Middle School Network: November Meeting Recap

Hello OST Community!

​Below we’ve added a brief recap of the November Network meeting, resources, and community announcements, along with upcoming Network dates to remember. Here is a copy of our November 2nd meeting slideshow and Newsletter. ​

During our last meeting, we had a chance to learn a little more about who each other are and how we show up for the young people that we serve every day.

​The topic of the meeting was Family Partnership, with a focus on Parent Voices. We watched a short video from the Agenda for Children OST Learning Institute Professional Development: Stories of Family Partnership, and discussed and answered guiding questions. One clear takeaway from the breakout group discussions was that the Pandemic has placed barriers in our programs that have impacted face-to-face communication with parents and caregivers. Many programs have policies in place that don’t allow parents into the building, let alone the classrooms we serve our children in. This has forced programs to think outside the box and host more community spaces where all families can gather for an event. 

Click here to learn more about the OST Learning Institute Training Workshops and Series.

ESON & MSN Slideshows

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. ​​

K-5th Grade OST Opportunities

“What’s Happening After School”

Community Announcements

​Opportunities and Announcements for You:

Network Coworking Session
Please join us for our Joint Network Coworking session this Wednesday, November 16th, from 10:30am-12:00pm at the Hive, in the Cambridge Public Library, (main library) on Broadway. These sessions are laid back, informal, productive, & fun! Bring what you are working on, and do that with others in the network. We will have a very lightly facilitated space for folks to share what they're working on and anything they'd want to talk about with other folks. We will start off by taking a tour of the Hive and learn more about how our programs can take advantage of this state-of-the-art space that is the home to a fabrication lab, a multimedia recording studio, a podcasting studio, and an extended reality lab (XR lab). Click here to learn more about the equipment and studio.

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A message from our Youth Connector:
"Hello everyone! My name is Tyrique Kittrell, I have just started working for the AFCOST team as the Youth Connector. My role is to help support  ESON and MSN, and get more youth enrolled in OST programs. A goal of mine is to get out there and visit all the programs to get a feel for what each one offers. I would love to schedule some time to visit your program. I will be reaching out to Program Directors within the next few weeks to schedule brief visits. Also, I’m somewhat new to Cambridge so please introduce yourself to me, as I learn more about the OST landscape." [email protected] ​

​Opportunities for Young People and Families:

Half-Day Hangout
This Wednesday, November 16th ​The Hive Makerspace is hosting a Half-Day Hangout for young people ages 12-18, from 1-4:30pm. There is no safety training needed for this event, so come out and make the most of your early release day by making buttons and recording yourself on TikTok with green screen technology. Learn more at: https://cambridgepl.libcal.com/event/9849106

Free Food Market
Select Cambridge Public Schools are hosting Free Food Market in November and December. All Cambridge Public Schools families are welcome. Please review the flyer below to locate the site nearest to you.

City Sprouts Young Leaders Program
Join City Sprouts Young Leaders Program After School Club. This program is for Middle School Students in grades 6th-8th. Contact Heather Fisher at 617.981.4077 or [email protected] to sign up.

Gender Expansive Youth
Calling all youth interested in exploring gender as a social construct! This group is open to anyone interested in gender socialization and queer issues and will center trans and gender non-conforming youth. This is a youth-led space to connect, learn and unpack what matters!

To sign up contact Georgia (they/them) at [email protected]

​CPS Updates

CPS Caregiver Equity Summit will be held on Saturday, December 3rd! Come Learn, Connect, and Reflect with families as we identify what equity sounds like, looks like, and feels like to caregivers in the Cambridge Public Schools community. There will be workshops, music, food, and much more! Exact date and location will be coming soon! Interested in getting more information? Sign up here!