Contact: Katie Jacob, Director of Communications
Prime Time Palm Beach County, Inc.
(561) 732-8066
kjacob@primetimepbc.org
On July 14, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and the Afterschool Alliance, AASA, the School Superintendents Association, National League of Cities, National Summer Learning Association, and the National Comprehensive Center at Westat on came together for a special event that celebrated National Summer Learning Week and featured students, leaders including Prime Time’s Suzette L. Harvey (pictured below) and exemplary programs from school districts, cities, and afterschool and summer learning programs.
#SummerLearingWeek moment – “When you support the workforce, that’s when you see change.” @suzetteharvey71 on what it takes and the critical role of OST intermediaries in the @EveryHrCounts Network. Thanks @SecCardona and @usdoegov for launching #EngageEveryStudent today! pic.twitter.com/Dy9KnofUpw
— The Learning Agenda (@Agenda4Learning) July 14, 2022
Youth voice was brought centered stage as one program attendee joined panelists to offer her opinion on high quality out-of-school time.
“We just want ❤️ love, to feel safe and to be comfortable (in out-of-school time programs).” – Angeles Mejia, Handy Program, Oakland, FL
Watch full live stream here: https://edstream.ed.gov/webcast/Play/0b49258578fe4ebd95937b1d0f72a07c1d
The U.S. Department of Education held the Engage Every Student Launch event along with five coordinating partners in allyship with more than 20 national organizations, launched two new initiatives that are reminders of the vital role that afterschool and summer learning programs have in our children’s education as we continue managing the pandemic.
The Department’s new “Engage Every Student Initiative” is working to provide connections and assistance to schools and communities as they expand access to afterschool and summer learning programs. Similarly, the Department’s “National Partnership for Student Success” program is bringing together school districts, nonprofit partners, colleges and universities to train, place, and support 250,000 new tutors and mentors – addressing the pandemic-driven staffing shortages affecting out-of-school-time programs across the nation.
These initiatives couldn’t come at a better time, as we work to help children recover from the academic and social challenges of the pandemic. If you’re a parent of a school-age child, now’s the time to make sure they’re signed up for afterschool programming this fall! All students should have the supports they need to realize their full potential. Afterschool and summer learning programs are a critical part of that support.
Through the American Rescue Plan, school districts, cities, and states have funding and an unprecedented opportunity to partner with high-quality expanded learning programs to support students’ well-being and academic growth.
National Summer Learning Week began Monday, July 11, 2022, with a nationwide celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school ready to succeed in the year. https://www.summerlearning.org/summer-learning-week/