<![CDATA[Cambridge Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time - ESON Updates]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:09:02 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[ESON & MSN: May Meeting Recap]]>Wed, 27 May 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/eson-msn-may-meeting-recap
May marked the final ESON/MSN Network Meeting of the school year. Next month, we look forward to joining with RAY (Reaching all Youth) at Frisoli for our End of the-Year Celebration on June 9th.

The Joint Network portion of the meeting included an opportunity for folks to engage and learn about the Community Partners Portal as well as the OST Demographics Dashboard.  Rob Emery, our colleague from the CPS ICTS Department, joined us to present and answer many great questions (and we have even more that were shared on post-its that will inform future resources and presentations.  Here's a link to the slides that were shown.  

If you need a Community Partners Portal account, please request one via the CPP website, or email Rob (remery@cpsd.us) and/or Khari (kmilner@cpsd.us).  Once you're set up, and upload student enrollment data into the CPP Data, you'll be able to access data visualizations and filters via a OST Demographic Dashboard.

Check out the CPP Help Guide for instructions on enrolling students across your programs and sessions.  If you have enrollment data that you need assistance with uploading to the CPP, please don't hesitate to contact Zeena Brown (zbrown@cpsd.us).

In the MSN space, we revisited the youth voice questions created during our April meeting and reflected on student responses shared through video. Click here to hear youth voices. The conversation sparked thoughtful discussion around youth needs, barriers, and takeaways that can help inform intentional summer program planning and creation. 

The ESON group focused on our challenges and the "pace scale" that defines our daily work. We talked about how our jobs constantly move from one end of the scale to the other while we try to balance ourselves, our team members, and the young people we support. The conversation centered around keeping an open mind about each area on the scale and doing our best to be the staff that everyone in our community needs at different moments.

The Pace Scale:
Slow and Sustainable
Balanced and Intentional
Fast and Reactive

Thank you for your participation in Network meetings throughout this school year! We look forward to seeing you at our End of the-Year Celebration in June!
]]><![CDATA[ESON & MSN: April Network Meeting Recap]]>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:15:31 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/eson-msn-april-network-meeting-recap
Our April OST Network meeting brought together creativity, connection, and purposeful planning as we began transitioning into summer programming.

We kicked things off with a layered drink station to ground ourselves in the theme of “layers.” Members crafted colorful drinks (think mango, lemon, ginger juice topped with gummy worms and fresh mint) while reflecting on the layers of summer already rising to the surface in our minds. It was a light, joyful way to spark conversation and acknowledge the complexity of this seasonal shift for our programs, our teams, and ourselves.

A huge thank you to the Cambridge Community Center (CCC) for hosting us and sharing more about their work. CCC highlighted their community center offerings as well as their food pantry, and we want to help spread the word:

The CCC Food Pantry is open to all: no questions asked, no documentation required.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, starting at 1:00 PM (open until food runs out)
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This is an incredible resource for families in our community, and we encourage everyone to share this information widely.
We then shifted into focused network work. The Elementary School OST Network (ESON) led a conversation on caregiver engagement exploring strategies for building stronger connections with families and benefitting from seeking and leveraging their input. Together, we began developing thoughtful questions aimed at better understanding caregiver expectations, needs, and hopes as we design responsive summer programming.  Here's a summary of the ideas we came up with in support of engaging parents as well as survey based on the questions we came up to ask parents and caregivers in support of our summer planning.

Meanwhile, the Middle School Network centered youth voice. Participants worked collaboratively to develop meaningful questions that we can ask middle schoolers to inform our program design and strategy. The group committed to taking one or a few of these questions into the field and capturing responses through video, audio recordings, or written reflections to bring back to our May meeting, helping ground our summer planning in the lived experiences and perspectives of young people. 

As always, this meeting reflected the strength of our network: thoughtful, creative, and deeply committed to the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing this momentum together.
]]><![CDATA[5th Annual Rollin' & Summer Resources Event]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:37:40 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/5th-annual-rollin-summer-resources-event
On Saturday, March 7, more than 400 Cambridge families came out to the 5th annual Rollin’ & Summer Resources event at the CSUS/King Open Community Complex. The event gave families a chance to connect with 40 different summer program providers, learn about their offerings, ask questions, and even register for programs on the spot.

When families weren’t chatting with program providers, there was plenty to do. Kids laced up their skates in the gym, tried their hand at parkour, and played life-sized board games. This year’s event also featured a special performance from well-known magician Bonaparte, who performed a spectacular magic show in the auditorium.

Throughout the event, Multilingual Family Liaisons and Community Engagement Team Outreach Workers were on hand to help with translation and interpretation, making sure families could access information and connect with providers.

Feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive with 100% of post-event survey respondents saying the event was helpful and that they found the summer information they needed for their child, while getting their questions answered. Families also shared that they were able to apply for summer programming at the event or get onto a waitlist. 

