Be sure to check out our recently updated ESON and MSN OST Opportunities slideshows. Make sure your program is included and accurate. These slideshows are shared with families, Family Liaisons, and shown in schools. ​

​Opportunities for Young People and Families:

Greetings, OST Community! I want to send a big shout out to everyone who was able to join us for our October 4th ESON meeting. Below we have provided a recap and announcements that were shared during our meeting for those who were unable to attend.

• ESON October 4th meeting slide deck
• Handout with MSN/ESON Meeting Dates and Schedule for this Year
• Check out our brand new After School Guide, 2022-23 (now one book for K-8).
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During this convening OST providers and community partners began to build or build on relationships and connections that have been made over time in our Agenda for Children OST spaces. The focus for the first part of our meeting was Welcoming Students & Families back to our programs and discussing which practices we want to hold on to and identify what practices we have to let go due to being understaffed in our programs. Many providers spoke about the importance of starting the year off on the right foot, meeting students and families where they are, and prioritizing teamwork while preparing for and running programs. The second half of our meeting we shared Tips & Tricks to attract more job applicants. This appeared to be a hot topic that resonated with the group. We will use our co-working session on Wednesday, November 16th, at the Hive (located at the Cambridge Public Library) to build off of ideas to partner with local colleges and universities to help find interns & staff, host an annual OST Job fair, and more.

STEAM in the Early Childhood Classroom
The STEAM Initiative and the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood are collaborating for their  2nd annual 4 session STEAM in the Early Childhood Classroom Workshop Series. Workshops are targeted at educators and OST providers working with 3-6 year-olds in classroom settings and after school programs. 
 
Scan the code on the flyer or click here to sign up!

​For more information, contact:
Barb MacEachern (bmaceachern@cambridgema.gov)
Elizabeth Barlock (ebarlock@cpsd.us)

Cambridge Community Center Pantry
The Pantry offers quality and nutritious foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to other quality grocery items. The pantry will also provide toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, etc. The Food & Supply Pantry is open Tuesday through Friday, from 1:00pm-3:00pm to all on a first come, first served basis until supplies run out. 

Location: 5 Callender St., Cambridge
Check out the pantry’s feature in an article published on Waste360.com!

iReady to Try Something New? 
This year, Cambridge Public Schools is rolling out the use of iReady Personalized Instruction, an online learning platform and tool that can be used by families (and OST programs) to provide additional learning time in math and literacy beyond the school day. The district is excited by the prospect of collaborating with OST programs and partners to support students this way! 
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How is this different from other online-based tools that CPS students use for learning? 

• The platform provides targeted lessons based on student’s individual skills (it’s linked to an assessment called iReady that all 3-8th graders take in schools)
• Lessons are designed to be culturally responsive, engaging, and connected to real-world scenarios (age-appropriate graphics, music, sound effects, activities beyond multiple choice questions, relevant and diverse texts)
• Young people grades 3-8 can follow their own pathway on the site, or teachers/educators can assign specific lessons to whole classes or individual students 
• The program includes quality content at all levels, from below grade level all the way to above grade level

When/How is this happening?

• Onboarding sessions for teachers, for caregivers and for OST programs will be offered throughout the fall. The iReady program for the 2022-23 school year will be ready for young people to use by mid-November. 
• CPS Teachers CAN use the platform to assign and monitor student progress, but it is not required, especially this year, as all users gain confidence in the platform and what it can do. 
• With CPS, the Agenda team is planning a training session just for OST Providers (likely a morning in Oct/Nov) to orient themselves to the platform, ask questions and figure out how they can use it in their spaces.

What does this mean for me as an Out-of-School-Time (OST) Program?

• You have the option of using the program at your site 
• CPS and the Agenda for Children will be offering training for OST Programs on how it works and how you can use it in your spaces
• iReady Personalized Instruction could be used during Homework Time, either as homework (if teachers assign it as such) or as a ‘after your homework is done but it’s not time to play yet’ tool.
• The program can help your after school staff communicate with schools/teachers, be more connected to work happening in the classroom, and be part of helping young people close learning gaps or get what they need in terms of academics.

More info is coming soon - for now check out this 2 page infographic about the timeline and how it will be used! ​

This year ESON and MSN will meet on the same day for all Network convenings. There will be opportunities for folks to break out into respective groups (ESON & MSN) during our time together. 
We are planning to do our first and last meetings of the year as in-person meetings at community locations - and then use Zoom for the bulk of the meetings in between, as we have heard from folks that the convenience and ability to sign in from anywhere allows more folks to attend and contribute. 

Please join us for as much or little time as you can for our upcoming IN-PERSON Kick-Off event on Wednesday, September 14th, from 10:00 am- 12:00 p.m at Starlight in Central Sq, 84 Bishop Allen Dr. 

See all calendar dates on our Events Calendar page 0r All Joint Network meetings on Sched (where you can RSVP!) ​

​Action requested: Fill out this form by Friday, August 5th with your program info

• For the first time this year, we are combining options for K-5 and 6-8 families in one book
• If you fill out the form by Aug 5th, your info will be updated FOR YOU on FindItCambridge.org as well as included in  the Guides
• If you miss the deadline, you can still complete the form, we just can't promise your info will make it into the printed  copies that are given out at schools and back to school events
• Even if you're still in the planning stages, fill out as much as you can!

Last year's guides for reference:
ESON: K-5 Guide School Year 21-22 (last year)
MSN: 6-8th Guide School Year 21-22 (last year)

​This month ESON will join forces with MSN (The Middle School Network) and RAY (Reaching All Youth) to host an In-Person Network Convening.
In this joint effort , we will continue our collaborative discussion on "What is difficult about the Transition Years.”
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We will review what was learned across all groups, share what’s already being done, what needs to be done, and next steps as we look towards the road ahead. We hope that you can join us as we reflect on the progress that has been made and celebrate with each other as the school year comes to an end.
When: Tuesday, June 14th, from 10a-12p
Where: 99 Sherman St. Danehy Park
R.S.V.P Here 
For more information, read the June ESON Newsletter