The Summer Gap - Washington Post, August 28, 2008

Poor children shouldn't return to school already behind.

Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins Provides Parents Tips for
Helping Kids Avoid “Summer Slide” in Learning

School’s almost out! But parents: Don’t let your kids’ brains take a vacation.

Research shows that most students fall more than two months behind in math over the summer, and low-income children fall behind two months in reading while middle-income kids make slight gains. Johns Hopkins University researchers recently found that 65 percent of the achievement gap between poor and more advantaged children is due to unequal summer learning experiences during elementary school years. A recent Ohio State University study shows children also gain as much weight during the summer as they do during the entire school year. The problem is worse for African-American and Hispanic kids, and for those already overweight.

“Parents always say summer is the hardest time to make sure their kids have productive things to do,” says Ron Fairchild, executive director of the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University. “Summer should be fun and memorable, but parents shouldn’t let it be a break from learning. High-quality summer learning opportunities are fun and engaging for kids, while keeping them healthy, safe and on track in school.”

SUMMER LEARNING TIPS:
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO KEEP KIDS SHARP OVER THE SUMMER

• Locate a summer program. High-quality summer camps and programs exist in almost every price range. Camps offered by schools, recreation centers, universities, and community-based organizations often have an educational or enrichment focus.

• Visit the library. Find out what interests your child and select books on that subject. Participate in free library summer programs and make time to read every day.

• Take educational trips. These can be low-cost visits to parks, museums, zoos and nature centers. Plan vacations with educational themes.

• Practice math daily. Measure items around the house or yard. Track daily temperatures. Add and subtract at the grocery store. Learn fractions while cooking.

• Play outside. Limit TV and video game time during summer, just as during the school year. Intense physical activity and exercise contribute to healthy development.

• Do good deeds. Students learn better and “act out” less when they participate in activities that help them develop emotionally, such as community service.

• Keep a schedule. Continue daily routines during the summer with structure and limits. The key is providing a balance and keeping kids engaged.

• Prepare for fall. Find out what your child will be learning during the next school year by talking with teachers at that grade level. Preview concepts and materials over the summer.

What Parents Should Look for in Quality Summer Programs:
• Low student-to-staff ratios.
• Positive interaction between kids and caring adults.
• High-interest, engaging activities.
• Balanced programming with daily opportunities for reading, math, enrichment and recreation.
• A safe, structured learning environment.

Full Press Advisories can be found at the following Links:
Keeping Kids Sharp to Avoid "Summer Slide" (Media Advisory)
Keeping Kids Sharp to Avoid "Summer Slide" (Press Release)

Summer Learning Opportunities in Minnesota
Parents and youth will find summer learning opportunities at several locations in their communities. Below is a list of resources available to families across the state – please note this list is not intended to be exhaustive but rather give examples of statewide offerings.

• Community Education Programs (usually found through school district websites)
• Park and Recreation Programs, which includes a variety of sports, arts, language and enrichment opportunities (usually found through city and county websites)
• 4-H Urban and Statewide Clubs (can be found at the University of Minnesota Extension’s Center for 4-H and Community Youth Development Webpage)
• Campfire USA – MN, has several programs and camps for girls and boys
• Boys and Girls Clubs, provide a variety of programming through the summer and school year
• YMCAs, provide programs for school age youth and older youth
• YWCAs, provides programs for school age youth and older youth
• Science Museum of Minnesota
• Theater and Arts Programs

The Minnesota Minority Education Partnership (MMEP) has compiled a list of summer learning opportunities. This resource is available on their website: http://www.mmep.net/Order_form_for_Summer_Enrichment_Guide.html

AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE NEWS RELEASE: May 14, 2008
CONTACT: Gretchen Wright – 202/371-1999

St. Paul Mayor Christopher Coleman Honored as an Afterschool Champion in Nation’s Capital

Parents, Educators, Students, Afterschool Leaders, City and State Leaders Urge Congress to Reject Proposed Funding Cut

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Afterschool Alliance today honored St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman for his support for afterschool programs at the “Breakfast of Champions,” a gala event in Washington, D.C. Mayor Coleman was one of 17 individuals and four organizations honored for their tireless work on behalf of afterschool programs. He was nominated by Youth Community Connections, Minnesota’s Statewide Afterschool Alliance.

Mayor Coleman has made afterschool programming a priority in St. Paul. He is working to ensure that the City helps to meet families’ needs by organizing out-of-school programming and partnering with youth programs across St. Paul. Mayor Coleman has also expanded the public transportation system to offer free rides to young people to afterschool programs and other locations that provide learning opportunities.

