Archive for July 2020
Patterns of Change
More and more we are hearing the words, “What is your Theory of Change (TOC)?” This is not to be confused with the pattern of change below: Awareness moves to knowledge. Knowledge moves to engagement. Engagement moves to integration. Integration moves to sustainability While change begins when we are first made aware of some new…
Read MoreAlignment
Most every driver understands the importance of having wheels that are aligned. According to an article by Sarah McBride, “In installing the wheels, proper wheel alignment is important so as not to sacrifice the tires life and hence, the cars ride and handling. Often times, wheel alignment is confused with wheel balancing; the two, however…
Read MoreValue-Add of Afterschool
There are so many factors that influence the education of youth in the country. To isolate any one of those variables is virtually impossible, but to control for identified variables so you can get a “read” on the significance of a single factor, is possible but will require true collaboration and data sharing across enterprises. …
Read MoreLast Full Measure of Devotion
Tomorrow is Veterans’ Day. This is a day when we intentionally honor those who during their lives protected this county from its enemies. Veterans’ Day is celebrated on the 11th of November because this is the day that the armistice was signed in 1918, ending the first World War. It is said that this signing…
Read MoreAdvocating For Extended Learning Time
Jeff Cobb from Mission to Learn, defines learning in this way: “Learning is the lifelong process of transforming information and experience into knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes.”[1] He goes on to say that learning does not require a degree or certificate to prove that it is valuable and it doesn’t always need to occur in…
Read MoreDARK:30
It happens every Fall, just like clock work. DARK:30 becomes a reality for after-school. DARK:30 will last until March, when once again the sun will shine on program all the way to the end. But for the next few months, with DARK:30 moving slowly into the afternoon, we will see program shorten for some students…
Read MoreMake Your Vote Count
The elections are only a few days away. Make your voice heard! Cast your vote in a thoughtful way and lend the candidates with whom you are most aligned your support. Although this is not a Presidential Election year, your vote matters. What would this country be like if everyone believed that voting didn’t matter? …
Read MoreSeeing the Forest for the Trees
There is an idiom that states, “can’t see the forest for the trees.” This expression refers to someone who is unable to understand what is important in a situation because he/she is giving too much attention to details. As a leader of an after-school program, it is easy to fall into this habit. Every day…
Read MoreAssessment
Often times we think of assessment as a very formal process. This is not always the case. In reality 24/7 our brain is gathering information and making decisions based on that information. Our brain is, in fact, assessing data and we are making decisions and judgments based on that information. As an example of informal…
Read MoreIn Support of the School Day
One of the most important roles of after-school programs is to support the good work of the school day. Each student who participates in the after-school program is directly linked to the expectations of the school day, whether that be in homework, behavior, or improved academic performance. Helping to create a seamless day for each…
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