Bridge Conference 2011

Check out our great exhibitors!

http://www.schoolsoutwashington.org/1426_190/Bridge2011Exhibitors.htm

Ensuring that all young people are ready for college, work and life requires systematically improving conditions in communities, schools and families. This requires broader partnerships that take on bigger goals, collect and use broader data, and implement bolder strategies. Improving programs is critical, but so is improving policies, increasing demand, and engaging youth and families as change makers. Learn how this "big picture" approach is helping to change the odds for youth.

All students need the knowledge and skills to be competitive as well as collaborative in the 21st century. Global learning is strategy that can help engage youth with both rigor and relevance, and therefore improve overall program quality and impact. This session will introduce the Global Learning in Afterschool Self-Assessment Tool developed by Asia Society and New York State Afterschool Network, and discuss how programs and networks can incorporate use of this framework in existing quality practices and systems.

Repeats session 2: Monday 10/17/11 1:45pm - 3:45pm

Bullying is an issue starting before kindergarten.  We address bullying as young as preschool, but the main focus for our session is middle school and high school.

In recent years, research has been published that shows a direct link between bullying and negative mental health outcomes. There are clear risks for those whom are bullied, the bully themselves, and the bystanders. We can work together to decrease bullying incidents and increase support for all youth in our schools and afterschool and youth development programs. Schools and community partners should work together to address this issue in order to ensure that our schools are a place where all youth feel welcome and can learn.

Repeats Session 2: Monday 10/17/11 1:45pm – 3:45pm

Pathway to Excellence (PTE) is an innovative professional development model that supports afterschool and youth development (AYD) professionals in building critical skills to produce positive outcomes for children, youth and program staff. The goal of PTE is to focus on an emerging issue in the AYD field through a multi-component and intentional programming approach that provides professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to advance their own career growth while improving the quality of their programs.

The Learning Lab is a hands-on session that will teach participants how to implement the full PTE model. PTE coaches will assist School’s Out Washington staff in facilitating the day. We will use “Supporting English Language Learners” as our sample content strand and provide participants with materials and resources that they can take back to their communities. This lab is designed for administrators and coaches that are involved in systems that support multiple afterschool programs.

This is a full-day session open to all participants.

We will explore a diversity of scenarios working with youth from K-12 in this workshop and how student age impacts our problem solving and effectiveness as youth-workers/teachers/ teaching artists in the classroom. We will reflect and unpack how patterns of racism impact engagement, behavior and student learning in our programs. Arts Corps will role-play scenarios taken directly from our classrooms. Participants will have the opportunity to step in and try different strategies to address and problemsolve these challenging situations. We will also analyze our roles as educators and gatekeepers in an effort to practice intentionality and create a culture of unity and empowerment.

Community Youth Mapping (CYM) is a process of the FHI 360 Center for Youth Development and Engagement.  This powerful tool is a catalyst to mobilize youth and adults as they identify resources and opportunities that exist in their community. Through the CYM process, young people and adults canvass their neighborhoods in search of places to go and things to do. Using this data collection strategy, young people across the nation have identified a host of resources that may not be found in traditional directories. This session will introduce you to CYM, help you plan, budget and prepare your community for the project, and provide examples from applications around the world.

Repeats Session 2: Monday 10/17/11 1:45pm - 3:45pm

This section will first present an overview of acculturation and mental health/social adjustment issues for refugee children and youth. The presentation will review the process of acculturation for children and parents, followed by a presentation of mental health issues, those stemming from the acculturation process as well as the consequences of trauma. This will be followed by a discussion of interventions to address these issues with youth, parents, and the schools.

Our goal is to provide participants with an evidence-based framework, specific actions, and opportunities to consider structuring and implementing OST programs to increase student achievement. We will:

• Introduce practices to align OST curriculum with the school day curriculum.

• Introduce strategies to increase student participation.

• Provide examples of adapting instruction for individuals and small groups.

• Provide examples of engaging learning experiences.

Part 2 is offered during Monday, October 17, 1:45 pm - 3:45pm

Our programming extends to both middle and high school populations. YTech is not your traditional "technology" program. Young people are creating digital media, engaging in civic debate, and learning the skills and confidence needed to compete in the 21st century. Learn how young people launched Teens Against Distracted Driving and Seattle TEA (Teens Engaged Afterschool), and other cause campaigns using PugetSoundOff.org, a local, innovative website providing young people opportunities to Connect, Collaborate, and Take Action.

