Current COVID-19 Update (September 8, 2020)
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Dear Cambridge OST Community,
On September 3, 2020, we hosted an OST Coalition Meeting to create space for OST Programs to talk to each other about topics that they choose, to continue to learn from, support and advocate for each other at this time of transition, uncertainty and possibility. Here is the link to the slide deck. On August 26th, OST Programs met with Dr. Salim to share data about Fall 2020 Planning and ask some pressing questions. For programs who wish to access the CPS Community Partners Portal, please get in touch with Khari Milner at kmilner@cpsd.us to learn about the process and get started This portal, the result of hours of partnership talks, technology fixes and beta tests with CPS district folks, is now available for use. The short version of this is that the portal will:
On July 30, 2020, approximately 60 members of the Cambridge OST Community met with Cambridge Public Schools leaders to share what we are learning about summer programs and to learn more about the status of planning for re-opening schools. If you were not able to attend, visit our OST Coalition page to see the video and link to the presentation slides. The presentation included a subset of slides from a June 2020 report of OST Organization Program Profile Data from a survey representing nearly 50 OST Programs. Here is the link to the more complete set of slides. Please check back often, as we will be posting questions and answers from the break out groups. Underlying all of the work of the Agenda for Children (AFCOST) is supporting Cambridge’s OST community in identifying and eradicating inequity and lack of access rooted in racism and socio-economic disparity. We at AFCOST are committed to helping to create a positive future for all young people---especially those who come from marginalized communities. We continue to move forward during this uncertain time and support families and youth through this stacked public health pandemic of COVID-19 and structural racism. We continue to listen to and lift up the voices of our young people. No one truly benefits from racism as it deprives this country of the incredible richness, talent and resources that reside within all our diverse communities. |
We are continuing to support the OST Community to support children, youth, and their families from a distance. CPS has recently indicated that students will keep their devices over the summer and they have extended use of the district Google Classroom Platform to OST Providers and has created a process for approving content and YouTube channels created by OST Providers on devices issued to students. We are working closely with our AFCOST Team Members, the STEAM Initiative, Inclusion and Find It Cambridge to offer resources to OST Staff, youth and families. Please post information about your Summer Programs on Find It Cambridge. Until we can reconvene in person, we will offer all AFCOST Activities virtually via Zoom. Please check our events calendar for upcoming AFCOST sessions. Once your register, be on the lookout for an invitation from the facilitators with a link to these online sessions. New program information for Middle School students is posted on our MSN Updates blog. Check out our 5 Key Elements for Successful Virtual OST Programming. If you missed the "How to Zoom Training on Virtual Facilitation", you can watch the video recording here. As you know, this is an emergent situation. We have put together an OST FAQ which we will continue to update. AFCOST staff are accessible while our physical spaces are closed, so don't hesitate to reach out to us. We will continue to communicate via social media, and contact OST staff to facilitate participation in upcoming virtual AFCOST Activities. We are here to support you virtually.
If there is anything AFCOST can do to support you or your staff during this time, please contact us. We are available and will respond. With much love and respect, Khari, Susan & the AFCOST TEAM |
