SEL Series:A Pooch at your After-school

Let’s take a look at the Mutt-I-Grees SEL curriculum I recall sitting in a meeting with one of our education coordinators, and he pitched the idea of dogs coming to 20 West, our middle and high school learning center. At first, I thought what? Dogs!?! I hesitated because I know most kids love dogs, but […]

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SEL Series: Check out Centervention for free social-emotional learning activities

I will be writing a series of blog posts highlighting the Best Social Emotional Learning (SEL) resources. I would like to begin with one of my favorite free Social Emotional Learning online resources, Centervention. I have used several of their materials for workshops and training. In particular, I’ve used their activity on compromising, and it […]

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SEL Series: Too Many Choices: Selecting the Right SEL Curriculum

After-school educators are becoming increasingly aware of the impact and the long-lasting benefits of Social-Emotional Learning programs. However, choosing the right SEL program can be a challenge due to the overwhelming selection of materials and online resources. We can easily be allured by large promises and marketing jargon which can make the hunt for the […]

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Help Us Grow!

Call for Contractors and Volunteers The Connecticut After School Network is taking a deeper dive into content areas in the coming year.

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Teen Toddlers

If you are an 80’s baby, you probably played with a toy kitchen set. I did. When I was four years old, Santa brought me a kitchen set for Christmas. With a big grin on my face, I served my family plastic chicken drumsticks and fake pieces of yellow corn on the cob.  My mom […]

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Interns Needed

The Connecticut After School Network is looking for full or part-time interns/volunteers to help us with various projects.  These positions do not include a stipend. The intern will provide assistance and support for the communications, events planning, and everyday operations of the Network.  

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21st CCLC Bidders Conference

A 21st Century Community Learning Center (21stCCLC) Bidders Conference will be held on Tuesday, August 29th from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at CREC Central Office (111 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford). The 21stCCLC Request for Proposals is expected to be posted to the CT State Department of Education website on August 21st. Proposals must be submitted by September 22nd. Eligible applicants must serve schools […]

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Top Sensory Table Ideas

I love incorporating sensory bins in my program every chance I get. Studies about sensory tables will show that they are not only beneficial to children with special needs but for all children. My students go crazy when we have sensory activity set up for them and I love to see how amazed and engaged […]

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The Wonderful World of Themes

For any program to run like a well oiled machine organization is a must! When I first started off in my position I was no where near as organized as I am now. Looking back, I do not know how I survived all those years without using my current system.

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NASA Inspired Activities for Free

Are you  looking for new, engaging activities that spur young people’s imagination and creativity? The Boston Children’s Museum has just completed a new set of NASA-inspired challenges, accessible from the museum’s updated Beyond the Chalkboard website! We need your help! If you would be willing to try out 5 of these NASA-inspired activities with your […]

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