The “Breakfast of Champions” is part of the seventh annual Afterschool for All Challenge which brings together hundreds of parents, educators, children, program directors and advocates from around the country for a series of events and meetings with Members of Congress. The 2008 Challenge is co-sponsored by the National League of Cities and the Afterschool Alliance. Following the “Breakfast,” the advocates fanned out across Capitol Hill for meetings with their U.S. Senators and Representatives, and congressional staff.

“Parents, children and communities rely on afterschool programs to keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “But federal funding isn’t keeping up with the demand for afterschool, and President Bush proposes to cut federal afterschool funding even further. We’re in our nation’s capital this week to honor afterschool champions and remind lawmakers that these cuts are short-sighted and counterproductive. All kids need the opportunities that afterschool programs provide. Bipartisan support in Congress defeated the last proposed cut to afterschool programs, and we are seeking bipartisan support again this year so we can counter the President’s proposal and bring quality afterschool programs to all children who need them.”

This year, President Bush proposed cutting the federal budget for afterschool programs by $281 million and converting the successful 21st Century Community Learning Centers afterschool initiative (21st CCLC) into a risky voucher system. If Congress agrees to his proposal, 300,000 students would lose access to afterschool programs.

Other state champions honored at the Afterschool for All Challenge are: Boise Mayor David Bieter; Columbia Mayor Bob Coble; Kacy Conley, YMCA of Central Maryland in Baltimore; Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey; Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell; Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson; Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice; U.S. Attorney Jim Letten of Louisiana; Charlotte City Council Member James Mitchell; Missouri State Representative Danie Moore; New York City Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development Jeanne Mullgrav; San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom; Linda Robinson, Kentucky Department of Education; New Hampshire State Senator Kathleen Sgambati; Maxine Quintana, Denver Mayor’s Office for Education and Children; and Pennsylvania State Representative Jake Wheatley.

The Afterschool Alliance and MetLife Foundation also presented the first-ever MetLife Afterschool Innovator Awards at the “Breakfast of Champions” to four organizations that have developed and implemented innovative afterschool practices. The awardees are profiled in Afterschool Innovations in Brief, a series of Issue Briefs developed by the Afterschool Alliance with funding from MetLife Foundation. They are: The After-School Corporation in New York; LA’s BEST in California; The Native Youth Club in South Dakota; and Lincoln Community Learning Centers in Nebraska.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

Afterschool Opportunities Summit will bring together youth advocates, Gov. Pawlenty and business leaders to support youth

Afterschool learning opportunities are critical for the 2,000 hours of discretionary non-school time that Minnesota youth have each year.

Minneapolis, Minn. (April 29, 2008)- A collaboration of afterschool advocates, state government and public safety officials, and business leaders will meet in Saint Paul at the Amherst . H. Wilder Foundation on Monday, May 1 to discuss greater support for youth afterschool. Governor Tim Pawlenty will preside over the Governor's Afterschool Opportunities Summit whos goal is to promote and support efforts that will ensure that all children and youth have access to high quality afterschool learning opportunities. The summit calls the public and private sectors together to support quality afterschool learning opportunities. Research has shown that youth who participate in afterschool learning opportunities have better attendance, higher academic performance, and more positive attitudes about school and learning.

"It is critical that government, nonprofit and private sector resources are leveraged to help support meaningful afterschool learning opportunities for Minnesota youth," says Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn, executive director of Youth Community Connections, Minnesota's Statewide Afterschool Alliance. Youth Community Connections provides "a table" for public and private organizations that support or funds youth development through afterschool learning programs. "Afterschool learning programs also help protect investments in early childhood education and serve as a critically important element of workforce development for the state's economy."

The Governor's Aftershool Opportunities Summit highlights leading Minnesota institutions involved in afterschool, education, public safety as well as business leadership. In addition to Governor Pawlenty, speakers at the summit will include The McKnight Foundation board chairperson Erika L. Binger, University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks, Mark.

Hugo Lopez, associate director of the Pew Hispanic Center , and Deborah Lowe Vandell of University of California, Irvine. Two key panels of local and state leaders will speak to the Call to Action and make commitments about how they can contribute to the overall goal.

Sponsors of the event include Governor Tim Pawlenty's Office, the National Governor's Association, The McKnight Foundation, the Minnesota Department of Education, the University of Minnesota, the Greater Twin Cities United Way and Youth Community Connections.

