have any you would like to share, please send them to us so we can share them in future newsletters. We wish you the best of luck this year and hope it is as successful and effective as ever!

Michael Thaler, Program Manager

Welcome back! We are excited to kick off another outstanding year for Georgia’s 21st CCLC programs. This year, we are welcoming back a number of returning programs, while saying hello to many brand new programs serving communities never before served by 21st CCLC. We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome these

communities into our 21st CCLC family. There is a lot to look forward to this year! Whether it is through our ASYD Conference on October 8-10, Lights On Afterschool on October 23, or training for the ASYD Standards in November and December, our team is ready to offer more opportunities than ever to help increase quality and visibility of 21st CCLC programs in Georgia. In addition, we are always looking to share program highlights or special events hosted by our programs. If you

Program Manager’s Message

21st Century Community Learning Centers Newsletter-August 2014

Vol

um

e 3,

Iss

ue 1

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

August 2014 ● Page 1 of 5

All Rights Reserved

Project Based Learning in Afterschool

asking questions, using resources, and developing answers.

Organize Tasks Around a Driving

Question: Project work is focused using open-ended questions that students explore or that capture the task they are completing.

Establish a Need to Know: Students

must see the need to gain knowledge, understand concepts, and apply skills in order to answer the driving question and create project products, beginning with an entry event that generates interest and curiosity.

Encourage Voice and Choice:

Students are allowed to make some choices, guided by the teacher and dependent on age level and PBL experience, about the products to be created, how they work and how they use their time.

Incorporate Revision and Reflection:

The project includes processes for students to use feedback to consider additions and changes that lead to high-quality products and think about what and how they are learning.

Include a Public Audience: Students

present their work to other people, beyond their classmates and teacher.

PBL Resources PBL Essential Elements Checklist Buck Institute for Education Seven Essentials for Project Based Learn-ing Lesson Plans Sample Projects You For Youth, Teaching Project Based Learning

It is often said that out of school time learning should look different than the traditional classroom; many times we hear this style of non-traditional learning referred to as Project Based Learning (PBL). So what is PBL? PBL is learning by doing. PBL engages students in projects that allow them to construct their own knowledge and develop authentic products while dealing with real-world issues. Learning in a project-based setting involves students trying to answer a question that interests them and creating a real world product that answers or addresses the question. The following essential elements can help guide development of PBL lessons:

Focus on Significant Content: At

its core, the product is focused on teaching students important knowledge and skills, derived from standards and key concepts at the heart of academic subjects.

Develop 21st Century Skills:

Students develop skills valuable for today’s world such as critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration and communication.

Engage Students in In-Depth

Inquiry: Students are engaged in a rigorous, extended process of

2. Include the program evaluator as a member of the second grant writing team (review team). 3. Have the first grant writing team write a draft of the program abstract, extent of need and goals, objectives, and timeframe, and program plan components of the 21st CCLC application.

Strategy 1. Survey students at the targeted school(s) to identify potential enrichment and service-learning activities. Also, survey the parents at the targeted school(s) to identify the types of services and resources they may need. Based upon survey results, identify potential partners who have: 1) missions aligned with the purpose of the 21st CCLC grant; 2) expertise providing the identified services; 3) the identified resources; and 4) a history of working collaboratively with other agencies. Tips 1. Prior to writing the 21st CCLC RFP, go to the following websites and review the information on: a. Character education at http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-

Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/Pages/Title-IV-Documents.aspx

b. Free meals and snack for school-year 21st CCLC programs (No Kid Hungry) at

www.georgiafoodbankassociation.org c. Free meals for summer 21st CCLC

programs at http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer

-food-service-program-sfsp Strategy Thoroughly read the entire FY16 21st CCLC RFP and Scoring Rubric and be prepared to ask any clarifying questions regarding the application at one of the Application Technical Assistance Workshops listed below or at the Blackboard Webinar on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Application Technical Assistance Workshops will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. in:

