Our office will be closed this Tuesday and Wednesday. Happy New Year!
4 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Office closed December 31 - January 1
Happy New Year from SEEC! We can't wait to see what 2025 brings! Our office will be closed tomorrow and Wednesday for the holiday.
4 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Happy New Year 2025! The SEEC office will be closed Tuesday (12/31) and Wednesday (1/1).
It's almost the end of 2024, but we're not even close to done highlighting AmeriCorps tutors! Thank you, Victoria, for helping students flip the switch with reading!
4 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
"Tutor Spotlight Victoria Kuckartz Ed Clapp Elementary Favorite Part of Tutoring Being able to see the student grasp a concept that you have been working towards. Once the light flicks on and they truly understand how to read or how certain letters sound it’s really rewarding. I Wish Everyone Knew It’s so helpful to the students and it’s not too complicated for a school to add this program."
We recently highlighted the Minot 21st Century Community Learning Center in our newsletter! Read the full write-up here: https://conta.cc/3ZELLWA The Minot 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) serves 1400 students each year and has been providing out-of-school time programming for 25 years. Arts in Afterschool funding from the ND Council on the Arts and ND Afterschool Network has opened a door for the program to expand creative expression using media that may otherwise be unavailable to students. Margi Lee is the Education Coordinator at the Taube Art Museum in Minot and has worked with the 21CCLC program for longer than she can remember. The Taube Art Museum partners with the Minot 21CCLC to provide half-hour lessons to students, rotating schools each week. With the use of grant dollars, they have purchased art supplies like paint crayons and air-dry clay. These are not just free-floating art supplies; they are used intentionally. Afterschool art educators provide targeted lessons leading students in activities inspired by the work of real artists. They strengthen art appreciation skills with a short lesson on the artist and send students home with an informational handout to share in addition to their project. Ultimately, the goals of the programming are to enhance conversations around art with both child and parent and to teach that art is an important way to communicate.
4 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
student holding up drawing
students listening to someone read a story
student holding up a drawing
students drawing with metallic markers
students coloring
student holding a clay bird
Our office will be closed this Tuesday and Wednesday. Happy Holidays!
4 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Office closed December 24 - 25
SEEC's Afterschool Network and Child Care Aware programs partnered with the GA Group to complete a comprehensive assessment of the status of child care funding and programs in advance of the 69th Legislative Assembly. Investing in Out-of-School Time Programs and expanding quality support beyond ages 0 - 5 was identified as a stability and infrastructure solution. Check out the full report here: https://ndafterschoolnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ND-Child-Care-Assessment-Report-2024-12-13-24.pdf
4 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Workforce Solutions Child care: ND legislative solutions During the 2023 ND Legislative Session, lawmakers passed historic legislation to address availability, affordability, and quality in child care. The resulting initiatives made important strides, especially in supporting low-income families and increasing infrastructure needs. However, further adjustments are required to effectively address affordabiltiy for middle-income families, expand access to quality care, and engage more providers in quality improvement programs. Significant opportunities exist to refine child care strategies by focusing resources on proven initiatives and leveraging insights gained to date. The following solutions are recommended based on comprehensive analysis of 2023-2025 Biennium child care related appropriations and multiple surveys issued to child care providers, education leaders, families, and business and economic development stakeholders to guage where challenges still exist within the child care ecosystem. Stability & Infrastructure Solutions Access full report: www.ndafterschoolnetwork.com/afterschool-policy/Provide Additional Infrastructure Funding to increase quality child care slots 0 - 12 years old across the state. Criminal History Background Checks: Continue to monitor progress, streamline, and reduce approval wait time. Invest in Out-of-School Time Programs and expand quality support beyond ages 0 - 5.Program Stabilization Funding to increase capacity and stabilize costs allowing programs to recruit and retain a quality workforce. Expand Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) support to middle-income families. Boost Business Engagement with clear communication to increase awareness of programs like the Working Parents Child Care Relief Program (WPCCR).Tax Incentives for Business Community Involvement in Child CareExpand the ND Shared Services Alliance to save providers time, improve cash flow and revenue, support and manage staff, and improve communication. Child Care Aware of North Dakota, Keely Ihry, 701-997-2472, keely.ihry@k12.nd.us, www.ndchildcare.org, North Dakota Afterschool Network, Kristin Knorr, 701-997-2614, kristin.knorr@k12.nd.us, www.ndafterschoolnetwork.com
