In this blog post, we introduce three ways to find great providers for your out-of-school-time programming. Read on to learn more about the best after school programs for districts to implement.
There are various funding sources, like California’s unprecedented Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P,) which support robust after-school programs across districts and in schools. The much heralded ELO-P is a funding initiative in the state that enables free after school programs for districts, so they can give their TK through 6th grade students high quality expanded learning. (Learn more about ELO-P in our webinar here and in our ELO-P FAQs here.)
But a big budget alone isn’t enough for excellent expanded learning programming. The quality of enrichment providers is the key determinant of student engagement outside of the instructional day and impact in their social and academic growth. So, as many school and district out-of-school-time administrators ask, where do we find exceptional expanded-learning program providers? Based on our decade-plus in this space, and the experience of Kern County, California, district administrator and expanded-learning expert Dr. Julie Boesch, the three places below are great starting points.
Capitalize on the Great Staff That You Already Have
You made the effort to recruit and retain amazing teachers and paraprofessionals, and to build a strong team. So why not look to them beyond the instructional day?
In a recent webinar with ActivityHero, Dr. Boesch suggested that administrators tap their staff to find educators interested in contributing beyond the bell. She recalled asking those members of her team, “What are you interested in and excited about? What do you want to do?” Such questions are key, since teachers’ passion is contagious.
This approach led Dr. Boesch and her colleagues to create mini-camps based on the staff members’ interests, including cooking, crafting, sidewalk chalking, and window painting. The team was excited to share their enthusiasm with the kids, and the students enjoyed the diverse enrichment, especially coming from adults with whom they already had strong relationships.
Schools Exist Within Communities — Include Them!
While districts in cities and suburbs may have many options for expanding learning, those that are more remote and/or smaller sometimes struggle to find providers, especially ones that can match their students’ unique interests. Dr. Boesch, who led a small rural district, suggests that similarly-sized districts and those in harder to reach areas get creative in their provider searches.
In particular, Dr. Boesch suggests that these schools and districts look within their own communities. “Anyone can be a partner,” Dr. Boesch said. She recalled partnering with her local sanitation department. They came in to offer lessons on recycling and brought in worms to illustrate these wrigglers’ place in breaking down waste.
Given the flexible nature of ELO-P funds, creativity is welcomed in California schools, though per the California Department of Education, expenditures must be reasonable, justifiable, and documented. Still, many consider ELO-P the most flexible K-12 funding in recent memory. These dollars can be spent on almost anything for expanded-learning opportunities. (Learn more about ELO-P in the webinar here, or in our ELO-P FAQ page here.)
Outsource Your Enrichment Provider Search
You’re busy, we get it! Many districts with substantial expanded-learning funding struggle to spend it all because they lack the time to build their programming. Instead of letting the money return to the funder (and subsequently possibly decrease the following year), or losing sleep to get after-school programming off the ground, many districts choose to enlist a partner to find great enrichment providers, staff programs, and offer training. ActivityHero’s Connect offering does just that. After matching district administrators with an experienced expanded-learning consultant, we get to work building individualized and ideal after-school, summer, weekend, and intersession programs for your kiddos.
“We really wanted a company that could supply in-person activities for our students,” noted Sarah Sheridan, the ELO-P Coordinator of Chowchilla Elementary School District in Madera County, California. “ActivityHero has many contacts and partnerships to bring enrichment activities to our sites throughout the year. We are a small district, so this has been incredibly helpful and beneficial for our students.”
Where Should I Begin?
Now that you know your options, you’re in a great place to start. But the possibilities are unlimited. So we suggest starting with all educators’ north star — our students. Ask them what their interests are, and what they want to learn about. And think about what there isn’t time for in the instructional day, but you wish there were. Steer your efforts according to these insights, and you’ll be on the right path.
Want support in building a great after-school program? Book a consultation with one of ActivityHero’s expanded-learning experts. We’re here to help.