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Issue No. 43 July 2014
Dear BOOSTers,
Summertime is a time for fun in the sun, lemonade stands, salt water on your lips and sandcastles. It is also a time for back-to-school professional development. We are traveling all over the country this summer getting out-of-school time staff prepared to run quality programs this school year. Here is a photo from a recent BOOST Boot Camp in San Luis Obispo.
Let us know how we can help work with you.
Thank you for all that you do to support the children, youth, families, and communities that you serve.
Together we make a difference.
Tia Quinn, CEO
BOOST Collaborative
Get Social With Us and Stay Connected
Be sure to click "Get Notifications" on the drop down menu of our Facebook Page Profile so you receive BOOST Collaborative updates on your news feed.
Like us at www.facebook.com/BOOSTCollaborative
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Program Highlight:
6th grade HEART students from both Lincoln and Rocky Hill Elementary schools showcased the best of their portfolios at 10 local businesses in Downtown Exeter, California. This photography and poetry exhibit was the perfect culminating event for the newly implemented curriculum from Outside the Lens (OTL), a San Diego based organization whose mission is to “empower youth to use digital media to create change within themselves, their community, and their world…encourages them to tell their stories and teaches them that participation in their community’s future makes a difference.” The student’s portfolios were separated into several categories including Vantage Points, Self Portraits and Poetry, Emotions, the Exeter Heart Track Meet and Exeter HEART school gardens.
This event gave advancing students from the two schools the opportunity to celebrate each other’s work and create a bond before merging together into Exeter’s middle school. The students achieved a great sense of pride in their own accomplishments and real appreciation for the different artistic interpretations and perspectives of their peers in the world they share!
In early February, 50 program staff, guided by the San Diego based organization OTL, were trained to facilitate the learning of over 600 students throughout the Pro-Youth HEART After School Program in camera basics, the rule of thirds, vantage points and photo editing, while incorporating writing through a series of modules to express themselves and reflect and comment on the community they live in.
Pro-Youth’s mission is to help youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally by providing a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment during out-of school time. Today, Pro-Youth’ HEART After School Program operates programs throughout 42 sites in Tulare County and engages over 6,500 children per day in quality out of school time.
Submitted By:
Rafael Enriquez
STEM Specialist, Pro-Youth
Visalia, CA
www.proyouthheart.org
Do you know of an outstanding out-of-school time program? Send recommendations to communications@boostcollaborative.org to be featured in the newsletter.
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BOOST Buzz
Monthly #BOOSTChat Schedule
Follow us on Twitter and connect with like-minded professionals on the #BOOSTChat.
2014-15 BOOST Conference Leadership Team Announced
Check out the change makers that will be hard at work planning the 2015 BOOST Conference here.
I Am BOOST Video
2014 attendees join us in our mission to Inspire Youth, Inspire Learning, and Inspire Change. Watch the video here.
Registration for the 2015 BOOST Conference is now open.
Early Bird Price: $420 per person. Standard Registration Price: $450 starting November 1, 2014.
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OST Highlight: Role Models Matter Online Training Toolkit
This online training toolkit will help you develop skills to engage girls and underrepresented youth in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) through readings, videos, questions, and more.
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Staff Highlight: Chris Ortiz
Chris Ortiz, Training and Program Design Manager
High 5 Adventure Learning Center
Brattleboro, VT
Chris Ortiz of High 5 Adventure Learning Center has magical skills at creating games and activities that create fun, energy and laughter in any group setting. The results, whether those playing know it or not: engagement, connection, and shared moments that make people feel connected.
“Everything works better when people make connections with each other, and playing is the best way to do that. It doesn’t matter who it is – teachers, staff, students, teams – Chris can make any group work better together,” says Jim Grout, Executive Director at High 5. "He's a skilled facilitator and very creative.”
Chris has a passion for training others who work with youth to help them understand the importance and value of play. As a master gamesmith, he finds satisfaction in creating activities that use minimal, inexpensive items, so budgets aren’t a barrier to play. (Chris once created a whole professional workshop using a small bag of rocks.) "I love working with people and introducing them to the world of fun and adventure," says Chris. “It’s rewarding for me to help adults understand that play offers so many rewards: enhanced connection, cooperation, empathy, inclusion and trust among students. I have the best job in the world!”
