Extended Learning Program The magic learning opportunity... - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Extended Learning Program The magic learning opportunity... 6/29/2016 School Board Presentation Handout Video

“A school that has rich artistic opportunities within its curriculum/after school programs provides what Hoffmann Davis (2005) describes as a “durable oases for students and families” (p. 170). They are safe heavens for individual differences and bridges between cultural barriers.” I was hired July 1, 2014 to: 1) Transform the existing Extended Day Program into a 21st Century Extended Learning Program. A program modeled after the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLCs) which provide academic enrichment opportunities, including instruction in core academic subjects and a broad array of enrichment activities, to complement regular academic programs 2) Supervise, hire, educate (Professional Development opportunities), schedule, and evaluate the Extended Learning Program staff at our three locations (Stow, Bolton and Lancaster). 3) Implement the new Extended Learning Program design at the three locations. This includes ordering, and maintaining supplies for all three locations. To expand the enrichment initiative more equitably throughout the district. The arts as integrated “off the clock” opportunit y was inconsistent 4) within the district’s extended curriculum. This was compounded by a disproportional amount of equity among enrichment opportu nities, especially in the arts between schools. 5) To facilitate, develop and expand the enrichment vacation academy opportunities. 6) Assist the Teaching and Learning Department with Professional Development, Curriculum and Assessment in the area of enrichment and advanced learning. The Extended Learning Program supports Nashoba’s vision “Nashoba Regional School District engages educators, students, families and community members to … foster and sustain educational services that support, enrich and extend our curriculum for all student s ”. (District Improvement Plan 2014 - 2019)

The Extended Learning Program’s new vision is supported by research. According to MetLife Foundation’s After AfterSchool July 2011 Brief: “ Afterschool is at its best when it complements and coordinates with – but does not replicate – the learning that occurs during the formal school day. In this relationship with regular school time, afterschool can provide a host of unique opportunities for students to succeed and remain engaged in school-day learning. Several aspects of afterschool provide advantages for students that are more difficult to offer during the regular school day: Flexible schedules, providing the time and space to offer in-depth learning projects Low student-to-instructor ratios More flexibility for field trips and learning outside the classroom Informal learning environments that encourage active participation Greater access to parents because programs often extend into the early evening A diverse group of workers who can connect with youth in new and meaningful ways.iii Community partners that can address specific needs of children and fill gaps in enrichment Flexible schedules, providing the time and space to offer in-depth learning projects Low student-to-instructor ratios More flexibility for field trips and learning outside the classroom Informal learning environments that encourage active participation Greater access to parents because programs often extend into the early evening A diverse group of workers who can connect with youth in new and meaningful ways.iii Community partners that can address specific needs of children and fill gaps in enrichment .”

“How school -age children spend their time after school is a topic of interest among educators, policymakers, researchers, and parents. Many parents choose to have their children attend after-school programs, which may provide diverse services such as academic instruction, cultural enrichment, safe places to stay, and adult supervision for children. This creates an enormous opportunity for meaningful afterschool progra ming.” (Carver and Iruka 2006; James-Burdumy et al. 2005; Kleiner, Nolin, and Chapman 2004). My vision is a five year plan. This is my third year and I am on target with meeting the program objectives. The below outline details my five year plan. Year One/Two - Transform the Extended Day Program into an Extended Learning Program in accordance with the District’s I. vision “enrich and extend our curriculum for all students”. (District Improvement Plan 2014 - 2019) Created internal enrichment opportunities in support of District’s vision “engages educators, students, families and community A. members to … foster and sustain educational services that support”. (District Improvement Plan 2014 - 2019) B. Programs: 1. Exploratory Art Program - Christine Botelho (Staff) 2. Art with Anna (Staff) 3. Cartooning with Tim (Staff) 4. Yoga with Olivia and Camila (Staff) 5. Music/Computer Programming Rick (Staff) 6. Quilting (Staff) 7. Chess (High School Staff) 8. Destination Imagination (Staff/High School) 9. Archeology (Staff)