The ND Legislative Session is right around the corner! Significant opportunities exist to refine child care strategies by focusing resources on proven initiatives and leveraging insights gained to date. The following solutions are recommended based on comprehensive analysis of 2023-2025 Biennium child care related appropriations and multiple surveys issued to child care providers, education leaders, families, and business and economic development stakeholders to gauge where challenges still exist within the child care ecosystem. Read more here: https://ndafterschoolnetwork.com/afterschool-policy/
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Workforce Solutions Child care: ND legislative solutions During the 2023 ND Legislative Session, lawmakers passed historic legislation to address availability, affordability, and quality in child care. The resulting initiatives made important strides, especially in supporting low-income families and increasing infrastructure needs. However, further adjustments are required to effectively address affordabiltiy for middle-income families, expand access to quality care, and engage more providers in quality improvement programs. Significant opportunities exist to refine child care strategies by focusing resources on proven initiatives and leveraging insights gained to date. The following solutions are recommended based on comprehensive analysis of 2023-2025 Biennium child care related appropriations and multiple surveys issued to child care providers, education leaders, families, and business and economic development stakeholders to guage where challenges still exist within the child care ecosystem. Stability & Infrastructure Solutions Access full report: www.ndafterschoolnetwork.com/afterschool-policy/Provide Additional Infrastructure Funding to increase quality child care slots 0 - 12 years old across the state. Criminal History Background Checks: Continue to monitor progress, streamline, and reduce approval wait time. Invest in Out-of-School Time Programs and expand quality support beyond ages 0 - 5.Program Stabilization Funding to increase capacity and stabilize costs allowing programs to recruit and retain a quality workforce. Expand Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) support to middle-income families. Boost Business Engagement with clear communication to increase awareness of programs like the Working Parents Child Care Relief Program (WPCCR).Tax Incentives for Business Community Involvement in Child CareExpand the ND Shared Services Alliance to save providers time, improve cash flow and revenue, support and manage staff, and improve communication. Child Care Aware of North Dakota, Keely Ihry, 701-997-2472, keely.ihry@k12.nd.us, www.ndchildcare.org, North Dakota Afterschool Network, Kristin Knorr, 701-997-2614, kristin.knorr@k12.nd.us, www.ndafterschoolnetwork.com
You may have seen this Reading Corps tutor before on our page! Kathryn was featured in some of our videos last year. Check out one of the videos here: https://youtu.be/HwgYT1G_knQ?si=DmceWGRUZREGbcR5
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Reading Corps, AmeriCorps Tutor Spotlight Kathryn Byrd, Ed Clapp Elementary. Favorite part of tutoring - Definitely the relationships you build with the students! I love seeing the kids I worked with last year and getting hugs in the hallway. I wish everyone knew how rewarding of a job it is!
Remember to consider safety this holiday season! Safe Kids Grand Forks put together some winter holiday safety tips. Check them out here: https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fivci9edbb.cc.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001Mm1FPTokYAq4eqp2JUQStBkmu4Hvy5YK-xaLfFUVr3uO30PcctHOAfd5S1QY9l7GkK5HMkIQ73LpwB6PXepFDYlOtm7aieCdfxnGWy8-Er9cxk8juV6GBTkSyDa_huSgnSspWtMft85p4LOoUgBhHZLQ1FAOvtjDOzMi3EDl9JlLCbVV8OtsRMXxLAjcakzVCczOMezNxqkhuqD_udRRzCdYTWFPfHIolouKtg2Y3Qg%3D%26c%3DblOSLdTxerzmwTJEAbtlMs0LIgBDhkm0U5WSRe-B_gllB6HN7bHIqw%3D%3D%26ch%3DnaXEZPWfx7auZiOQA4MuZ536SbWr3zvVDPxkWhUm9tTvN3ab8jaLdg%3D%3D&data=05%7C02%7CKatlyn.Balstad%40k12.nd.us%7Cf96b45f2c02a4484e31908dd1879403e%7Cdbbf782acef14af186c81f9201061db6%7C0%7C0%7C638693631242509089%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cObbUKh99cMyYjdCIKjy3G%2FVGG4NJaiLu4mal3ZyoQU%3D&reserved=0
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
"Winter holiday safety Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season. Winter Holiday Safety Holiday decoraTiNg Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant. Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect. Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged. Keep decorations away from windows and doors. Holiday eNTerTaiNiNg Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan. Keep children and pets away from lit candles. Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet. Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop. Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them. Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding. Before going out or to bed Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.• Two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles. • Nearly half of decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Safe Kids Grand Forks. 701.780.1489 or safekids@altru.org"
Sign up to receive emails focused on early childhood and school-age policy as we enter the 2025 ND Legislative Session! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/ArAfkve
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Sign up to stay informed, receive emails focused on early childhood and school-age policy (North Dakota Afterschool Network and ChildCare Aware of North Dakota)
We had another great month of in-person LETRS® trainings and are so thankful for all of our dedicated North Dakota educators currently in LETRS ® training and those who have completed it!