Repeats Session 2: Monday 10/17/11 1:45pm - 3:45pm

The STEM activities and planning strategies that will be covered can be modified and made to work with all age groups. Our STEM strategies focus on experiential learning and youth engagement which is applicable and appealing to all age groups. Informal, afterschool and youth development environments are perfect for building awareness and having fun with STEM. Participants will learn strategies and receive tools to help facilitate STEM learning, practice STEM planning at the lesson and program levels, and learn how to integrate hands-on STEM activities with youth into their program.

A growing network of urban school districts are investing in a new vision for summer school that transcends the remedial and punitive model of the past. This new vision provides comprehensive, engaging programming for students and teachers and relies on strong community partnerships. This session will provide an overview of the principles of the new vision, highlight innovative programs, and provide strategies and recommendations to implement the new vision in communites across the nation.

Repeats Session 2: Monday 10/17/11 1:45 pm–3:45 pm

Participants in this session will learn about system building and how to apply the approach to their own community. Lessons from the NIOST Initiative and the Cross City Network will be used to illustrate strategies that have proven effective. The session will be organized around the key components of a system: partnerships, demand/capacity, quality, professional development, accountability, public awareness, and funding. Participants will leave with a personal action planning template

This session will build on Karen Pittman's keynote address. Explore the four building blocks of the Ready by 21 approach - broader partnerships, bigger goals, better data, and bolder strategies. Assess your community's capacity for change in these areas, and learn how to use specific tools to make progress and increase the impact of children/youth collaboratives or coalitions that you are involved in.

We will be announcing a fun networking game during lunch with a prize worth approximately $150!

All students need the knowledge and skills to be competitive as well as collaborative in the 21st century. Global learning is strategy that can help engage youth with both rigor and relevance, and therefore improve overall program quality and impact. This session will introduce the Global Learning in Afterschool Self-Assessment Tool developed by Asia Society and New York State Afterschool Network, and discuss how programs and networks can incorporate use of this framework in existing quality practices and systems.

Repeats Session 1: Monday 10/17/11 10:15 am–12:15 pm

Afterschool and youth development programs are uniquely positioned to build students' skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking and self-direction. Yet these remain underrepresented in program evaluations, in part because they can't be measured using administrative records and because efforts to measure them effectively are still evolving. Learn about several measures that are available and talk with tool developers about how to use them effectively.

The Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) and examples presented are most appropriate for youth in grades 4-12. The session will be geared primarily toward youth development programs for teens that are not part of the state's child care licensing system. With the increasing number of resources that introduce and assess quality practices, how do you move beyond tools that collect dust on your shelves to implementing a system within your organization that sticks?  This interactive session will highlight how others are embedding quality assessment and improvement into their programs, with particular focus on the Youth Program Quality Intervention. Come find out what's working and what you can try in your own program.

Youth with depression, anxiety, learned helplessness, aggression, and explosive behaviors can be difficult to engage and motivate. Participants will explore some of the most challenging behaviors applying what is known about child development, learning and behavior, neuroscience and relationships. Participants will be provided with ready to use interventions to restock their toolbox for effectively engaging youth. This training will be fun, active, and informative.

Part 2 is offered during Session 5: Tuesday 10/18/11 2:15pm-4:15pm

Bullying is an issue starting before kindergarten.  We address bullying as young as preschool, but the main focus for our session is middle school and high school.

In recent years, research has been published that shows a direct link between bullying and negative mental health outcomes. There are clear risks for those whom are bullied, the bully themselves, and the bystanders. We can work together to decrease bullying incidents and increase support for all youth in our schools and afterschool and youth development programs. Schools and community partners should work together to address this issue in order to ensure that our schools are a place where all youth feel welcome and can learn.

Repeats Session 1: Monday 10/17/11 10:15 am–12:15 pm

Community Youth Mapping (CYM) is a process of the FHI 360 Center for Youth Development and Engagement.  This powerful tool is a catalyst to mobilize youth and adults as they identify resources and opportunities that exist in their community. Through the CYM process, young people and adults canvass their neighborhoods in search of places to go and things to do. Using this data collection strategy, young people across the nation have identified a host of resources that may not be found in traditional directories. This session will introduce you to CYM, help you plan,  budget and prepare your community for the project, and provide examples from applications around the world.

