The Alabama Afterschool Community Network cares about the health and wellness of Alabama’s children and families. We’d like to help afterschool and summer programs develop sound strategies for combating the spread of COVID-19. As this is a developing situation, it’s important to stay informed about the spread of the disease.

COVID-19

Toolkit

Where to start

Afterschool Network Activity Guides

Provided by the Alaska Afterschool Network

Guide Features:

Access Guides

40 Activities and Challenges
All organized by four age groups (5-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-18)
Adaptable for in-person and virtual instruction, or a hybrid of both, as well as sent as take-home packet

Virtual Engagement Resources

Afterschool Alliance Virtual Engagement Page: Tools for parents and educators, cybersecurity guidance, video conference platforms & virtual classrooms, online activities and curricula, resources for talking about the pandemic with youth

Repository of Distance Learning Programs and Resources: The repository lists more than 1,000 resources or experiences provided by museums across the continent; includes programming in eight languages and American Sign Language.

Transitioning to Remote Learning – Afterschool Alliance (Video): When schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Horton’s Kids quickly shifted their focus to build a virtual learning plan that emphasized face-to-face interactions with students and using technology & digital platforms students were already comfortable with, like social media.

Creating a Remote Learning Plan – Afterschool Alliance (Video): Horton’s Kids team rolled out their virtual learning plan in phases to be successful. Their first phase prioritized engaging youth quickly by using platforms students were already familiar with, like social media, and then building capacity later in phases two and three.

Using Social Media for Remote Learning – Afterschool Alliance (Video): When Horton’s Kids was forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they wanted to keep engaging with their students but knew neither their team nor their students had the capacity right away to roll out a virtual learning plan. To meet students where they were at, Horton’s Kid pivoted to social media – platforms students were already using – to keep engaging them and build a routine.

Mizzen by Mott (activities designed for virtual facilitation): An all-in-one afterschool tool designed to help educators plan and deliver engaging courses; the app includes lessons & activities, organizational tools, and Pro Tips from education experts.

OST Online: Delivering Quality Virtual Learning Experiences: The National Institute on Out-of-School Time has collected examples of high-quality practices for virtual learning that connect to the major principles and elements of Assessment of Program Practices Tool (APT) along with other OST program quality tools.

Reopening Resources

Afterschool Alliance Reopening Page: the Afterschool Alliance has curated a number of resources, guides, and examples to help you develop a plan — and collaborate with your school system — to safely care for children and youth.

Key Principles for Reopening Schools and Helping Students Recover from COVID-19: This document can be used to guide expanded learning policy and implementation at the local, state, and federal levels, which is particularly important as our country moves to recovery from COVID-19.

National Education Association: All Hands on Deck - Initial Guidance Regarding Reopening School Buildings: The NEA has assembled helpful classroom resources, professional development, legal guidance, and advocacy opportunities to help educators turn this crisis into an opportunity to build back better.

Partnering with Schools to Reopen and Meet Students’ Needs: This resource will help afterschool leaders identify and communicate specific ways programs can help schools as they make plans to reopen.

Planning and Responding to COVID-19 for K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs: FAQs for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents provided by the CDC.

COVID Quick Guide – Expanded Learning Supports: Learn how new flexibility at the state and federal levels makes it easier than ever to partner with expanded learning programs to support students.