Cambridge Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time - MSN Monthly Updates

And the Summer Begins …

7/6/2020

Photo above: artwork from Roberto Levins Morales holding up Fred Hampton, another black man lost to police violence. He was a fighter for justice and power to the people, and his legacy should never be forgotten.

July. And the summer begins.

We know it doesn't feel the same this year. But that does not have to be a bad thing. There is movement happening on major racial justice issues that have always severely affected our community. There is trauma, raw pain and reckoning, and the need for healing, centering, listening and learning.

There are still young people in their homes wanting connection, challenge and love from adults in their community, especially now.

Oh, and did I mention that meanwhile, many of us are trying to run virtual summer programs for the first time? If you are in this camp, we will reschedule our Peer Share hour in the next couple of weeks to create a space for talking with others who are wrestling with the new dynamics of virtual programming.

MSN June 2020 Meeting: Highlights

6/9/2020

Our June gathering focused on difficult conversations about race, police brutality and systemic inequity, and talking about it on three levels of our world - with ourselves, with our team/staff members and with young people. Why all three? Because the largest level - our society, our world, will always be a reflection of the small ways in which we do things, not the other way around.

After this first section and breakout group on how you’ve been preparing yourself to have difficult conversations (and sustaining yourself through the toll that they take), MSN folks shared some concrete takeaways:

Some Summer 2020 Updates for Middle School Students

5/29/2020

Hello! Hope to see you at our next MSN Zoom Meeting next week, June 3rd. Register here!

Summer is fast approaching and I know you all have questions about what programs are available and how to register. Below are a few options that are currently recruiting for a virtual summer. Check out FindItCambridge.org for more information on summer.

CitySprouts Summer Program A 5 week project-based STEM program for 11-14 year olds. Program will be run remotely this year. It is no cost to families. Participants will receive a $100 stipend once completed. Applications accepted until June 12th. Here is the link to the application: https://www.citysprouts.org/summer-application-2020

Summer Ink day camps to transform the writing skills of students in 5th through 8th grade through adventure, sports, and arts activities. 1- week sessions beginning July 6-July 31st. A box of materials for the program will be provided for participants. Find the application here: https://bit.ly/2TObGsy

Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program (CYEP) camp offering academic enrichment in Cambridge. Camp will run from Monday July 6th-Friday, August 7th. CYEP will offer 2-3 hours per day of online workshops and one on one mentoring and tutoring. Staff will provide families with activities that they can do at home. Camps will also send home a summer activity kit with materials for art, STEM, and physical movement. Cost: $40. You can find the application here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4823898

For girls and those who identify with girlhood:
Science Club for Girls Virtual Rocketry Program: Free for girlx in 5-8th grade. Participants will be making model rockets, talking about women astronauts and aerospace engineering and then launching the rockets in small groups. SCFG will drop off a box of materials to each girl before the program. Program will take place over Zoom July 6-July 17, 1:30pm - 3:30pm Mondays-Fridays. Applications are due by June 30th. Here is the link to the application: https://www.tfaforms.com/4812458

For current 7th graders only:
Work Force Summer Learning and Literacy Program a free six-week summer program for rising 8th grade (current 7th grade) The goal is to empower students to become active owners of and advocates in their own education. Through youth-initiated research, group projects, peer to peer learning, guest speakers, and field trips. Students receive up to a $200 Stipend for full participation in the program. You can find the application here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4813892

For current 8th graders only:
Upward Bound : College prep program for rising 9th graders going to CRLS in September. There will be no residential element this year. Families should complete the Student Pre-Application to determine their eligibility to continue on to the full application process.

N.B. The City of Cambridge still intends to offer the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program this summer. There are no updates at this time.

--
Medjine Lucien
Youth Connector
Putnam Ave Upper School
Middle School Network
Cambridge Youth Programs/Moses Youth Center
Phone: (857) 209-4524
Pronouns: she, her, hers

Join us for the Next MSN Meeting, June 3, 2020 10am

5/27/2020

Register here for our next Middle School Network.
Video conference information will be posted prior to the meeting time.