Who attended the 2026 Rollin’ & Summer Resources event?
  • 54% of families said their children have never participated in Cambridge summer programs before.
  • 49% of families said their children are not currently enrolled in afterschool programs.
  • Families who attended represented 20 different native languages.
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The event was made possible through the support of CPS, the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP), and the Cambridge Out-of-School Time community.
]]><![CDATA[ESON March Meeting Recap: Summer by Design]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:36:02 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/msn-march-meeting-recapEven though ESON Coordinator Greg Green was busy adding to his legendary status as a Girl Dad -- congrats to Greg and his family on the arrival of their new baby girl!! -- the ESON vibe continued with a meeting hosted at the Gately Youth Center (thanks to Bo and Joren for hosting!). 

​The meeting focused on the strategic planning and approaches to preparing for summer programming in 2026. The central theme emphasized moving beyond basic "childcare" to create high-quality, creative environments that prioritize youth voice and engagement.

​Key Themes & Discussion Points

  • A Journey Through Sunshine and Bliss: The meeting opened with a vision-setting exercise, framing summer as a unique window for "exploration and new possibilities" rather than just a break from school.
  • Defining the "Essence of Summer": A significant portion of the session was dedicated to defining what summer means for young people today. This included discussions on:
    • Fostering creativity and play
    • Building meaningful peer relationships
    • Strengthening community connections
  • The Power of Youth Voice: A core goal highlighted was the transition of power, ensuring that young people aren't just participants but are active designers of their own summer experiences.
  • Quality Standards: The "ESON Community" set specific benchmarks for "Quality Summer Programming," focusing on safety, inclusivity, and high-engagement activities.

Core Goals for Summer 2026

For your reference, here’s a link to slides, which includes a links to input and ideas from meeting attendees, and lifts up three primary objectives for the upcoming season:
  1. Creativity: Providing unconventional learning opportunities that spark curiosity
  2. Quality: Ensuring consistent, high-standard delivery across all network sites
  3. Belonging: Creating spaces where every youth feels seen, heard, and valued
]]><![CDATA[ESON February Meeting Recap]]>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:54:04 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/eson-february-meeting-recapThank you so much for joining us for the February ESON Network Meeting: Whole Hearts, Whole Minds: Building SEL & Wellbeing in OST Spaces. It was truly meaningful to spend time with such a dedicated group of elementary OST professionals who show up every day with care, patience, and commitment to young people.

Together, we explored how Social Emotional Learning and trauma-informed practices can support both youth and adults, and created space to reflect on the emotional labor of this work. Through Story Circles, participants shared powerful moments of connection and support, practiced active listening, and lifted up the strengths and compassion that exist across our OST community.

We also spent time reflecting on what fills and drains our cups, recognizing the experiences that energize us and the challenges that impact our capacity. These conversations highlighted the importance of noticing our own wellbeing, supporting one another, and identifying small, meaningful shifts that can help sustain us in our roles.

Finally, through the Pause. Feel. Respond. scenarios, we practiced responding to real-life OST situations with empathy, emotional safety, and thoughtful boundaries focusing on compassionate, realistic strategies that center regulation, relationships, and belonging.

Thank you again for your openness, participation, and the care you bring to this work. Your voices, insights, and shared experiences make these network spaces so powerful. We look forward to continuing to learn and grow together.

Attached you will find our SEL slide, SEL facilitator's guide,  and SEL activities. Please feel free you utilize these with your team!]]><![CDATA[3rd Annual School-Community Partnerships Gathering]]>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:37:32 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/3rd-annual-school-community-partnerships-gathering
On December 17, 2025, more than 130 K-12 Cambridge OST providers, CPS Family Liaisons and faculty, DHSP staff, community outreach workers, nonprofit organizations and many other partnering providers,  gathered at The Foundry for the 3rd Annual School-Community Partnership Gathering.

Hosted by the Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time’s Elementary and Middle School-OST Networks, DHSP's Reaching All Youth Network and the CPS Family Engagement Team, this annual event brings together Cambridge providers to strengthen our networks in support of Cambridge children, youth and families.

Following introductions, including those by CPS Supt. David Murphy, and Michelle Farnum, Assistant Director for Children, Youth and Families at DHSP, the gathering kicked off with a panel discussion centered around how programs support students’ mental health and social-emotional well-being and the value and impact of successful program partnerships. 

Special thank you to our panel participants: Marsé Romero (East End House), Christina Ullman (Science Club for Girls), Katie Quizphe (Peabody Community School), Jordan Harvey (Tutoring Plus) for sharing your insights and experiences.  Also, thanks to CEA President Chris Montero for attending on behalf of all CPS educators; and our collective efforts to partner on behalf of supporting the growth and success of thousands of CPS students.

