VPOST August 2021 News: What you need to know on VA Schools COVID Mitigation

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Subject: VPOST August 2021 News: What you need to know on VA Schools COVID Mitigation

Pandemic Response Updates

As of July 25, 2021, the state-wide public health order requiring masks for Virginia Schools has expired. With the start of the new school year, it is falling to local Virginia School Districts to determine what COVID-19 mitigation strategies will be in place. However, under state law, each school board states that in-person instruction must follow mitigation strategies to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 as provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, the CDC recommends universal mask-wearing by students and staff, regardless of vaccine status. This article details some of the differing interpretations of the requirements in Virginia.

On August 5, 2021, the Virginia Department of Health released an updated Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Virginia PreK-12 Schools. This guide is intended to help school leaders and public health officials assess the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools, and determine appropriate prevention strategies. Out-of-School Time programs can reference the guide in advocating for appropriate measures in their communities or as a reference when making decisions on prevention strategies in non-school based settings.

Virginia STEM Education Advisory Board Announced!

Congrats to our very own Leadership Advisory Council member, Gary Artybridge Jr. on being just one of 9 people appointed to the Governor of Virginia's newly formed Virginia STEM Education Advisory Board. The Board was created to steer unified STEM education initiatives in the Commonwealth. The board will be developing shared language and measures, promoting cross-collaboration, and developing infrastructure through regional hubs to advance coordinated and aligned STEM learning in Virginia. Out-of-school time programs are a critical component of STEM education and we look forward to Gary Artybridge Jr’s leadership on the board.

Read the release here.

The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time is partnering with Girls Who Code to provide free computer science resources to our community!

We encourage you to sign up to start a free Girls Who Code Club for 3-5th or 6-12th graders. Learn more about the Clubs program here or join a webinar here. When you start a GWC Club:

You’ll get access to everything you need -- including training, comprehensive resources, and 120+ hours of easy-to-use and flexible coding curriculum.
Clubs feature coding tutorials for all skill levels, inspiring women in tech, community-building activities to increase confidence, and project-based learning related to activism.
Plus -- all genders are welcome in this girls-supportive environment.

Sign up to access the GWC Clubs curriculum & resources here on the Girls Who Code HQ platform and list Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time as your Community Partner on the application for exclusive benefits like extra support, swag, and more!

STEM Community of Practice

Through the Million Girls Moonshot Initiative, VPOST has several Community of Practice opportunities available. If you are interested in any of these, please e-mail Christine Jones Monaccio, to complete the very brief application.

The deadline for the Click2Engineering and Techbridge Girls COP is this Friday, August 13^th.

Click2Engineering: In this community of practice, participants will be introduced to the basics of engineering and leading engineering activities with youth. Sessions will be organized around the 10 Practices for an Engineering Mindset and will include engineering activities, developing engineering activities for youth, and learning specific skills to facilitate engineering activities with youth. Read more about the opportunity.
Techbridge Girls Training and Curriculum: Leveraging their 20-year history and expertise, Techbridge Girls will offer three different program models: Ignite, Inspire, and ChangeMakers, that provide program staff with training and curriculum and youth with hands-on experiences, with broad STEM content and career exposure, and social/emotional development activities. Read more about the three opportunities available.
Teen Science Cafes: Rural Fellows who are already working with a group of high school-aged teens outside of school, for example, through 4-H Clubs, science centers, summer camps, or afterschool programs. The goal is to build upon existing youth groups by adding a Teen Science Café component. This opportunity offers a $2,000 stipend. Read more about the fellowship. (Deadline September 30).

America After 3PM: STEM Learning on the Rise

August 18, 1:00 PM

Join the Afterschool Alliance for a virtual briefing on new national and state data on children’s STEM learning experiences, including which children have access to enriching, engaging STEM learning opportunities and which children are missing out. The report provides insights into what access to STEM learning looks like for children and youth and was based on responses from nearly 30,000 U.S. families.

Join us on September 29, 2021, at 10:30 for the fall convening of the Virginia in Out-of-School Time Equity in OST STEM Coalition. Prior attendance is not required. Discuss strategies for creating systems-level movement toward more equitable out-of-school time STEM programs and network with fellow STEM champions across Virginia.

August 22–28, 2021 is Virginia's 2nd Racial Truth & Reconciliation Week, hosted by Voices for Virginia's Children, which promotes the reckoning of Virginia’s past and the reconciling of Virginia’s present. It is an awareness week that aims to implement the Racial Truth & Reconciliation Virginia mission of empowering marginalized communities in acknowledgment of truth to promote healing, reconciliation, and justice for children and families. The 2020 Racial Truth & Reconciliation Week included engagement activities ranging from community chats, an Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams series, a Give Us The Mic series, a virtual art activists showcase, and more. Learn more here.

August 26, 2:00 PM

As OST providers plan for the new school year, many are looking to social-emotional learning (SEL) to respond to the needs of children, staff, and the communities they serve.

On the Road Collaborative, Multiple Positions

Harrisonburg, VA

Afterschool Youth Leaders: Youth Leaders are lead staff for our middle and high school afterschool learning programs in Harrisonburg City, partnering with community volunteers to help set underserved youth on the road to college & career. Typically 7-15 hours per week. $13-$15/hour.

Edible Education Instructor: Teach our Emerging Chefs career enrichment class and empower youth with cooking skills, farm-to-table knowledge, and healthy eating habits. Typically 5-10 hours per week. $13-$15/hour.

Program Specialist: Works closely with the Program Coordinator to run the day-to-day operations of a middle or high school program site. Typically 10-20 hours per week. $16-$17/hour.

Learn more about these positions and how to apply here.

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Subject: VPOST August 2021 News: What you need to know on VA Schools COVID Mitigation