Advocacy

Summer Learning: Reclaiming Summer Break for Alaskan Children

This season across Alaska, children are participating in camps and activities that boost confidence and prevent summer learning loss. Without continued engagement, students may start the new school year at lower academic achievement levels. Enrichment programs fend off the summer slide by helping youth maintain academic abilities, get involved with their communities, embark on outdoor adventures, or try out new areas of inquiry, such as hands-on STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). 


The gap in learning becomes pronounced for those from lower income families.

Preventing Youth Suicide in Light of ’13 Reasons Why’

The new Netflix series 13 Reasons Why has created a lot of buzz recently around the topic of teen suicide. The show graphically chronicles a fictional teen’s suicide and, in many ways, glamorizes it.

Suicide among youth is a serious concern for everyone who engages with young people – whether at home, in school, or during out-of-school time. According to the Kids Count Alaska 2013-14 data book, suicides were the second highest cause of deaths among youth ages 10-17. And in areas outside of Anchorage, the suicide rate among youth is four times higher.

Five Afterschool Superheroes Worthy of Recognition

The Alaska Afterschool Network is recognizing five outstanding afterschool professionals who act as everyday superheroes in our youth’s lives during Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, happening April 24-28.

 

These Afterschool Superheroes help provide academic enrichment and keep youth safe, while making it possible for families to go to work with peace of mind. Out-of-school time staff step forward every day to help children in need, provide healthy snacks and meals, foster success in school, and serve as role models.

 

This year’s five recognized Afterschool Superheroes are highlighted below.

From Struggling Student to Straight As: An Afterschool Success Story

Dale Austermuhl’s daughter was struggling academically when she started the after school program at her Fairbanks elementary in the second grade. Dale did his best to help, but there’s only so much a single dad working full time on a swing shift can do.

Network Opens Nominations for Afterschool Superheroes

Afterschool and summer programs keep our children and youth safe, while making it possible for families to go to work with peace of mind. The staff at these programs step forward every day to help children in need, provide healthy snacks and meals, and serve as role models. The Alaska Afterschool Network would like to recognize 5 outstanding afterschool professionals who act as everyday superheroes in our youth’s lives.