Chris has been involved with adventure education since 1994 and joined High 5 in 2006, where he trains other facilitators and coordinates their training programs. He is co-creator of Ubuntu Cards and co-author of The Ubuntu Activity Guide. Chris regularly presents at regional, national and international conferences where he shares innovative programming and activity ideas. (The BOOST Conference is one of his favorites, because of the awesome energy that attendees bring with them!) He earned a degree in Recreation and Park Management from Pennsylvania State University.
Submitted By:
Jennifer Ottinger
Business and Marketing Manager
High 5 Adventure Learning Center
Brattleboro, VT
Do you have a staff member or colleague that goes above and beyond every day? Let us know about them! Email us at communications@boostcollaborative.org |
Planet BOOST
Going somewhere exotic or unusual? Take a picture in your BOOST Gear and email it to planetboost@boostcollaborative.org or tag #PlanetBOOST on Instagram and you could see yourself here!
Chloe Dorworth, BOOST Ambassador
BOOST Collaborative
San Diego, CA
Photo Taken: Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, June 2014.
Amber Whiteside, Communications Coordinator
BOOST Collaborative
San Diego, CA
Photo Taken: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN, June 2014.
Rachel Ruiz, Program Coordinator
BOOST Collaborative
San Diego, CA
Photo Taken: Facebook Headquarters in Menlo Park, CA, June 2014
Purchase your BOOST gear today.
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Funding Opportunities
Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund
The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council is inviting applications from nonprofit arts organizations for arts education and access projects in the eleven-county region it serves.
Deadline: Varies
ART WORKS: Arts Education Grants
Our arts education funding is focused on students. Projects are for pre-K-12 students, the educators and civic leaders who support them, and the schools and communities that serve them.
Deadline: July 24, 2014
NBCUniversal Foundation 21st Century Solutions Grant
The NBCUniversal Foundation is partnering with NBC Philadephia to launch 21st Century Solutions, its third annual grant challenge for local non-profit organizations implementing new and innovative programs.
Deadline: August 8, 2014
The Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grants Program
Available to non-profit organizations to promote the physical health of their community through their volunteer work force.
Deadline: August 15, 2014
Opportunity to Learn Institute for Wisconsin's Future
The national Opportunity to Learn Campaign is an effort to build public will for education reforms that support opportunities for all children to learn and succeed, especially children in low-income communities.
Deadline: August 31, 2014
To see more funding opportunities, click here. |
Student Quote
"When I graduate High School, I want to go to college and become a teacher."
Ana, Age 9
WCSD
Whittier, CA
Every year we ask students from around the country to answer questions to better understand youth perspective and remind us of the importance of our work. Learn more about how to contribute student quotes here. |
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Youth Activity: Musical Yoga Poses
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Activity Time: 20-30 Minutes
Grade Level: K-6
Inclusion: Children with special needs
Group Size: Small group or Large group depending on age and level of students
Environment: This activity can be done outdoors or indoors in a multi-purpose room or any room where there is enough space for children to move around safely.
Goals/Objective: Children will practice yoga poses; developing increased balance, focus, strength, flexibility, body awareness, listening skills, social skills and good sportsmanship through a fun and interactive yoga game.
Materials Needed: Rubber Poly Spots, Yoga Cards (with pictures of poses), Music Player (computer, CD Player, etc.). Musical shakers or Maracas (optional)
Preparation: Place the poly spots on the floor, 1 less than the total number of children (if there are 20 children, place 19 poly spots on the floor) in a large circle (spaced out so there is enough room for children to move around).
Adaptations: Have a large enough space with the poly spots placed far enough apart to safely include children with wheelchairs in the game. Children who have less mobility can participate by playing the maracas and doing chair yoga poses when the music stops. Children who may need more assistance can have a peer buddy or adult support them during the game.
Safety: Encourage safety, playing nicely and respecting each other’s space throughout the game. Be aware of each child’s limitations or health conditions and any modifications or adaptations that may be needed for the child to participate safely.
Directions:
- Review the yoga cards with yoga poses prior to the game. Facilitator can have the children practice and name the poses as a group.
- When the music begins to play, players will walk around in the circle in one direction.
- When the music stops, each player should find a circle and strike a yoga pose.
- Whoever was left without a circle can sit out of the game and watch or have the option of playing musical shakers or maracas to the rhythm of the music as the other students continue to play the game (this allows the children who are out of the game to still feel involved and have an activity to do while waiting).
- Game continues until there is only one dot and 2 players.
- Whoever steps on the last dot when the music stops and strikes a yoga pose is the winner!
Student Leadership: Each child can have the opportunity to be a group leader in the beginning of the activity by choosing a yoga card and leading the group in the pose as a preparation and review of yoga poses for the game.
