Afterschool: Supporting Family Involvement in Schools

"There is no debate about the fact that family involvement in schools boosts student achievement," begins the new Issue Brief from the MetLife Foundation and Afterschool Alliance. "Afterschool programs are a natural way to link families and schools: Afterschool programs provide parents and schools the perfect venue to overcome these barriers to participation. Research shows that parent involvement in afterschool programs provides the same benefits to children, families and programs as parent involvement in the regular school day. Afterschool programs present a gateway into the school for many parents who do not otherwise feel connected to their children’s school... While family involvement in afterschool provides the same benefits to children, families, and programs as family involvement in the school, afterschool is in the unique position to offer families additional support and services that are not possible otherwise."

Reader's Digest Foundation to Donate to Nonprofits

"The Reader's Digest Foundation has announced that it will donate a total of $1 million to nonprofit organizations through a new initiative called 'Make it Matter.' Grants will be inspired by individuals who are taking action and giving back to their communities in significant ways. Every month, the foundation will select one individual's story of good deeds done and grant $100,000 to a nonprofit organization in honor of that individual. Reader's Digest magazine will then feature that person in its new column, 'Make it Matter.' Submissions for 'Make it Matter' will be accepted by the foundation on a rolling basis throughout 2008."

YouthLearn's Resources for Audio Projects

Audio production has become an increasingly popular youth media activity that now includes music production, online streaming and podcasting, as well as production for broadcast. There is a wealth of materials to support this work online and a host of youth audio works to explore. In this resource list from YouthLearn's Youth & Media section, you can find examples of youth media programs, guides and pointers for facilitators, and related research and news articles.

Share Our Strength Seeks Grant Applications for Great American Bake Sale

"The Great American Bake Sale grants program will support efforts to increase participation among low-income children in summer and afterschool meal programs... Nonprofit organizations that work to increase the number of children that receive nutritious afterschool and summer meals may be eligible to apply for funds raised through the Great American Bake Sale."

There are two types of grants: Grants for Program Sponsors, and Grants for Advocacy. "Grants will only be provided to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools with a valid NCES code, or local government entities that work to ensure children have access to afterschool and summer meal programs."

High-Risk Families Limit Participation in Out-of-School Activities

"As research mounts, it seems certain that participation in an out-of-school program is related to better outcomes for children. Nevertheless, research to date has examined family and neighborhood risks as if they operate separately. So, Child Trends conducted a study that combines the two by analyzing data for children ages 6 to 17 from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health.... neighborhood quality does not seem to matter to children from high-risk families: nearly half are not involved in any activity regardless of neighborhood risk level. These findings suggest that active recruitment of children in high-risk families may be necessary if these children are to become involved in out-of-school activities."

Developing Spaces by and for Teens

Just published: "A guide to creating teen space, which highlights the lessons learned through the ten-year Facilities Initiative of the Children’s Investment Fund and Build the Out-Of-School Time Network... Unlike younger children, older youth have more autonomy and independence regarding how and where they spend their out-of-school time. Whether you are constructing new space or renovating existing space, it is important to consider the voice of the teen user when creating your project.... BOSTnet and the Children’s Investment Fund bring to you the lessons that they have learned throughout over 10 years of the Facilities Initiative. This initiative provided financial and technical support to programs creating new space or renovating existing space to improve the quality of before and after school time in Boston." Excerpts can be downloaded for free. You can order the complete guide for $10.

Youth Enterprise Conference Call for Proposals

"Conference organizers are currently accepting session proposals for... the Global Youth Enterprise Conference September 15-16, 2008 in Washington, DC." You have the opportunity to "present to 350 other experts from the international youth enterprise, employment and livelihood community. The Call for Proposals is now open. Proposal submission deadline is April 18, 2008. Practitioners, funders, members of the private sector, academics and youth leaders from over 25 countries and all sectors will share learning, innovations, and ideas for strengthening and expanding opportunities for young people around the world. The 2008 Global Youth Enterprise Conference will focus on two themes our community has identified as the highest priority: Market-Driven Approaches, and Effective Methodologies and Practices for Monitoring, Evaluating, and Conducting Impact Assessments."

New Afterschool Resources Compiled by YouthLearn Team

For the past several months, the YouthLearn team has been busy at work on two projects in particular that will bring new resources to the attention of afterschool educators. Please look for announcements about these exciting resources in the next few weeks! And thank you for your patience during the recent hiatus in the publishing of the YouthLearn Newsletter. Future issues will come out on every other Tuesday as usual.

Youth Invited to Create Short Films for FYI - Film Your Issue Global Competition

"USA Today, the United Nations, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other organizations and media leaders have joined forces to engage young adults (14-24) in contributing to the public dialogue on pressing social issues using the power of the Internet and user-generated content.

In its 4th year, FYI - Film Your Issue has grown into a global Internet-based competition that invites high school and college students in the United States and around the world to express themselves on pressing contemporary issues by creating and uploading short two-minute films on issues that impact them and their generation."

Deadline: April 14, 2008.

Happy Arts Education Month

In honor of Arts Education Month, "Keep Arts in Schools has released a new set of tools that enables advocates to voice their support. The resources also help educators and organizations take effective steps toward ensuring every child gets the well rounded, quality education they deserve."

Community-Based Fact Sheets - Service-Learning Resources

Added to a collection of community-based resources are "four fact sheets that Search Institute created for the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse as part of our role of program advisor for community-based service-learning. Each fact sheet has a Web version (which is longer) and a print version (which is 2 pages long only). The topics are: Developmental Assets: A Framework for Enriching Service-Learning; Benefits of Community-Based Service-Learning; Service-Learning with Disadvantaged Youth; Developing Partnerships for Service-Learning: Starting Points for Community-Based Organizations."

Video game: Using science to save an imperiled world

"A new, free 3-D video game is meant to supplement science education by asking players to work in small teams or individually to save a planet approaching ecological disaster. The IBM game, 'PowerUp,' is a free download accompanied by lesson plans."

"Growing Up Online" Film and Teacher's Guide

A "provocative new documentary produced by PBS Frontline... delves deep into adolescent online behavior since teens are spending a lot of time interacting with others via digital media.

Viewing and discussing this engaging film with your students is a good start—and it’s available online. Kelly Mendoza and Renee Hobbs recently created the Teacher's Guide which provides a wealth of resources to use in the classroom or at home to help kids and parents understand what it means to 'grow up online.' Here's a sampling of what's available: Quiz for parents and caregivers: What kind of cyber guide are you? Lesson plan: How did Myspace become your space? Activity: The disconnection experiment"