Afterschool Alliance’s Post

Afterschool programs are more than just a service—they’re a cornerstone for stronger communities and opportunities for kids to thrive. The 2024 Afterschool for All Challenge was a powerful moment, bringing together 200 advocates to champion increased funding for these critical programs. Advocacy like this is how we drive meaningful change. What role do afterschool programs play in your community?

"State and local funding for afterschool and summer programs will be increasingly important as challenges related to grants and funding are likely to emerge at the federal level." As federal funding faces uncertainty, our own Erik Peterson underscores the importance of partnering with statewide afterschool networks, local intermediaries, and city leaders to continue building support for the afterschool programs that serve our young people. See the full recap: https://lnkd.in/ekcJx_Ns

Enrollment is a journey, not a step. Our webinar will show you how to keep those lottery seats filled and interest levels high all summer long!

This month’s news roundup highlights the incredible strides being made in the charter school community: 📚 Breaking Barriers in Colorado: A charter school is making a huge difference by helping teen parents balance their education while raising their children. This program not only supports academic success but also fosters brighter futures for young families. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/lYTy1 🎉 Florida’s Record-Breaking Summit: The 2024 Florida Charter School and School Choice Summit drew its largest audience ever! Leaders and advocates gathered to share innovative practices and celebrate the growing impact of school choice across the state. Details here: https://shorturl.at/hAbqP 📊 School Choice Wins Nationwide: Recent referenda results show that communities are rallying behind school choice. Voters made their voices heard, supporting educational options that prioritize students and families. Explore the analysis: https://shorturl.at/qsfuS The momentum is clear—charter schools and school choice initiatives are driving meaningful change nationwide. Let’s continue to celebrate these wins and amplify the stories that inspire us all. 🏫✨

It’s Christmas Day, and while the world slows down to unwrap gifts and share meals, I can’t help but think about the gift every child deserves: the opportunity to dream bigger than their circumstances. This time of year, I think about the kids whose classrooms are their refuge. The teachers who become their champions. The administrators trying to stretch budgets further than seems possible. And the communities working tirelessly to hold it all together. Education is a long game, and like the best gifts, its impact isn’t always immediate. It’s the quiet encouragement, the second chances, and the belief that every child deserves to learn and thrive—no matter their zip code, their background, or their challenges. So today, as you enjoy the sparkle of the season, take a moment to imagine the future we could build together. A future where every child finds their voice. A future where every teacher feels supported. A future where education stops being a battleground and becomes the foundation for something extraordinary. Merry Christmas to all the educators, students, and families out there. Your work, your dreams, and your resilience are gifts that change the world. #MerryChristmas #K12Education #EveryChildEveryChance

Today is 5-29, making it National 529 Day! To help us celebrate, here is John's daughter, Mia, reminding you to save for education costs. Start planning for a brighter future today! #529Day #EducationSavings #CollegeSavings

Us: Why do you like TVM? Scholars: Because there’s no boringness! In TVM, Mahea Gaskins has all the scholars say “We are allergic to boring!” Our method of family #engagement attracts parents to be involved in their child’s learning experience. This creates the bridge to then engage families in the #school and #community. That’s the goal! Research has proven that when parents are more active and engaged with their child’s academic journey…the behavior, attendance and grades improve as well. This is just one of the differences that partnering with a full-service community building organization provides.

Once families understand their early childhood opportunities, how do we make enrollment as seamless as possible? In a recent brief from New America's New Practice Lab, Emmy Liss and Sarah Gilliland explore the benefits of a centralized early childhood enrollment system and its potential for simplifying the process for families, early education providers, and system administrators. 🎒 https://lnkd.in/eWZfW2Ta

In November, the Prairie State Generating Company (PSGC) awarded Classroom Impact Grants to support STEM-related projects in local classrooms. Five grants of $1,000 were awarded. The recipient schools of these grants were Bartelso Elementary School, Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary School, Nashville Grade School, Okawville Grade School, and Trico Elementary School. Read more about the projects being supported by these grants by visiting this link: https://bit.ly/4ifBjfl With so many outstanding applications received, the judging panel also selected an additional four runner-up projects to receive grants of $500 each. These runner-up grants were awarded to Red Bud Elementary School, Sparta Lincoln School, Sparta High School, and Trinity Lutheran School in Hoffman. PSGC is proud to support local classrooms through initiatives such as these, and we look forward to continuing this grant program in the future.

This one is for all of you parents who have struggled to find reliable, high-quality childcare--not just glorified babysitting, but a true early learning environment that feeds young minds. We've personally felt the pain of finding a center we love, having it close and then starting the search all over again. Luckily, there's a happy ending to our story that began at NKU 7 years ago and involved not one but TWO unexpected closings—and re-openings (that's the happy part). Big shoutout to Little Stars Preschool and NKU leadership for creating a new center. My story in Soapbox Media (https://lnkd.in/gEE8gYDe) highlights this center along with others based on campus at UC and Xavier. What gives me hope about this model is that it is a braided funding approach not 100% reliant on parent-paid tuition. It's a virtuous cycle where children, families, the larger academic community (students and professors/researchers alike) ALL benefit.