Resources: My Asanas for Autism and Special Needs website provides links to information on the benefits of yoga for children. My book Asanas for Autism and Special Needs – Yoga to help Children with their Emotions, Self-Regulation and Body Awareness will be available in December 2014 as a resource for teaching yoga to children with autism and special needs.
Summary: The benefits of yoga for all children, including children with special needs is becoming more recognized and is at the forefront of studies and discussions as a complimentary support for children in reducing anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties and many other health problems. The practice of yoga supports children with improving balance, focus, strength, flexibility and body awareness, encourages a greater sense of self-esteem and self-confidence and can be an effective approach for supporting children with behavior difficulties, communication deficits and sensory processing difficulties. Asanas for Autism and Special Needs focus is to bring yoga to all individuals, any and all abilities.
Optional Preparation Art Activity: Children can make maracas or shakers of their own as an art activity prior to introducing the yoga game.
How to make paper plate yoga maracas:
Materials: Paper plates, pictures of yoga poses, stapler, rice or popcorn
Directions:
- Children can choose a yoga pose to glue on bottom of each paper plate. Children can also use markers to draw yoga poses and other images.
- Add ½ cup of rice or popcorn on top of one plate
- Staple plates together so bottoms of plate are facing out on each side (the rounded part of the plate)
- Shake you maraca!
For more information on the benefits of Yoga for Children with Special Needs or to connect with Shawnee, the creator of Asanas for Autism and Special Needs go to www.asanasforautismandspecialneeds.com or e-mail Shawnee at yogabyshawnee@gmail.com
Submitted By:
Shawnee Thornton Hardy
Asanas for Autism and Special Needs
San Diego, CA
Do you have an engaging and fun youth activity? Let us know about it! Email us at communications@boostcollaborative.org
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June Contest Winner
Congratulations to YES Prep ACE North Forest for winning our Summer Learning Instagram Photo Contest. YES Prep ACE received safari hats, a bug discovery kit and a bird feeder for their afterschool program. Make sure to follow us on Instagram for more surprise pop up contests.
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Free Webinars
Skills in Demand: Preparing Students for the High Growth Jobs of the Future
School district and state level education leaders are charged with developing and administering educational curricula to best prepare students for their futures. Yet there can be tension between a curriculum that develops a "well-rounded" student and a curriculum that helps create a student who is "job or career ready."
Increasing Participation in the Summer Food Service Program
This webinar will discuss how summer learning programs can increase participation in the Summer Food Service Program. Kate Sims, a child nutrition policy analyst from FRAC, will discuss the findings from their latest report on participation in the Summer Food Service Program.
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BOOST Breakfast Club
Inner City Scholars
Blog Written By: Mark Blackshear, Youth Development Specialist
San Diego, CA
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Free App of the Month
Kids Reading
An educational and fun application to help preschool age children learn to blend sounds into words, read simple words, and form simple words. |
BOOST Speakers Corner
The BOOST Speakers Corner provides out-of-school time professionals access to a wide variety of speakers, consultants, coaches, and trainer that can help you enhance your programs. Browse through the Speakers Corner to learn more about services that can take your program to the next level.
Jane Sharp
Consultant, Sharp Ideas LLC
Allentown, NJ
Read her profile here.
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Training Opportunities
Looking for ideas for a staff training this summer? Click here to see our training topics. We would love an opportunity to work with your team.
If you are interested in a training or BOOST Boot Camp, please contact Tia Quinn at tia@boostcollaborative.org.
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BOOST Vendor Fair
The BOOST Vendor Fair provides out-of-school time professionals access to a wide variety of products and services to enhance their programs. Browse through the Vendor Fair to learn more about the latest products and services for out-of-school time. It is absolutely FREE to use!
Vendor Fair Highlight
Revolution K12's web-based, adaptive learning software is used nationwide to implement differentiated instruction, build student's fundamental skills, and improve pass rates.
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BOOST Your Creativity Contest
Let your creative juices flow. Share your best student artwork for a chance to win our BOOST Your Creativity Art Package.
Kit Includes: Star Wars Thumb Doodles Kit, 200 sheets of colored construction paper and 120 paint brushes.
Email the artwork to communications@boostcollaborative.org or show us on any of our social media accounts.
Contest Start Date: July 9, 2014
Deadline to submit: July 18th at noon.
Winner will be announced July 18, 2014.
The BOOST Team will vote based on creativity, uniqueness, color and the message behind it to deem the winner. |
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