With more than a decade’s focus on early learning initiatives like On My Way Pre-K, there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of School-Age Out-of-School Time (OST) programs at the Statehouse. Thanks to previous efforts, the 2024 legislative session came and went smoothly for Afterschool programs in Indiana. While AYS operates within school buildings, OST programs are offered in … [Read more...] about Reflection: 2024 Legislative Session for OST Programs
10 Ways to Make Structured Study Time More Impactful
One of the cornerstone elements of out-of-school time (OST) is the provision of organized study periods but, after a long time sitting in the classroom or with the allure of a bright sunny day, it can be a challenge to leverage that time impactfully. As leaders in this space, AYS program staff have developed some innovative ways to supercharge structured study time while keeping things fun. Here … [Read more...] about 10 Ways to Make Structured Study Time More Impactful
Op-ed: Wrap-Around Youth Programs Help Students Succeed Inside and Outside the Classroom
Picture this: Demetrius, a stocky third-grader with dark curls and a plucky smile, stands with quiet interest alongside his peers at Anna Brochhausen School 88 in the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) system. They are gathered, each in various stages of excitement, around a snow machine counting down the seconds. All attention is on their At Your School (AYS) Youth Development Leader who is … [Read more...] about Op-ed: Wrap-Around Youth Programs Help Students Succeed Inside and Outside the Classroom
Mental Health IS Health: The Role Afterschool Programs Play in Promoting Student Wellbeing
"There is no health without mental health; mental health is too important to be left to the professionals alone, and mental health is everyone's business." — Vikram Patel. It’s a fact that was unceremoniously thrust to the forefront of discussions across the globe in the wake of COVID-19: Mental health IS health. It is fundamentally intertwined with everyone’s whole-body wellbeing and helps us … [Read more...] about Mental Health IS Health: The Role Afterschool Programs Play in Promoting Student Wellbeing
23 Tips for a Successful Return to the 23-24 School Year
The end of summer marks the beginning of a new school year—a time of excitement, change, and challenges for both children and parents alike. As you gear up to help your children and students dive into their studies and engage in various activities, it's important to start the year on the right foot. Here are 23 tips to help support our youth for a successful start to the 2023-2024 academic … [Read more...] about 23 Tips for a Successful Return to the 23-24 School Year
