Summer Learning Experience RFP

Despite the weather outside, summer is just around the corner! The Coaltion for New Britain’s Youth is happy to assist in the distribution of the 2019 New Britain Summer Learning Experiences request for proposals.   This year’s program will be from July 22nd through August 9th. FAQ’s about the three Summer Learning Experiences: Summer Enrichment […]

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SEL Series: Words are Powerful

Your words are powerful use them wisely- Over the Christmas holiday, I received a lesson in how much words can hurt. My dear old granny had some not-so-nice-comments about my weight. Yep, her words felt like a surprise punch to the gut. It may be silly, but her words cut me like me a knife. […]

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Advocacy After School Task Force

Want to ensure that afterschool programs are funded? Want to expand funding for summer programs? Have ideas about state laws that impact afterschool and summer programs for kids? Join the Connecticut After School Network for its first Advocacy Task Force conference call of 2019. Learn about what we have planned for the upcoming state legislative […]

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SEL Series: Sorry

Apologies When you ask a young person to apologize, they often scowl at you with an attitude. They may glare at you and roughly say,” Why should I apologize, I didn’t do anything wrong”. We all know that owning our mistakes is not only a challenge for children but for adults as well. Apprehension to […]

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Join The Network Team-Three New Job Postings

The Connecticut After School Network is hiring! We have three open positions: >> Professional Development Specialist (Part-Time, 15 hours per week) >> Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator (Part-Time with benefits, 30 hours per week) >> Early Childhood Network Specialist (Full-Time) Applications consisting of a current resume and letter of interest should be sent via email […]

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Video Games Aren’t All Bad

We all understand that video games can cause problems, we hear that every day.  I won’t even go into the many ways that some of these games can create antisocial and apathetic behaviors.  I want to talk about the video games that teach empathy, better human connection and understanding. Like a good storyteller, a video […]

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SEL Series: Growth Mindset

Fostering a Growth Mindset I remember extending my right hand up in the air and waving it feverishly. I thought, today “I had enough” after being ignored by my fourth-grade teacher too many times, today was the day I was going to speak up.   Daily, I eagerly raised my hand to answer a question only […]

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Women as Mentors?

Here at the Network, 5 out of 6 staff are female.  Well, there are only 6 of us really.  Ken Anthony is awash in females.  I don’t think he sees it that way though.  Michelle has mentored Ken since he arrived.  Here we work as a team trying new ideas or revising old ones.  So […]

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SEL Series: Mini SEL Lesson

Healthy Relationships take time and effort to mature.  It is important to teach youth the key elements of creating positive relationships with friends, family members and people they may encounter throughout their life. Respect, Trust, Honesty and Communication are required when developing good relationships. What makes a healthy relationship? httpv://youtu.be/?loop=1&playlist=Gn7ZQ2x0cOE Group discussion: As a group […]

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SEL Series: Creating a Culture of Empathy

  What is Empathy? Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings, thoughts, and point of view. One day, I was asked to observe a first-grade teacher. She was taking off for a couple of days, and I was asked to cover her class in her absence.  She greeted her students with much enthusiasm; […]

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