Atlanta - GaDOE

Albany - Isabella Complex

Winder - Barrow County Board of

Education

Perry - Houston County Board of

Education. Tips 1. Email the FY16 21st CCLC RFP and Scoring Rubric to your potential partners. 2. Peruse and become familiar with the Priorities (pages 11-12) and Funding and Length of Grant (page 13) components of

Greetings 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs. I hope everyone is off to a great start for the new 2014-2015 school year! It’s RFP season AGAIN and we will have many applicants

working on their RFPs very soon. The deadline for the FY16 RFP is January 28th, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. We have upgraded our RFP website at www.ga21cclc.org and we HIGHLY encourage you to apply online beginning on August 25th, 2014. Please review all important RFP dates on page 7 of the RFP document, including upcoming webinar trainings. As you begin working on your application, I have included a few strategies and tips to get you started and moving in the right direction. If you have any questions about the RFP, please email us at 21stcclc@doe.k12.ga.us. Happy grant writing! Strategy 1. Become familiar with the 21st CCLC application and scoring rubric by reviewing the FY16 application, appendices, supplemental forms, and rubric. 2. Create a steering committee that: a. Forms two grant writing teams. Team

one is to write the application and incorporate team two's feedback into the final document. Team two (review team) is to read and score the draft application using the scoring rubric and forward suggested edits to team one.

b. Identifies an independent program evaluator to assist with the writing of the goals, measurable objectives, measurable tools, activities, and timeframes and evaluation components of the 21st CCLC application.

c. Identifies financial strategies to sustain the program at the conclusion of 21st CCLC funding and cover the reduction of grant funds in years four and five of the program.

d. Creates a timeline that lists contributors and their responsibilities.

Tips 1. Commence the needs assessment very early. Be sure to: a. Gather both quantitative (e.g., test

scores, absentee rates, and parents' educational levels) and qualitative (e.g., interviews, focus groups, etc.) data.

b. Use multiple data sources (teachers, students, parents, school, census, economic, etc.).

c. Gather national or state data to establish the need’s existence outside of the local area and confirm the likeli-hood that in similar situations, programming beyond the school day has helped to improve the situation.

d. Use local data to document the need in the local area and include relevant demographics and other statistics from the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) and/or your local management board's needs assessment for each and every population you intend to serve.

Strategy Use needs assessment results to: a. Identify the target populations and their

needs. b. Solicit additional partners and

stakeholders, including educators from the targeted school(s), who have: 1) missions aligned with the purpose of the 21st CCLC grant; 2) expertise working with the proposed target populations; 3) resources needed by the target populations and/or grant applicants; and 4) a history of working collaboratively with other agencies. Note: A 21st CCLC grant partner is an organization/agency that is actively engaged in the planning and implementation of the program and has a long-term commitment of resources (e.g., fiscal and human capital). A vendor providing a product or service for a fee, such as a series of dance lessons, with no other input or responsibility for the 21st CCLC pro-gram is not a partner.

c. Establish program goals, objectives, and timeframes. Note: Objectives, and milestones are measurable, realistic, and outcome-oriented, referencing state, local or school-defined data or standards and identify the target population. Every goal and objective should describe a change in a target population. Statements that describe strategies or management issues are not proper goals, objectives, or milestones.

d. Form a subcommittee that includes educators from the targeted school(s) to review educational research and evaluation studies to identify potential research-based strategies/programs that meet the identified needs of the target populations.

Tips 1. Designate one person on the first grant writing team to be the lead writer and others as contributors so the application is written in one voice.