After the panel, participants had the opportunity to engage with each other through interactive breakout sessions, sharing stories of challenges, learning opportunities, program accessibility, partnering strategies, mental health resources and more. View the notes from each breakout group.

We encourage participants to continue their conversations from the gathering and have created a meeting directory to facilitate reaching out to each other.  Also, be sure to check out the community announcements from the meeting for program updates and upcoming events for the new year!
Finally, check out the wordcloud created from attendees responses to the following prompt on the event feedback form (click on image for a closer look)!
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]]><![CDATA[ESON November Meeting Recap]]>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:32:03 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/eson-november-meeting-recap
Thank you to all our network members for joining us and contributing so thoughtfully to our November 5th ESON Network Meeting. Together, we opened with a warm welcome and reflected on what “Cambridge families” means to us, grounding our work in the voices and lived experiences of the youth and families we serve. Through our gallery walk, we explored current practices and future ideas for family engagement, highlighting the many ways programs cultivate welcoming and trusting environments.

In small groups, we also examined real Cambridge family scenarios, challenging assumptions, recognizing potential access barriers, and identifying opportunities to strengthen connection and inclusion.

​We appreciate everyone’s openness, insight, and commitment to building a more unified and supportive experience for all Cambridge families.
]]><![CDATA[ESON October Meeting Recap]]>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:54:36 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/eson-october-meeting-recapIt Begins With Us
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We officially opened the year with our first Elementary Schools OST Network (ESON) meeting, centered on the theme “It Begins with Us.” This gathering brought together elementary OST providers from across Cambridge to strengthen our community and reaffirm our shared purpose of supporting young people through every stage of their growth and journey.

Together, we focused on cultivating a welcoming and collaborative space where providers can connect, share insights, and align on how best to meet the needs of elementary aged youth. By grounding our work in community and collective responsibility, we began shaping a network rooted in partnership, care, and a shared commitment to helping children thrive both in and out of school.

We are excited to keep the momentum going and continue this important work at our next ESON Network meeting on November 5th.

Here's what's coming up:
​
During the November ESON Network Meeting, we will focus on exploring what it truly means to serve Cambridge families. Bring your thoughts and reflections, big or small, about what a Cambridge family means to you. Together, we will share perspectives and deepen our understanding of the communities we serve, building a network that is rooted in connection, guided by purpose, and committed to making a meaningful difference.
]]><![CDATA[ESON, MSN, & RAY: September Kick Off Recap]]>Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:08:23 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/eson-msn-ray-september-kick-off-recap
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Network Kickoff event we co-hosted with RAY at the Moore Youth Center on 9/10/25. With over 70 people in the room (well, technically on the basketball court), we had the chance to connect, reflect on the impact of our work with young people and families, and ground ourselves in the shared values of ESON, MSN, and RAY.

The room was full of energy as longtime Network members and new faces came together. Through activities like Bingo and a life-size map of Cambridge, we learned more about each other and the many programs represented across the City. One of the more powerful moments was when participants tied their contact information to colorful strings, creating a visual of our interconnectedness as a Network.

We were thrilled to see the buzz and excitement as we kicked off the school and after school year and are looking forward to continuing our conversations at our next meeting on 10/1 at the Frisoli Youth Center. In case you missed the meeting, check out the community announcements below:

Community Announcements

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Tyrique Kittrell (Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time) - Bridge Scholars is a tutoring and mentoring program led by CRLS students in its third year of serving the community; providing high school scholars the opportunity to support younger students across Cambridge. We are currently seeking program sites interested in hosting CRLS tutors. Does your program include homework time or free play? Would your students benefit from one-on-one or small-group tutoring, paired with the guidance of a mentor? If so, Bridge Scholars may be the perfect fit. If you’re interested, please complete this Bridge Scholars request form. For any questions, feel free to contact tkittrell@cpsd.us
Tagesech Wabeto (Cambridge Immigrant Commision) - The Civic Unity Committee is hosting a Community Connections event on September 19th, 4-6:30 pm. Also Danehy Park Family Day is coming up on Saturday, September 20th, 11am-3pm at Danehy Park (Rain Date: Sept. 27), twabeto@cambridgema.gov ​
Vanessa Fisher (Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time) - Let the Agenda team know if you want to recruit for your programs at the upcoming CPS back-to-school events (or email us program flyers so we can have them at our table at the events!). Also, ESON/MSN meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month, vfisher@cpsd.us, ggreen@cpsd.us 

Jean Devine (Biodiversity Builders) - Our pollinator garden in Cambridge is available to tour, contact Jean for more information, jean@devinenativeplantings.com 

Jordan Harvey (Tutoring Plus) - Tutoring Plus has created and compiled Family Educational Resources to help families/caregivers be informed about their child's educational journey. Resources include understanding Aspen and ParentSquare, joining Parent Councils and Organizations, navigating school transitions, and more, jordan@tutoringplus.org 

