ESON and MSN September Kick Off Meeting

Thank you all for attending the ESON and MSN September Kick Off Meeting! Your presence and active participation made the event a great success. We truly appreciate the time and energy you dedicated to engaging with one another, sharing your insights, and contributing to the discussions. It’s your commitment to this network that helps us create meaningful connections and foster impactful change within our communities.

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We started with an AFCOST Ways of Being BINGO activity, where folks introduced themselves to each other and shared a story related to the Ways of Being on the bingo card. 

​That was followed by the “Stand up, Sit down” activity led by Greg and Tyrique that helped attendees get to know each other through personal stories. Khari then discussed the broader purposes and objectives of the Networks, its programs, shared information and updates about the OST Expansion Study, and recognized programs supporting this initiative.​

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In small groups, attendees created skits addressing community issues, such as school phone policies, changes in school schedules, and supporting new families and mental health needs. 

The meeting wrapped up with a readout of impact statements in response to the following prompt: What impact does your work have on your young people?  

After announcements were shared, and before leaving, attendees were invited to complete a feedback form which included questions about attendees' expectations and suggestions for future meetings (Please complete the feedback form  if you didn't have a chance at the meeting!)

We hope this meeting fostered engagement and reflection and set a collaborative tone for the upcoming year! We look forward to seeing you all again on Wednesday, 10/2/24, 10am-12pm, location (to be announced!) See full schedule here: MSN/ESON Meeting Schedule 24-25.

See below for community announcements, a schedule of upcoming meetings, as well as some resources for you, youth, and families.

-Greg, Tyrique, Zeena, and Khari

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Community Announcements

DeeDee Cetoute - Cambridge Camping: Cambridge Camping's Saturday Camp is starting Saturday, Sept. 21st. Camp is for ages 6-13 and there are spots open! Contact DeeDee for more info: [email protected]

Matt Meyersohn - Cambridge Basketball Lab: Basketball Lab is happening at PAUS this school year. Open to middle and high school students. It's 4x per week and starts Tuesday, Sept. 24th. No cost! Contact Matt for more info: [email protected]

Sarah Lincoln -  Cambridge Public Health Department: CPHD is looking for middle and high schoolers to develop campaigns around substance abuse. This is a paid, remote position for about 3-4 hrs per week. Reach out to Sarah for more info: [email protected]

Skye Edwards - The Robo Hub: The Robo Hub is offering after school programming for K-8th graders. Parents are welcome to attend programming, as well! Financial aid is available for students. The Robo Hub can also offer workshops at program sites or can host students on a field trip. Reach out to Skye for more info: [email protected]

Tagesech Wabeto - Commission on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship: Danehy Park Family Day is happening on Saturday, Sept. 21st, 11am-3pm.

Upcoming Opportunities & Resources For You

AFCOST is seeking a new Middle School Network Coordinator!
The MSN Coordinator Position - posted by the Cambridge Public Schools as an "Out-of-School Time Partnerships Assistant Manager" - coordinates, convenes and builds a network of Cambridge out-of-school time providers, schools, community partners and others who work together to provide and ensure equitable access to quality learning experiences beyond the school day and school year for 6th-8th grade children and youth living throughout our city. Check out this job posting  for many more details.

Looking to attend Back-to-School Events?
​Check out this schedule for all Cambridge Public Schools Back-to-School Events.

"e" inc.: Introducing STEAM to Your After School Program
Looking to bring STEAM into your after school program? “e” inc. can come to your after school site once-a-week to lead students through science and action lessons that help students better understand our planet and work to protect it. After school science is parsed into three trimesters. Sites can choose whether to offer the program, as one science program to 3 sets of students across the year or three different programs to three distinct age groups. Typically, after school is every day and the “e” inc. science program occurs once-a-week. There are many topics sites can choose, from Backyard Habitats to Our Changing Climate, with many more also available. This program will be paid for by the City of Cambridge as long as your program resides in Cambridge! Interested? Contact Greg Green at [email protected] or Tyrique Kittrell at [email protected] to learn more.

Bridge Scholars is Looking For Program Sites
Bridge Scholars is a tutoring program, started and run by CRLS scholars, that gives high school students the opportunity to tutor and play with young kids around Cambridge! Bridge Scholars is looking for program sites to send CRLS students to:

• Do you have homework time at your site?
• Would you like a chance for students to have a 1-on-1 or group tutor to help out with homework support while also gaining a mentor?
• Need extra support for activities? 

Click here to sign up! Questions? Email Tyrique Kittrell at [email protected]

Upcoming Opportunities & Resources for Youth and Families

The Back to School Basketball Tournament for middle schoolers is happening on Sunday, Sept. 15th, 10am-2pm at Donnelly Field.

Are you a parent or caregiver of an elementary school-aged child? Learn how to support positive youth development and explore Cambridge resources at the Building the Foundation for Youth Wellbeing  event on Monday, Sept. 30th, 6:30-8pm at the King Open School.

​Mass Audubon's  Nature in the City Festival is happening on Saturday, Sept. 21st, 12-5pm at 668 Memorial Drive.