This event is not open to the public, however press access is possible. Contact Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn for event information at 612.627.0161 or laura@youthcommunityconnections.org.

Presidential Politics as Afterschool Activity - Maria Elena Baca, Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 23, 2008

Attention first-time voters: Anoka High School senior Anthony Maki is planning to attend his precinct caucus on Feb. 5, and he thinks you should, too.

On Wednesday, Maki organized and hosted a caucus primer for his classmates that was attended by representatives of several major candidates for president and the U.S. Senate, the League of Women Voters, the Democratic and Republican parties and a handful of media outlets.

About a month ago, Maki was raving to friends about the Iowa caucus. "'Why should we care?'" he recalled one of them asking. "'Why should anyone care?'"

Taken aback, Maki approached his teachers about organizing the forum. "I wanted to show other youth in the Twin Cities area that it is possible to change things in America," he said, "and how you do that is you get out and participate."

As their classmates left for home or after-school activities, about 30 students ambled into John Belpedio's classroom. The room was transfigured by signs bearing candidates' names. Maki opened the forum to laughter with the deadpanned announcement that he was "officially considering running for the high office of president of the United States." He walked his cohorts through a PowerPoint tutorial about the caucus process, from presidential preference to delegate selection and from resolutions to Robert's Rules of Order.

Elwyn Tinklenberg, a DFL candidate for the Sixth District U.S. House seat, spoke briefly to students before he was called to another obligation. Representatives speaking for presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Ron Paul and Senate candidates Mike Ciresi and Al Franken all appeared to be in their 20s and early 30s. Several incumbents, including Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Sixth District Rep. Michele Bachmann, declined to attend, as did representatives of the major Republican presidential hopefuls.

Speaking in styles ranging from personal testimonial to a "we're gonna win" stump speeches, each assured the students of their importance to the electoral system and their power make a difference. Afterward, most of the students headed out; a few hung around to speak one to one with the representatives. Ryan Franzman, a senior from Ramsey, said he's not planning to attend a precinct caucus but will wait to see who the front-runners are. "I'll be able to make a better decision," he said. His classmate Paul Foss disagreed. "I want to have some say into who is nominated," he said, "Better than leaving it to chance and voting for whoever ends up there."

How to reach young voters

Juniors Laura Lee and Katie Elsberry, both of Ramsey, attended the forum, even though they can't vote in November.

"I really like to stay on top of political issues," Lee said. "We can still go to the caucuses, we can still encourage our eligible classmates to vote."

Students also weighed in on the representatives' and their candidates' approaches to the campaign. How should candidates communicate with young voters?

"I think allowing young voters to form their own opinions and giving them the information without a bias, allowing them to make their own opinions without being preached to is important," said Elsberry.

David Sparer, a senior from Andover, agreed. "I like to know what they stand for," he said. "Personal testimonials are good, but they only go so far. I think it's just needing to know what the candidate wants to do and what they stand for. Just like voters of any age, he said, "we need to know what we're going to get out of a candidate."

Landfall Named One of the 100 Best Communities

Youth Day at the Capitol

Thursday, March 1, 2007 was Youth Day at the Capitol. Over 400 young people and adults braved the winter blizzard and attended the event! Young people performed in the Capitol Rotunda, while their peers danced and led chants about their value to their families, communities and the State! Hundreds of young people and adults met with their legislators to talk about why afterschool and youth programming matters to them.

The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported on the event. Click here to view the full article, titled Lobbying with a hip-hop beat.

The All Youth Deserve A Chance capitol rally is sponsored by youth-serving organizations, including Youth Community Connections, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, Minnesota Alliance With Youth, Minnesota Workforce Council Association, Minnesota Youth Intervention Programs Association, Minnesota Youth Service Association, Stand Up For Kids, Streetworks, and Youth Policy Alliance.

SMILES Holds Meeting To Prevent Kids From Slipping Through the Cracks

SMILES Center for Independent Living led a Community Dialogue sponsored by Youth Community Connections this week in Mankato, MN. During this informational meeting youth service providers communicated the importance of keeping kids on track, getting them involved in local organizations and keeping them in activities when school is not in session. Look at what's happening in Mankato as far as youth development in out of school time and then look at where the holes are and how we can work to fill them, fill in the gaps that might be existing.

If you’d like to see their local news coverage click on Watch the Video.

Calender of Events

Youth Community Connections named for St. Paul's Mayor Chris Coleman's 2nd Shift Commission.
Press Release

University of Minnesota 's Commission on Out-of-School Time releases report.
Press Release