Now is the Perfect Time for Nonprofit After School Programs to Strengthen and Support Our Democracy With the national political conventions dominating the news the last few weeks, you may be ready (or beyond ready) for the 2016 election season to be over! In reality, now is the perfect time...

Bidders Conference on Monday, August 15, 2016 The Competitive Grant Bidders Conference will provide information on the major components and criteria for developing proposals for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ Out of School Time Grant Program. Eligible applicants include local educational agencies; community-based organizations; faith-based organizations; other public or...

It's called the great pacific garbage patch. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the problems our oceans face with plastic so I'm not going to quote statistics or show you horrible pictures.  Instead I'm going to show you something positive that is taking place. A creation of a...

The definition of bullying is, "the use of superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants". Based on this definition it seems like everyone has been bullied.  When it affects our own children that's when we tend to need it...

Making your next trip to the beach enjoyable as well as educational for your children is easier than you think. It’s just a matter of exploring and making use of the beach’s natural environment. The beach can be a fun atmosphere to practice or revisit a variety of skills and...

Did you know that Connecticut sent  55 winning students from the Connecticut Invention Convention to the National Convention and tied with Ohio for the most awards received?  Makes you proud.  A 14 year old Southington student won the National award.  Lucca Riccio invented the “message mask” that took the top...

Summer vacation provides youth a much needed period of relaxation and recreational freedom before the next academic year. However, what is intended to be a few months of revitalization often results in a loss of academic skills, access to healthy meals, and a safe environment. According to the National Summer...

Do you take your kids to the water in the summer? Eight ways to know if your lifeguards are up to the job—and are being given the support they need. Here’s the full article from Slate.com: http://slate.me/1KZ8xfI The two minutes you spend reading this could save a life! (more…)

With an estimated 10 million students currently enrolled in out-of-school-time (OST) programs, providing high quality experiences is essential for the well-being of participants. According to the Grantmakers for Education’s Funders’ Guide to Quality in OST, participation in these programs allow students to engage in areas of study that are limited...

Fathers make important contributions to their kids' development---and do so in ways that are different from mother's contributions. Fathers are more likely to use advanced language around young kids, which promotes vocabulary development. Fathers also tend to prioritize rough-and-tumble play, letting kids explore, and playing more than caretaking, which establish...