality Self-Assessment Tool is produced by the California Afterschool Network, and has a broader focus than the COAT
• The California Afterschool Network also highlights a variety of other tools you may want to review
• The New York State Afterschool Network offers the QSA tool, a broader assessment tool that comes complete with resources that should help you implement a program development process.
• The Forum for Youth Investment offers a pamphlet that gives a brief overview of a wide variety of assessment and observation tools that may work for your program.

Of course, before you implement any observation regimen, you should make sure to connect with your school administration and fellow program supervisors to examine if the tool in question meets the needs of your program and community. And for course, once you begin (or especially if you've already begun, like over at Burnet Street), make sure to share your stories or resources with the rest of the cohort. Contact you Program Officer for posting information.

COLLABORATION ALERT: NGVSZ/NJA3 ELT Mentoring Program

We here at NJ After 3 received some FANTASTIC news from our partners at Vacamas Programs for Youth. Sebastian Rodriguez of VPY is working with staff from Central High School, a member school in the NGVSZ, to establish a mentoring program, pairing exemplary high school students with 7th and 8th graders from out NGVSZ/NJ After 3 Expanded Learning Time programs. This initiative gives our youth an amazing opportunity to look into the future and get a taste of what it will be like to make the transition from the middle grades to high school.

This is not just an excellent opportunity for the youth we serve, nut also a potentially transformative experience for the young mentors. This Afterschool Alliance issue brief highlights some of the benefits of mentoring programs:

• Improved health and self esteem
• Sense of accomplishment
• Insight into one’s own childhood or children
• Public recognition
• Inclusion in a volunteer community

As this initiative develops, we will strive to incorporate some key elements highlighted by the Afterschool Alliance and others:

• Close emotional bond based on empathy and authenticity, basic compatibility and opportunities for having fun.
• Youth-centered approach, focusing on the developmental needs of youth.
• Consistent, regular meetings, at least four hours per month.
• Enduring relationships that last one year or longer.

What have you been working on? Do you have any exciting announcements to share with our community? Are you looking for someone to collaborate with? Then you should be posting here! Please contact your Program Officer for more details.

NJSACC Training Alert: Train the Trainer

Here's another opportunity from NJSACC, this time aimed at those looking to deliver high quality, engaging professional development for their staff or organization. NJSACC Executive Director Diane Genco will lead this full day session (no worries about timing - it ends at 2 pm, leaving you time to get back to program). You'll need to enroll by March 11th, and registration is limited, so don't hesitate to sign up.

For more details, click here.

NJSACC Training Alert: Promoting Positive Behavior

NJSACC is offering a low-cost 90 minute training on promoting positive behavior in an afterschool setting. Here is a brief description from their website:

"Come on out to hear from Dawn Rannie-White,  a licensed social worker that brings more than 20 years experience effectively working in the area of youth development.   Dawn has extensive experience in the areas of conflict resolution, behavior management, parent education and not for profit management.   In addition to being a trainer she currently is working as the Out of School Time Coordinator for the East Brunswick Public Schools supervising  early morning and after school programs that serve over 1200 youth."

You can find details here.

Where We're Headed: TASC's Expanded Learning Time Year Two Report

Our friends at New York's TASC have recently released a report on the progress of their own ELT initiative, now in its second year. As we move forward in developing our own ELT programs, we would do well to learn from the successes and challenges of our friends across the Hudson. Please take a few moments to review and discuss this document with your leadership team; here are some of the central takeaways:

• "If school-community partners don’t build time into their standing schedules for joint planning and professional development, it won’t happen
• Editors Note: This includes the CBO, ASYD Lead Teacher, and the Principal.
• Community partners should be part of schools’ data inquiry and data-sharing teams. Using simple but formalized communications protocols will help prompt data-sharing.
• Compared to curricula typically offered in some after-school programs, ELT schools need stronger, more defined curricula for the late learning hours that is well-aligned with what happens in the earlier part of the school day.
• Change takes time. Schools are likely to see improvements in attendance and decreases in negative behaviors before significant academic gains are realized.
• When they are joined with strong community partners who are willing to share accountability for student outcomes, school principals will share responsibility and resources.
• When principals invest school funds in ELT, they can leverage external resources that help fill programmatic gaps."

Your NJ After 3 Program Officer is here to help you fully realize the ELT vision, so please don't hesitate to ask him for help as you work to deepen your collaboration with your NGVSZ partners.

NJSACC: Grant Writing Workshop - Register by Feb. 25th

NJSACC is offering a low-cost, 2-day grant writing seminar, to be held at their Westfield offices on Friday, March 4th and Friday, March 11th. For more information, click here.

Do you know of any relevant courses being offered by area providers? Do you have access to resources or information that can benefit other members of the NGVSZ ELT team? Then please contact your Program Officer, or check your NJ After 3 Weekly Announcement for additional information.