Grant Specialist’s Corner

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

August 2014 ● Page 2 of 5

All Rights Reserved

assessment and overall application. 2. Follow meticulously the RFP guidelines and directions and: 1) define all acronyms; 2) cite data and other sources; and 3) document the need for the proposed program with data. 3. Solicit input frequently from partners, key stakeholders, educators from the targeted school (s), and the target populations. Strategy Thoroughly read the Program Plan and Implementation section of the 21st CCLC RFP and Scoring Rubric by Wednesday, November 19, 2014, and be prepared to participate in the 21st CCLC Webinar Training #4: Training and Guidance for completing the Program Plan and Implementation section of the RFP on Friday, November 21, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. For login information go to: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2012003&password=M.D700B756498B53E5D20C4699B283B7. Strategy Strongly encourage the principal or his/her designee from each targeted school to attend all planning and steering committee meetings. Principals/designees need to be actively involved in the planning of the proposed programs. Principals’/designees’ expertise are needed in establishing major program policies, reviewing quarterly milestones and annual evaluation reports, and making recommendations for programmatic change. Tips 1. After developing program goals, objectives, and milestones, have your evaluator and the grant writing review team use the scoring rubric to verify that these outcomes contain all required elements. 2. Invite potential partners to a grant

the 21st CCLC RFP. Strategy 1. Form a supplemental funding subcommittee that includes partners and educators from the targeted school(s) to seek supplemental funds to augment 21st CCLC funding. Note: Grantees receiving 21st CCLC funding may need supplemental funding for two reasons. First, they may need funds to cover the reduction of 21st CCLC funding in years four and five. Lastly, they may need funding to sustain their programs at the end of the five year 21st CCLC funding cycle. Tips 1. Keep a copy of the latest draft of your application on at least two different devices (e.g., a computer hard drive and an USB flash drive or on two different USB flash drives). 2. Save your work every 15 minutes to both devices. Be sure to save your work if completing your application online. Strategy Attend webinar training #2: Training and Guidance for completing the Needs Assessment section of the RFP. Note: Thoroughly read pages 21-23 of the 21st CCLC RFP and Needs Assessment section of Scoring Rubric by October 3, 2014, and be prepared to ask any clarifying questions regarding the needs assessment section of the RFP. Very strongly encourage the lead grant writer and a member of the grant review team to attend one of the webinar trainings. Tips 1. Form a Needs Assessment Grant Re-viewer Committee. Request and review previously awarded 21st CCLC applications. Note: After reading and scoring several 21st CCLC proposals, each committee gains insights into how to write a better needs

overview informational session where: 1) the purpose and requirements of the 21st CCLC grant and needs assessment results are shared; 2) their questions are answered; and 3) as appropriate, invite them to form a partnership with the applicants. 3. Get the required signatures and letters of commitment from all program partners and principals of participating schools prior to Friday, December 19, 2014. Final Grant Writing Tips 1. If possible, submit your 21st CCLC application at least one day prior to the Wednesday, January 28, 2015 deadline. 2. Have the budget calculations verified by at least one individual not involved with the development of the grant. 3. Have at least two individuals who are not on either the grant writing team or grant review team peruse the 21st CCLC application for readability, thoroughness, completeness, accuracy, typographical errors, and grammatical structure. 4. Have at least two individuals who are not on either the grant writing team or grant review team ensure that the final 21st CCLC application meets assembling and submission require-ments. 5. Allow partners and stakeholders to review the FY16 21st CCLC RFP prior to submission.

State Staff Spotlight

Tehsin Akram has been working as a Fiscal Analyst/Auditor (FA) for the Georgia Department of Education since November 2009. Previously, Tehsin worked as a CFO in a school and Cost Accountant in a cement manufacturing plant in Bangladesh. He received his bachelor's degree in Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin. He lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia with his wife Moureen, son Andalib (age 6) and daughter Aneela (age 2). In his spare time, Tehsin enjoys cooking, grilling, swimming, watching movies and listening to

music. He is a big Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Pink Floyd fan. During his work-related travels, Tehsin is always on the lookout for great local eateries, especially BBQ joints. His favorite foods include BBQ beef ribs, kebabs, sushi and shrimp cocktails. Tehsin loves to enjoy a good meal!

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

August 2014 ● Page 3 of 5

All Rights Reserved

Grant Specialist Corner Continued….

the after school pro-grams. Various programs include drama, tap, dance, ballet, jazz dance, vocal and instrumental music, spoken word and visual arts. Utilizing the performing arts is another way to expose our students to opportunities they normally wouldn't be afforded. The program goes beyond exposing students to performing arts, it brings professional artists into after school classrooms as well as gives students the opportunity to experience theatre from the audience and to display their talent." We are excited to see what the students come up with next year!