Emily St. Germain (Cambridge Public Library) - Puppetry Studio happening on Thursdays at main Library. Also, the HIVE can come out to your space to host workshops! estgermain@cambridgema.gov 

Jack O’Hearn (Community Art Center) - Next weekend CAC is taking over 1175 Cambridge St. as part of Cambridge Open studios, come visit! Flyer coming soon, jack@communityartcenter.org 
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Latifah James (Cambridge Community Center) - CCC is hosting their “Roast in the Coast” block party on Saturday, September 20th at the CCC, including food, games, a DJ, and dancing! We are looking for volunteers if you are interested, latifahj@cambridgecc.org ​
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Carole Urbano (MIT Museum) - Cambridge Science Carnival is happening on Sunday, September 21, 12 - 4 PM, curbano@mit.edu
]]><![CDATA[ESON and MSN: May Meeting Recap]]>Wed, 14 May 2025 13:34:43 GMThttps://www.agendaforchildrenost.org/esonmonthlyupdates-898008/eson-and-msn-may-meeting-recapPicture
Thanks for joining us for our final Network Meeting of the year, hosted by The Robo Hub. This month’s meeting focused on reimagining how we use technology with young learners.

​"Robo" Rick, Director of Education & Community at The Robo Hub, kicked things off with a fun activity, challenging us to identify which images were real or AI-generated. It was a great way to highlight the importance of AI and technology safety, especially for our young people.

We then explored a few AI tools including creating animations, coloring books, and self portraits. ​When used responsibly, AI can be a powerful creative tool for program providers.
Throughout the meeting the group rotated through four hands-on activities, including:
  • Creating LEGO art
  • Flying drones
  • Controlling BattleBots, LEGO Spike, and Vex Robotics
  • Exploring AI with Scroobly​
During a share-out at the end of the meeting, the group reflected on their key takeaways:
  • “Flying drones was the highlight of this experience”
  • “Creating animations”
  • “A lot of these tools are available online for free (custom coloring pages!)”
  • “Robots are quick to make and you can do a lot of cool activities with them”
  • “Cool learning how to do the activities as we did them (don’t need to be an expert!)”
The Robo Hub team closed out with a helpful reminder: When prepping for STEAM activities, try the activities yourself first. This helps you step into the young person’s shoes while also helping you think about how to support them. Also, consider how we can create more opportunities for young people to have STEAM experiences outside of the school day.

To learn more about The Robo Hub or to collaborate with them, reach out! They offer after school programs at schools, field trips to The Robo Hub, training opportunities, and they can even help you start your own robotics team! 
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Before wrapping our last meeting of the year, we were honored to present the East End House Middle School Partnership Program with the Annie Leavitt School-Out-of-School Time Partnership Award, recognizing their dedication to participating in every summer workshop at CPS Upper Schools and attending every AFCOST Network Meeting this year. Marsé Romero, EEH Middle School Program Director, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the program. Marsé has shown a deep commitment to both her community and the program, where she has worked for many years. Congratulations East End House!
A big thank you to the Robo Hub team, our amazing community partners and program providers–including Kids in Tech who joined us for the first time!

Community Announcements

Demi - Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) Inclusion Initiative
DHSP is hiring Inclusion Facilitators to work with students over the summer. The Inclusion Facilitator will provide direct support in adapting and modifying programs to meet the needs of a specific child or children enrolled in a DHSP After-School Programs. Interested? Click here to apply online or email Demi for more information, deakins@cambridgema.gov
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Emma - Cambridge Camping 
Join Cambridge Camping for their upcoming NO COST Village Building Series events! 

Wednesday, May 28th, 5:15pm (Show at 7pm)
A live theater performance of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at the Speakeasy Stage. Meet at the Cambridge Camping office at 5:15pm for pizza, then travel to the 7pm show together. Ages Recommended 12+ (The show has some mature themes). CCA provides dinner, transportation to the show, and theater tickets.

Saturday, June 21st, at 7pm
A performance by the Asian American Ballet Project, at Arrow Arts Theater. Meet at the Cambridge Camping office at 5:15pm for a meal, then travel to the 7pm show together. All ages welcome. CCA provides dinner, transportation to the show, and tickets.

Visit their website to learn more and register.

Khari - Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time
The last CPS Community Social of the school year is happening on May 15th. Programs are invited to come and host a table at the end of the year Cambridge Kicks off Summer (Prevent the Summer Slide & Celebrate the School Year) event. This event provides valuable opportunities for CPSD families to interact with various CPSD offices and partners. It's a chance for them to learn more about the wide range of services/resources available in the community and gain access to essential resources. 

May 15th, 2025, 5:30-7:30pm (kindly arrive between 5-5:15pm to set up)
King Open/CSUS Cafeteria, 830 Cambridge Street

Click here to register for a table.
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