“Afterschool programs are a proven intervention strategy to address these risk factors and provide the necessary supports to students who are struggling. Studies, both qualitative and quantitative, demonstrate the ability of afterschool programs to help stem the tide of dropouts.” http://www.jfox.neu.edu/Documents/afterschool2000.pdf 10. Culture Club (staff) 11. Sewing (Volunteer) 12. Science Club (staff) 13. Invention Club (Staff) 14. Girl Scouts (Community) 15. Reading Club (High School) 16. Cat's Cradle Club (Middle School Volunteer) 17. Theater Club (Staff) 18. On Your Toes Dance Studio (community) 19. Scrapbooking (Staff) 20. Bedtime Math (Staff) 21. Scrabble Club (staff) 22. Engineering Club (me) 23. Japanese (Staff) 24. Italian (Staff) 25. Lego Club (Community) 26. Archery (Community)

“Good afterschool programs really work, keeping kids safe and out of trouble, and helping them learn to get along with others a nd succeed in school and in life.” http://www.jfox.neu.edu/Documents/afterschool2000.pdf 27. Art Blast (Community) 28. Chess Wizards (Staff/Community) 29. On Your Toes Dance (Community) 30. Music Experience (Community) 31. Global Child (Community) 32. Homework Club (Staff) 33. Tutoring Service (Community) 34. Bird Watching (Staff) 35. Blanket Making Club (staff) 36. Nature Club (Staff) 37. Junior League League (Staff) 38. Knitting Club (Staff) 39. Club Invention (Staff) 40. Woodworking (Community)

“Linking school, afterschool and summer learning programs is a powerful way to support learning and address achievement gap i ssu es.” Dr. Heather Weiss, founder and director of Harvard Family Research Project http://afterschoolalliance.org//documents/issue_briefs/issue_schoolDay_50.pdf B. Provided outsourced (community sources) enrichment opportunities in support of Nashoba’s Core Values “Our communities are resources”. (District Improvement Plan 2014 - 2019) 1. On The Mark Archery 2. Chess Wizards 3. Circuit Enrichment 4. Quickstart Tennis 5. Culture Club - Global Child Foreign Language 6. On Your Toes Dance 7. Invention Club 8. Art Blast 9. Woodworking

Learner-centered strategies need staff who are invested in both the children and the program, and these strategies are most effective when educators are passionate, supportive and willing to experiment with new technology and new ways of teaching. The lower-stakes environment and higher degree of instructional freedom within afterschool settings allows these programs to more easily develop and test innovative models of technology-enabled learning. http://afterschoolalliance.org//documents/issue_briefs/issue_digital_learning_58.pdf *C. Program Increases - maintain Nashoba’s values to “ demonstrate our progress toward our goals” . (District Improvement Plan 2014 - 2019) 1.Increased the number of students and staff to accommodate the numbers within the recommended at 1 : 10 state recommendation from 160 (2013 - 2014) Staff 34 309 (2014 - 2015) Staff 49 338 (2015 - 2016) Staff 46 2. Increase number of staff *3. Increased the tuition cost to match the new opportunities (see handout) * 4. Increased staff to accommodate increase in program numbers and maintain a 1 (staff) per 10 student ration. According WNET Education in Concept for Classroom “ http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/afterschool/exploration.html .

“Afterschool programs across the country have supported students’ school day learning in a multitude of ways, from spurring a ttendance and reducing truancy to improving test scores and promoting engagement. “ http://afterschoolalliance.org//documents/issue_briefs/issue_schoolDay_50.pdf *E. Security - ““ Safe and Healthy Environment” . (District Improvement Plan 2014 - 2019) - Increased security at all sites. Doors where the Extended Learning Program resides now remain locked after 3:00 P.M. Outside events were rescheduled to after 6:00 P.M. at these locations. The following were purchased or changes were also made to increase security at the three site. 1. 20 Two Radios 2. Two ABA Security Computer Systems Updated (Bolton) 3. Purchased two ABA Security Computer Systems (Stow and Lancaster) 4. Three Speakers for computers to accommodate ABA system 5. Updated computers to accommodate ABA system 6. Additional staff added to operate the ABA system