Repeats Session 1: Monday 10/17/11 10:15 am–12:15 pm

Through a powerful three hour education simulation program you will gain a deeper awareness and sensitivity to the tremendous challenges and barriers that refugees face. This "heart" and "head" experience will transform your approach to coming alongside the refugees in your community. A significant aspect of this program will be role playing refugee families entering a refugee camp. You will also learn about the "journey" of the refugee - from fleeing their home to arrival in the U.S.

Please note that this session ends at 5:00pm.

Our goal is to provide participants with an evidence-based framework, specific actions, and opportunities to consider structuring and implementing afterschool and youth development (AYD) programs to increase student achievement:

• Introduce practices to align AYD curriculum with the school day curriculum.
• Introduce strategies to increase student participation.
• Provide examples of adapting instruction for individuals and small groups.
• Provide examples of engaging learning experiences.

This is part 2 of a 2 part presentation.

What does it mean to be scientifically literate? There is an increased awareness of the need for STEM education and strategies to increase science literacy. Participants will explore the relevance of science, technology, engineering and math in afterschool settings and how STEM content and abilities complement each other. Workshop participants will explore how to develop opportunities for youth to think, act, and nurture the scientist in each of them.

ROOM CHANGE: WAS IN APSEN. NOW IN ADMIRAL.

Our programming extends to both middle and high school populations. YTech is not your traditional "technology" program. Young people are creating digital media, engaging in civic debate, and learning the skills and confidence needed to compete in the 21st century. Learn how young people launched Teens Against Distracted Driving and Seattle TEA (Teens Engaged Afterschool), and other cause campaigns using PugetSoundOff.org, a local, innovative website providing young people opportunities to Connect, Collaborate, and Take Action.

Repeats Session 1: Monday 10/17/11 10:15 am–12:15 pm

A growing network of urban school districts are investing in a new vision for summer school that transcends the remedial and punitive model of the past. This new vision provides comprehensive, engaging programming for students and teachers and relies on strong community partnerships. This session will provide an overview of the principles of the new vision, highlight innovative programs, and provide strategies and recommendations to implement the new vision in communites across the nation.

Repeats Session 1: Monday 10/17/11 10:15 am–12:15 pm

The Common Core State Standards Initiative has produced educational standards to ensure students have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful by providing clear goals for student learning. Common Core Standards have been designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need to succeed in school and life. High-quality afterschool and youth development programs share those same design traits.  Learn how to connect common core to your AYD program.

Check out our great exhibitors!

http://www.schoolsoutwashington.org/1426_190/Bridge2011Exhibitors.htm

This session focuses on the importance of developing non-academic outcomes for youth.  These outcomes can be addressed at all grade levels. In addition to academic outcomes, what are non-academic outcomes that programs can be addressing? For youth of color especially, are non-academic outcomes essential to understand and address in order to help young people be thriving members of society?

Join a roundtable discussion to explore the challenges and opportunities to increase the focus on STEM in the afterschool setting.  Participants will share effective practices and resources available to support science learning.  Come prepared with questions to explore with others how to develop and implement an experiential science program afterschool.  Topics will include curriculum, training, funding sources and general management issues connected with doing science in the informal environment. 

The Afterschool Meal Program provides funding to serve children age 18 and younger. Congress recently improved the federal child nutrition programs to make it easier for programs serving children after school, on weekends, and during school holidays to serve a meal in addition to or instead of a snack. The federally-subsidized meals and snacks attract children to afterschool and youth development programs, where they can be active, engaged and safe. The food also helps keep hunger at bay so children can fully participate in the activities going on at the program. Come learn more about the programs and how you can participate.

Activate yourself and your passions at our Monday evening program. As education and community leaders, taking time to reflect and rejuvenate is important for our own well-being and for communities we serve.  Monday night at Bridge will be a venue to do just that; an evening to refresh your mental processing from the day’s thought-provoking speakers and sessions. Enjoy light appetizers and experience powerful performances designed to activate your passions. This culminating event will feature a variety of youth performances as well as live music that will appeal to all generations. Please plan to join us on the dance floor or just come to enjoy being with other Bridge Conference attendees from across the country.

Performers: South Shore School Lion & Dragon Dance Team

D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts

Big World Breaks featuring members of the Washington Middle School Drum Line

Join us at Pnk to kick back, enjoy Happy Hour prices on food and drink, and support School's Out Washington: we'll receive 10% of the proceeds on food and drink! Thanks, Pnk!

