July 2014 Sprockets Newsletter

Sprockets logo png

 July 2014 Newsletter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Spotlight: Partnering with Metro Transit for Youth Field Trips

It’s one thing to have quality youth programs in the city; it’s another thing making sure youth have access to those experiences. Read about a recent Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education field trip, and learn how Sprockets is working on ensuring out-of-school time learning is within reach of all young people.

Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education Field Trip to Mississippi Market with Sprockets Metro Transit Passes

651 Youth for Justice

As the City, county and school district continue to work on increasing equity for Saint Paul's young people, a group of youth workers and youth has begun to lay the groundwork for youth-driven solutions.  The group applied for Sprockets Innovation Funds to support the creation of a project that is being called 651 Youth for Justice. Youth and youth workers will develop shared understanding and strategies for positively impacting the opportunity gap. Learn more about the groups involved and register for the first forum at the end of August.


Rethinking School Start Times for 2015-16

School Start Times

The next community meeting on adjusting SPPS school start times for the 2015-16 school year will be held on Monday, Aug. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 360 S. Colborne St.  You can also provide feedback directly to the Start Times Steering Committee online, read the meeting notes, and learn more about the research and proposals at spps.org/starttimes.


Out-of-School Time Curriculum Project

Out-of-School Time Curriculum

Which activities have you tried out from our curriculum project with SPPS Community Education? Tweet @SprocketsStPaul and let us know which lessons you're using!


Neighborhood Network Team Meetings

City of Saint Paul map

Neighborhood Learning Community
July 31, 10 to 11 a.m. at Baker Center

East Side Network Cafe
August 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m., location TBD

North End and Friends
August 14, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at North Dale

Leap Forward Collaborative for Youth
August 19, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Clement's

Learn more about Neighborhood Network Teams, and let us know if you'd like to be on a listserv.

SAYO 2014-15

Sprockets SAYO 2014-15

Interested in bringing the Survey of Academic and Youth Outcomes (SAYO) to your organization? SAYO is a valuable resource which helps programs communicate their strengths, identify and assess program improvement and youth outcome goals, and determine professional development opportunities. Attend our SAYO info session on Aug. 12 to see if your program is a good fit or register now for SAYO if you're ready to go! Click for more info and to see and share our SAYO flyer.


2014-15 Activator Improvement Cycle

Activator Improvement Cycle

Watch for details coming out in early August on the 2014-15 Activator Improvement Cycle, which provides tools for assessing, planning, and improving out-of-school time programming with resources like a shared database, the Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA), and the Survey of Academic and Youth Outcomes (SAYO).


Sprockets is Hiring

Sprockets, in coordination with the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College, is looking to hire a Communications and Network Associate to help coordinate communications and events as well as provide administrative support. Please share this job posting with strong candidates or apply yourself!

Center for Democracy and Citizenship

Youthprise Artist in Residence Initiative

On August 5, a creative arts activism workshop led by Nancy Musinguzi, Youthprise's first Artist in Residence, and co-facilitated by Brittany Lynch will address systemic violence toward youth. Young people between the ages of 13-17 are invited to attend for free. If you are interested in bringing youth from your programs, please contact Adam Davis-McGee.

Nancy Musinguzi

Maker Fest at Arlington Hills Community Center

On June 28, the Saint Paul Public Library and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation hosted Maker Fest, a showcase of local artists, builders and technologists designed to spark learning through hands-on activities. The newly unveiled Arlington Hills Community Center was packed with curious and creative young people and adults; check out this video featuring clips from the day!

Maker Fest

Request for Proposals: After School Accelerators

We're looking for passionate youth-serving organizations in Saint Paul to form the next cohort of After School Accelerators (ASA)! ASA is a professional learning community which brings youth development and education leaders together to develop innovative ways to support school success through after-school and summer programming. Learn more about the commitment, eligibility, and application process, and submit your proposal by Aug. 15.


Partners' Professional Development Opportunities

Network for the Development of Children of African Descent's Summer Training Institute

August 14-15, 2014
655 Fairview Ave. N.

Educating children of African descent: concepts, resources, and curricular ideas for home, school, and community.

See NdCAD's course catalog and registration information.

NdCAD flyer

Sprockets Summer Video Project On a Roll

Five Sprockets partners were recently selected to participate in the third annual Sprockets Summer Video Project, and our friends at SPNN Youth have been hard at work filming! Stay tuned to see fun videos from Athletes Committed to Educating Students, Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities, Createch, Network for the Development of Children of African Descent, and Saint Paul Urban Tennis!

Sprockets Summer Video Project

Sprockets Program Finder Updates

Find programs now

There are still some summer programs accepting registrations! Thinking ahead towards fall? We've got new listings for the school year, too. Browse the hundreds of activities in the Sprockets Program Finder; see latest updates below:

- CoMUSICation 3rd-6th Grade Choir

- Keystone Community Services Hmong Youth Program

- COMPAS/YMCA Arts & Fitness Program for Male Youth in St. Paul

- West 7th Community Center Summer Day Camp

- Salvation Army After School Program

- Saint Paul Almanac Community Editor Project

It's hard to believe, but soon families will be looking for fall after-school programs; providers, are your Program Finder pages up-to-date?