SEL Series – Start the New School Year with a BANG!

5 Tips to Kick off a New School Year with a Bang! The summer is ending, and we are quickly re-acclimating to another school year. As you plan for the 2019–2020 school year, I have a few tips that can help afterschool educators get their new students ready for up-coming school year.  Introductions.   One of the […]

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SEL Series – Movies that Teach Empathy

Three Great Movies that Teach Empathy for Middle School Students The right movie can provoke thought, stir our emotions, and spark our curiosity. When a child connects to a film, it can evoke the feeling of empathy better than any lesson ever could. In this blog post, I will provide you with three great movies […]

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SEL Series – Developing Resilience in Children

Developing resilience in children is not an easy endeavor. Each child temperament and ability to cope with adversity may differ. However, an emotionally competent parent or supportive family member is a significant source of helping children strengthen anatomy and willingness to ask for help when necessary. This blog post will explain five ways adults can […]

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Workshop Spotlight – Deep Dives

These intensive sessions blend fun, engaging content with a richer, more in-depth exploration of the most challenging issues facing after school program staff.  Join us as we go deep, building reflective practice and making best practices and inspiring ideas into realistic, feasible changes to your programs.  Build expertise and skill that will translate into improved […]

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SEL Series – Self Care

Three Key Strategies for a Full Day as a Youth Counselor It is vital for youth camp counselors to be prepared for full day summer camp. I remember how exhausting a day of work could be as youth development counselor.  In this blog post, I will discuss three self-care strategies for youth development summer workers […]

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SEL Series – Back to School

Getting Ready for your Back to School Night Event Back -to- School Family Night is a great way to enhance family involvement for your afterschool program. The event supports parent involvement as well as shapes children’s understandings of positive community interactions and it also promotes family bonding. A Back-to-School Family Night should be colorful, fun, […]

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Workshop Spotlight – Fun Fridays

TGIFriyays!  After school professionals will come together with context experts in a friendly and engaging conversation about one key area of after school program quality.  Explore tools and strategies, try new activities and games, share ideas, and network with colleagues.  Join us for Fun Fridays, and leave inspired and equipped to make your program shine! […]

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SEL Series – Poetic Expressions

Using Poetry as a Tool for Teaching Social Emotional Development Depressed When a tomato gets chopped, it is depressed. When carrots get diced, they are depressed. When they get mixed, they are depressed. Together!  In awe, I read each line of my student’s words and appreciated the depth of her talent and creativity. After reading […]

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2019-2020 Professional Development Catalog Now Available

You asked for it and we delivered! The Network’s 2019 – 2020 Professional Development Catalog is here. From Deep Dive Sessions, Fun Fridays and a new CLASP Cohort, this one stop resource lays out an entire year of professional development offerings for after school professionals. In addition to some of our staples such as on-site trainings, […]

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SEL Series – Resources!

SEL Summer Program Resources I love a good find! I bet so do you. Recently I have found tons of excellent free SEL resources on Pinterest’s website.  These easy to implement activities will need minimal time to prep and complete. Also, they will be a great add on too many of your scheduled programs. In […]

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