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
"Since the 2020-2021 school year, North Dakota has had 617 educators* have complete LETRS volume 1 Avg. Pretest Score 64% Avg. Posttest Score 94% Since the 2021-2022 school year, North Dakota has had 333 educators* complete LETRS volume 2 average pretest score 74%, average posttest score 97% *participants in state sponsored cohort"
group of people writing at tables
Sign up to receive emails focused on early childhood and school-age policy as we enter the 2025 ND Legislative Session! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/ArAfkve
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Sign up to stay informed, receive emails focused on early childhood and school-age policy (North Dakota Afterschool Network and ChildCare Aware of North Dakota)
We're so glad Angie gets to celebrate students as a Reading Corps tutor!
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Tutor Spotlight Angie Waletzko Lisbon Elementary Favorite Part of Tutoring My favorite moments are the daily affirmations being a tutor gives me each and every day. I hear kids express their pride in their accomplishments. I am there to celebrate their wins. I witness first hand their excitement when they reach their goals and graduate. It is such a rewarding job! I Wish Everyone Knew Reading one-one-one with a child makes such an impact! Students develop skills and relationships for life. They feel valued and proud of their accomplishments. Every school should have a Reading Corps tutor!
Our latest newsletter is FULL of great information from funding opportunities and professional learning to how Arts in Afterschool funding is helping the Minot 21CCLC provide new opportunities! Check out the newsletter here: https://conta.cc/3ZELLWA
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
snapshot of the December newsletter
With the help of Reading Corps tutors like Mary, more North Dakota students are having "I get it now" moments!
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Tutor Spotlight Mary Hawkins John Hoeven Elementary Favorite Part of Tutoring Working together as a team of excellent coaches, teachers, tutors, and parents to find the perfect intervention to help each individual student in their journey of learning to read! Reading opens up many unseen doors of opportunity of learning and searching! I Wish Everyone Knew Reading Corps is there to help the student to have an "I get it now!" moment, no matter how long it may take! picture of Mary Hawkins
Afterschool Day on the Hill is a great way to show legislators and state agency representatives the impact your program has on the youth of North Dakota! Register today: https://fs29.formsite.com/1jusg9/DayonHIll/index
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
afterschool Day on the hill North Dakota january 23, 2025 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Kristin.Knorr@k12.nd.us | www.ndafterschoolnetwork.com The North Dakota Afterschool Network invites out-of-school time programs working with youth ages 5 - 18 to Afterschool Day on the Hill! Showcase your program to legislators and state agency representatives by sharing the ways you are positively impacting youth, families, and communities across ND. No cost lunch available 11:30 AM until gone. january 23, 2025 Booth spaces to showcase your program available on a first come, first served basis. Find more details and register now at: https://fs29.formsite.com/1jusg9/DayonHIll/index ND State Capitol Building Bismarck, ND 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Memorial hall
Happy Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for all afterschool programs and those who help them to succeed!
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
Happy Thanksgiving! This year, we’re especially thankful for all our wonderful ND afterschool programs! With your help, we have helped impact over 19,000 students across North Dakota over the last four years! picture of North Dakota afterschool network logo
Happy Thanksgiving from the team at SEEC! Our office will be closed today and tomorrow.
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Friends & Family Good Weather Health Holiday Movies Food Security Football Uninterrupted Car Time Cats (Specifically Theo) Hot Coffee Heated Steering Wheels Great Coworkers A Good Book Early Childhood Educators Having Driven Children Visiting Family for Thanksgiving All Educators and Administrators Opportunities to Travel Soup! Popcorn Machines Diet Coke A Warm Home Community Events Podcasts Volunteers Conversation at Lunch Tutors Trivia Kids Home from College Concerts Taylor Swift This year, the SEEC team is thankful for... And so much more! Our Office Will Be Closed Thursday and Friday
The Afterschool Network Leadership Team met last Friday for a mini strategic planning meeting and to discuss overall goals of the program! The Network Leadership Team guides planning and implementation of Network activities within our three goal areas: Quality, Policy, and Sustainability. Members are comprised of diverse stakeholders including afterschool programs, K-12, higher education, business &industry, policymakers, and others who represent the needs and opportunities of afterschool programs, professionals, and youth. Be on the lookout as we start to spotlight individual Leadership Team members!
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
picture of the leadersihp team comprising of 7 women and 2 men
We love seeing AmeriCorps tutoring programs in action! Laurynn Lauer, an Early Learning Corps tutor at YMCA of the Northern Sky – Schlossman Branch, works hard to build a meaningful sign-in experience routine for the children in her classroom. She is committed to giving students the opportunity to write their names every day, and this photo shows just how powerful a daily sign-in routine can be!
5 months ago, South East Education Cooperative
picture showing vast improvement in spelling the name Joseph from september 3rd to November 13th