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 

During last month's ESON meeting, we were joined by two guests: Betsy Abrams, who shared some tools and techniques to help understand children’s behaviors, and Maya Gonzalez, who shared her personal history and experience around access to OST programs for students with special needs. 

We also discussed: What's in the ROOTS?
During this activity, Betsy explained that in working with young people, we often see behaviors that we expect, and also behaviors that we don’t. Responding to “negative” behaviors without truly understanding what's at the root can send the wrong message to our young. people. In the image to the right you will see:

• The branches are made of behaviors that we see.
• The root is the cause of the behaviors.

​Click here to read the December 2021 Newsletter

​Hello Leaders who support and serve our young people, both in school and in out-of-school time programs.
We want to take this time to thank you and share our appreciation for the work that you have done these past two months. Our reality right now is far from ideal as we continue to face challenges exacerbated by the Pandemic, which has impacted students and families across the country. It has limited OST opportunities, and ESON is here to provide support for our high priority families. With that said, we want to acknowledge all of the hard work that is being done behind the scenes. Our circumstances have highlighted what it truly means to be resilient and come together as a community of partners and leaders. You deserve your flowers, so here they are!
Click here to read the entire November 2021 newsletter.