Savannah-Chatham’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers collaborated and organized an impressive talent show, "A Touch of Broadway". This display of hard work and commitment from students provided the audience with joy and entertainment that was unmatched. The children gravitated towards the theatrics of being on stage with dazzling moves and soulful renditions of popular tunes. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers feel that by promoting the fine arts, students will unite creative parallels to reading and math. Aldric Dekle, Project Director, goes on to explain that "21st Century Community Learning Centers offer performing arts classes to students attending

Georgia’s Lights On Afterschool Week

As a partner in Georgia’s Lights On Afterschool Week, we encourage you to participate in this exciting statewide event! Registration is now open, so be sure to sign up for GSAN's newsletter for the most up to date information and to register for Lights On Afterschool at the Afterschool Alliance’s dedicated web page by clicking here. Registering will allow you to receive resources, including posters, from the Afterschool Alliance and will enable GSAN to provide you with information on how to arrange a state/local/community leader visit during Lights On Afterschool Week as well as provide

other Georgia specific tools and ideas to help you host a successful Lights On Afterschool Week celebration.

We hope that you join GSAN in celebrating Georgia’s Lights On Afterschool Week. Together we can work to ensure quality out-of-school time opportunities for all of Georgia’s youth!

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

August 2014 ● Page 4 of 5

All Rights Reserved

Program Highlight: Savannah-Chatham

Calling All Georgians: Mark your calendars for October 20-24, 2014

This year, Voices for Georgia's Children and the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) are excited to announce the launch of Georgia’s Lights On Afterschool Week! This weeklong event, which is part of the nationwide Afterschool Alliance’s 15th annual Lights On Afterschool, calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs and the resources required to keep the lights on and the doors open.

21st

CCLC in the NEWS!!

Do you want to know the latest news about 21st CCLC programs in Georgia? Visit the links below: Click here to see the Vidalia City and Toombs County Schools’ award announcement, which was attended by U.S. Congressman John Barrow! Click here to read an article about Albany Area YMCA’s 21st CCLC program! Click here to see pictures of Savannah Chatham’s press conference announcing their awards!

2. Self-Management - The ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. This includes managing stress, controlling impulses, motivating oneself, and setting and working towards achieving personal and academic goals. 3. Social Awareness - The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to understand social and ethical norms for behavior, and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports. 4. Relationship Skills - The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. This includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed. 5. Responsible Decision Making - The ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) involves the process in which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the

knowledge, attitude and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. The

Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has identified the following five interrelated sets of cognitive, affective and behavioral competencies: 1. Self-Awareness - The ability to accurately recognize one's emotions and thoughts and their influence on behavior. This includes accurately assessing one's strengths and limitations and possessing a well-grounded sense of confidence and optimism.

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Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent

August 2014 ● Page 5 of 5

All Rights Reserved

Afterschool Programs Should Promote

Social and Emotional Development

Remember to block off these dates!

consideration of ethical standards, safety concerns, social norms, the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and the well-being of self and others.

Social Emotional Learning Resources:

http://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-learning http:www.expandinglearning.org/ ——————————————--

August

21st CCLC FY16 RFP

Release August 25, 2014

Set-Up Cayen/Afterschool 21 August 31, 2014

September

21st CCLC FY16 RFP

Blackboard webinar @ 2:00pm September 5, 2014

FY16 RFP Technical Assistance

Workshop September 19, 2014

October

Georgia Afterschool & Youth Development Conference

October 8-10, 2014

Lights On Afterschool October 23, 2014

Questions? Comments?

Suggestions?

Want to be featured in a

newsletter?

Contact:

Dannette Walker

21st CCLC Grant Specialist

Phone: 404-463-6439 dwalker@doe.k12.ga.us

Pictures from our Annual

Training in Macon!