Responsive School Counseling during COVID-19

4/29/2020

Annie’s intro: When we think of a school counselor, most of us likely don’t imagine a face in a square box on a screen. Yet we also know that young people need support from adults who care about them, are trained in difficult situations, and ready to help. But what does that look like, especially for young people who have trouble asking for help? When something is not feeling right, they can’t just stop by for a chat anymore.

Mariel Santos-Dugan, School Counselor at Amigos K-8, writes about some of the approaches she’s tried in adapting how she gives and offers support. Mariel also works at Amigos on getting young people into out-of-school-time programs, and has previously worked in Boston Public Schools as a high school counselor.

Mariel Santos-Dugan: These last few weeks of distant learning have been challenging as I have struggled to come up with the best ways to reach out to my students. I found guidance and support through two Facebook Groups created to support school counselors to connect and share resources; Caught In The Middle School Counselors and Elementary School Counselor Exchange.

Pilot MSN Peer Share: Diving into Virtual Programming for Middle Schoolers on Friday, April 10, 10am

4/9/2020

Register here to hear more from a few network members who have already been doing some kind of virtual programming for young people. No one is an expert, but as the individuals who have taken the dive into the world of virtual youth programming, we want to hear more from them about what they've tried, what they found and the lessons they've already learned in this brave new world.

Come join for this informal discussion and ask your questions!

These illustrious MSN members will be talking about their experiences so far:

Chris Del Vecchio and James Sowers, East End House: using Discord to have students check in, play games and catch up during open time with staff.
Solomon Montagno, City Sprouts: Garden Educators are making videos to share with teachers that are about gardening, spring, or what students are learning.
Ayesha Wilson, Work Force: using Zoom to talk to young people from her site every day.
Bo Lembo, Gately Youth Center: using Zoom to host a "Let's Vibe" community meeting session Tues-Fri for middle school and pre-teen offerings every day.

Our MSN will meet on April 1st, 10am-12noon. Register on Sched (https://sched.co/bYhD) and the facilitator will send you instructions about how to join. In the meantime, stay safe, stay strong, and stay connected.

3/29/2020

March MSN Meeting Recap

3/6/2020

Officer JJ leads a demonstration of the Cambridge Police Youth Boxing and Fitness Program at a Cambridge Upper School. Hands-On experiences allow middle schoolers to envision themselves in your programs!

If you missed our last meeting on March 6th, take a look at the meeting notes.

Here's what you should know:

Practice your perfect summer pitch! Every spring, OST Providers collaborate with Upper Schools to bring awareness about summer opportunities directly to students and teachers. It's an energizing way to promote a healthy and engaged summer for middle schoolers. Use the tips in the meeting notes to learn more about how to use this time in schools for recruitment.

MSN SUMMER 2020 RESOURCE GUIDE

Galentine's Day 2020: Recap

3/3/2020

Did you miss the First Annual Galentine's Day event? We missed you, but you can read more about it in this article in Scout Cambridge. Thank you to everyone who helped put this event together, from those who gave input to those who showed up on a Saturday to volunteer and provide this amazing experience for the girlx of Cambridge.

The Meeting after The Meeting: February 2020 Recap

2/7/2020

Blake from Parkour rolls the dice in a game of Dizzy Bat!

It was so great to see a jampacked room on Wednesday at our last MSN meeting. We appreciate the way this group always comes together around the challenging issues with serious consideration and the impact it has on the middle schoolers and their families in Cambridge.

Today, we looked to build a bridge between having an anti-racist lens and our commitment to providing quality learning experiences for young people to prevent summer learning loss.

Take Away's For You

Review the slides for context about the meeting
Watch this video on Anti-Racism
- Reflection Question: What does it mean to have anti-racist policies and practices in your program? Where is there an opportunity for growth?
Review helpful materials from Jesse Levitte from Phillips Brooks House Academy (PBHA), an organization that has taken action on providing academically enriching experiences for young people across their programs. What would it look like for MSN to create our own logic model to support academic outcomes across all of our programs in Cambridge?
Galentine’s Day: Find out more about how you can participate in Galentine's Day!

Continuing the Conversation over Coffee

We know there's never enough time to talk at our monthly meetings. We invite you to join us for a casual talk about the Building Equity Bridges work and its implications for the OST community.

Cambridge Agenda for Children out-of-school time

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