STEM Resources Survey - WI Afterschool Network

Thousands of youth in Wisconsin regularly attend afterschool and summer programs in schools, community centers, churches, etc. The Wisconsin Afterschool Network is a statewide organization which works to support these programs and their staff in delivering high quality programming. 

One of the goals of the Wisconsin Afterschool Network is to empower educators who work with youth each day to lead engaging STEM activities. Organizations like yours (businesses, museums, libraries, STEM centers) are important resources for these educators. 

We want to learn about the work you do and how we can help you connect with Out-of-School Time programs in your area. Our hope is to develop a directory and map of STEM organizations in Wisconsin for educators to access on our website as a resource in their community.

We would appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete this survey to help us in our endeavor. Please consider sharing this survey as well with other organizations that serve educators and youth. If you represent a statewide organization, please include statewide resources, but also share with local organizations in your network who offer resources and services to educators.

Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf91_Xon7pC0hxbtN_2q0IipbxxVrrzDWLCslAekF_hhnfbMQ/viewform

(You may need to copy/past this link into your browser)

Thank you for your time,

Wisconsin Afterschool Network (WAN)
Center for Community Health Advancement
Marshfield Clinic Health System
Office: 715-221-8400 | Other Info: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/4dad333c/hdW31hqWf0CacSB6fpadhw?u=http://www.wiafterschoolnetwork.org/

WI Bill Signed Improving Literacy Outcomes

 Thanks to the 7/21/23 WLA Newsletter for this information:

Gov. Evers Signs Bill Aimed at Improving Literacy Outcomes for Kids Statewide  

Estimated reading time:  7 minutes, 12 seconds

Gov. Tony Evers today signed six bills, including Assembly Bill 321, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 20. The bill relating to literacy, drafted in coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), makes several comprehensive updates to literacy instruction in the state designed to help improve reading and literacy outcomes for K-12 students.

Reimagining School Readiness - a Toolkit for Librarians

Pixabay Image

From ALSC Matters newsletter, a publication of the Association for Library Service to Children, August 2018:

"No matter their economic or educational background, all parents want their children to do well—in school and in life. Research has demonstrated that the first eight years of life are the most important phase in the human lifespan for overall development, and lay the foundation for future health, education, and economic participation. With this in mind, the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Center for Childhood Creativity (in collaboration with the California State Library’s Early Learning with Families (ELF) initiative) undertook a multi-year project to co-create, pilot, refine, and then publish a toolkit to help libraries provide evidenced-based school readiness programming for their communities.

Designed specifically for libraries, this online toolkit builds on the research findings from Reimagining School Readiness: A Position Paper with Key Findings, compiled by the Center for Childhood Creativity. The toolkit of research-backed resources is intended to support libraries in offering school readiness programming to families with children birth to age 8. It was pilot tested by six different California library systems. The toolkit includes promising practices, case studies, and Pinterest boards. It also includes bookmarks, flyers, posters, and social media messages—all in six languages—which can be customized with a library’s own logo."

To read the full article and links to the toolkit, please click here.

Save your Spot in the Stellar Services to School-Age Kids WLA Preconference

Hurry—the number of spots in this amazing preconference are limited! Register now.

The Youth Services Section of WLA and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction invite you to join library staff serving youth for an invigorating preconference. This small and large group event will offer scalable ideas related to programming, drop-in activities, technology, and outreach for children in grades 2-5. TED-style talks by Wisconsin library staff will address tried-and-true and shiny-and-new efforts for this age group. A passive programming gallery of ideas awaits you during the robust snack break. Best of all, network with library peers who are equally interested in reaching kids who are beyond early literacy but not yet a tween. Past participants in YSS + DPI preconferences have said that it’s the best part of WLA! Sign up soon—the preconference is filling up quickly.

Stellar Services to School-Age Kids Preconference 
1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino – Clarity Room
Registration Fee: $25 WLA members/$50 non-members
Limited to 50 people

To see all the WLA conference posts:
Wednesday Conference Programs
Burr Worzalla Award Winner
Bill Konigsburg Interview
Luncheon Speaker Bill Konigsburg
Thursday Youth Events
Konigsburg Book Discussion
Friday Youth Conference Programs
Social Events at WLA

Sneak Peek - YSS Preconference Tuesday Oct 25

YSS is sponsoring a number of great sessions at WLA this fall and we want to pump you up! We will be sharing tidbits between now and Oct 26 when the conference starts at the Potowatomi Hotel and Conference Center. Registration is now open! Early bird registration runs through Oct. 7.

YSS is offering another exciting preconference following in the footsteps of its success with it's Early literacy/preschool services preconfernce in 2013 and Teen focus in 2014. This year, its all things school-age! But don't delay. Only 50 spots are open and our preconferences always fill.!

Stellar Service to School-Age Kids

1-5 pm Tuesday Oct 25

Registration fee $25 for WLA members/$50 non-members

The WLA Youth Services Section and WI Dept of Public Instruction invite you to join library staff serbving youth for an invigorating preconference. This small and large group event will offer scalable ideas related to programming, drop-in activities, technology and outreach for children in grades 2-5. TED-styl talks by WI library staff will address tried-and-true and shiny-and-new efforts for this age group. A passive programming gallery of ideas awaits you during the robust snack break. Best of all, network with library peers who are equally interested in reaching kids who are beyond early literacy but not yet a tween. Past participants in YSS + DPI preconferences have said it’s the best part of WLA!

Stop here to register today!

Wednesday Conference Programs
Burr Worzalla Award Winner
Bill Konigsburg Interview
Luncheon Speaker Bill Konigsburg
Thursday Youth Events
Konigsburg Book Discussion
Friday Youth Conference Programs
Social Events at WLA

Thinking About School-Agers

With SLP launched/launching around the country, youth librarians are turning a keen eye on literacy and learning support for school age kids about to blow out into summer vacation. While we continue to serve the needs of preschoolers at this time, most libraries put extra effort into supporting the big bump of schoolagers.

Just in from PLA, Toronto Public Library shared their Middle Childhood Framework report focusing on their plans to serve 6-12 year olds at their library. As I read through this fascinating document, I was reminded of the care with which the youth library profession researched, wrote and embraced "Every Child Ready to Read."  ECRR has transformed storytimes and service to preschoolers.

Who knows, this report may be the leading edge of looking at school age services in the same deeper, more fully researched and enriched way.