We'll head over here after Activate, our 5:15 to 7:15pm event. This is a full restaurant, so you can get your dinner here. Check out the happy hour menu!

This event is open to the public - not just Bridge attendees! Invite your friends!

Check out our great exhibitors!

http://www.schoolsoutwashington.org/1426_190/Bridge2011Exhibitors.htm

The notion of when, where, and how children and youth learn is expanding beyond the traditional boundaries of school walls to include a diverse range of learning settings such as afterschool and summer programs, and workplace and virtual learning spaces, all of which ideally work in intentional alignment with schools to support student success. Referred to as expanded learning opportunities (ELO), this plenary will explore different approaches to ELOs to examine how they are providing supports for youth, the role of data, and how to set realistic and shared outcomes among ELO partners.

Learn from the students themselves on how to better engage youth in your AYD program in the decisions that affect them. Since 2005, Washington’s Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) has represented youth in the State Legislature. These youth also have experience that can help you create or engage local youth councils in your area, create youth voice and action around policy ideas, promote local student engagement and better infuse youth-adult partnerships throughout your program.

Building Successful Learning Communities is a WSU Extension program that shares the research and best practices of what works in your afterschool program. Participants will acquire knowledge and skills needed to transform their programs into dynamic, high achieving learning communities. This goes across curriculum, grade levels, and programs to increase student performance. Come experience best practices, learn the latest tools, and techniques.

Repeats Session 5: Tuesday 10/18/11 2:15 pm-4:15 pm

What is race, really? Why does it still influence where we live and go to school, who our friends are  and the jobs we get? What can we do about it? We have developed a ‘dismantling structural racism’ framework for discussing and problem solving around the racial disparities apparent across the country. In this roundtable session, youth will discuss the definition of structural racism, its relevance to their everyday lives, and the roles we all can play in creating a better, more equitable world.

PLEASE NOTE: This session is open only to YOUTH who are pre-registered.

In this session, attendees will discover tools, strategies, and best practices around addressing equity, diversity, and culturally relevancy in afterschool and youth development programs. Participants will learn about the Pathway to Excellence Project, a research-based model that has been used in afterschool programs across Washington in Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma. The PTE Model was implemented to address racial equity and diversity throughout the 2010-2011 academic year. Learn methods and best practices to create AYD programs that embrace equity and are truly inclusive to the youth you serve!

In this session, participants will:
• Receive free curriculum and tools including the “Bridging Multiple Worlds” and the “Addressing Equity & Diversity” Tool Kits
• Learn techniques while engaging in discussion and dialogue around addressing equity and diversity

As programs, schools, and organizations become more intentional about addressing equity and diversity, engaging in dialogue about such topics can be a difficult but necessary part of the work. In this participatory workshop, participants will surface dialogue blocks within their organizational culture around equity and will also receive suggestions for enhancing staff's capacity to engage topics which may be unfamiliar or otherwise challenging.

English language learners (ELLs) face the dual challenge of learning all the grade-level academic content as native- speaking peers, while learning English at the same time. How can educators help? This session shares findings from a comprehensive of the research on effective instructional practices for ELLs, grades K-12, including practices that work across all subject areas as well as particular considerations for language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies classes.

Should I vaccinate my child? Do pesticides on food harm my family? Not only are such questions increasing in complexity, so too are the required skills and knowledge of science in the workforce. This session will provide examples of how scientific research will affect our students’ future, introduce elements of effective science instruction, overview professional development models that improve student achievement in science and provide resources for students to explore science at home.

Have you heard about Web 2.0, but are unsure of how this evolving technology can be used in your program? Take some time to learn more about the wonderful art of blogging, podcasting, social media webpage creation, digital media content development, and futuristic thinking. Understand the hype around Social Media and let it add value to your program and the youth you serve. Crack the Web 2.0 Code!

Participants will explore the diverse, unique challenges facing rural communities striving to develop learning and enrichment opportunities. Discussion will focus on access, transportation, poverty, resources and funding, parental involvement, staffing, quality programming, service coordination, and communication. Research, reports and lessons learned from rural initiatives across the country will offer practical strategies for effective, successful system building in rural areas.