Focus on Alignment

The NGVSZ/NJ After 3 Expanded Learning Time initiative is in its third month of operation, and all programs should be focused on aligning curricula with not only NJ CCCS, but also school-specific curricula. This 2006 report by the Harvard Family Research Project pointed to four key steps in the process of alignment:

• Strategic Staffing: School day staff, from paraprofessionals to school aides, staffed this OST program.
• Focus on Communication: From homework completion logs to inclusion of OST staff in school day planning sessions, the most successful programs have been intentional about their communication protocols and systems.
• Aligning Content: Time and resources were dedicated to developing an afterschool curriculum that not only addressed the broad state standards, but aligned with the school's curriculum maps.
• Professional Development: The school and the OST provider intentionally created opportunities for shared professional develop, in addition to the traditional PD provided by the OST provider.

Find more information and resources related to alignment here.

Don't forget - your Program Officer is excited to accept your posts. Do you have a curriculum that you've already aligned? Pictures from a great collaborative activity? Contact your NJ After 3 Program Officer today!

Social Networking Can Work for Your Program! UPDATED

On this Valentines Day, perhaps it is time for you to "show some love" for social networking. Studies show that more than 73% of teens use some form of social media (and, for some, I'm sure your experience suggests that 73% isn't high enough of a number). Social networking is where our students are at (just ask the Gates Foundation), and embracing safe, tested, age-appropriate social networking systems can only help you build strong relationships - the kind of relationships that keep students coming to your program!

You've got so much on your plate, and you've got to prioritize to be successful. Why should you prioritize social networking? How can you integrate it into your program in an organic way? Here are some suggestions:

• Many social networking sites allow users to edit HTML code, so why not turn your technology/computer lab time into a beginners course on HTML coding? (Can't find a tech instructor? Try HTML for Dummies)
• You can have students create a program newspaper, but why have them emulate a dying industry? The new thing is hyper-local blogs, so why not create the first online hyper-local news blog club (please choose a different name)? Blogger.com (which hosts this page) is an excellent, free resource.
• Instead of spending money on journals or looseleaf, why not have your students post their writing on a social networking site?
• Want to be a resource for families, students and teachers? Why not post homework assignments to your preferred social networking site?

Here are some social networking links/resources you might find helpful:

• This CNET article advocates for the integration of social networking into schools, and has some great links for school-appropriate social networking sites.
• Twiducate is just what it sounds like - Twitter for Educators! 
• This Education Week article gives a bit more balanced look at the pros and cons of the social networking in an educational setting.

***UPDATE: When considering the use of social media in your program, avoid the "Creepy Treehouse" effect - make sure students have maximum possible voice!***


Has this post sparked your imagination? Have you been doing this all along? Then make sure to share that news with the rest of your NGVSZ ELT team by posting it here! Contact your Program Officer for details and posting instructions.

Need a Dedicated Phone Line? Use Google Voice & Gmail!

For those programs with an Internet connection, but without a dedicated phone line, Google offers an easy to implement, low cost communications solution that should allow you to stay in close contact with your families and school partners.

Google Voice (google.com/voice) gives users the chance to, without charge, establish a local phone number that will connect callers directly to multiple phone lines, including home phones and cell phones. Other features include free voice mail, customized call routing (ie - calls to this dedicated line will go straight to voicemail at night, or during the weekends) and more. You'll no longer need to give out your personal cell phone number to keep in close contact with your families!

If you don't have a cell phone available, or cell phone service is bad in your building, you can also have calls to your dedicated Google Voice number routed straight to your Gmail account, turning your laptop or desktop Mac/PC (equipped with speakers and a microphone) into an excellent landline replacement. All you'll need is a Gmail account, which you can get for free at gmail.com. It is our understanding that, even if you are on the district network, you should have access to a Gmail account, meaning that all of our programs should be able to establish their own free phone numbers!

Need help getting your Gmail or Google Voice account set up? Please don't hesitate to contact your NJ After 3 Program Officer!

Newark Welcomes New Interim Superintendent Deborah Terrell

From nj.com:

NEWARK — Deborah Terrell, a widely respected Newark educator, will assume the role of interim superintendent as part of an executive team that will lead Newark schools until a permanent superintendent is named.

Her appointment, announced by acting state Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf, fulfills a legal requirement.

Cerf said acting deputy commissioner Rochelle Hendricks will actually lead the team, which also includes Dan Gohl, the district’s executive assistant for innovation and change, and Valerie Wilson, the district’s business administrator.

Terrell, 56, a city resident and former teacher, was principal of the Harriet Tubman School in Newark for more than a decade. In 2007, the K-6 school earned the coveted national Blue Ribbon award for excellence from the U.S. Department of Education.

The transition team takes over for superintendent Clifford Janey whose last day is Friday. State and local officials hope to have a permanent superintendent named for the 2011-12 school year.

By David Giambusso and Jessica Calefati/The Star-Ledger

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Ms. Terrell has been on the advisory board for the NGVSZ, and we look forward to working with her to improve and expand this initiative.

Check It Out: Wallace Foundation Resources

The Wallace Foundation has great resources for you all to review; you can find links here.

Burnet Street Book Fair

Check out this awesome video of the Burnet Street RIF Event, supported by volunteers from Enterprise: