Welcome to Our New Team Member!

We are pleased to announce that Jasmine Vasilev has joined our team! Jasmine comes to us with a great deal of experience in working with expanded learning opportunities, 21st CCLC and our quality efforts. Jasmine's responsibilities will be acting as our "first line of contact" in the office, working with our sites on budget and claims, and supporting our communications and events, along with Melodie's work on Parent and Community Engagement. We hope you will welcome Jasmine the next time you call our office! 

Meet Jasmine!

Prior to joining the Department of Education, Jasmine served as an AmeriCorps Member at the Oklahoma Afterschool Network, a statewide initiative working to ensure that all of Oklahoma's children and youth have access to safe, enriching learning opportunities during their out-of-school time.

After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, Jasmine worked as a research assistant for the Moms and Tots study at Oklahoma State University (OSU). Her research on the effect of maternal modeling and toddler compliance is expected to be published within the next year.

As a graduate of OSU, Jasmine has a strong interest in adult-child interactions, child development, and community programs that support child and family well-being. Jasmine and her husband Kamen have a daughter who is nine years old, a dog who is 13 years old, and a cat who is very chubby.  Together they are active in the Baha'i community and all the family fun spots around Oklahoma City.

Professional Development Opportunities

Remember to Register for VISION 2020

The 21st CCLC Conference, now part of the VISION 2020 Conference, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, 2013. All grantees are expected to send a representative or a team. Registration is FREE and available online by clicking here. Be sure to check the 21st CCLC box on the registration form so that we can accommodate you in the 21st CCLC specific events planned for Wednesday!

Aerospace Education & Industry Partnership Day

Can't get your head wrapped around STEM? Need a little help getting your gears grinding?

Come to the Aerospace Education & Industry Partnership Day (AEIP)! AEIP Day introduces STEM teachers to opportunities in aerospace industry careers and provides teaching and training materials and techniques for use in their classrooms.

You will hear from industry leaders about how important you are in the equation. You will receive a $100 stipend and the opportunity to apply for Aerospace Classrooom Grants for up to $2,000! And as a 21st CCLC program, you will have VIP treatment in afterschool focused workshops, training and backstage passes!

For more information, click here.

Moving Summer Learning Forward:

A Strategic Roadmap for Funding in Tough Times

Summer learning loss creates a permanent drag on our education system, but without resources, programs cannot provide access for all of the children who need meaningful learning opportunities over the long vacation from school. With the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the National Summer Learning Associate developed this guide to show afterschool programs, school districts, and other stakeholders how they can obtain funding to provide meaningful programming during summer.

Download your own copy of Moving Summer Learning Forward: A Strategic Roadmap for Funding in Tough Times.

STEM on Pinterest?

Many of us use Pinterest as a fun way to spur our creative juices. But what about using it to spur our academic creativity? Pinterest is full of amazing STEM articles, activities and lesson plans! Laticia Vacca of Stratford uses this resource for her afterschool planning frequently.

While you're on Pinterest, check out this article on 3D Printing in the near future... perhaps it will inspire a unit on health and biology, ending in a field-trip to the Fab Lab in Tulsa or a nearby prosthetics facility.

Cottonwood Students Share the Love

Cottonwood School and Coalgate Manor have created a partnership that is equally beneficial for the residents, many of whom do not have visitors, and the children who learn to give their most valuable assets (time and love) back to their community.

Students from Cottonwood 21st CCLC make a visit to Colgate Manor every Christmas and Valentine's Day. Complete with tons of hugs, students present songs and small mementos to brighten the day at the Manor.

"We are so pleased to have the children that come out. Not only does it touch our residents, I believe the children grow from the experience as well," states Lynda Byrd, Administrator of Coalgate Manor.

Check out this wonderful, touching video on Brown's Coalgate Facebook page of their most recent visit in which the student help to celebrate the newly crowned "King and Queen" of the Coalgate Manor.

Building Quality Practices 

21st CCLC afterschool teachers and program directors participated in the Planning and Refection methods training at Warner School on Saturday, April 20th. 

Led by coaches Janet Bullard and Peggy Miller, the group delved into building marshmallow towers and other activities they could use to incorporate planning and reflection elements into their afterschool classes. 

Following the training, the Warner staff provided a "make and take" session, giving the teachers ready-made lesson plans. You won't want to miss out on the fun and quality activities at the next methods workshop!