In an era of higher accountability and responsibility, many school leaders find that if they expand the boundaries of time, space, and partners, they can better achieve global competence, provide more opportunities for their students, and broaden their stakeholder groups. Come learn how afterschool and youth development programs can help you produce globally competent graduates, how you can leverage partnerships with community-based organizations to do so, and how to plan for implementation appropriately.

The closing plenary will pose several thought provoking questions for young people, practitioners and policy advocates. The central question that will be addressed is how are organizations responding to equity issues in ways that hold promise for social, racial and ecological justice.  This plenary will allow for dedicated time to focus on the importance of examining our role in sustaining social justice efforts for the long-term to create an equitable society for young people to thrive.  

This hands-on, interactive session will provide background both for schools who are in turnaround (or otherwise seeking School Improvement Grant funding) or existing afterschool programs that are in such schools. The session will provide background on research-supported strategies to align increased learning time efforts with the schools' overall improvement efforts. Participants will be provided with guided discussion questions and resources to help them build a path toward turnaround together.

This training is designed as a follow up to "How to Engage the Challenging Youth." Participants who participated in the HECY training will have the opportunity to dive deeper into some of the concepts, theories, and interventions previously discussed. Using case examples participants will: practice developing and using positive reframes, identify strategies for understanding the motivation behind the behavior, and explore how to identity and implement useful interventions for managing challenging behaviors.

This is part two of a two part presentation.

Building Successful Learning Communities is a WSU Extension program that shares the research and best practices of what works in your afterschool program. Participants will acquire knowledge and skills needed to transform their programs into dynamic, high achieving learning communities. This goes across curriculum, grade levels, and programs to increase student performance. Come experience best practices, learn the latest tools, and techniques.

Repeats Session 4: Tuesday 10/18/11 10:15 am–12:15 pm

Dr. Ginwright will build on his closing plenary session with the objective of providing participants with organizational strategies to build effective youth engagement opportunities in schools and communities. Working from a social justice lens, participants will engage in deeper conversations around how to respond to equity issues in our youth-serving and education systems.  Participants will have time to learn from other community experiences, connect with each other, and begin to formulate a plan for action.

Every year, the U.S. provides resettlement opportunities to thousands of the world's most vulnerable refugees. But what happens to refugees once they arrive here? The screening of Starting Again: Stories of Refugee Youth will be followed by a thoughtful dialogue about issues relevant to refugee students and their families, and a discussion of ways in which we as educators and community members can improve the quality of life and experience for refugee youth and families as they start again.

This hands-on workshop will explore best practices for supporting English Language Learners and other students who struggle with academic language and literacy. All participants will learn strategies for incorporating academic language and vocabulary into afterschool and youth development settings, in ways that are engaging and motivating. Techniques to support various levels of students and ideas for activities blending language learning and content-area objectives will also be included.

Educational theory and afterschool and youth development best practices come to life as Trainer and Director share their lessons learned developing a culture rich in opportunities for independent student investigations, project-based learning, and facilitated inquiry science activities. Presenters will outline a "road map" for partnering with others to create meaningful explorations in science. Be prepared to participate in hands-on learning!

Come see the acclaimed documentary, Race to Nowhere that has mobilized families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. After watching the film, we will discuss the role of afterschool and youth development programs in the current culture, and how we can be part of the solution.

Check out our great exhibitors!

http://www.schoolsoutwashington.org/1426_190/Bridge2011Exhibitors.htm

The National After School Matters Fellowship Program is a professional development and leadership initiative for out-of-school time professionals and teachers. This past year Seattle hosted a joint school and out-of-school time model. The program invited practitioners from out-of-school time and classroom teachers to consider shared goals, challenges, and experiences as they supported each other in their research and writing. Participants in the Practitioner Fellowship were selected by application, and through a year-long process engaged in activities that informed program quality and improved practice through reflection and inquiry. Each participant created their own inquiry project that addressed key questions related to their particular area of practice.
We are proud to present the 2011 Research Roundtable featuring the Seattle Cohort of the National Afterschool Matters Initiative Fellowship Program. The presentations and discussions on research findings related to children and youth in school and out-of school will take place Tuesday, October 18th from 4:45-7:00 pm. This work is funded by and in collaboration with Puget Sound Writing Project, National Writing Project, National Institute on Out-of-School-Time, School’s Out Washington and The Robert Bowne Foundation.

PLEASE NOTE: This session is open only to participants who are pre-registered.