CALLING ALL AFTERSCHOOL SUPERHEROES!

The 21st Century Summer Conference is back again August 2-3, but with a whole new theme – superheroes! You may be asking yourself, “Why should I attend this conference?� We’ll tell you 10 reasons why:

10. Meet Superman and Superwoman in person and get your photo taken with them!

Haven’t you always wanted to meet Superman and Superwoman? Well, now is your chance. Take a photo with the superheroes to make the moment last a lifetime. Plus, you’ll even get the chance to win your very own superhero cape!

9. Be part of the first afterschool summer conference to include Minnesota and South Dakota

Although this is the 6th annual summer conference, past conferences have only been open to North Dakota; however, this year’s conference has attendees from both South Dakota and Minnesota.

8. Fabulous breakout session topics

Experience a wide variety of professional development in areas of social emotional learning, STEM, parent involvement, traumatic stress, literacy, and more!

7. Networking

Network with like-minded individuals, professionals, and educators who are all attending to enhance quality in afterschool programs and broaden opportunities for youth. Find time to mingle with Minnesota and South Dakota attendees to find out what their states are offering in their afterschool programs!

6. Great Speakers

With over a dozen speakers presenting at the conference, many of whom are national presenters, you’ll be sure to get many different takeaways from attending. This year’s conference also has two keynote speakers we’re sure you’ll enjoy: Dr. Donald Bartlette and Molly Bestge.

Listen to Dr. Bartlette’s social, psychological, and educational experiences as a Chippewa Indian child growing up with emotional, speech, and physical disabilities in an environment of poverty, violence, juvenile delinquency, homelessness, child abuse, racism, and alcoholism. Hear how one person in his community helped him overcome childhood disadvantages and live and survive in a multicultural world.

Give all ears to Molly Bestge, CEO of Cultivate 21, as she talks
about social emotional development in the workforce. Bestge provides engaging training across the United States in STEM/STEAM, standards-based Project-Based Learning (PBL), 21st Century literacy, and has a passion for connecting business/industry with education.

5. Learn about the new N.D. Afterschool Network mission

Did you know that North Dakota is one of two states that currently does not have an afterschool state network? The SEEC is currently in its last stage of establishing official Network status. It held its first Aferschool Summit in February, with over 100 attendees. Visit ndseec.com/ndafterschoolnetwork to learn more and become an advocate by subscribing to our email list. Recently established mission statement: “On behalf of school age youth, the North Dakota Afterschool Parnership supports and advocates for high quality, out-of-school time programming, resources, and services.�

4. Help reduce the amount of time children spend unsupervised or taking care of themselves

Statistics show that 23,341 of North Dakota’s K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves (24%). Also, per week, students spend an average of seven hours alone and unsupervised after school. Afterschool programs help reduce these numbers!

3. Help lessen chances of students cutting school, using drugs and alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and engaging in sexual activity.

Studies prove that kids who don’t attend after-school programs are nearly three times more likely to cut school, three times more likely to use drugs, and more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and engage in sexual activity.

2. Support important activities/services offered by afterschool programs:

• Opportunities for physical acitivity
• Academic programs/clubs
• Homework assistance
• Opportunities for reading or writing
• Healthy beverages, snacks, and/or meals

By supporting afterschool programs, you can help heighten numbers in student achievement; positive social/emotional development; regular and consistent school attendance; student engagement, positive work/student habits; stronger links between students, families, and schools; and more!

1. Be a HERO for the students and help ensure they are receiving quality
programming in a safe environment full of encouragement and
support…and of course lots of learning!

With the above mentioned benefits of attending the 21CCLC Conference, why would you want to miss? To register, or for more information, visit ndseec.com/21cclcConference.

We’ll see you at the Avalon Event Center Aug. 2-3!

Sincerely,

Superman and Superwoman