The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time Announces Public Hearing
Special Commission to Convene Seventh Public Hearing in Barnstable, September 11, 2007, 5 PM - 8 PM
Boston, Massachusetts - September 7, 2007 - The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time announces its seventh public hearing to be held at the Barnstable Town Hall, 367 Main Street in Hyannis on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, from 5 PM - 8 PM in the Town Council Chambers. Prior to the public hearing from 3 PM to 4 PM members of the Special Commission will be touring the Town of Barnstable's Parks and Recreation Program at the Horace Mann Charter School located at 730 Osterville-West Barnstable Road. This municipally operated program serves up to 200 5th and 6th graders in a variety of activities that promotes their physical fitness and overall well-being. The Special Commission also plans to tour the skateboard park as well as the site for their newly planned $24M youth center.
This Special Commission was created by the Massachusetts Legislature to "study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out of school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."
Led by Senator Thomas McGee (D-Lynn), the Chair of the Senate's Labor and Workforce Development Committee and Representative Marie St. Fleur (D-Boston), the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the 36 member Commission has committed to holding at least nine public hearings throughout the state to gather input about the Commonwealth's afterschool system. Youth, parents, community and faith-based providers, law enforcement officials, educators, funders, business and other community leaders are expected to attend and provide testimony.
"We have a historic opportunity to gain a better understanding of the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children, youth and families," said Senator Thomas McGee. "Since a quality workforce is a linchpin of the afterschool system, we need to identify solutions to strengthen it. We look forward to gathering information from the public hearings and site visits that will help us figure out this and other ways to better serve children and youth when they are not in school."
"Currently, Massachusetts provides afterschool programs to approximately 20% of the Commonwealth's school age population," noted Representative Marie St. Fleur. "It is well documented that the time period between 2PM and 6PM is the most hazardous, if unsupervised, for children of that age. It is clear that we need to closely examine how public/private partnerships can leverage existing resources to serve more children and youth to coordinate and strengthen a system of afterschool and expanded learning that promotes their healthy development. The public hearings and site visits will help us to hear from all stakeholders on this important matter."
"Our kids are everything to us," said Patti Machado, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation in Barnstable. "We've seen that kids that stay involved in any program and stay busy do better overall. This is important to us as we focus on the whole child and their well-being. We are trying to build the best community we can, one child at a time."
1.1 Million School Aged Children and Youth in Massachusetts
There are 1.1 million school aged children and youth ages 5-18 that live in Massachusetts. Of that group, 720,000 are children ages 5-13 and 380,000 are youth ages 14-19. Current state funding serves 205,500 children and youth leaving nearly 80% without access to quality and enriching afterschool and summer opportunities.
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time intends to study this issue more in-depth. In addition to holding the nine public hearings, it will also convene three working groups that will 1) analyze information and access issues; 2) identify quality, workforce and professional development concerns, and 3) determine how the afterschool system in the Commonwealth can be sustained. The Special Commission expects to issue a report in the fall of 2007 that will have recommendations in these areas which will strengthen the Commonwealth's afterschool system.
About The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has been created 'to study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out-of-school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time
For More Information Contact:
Debra McLaughlin, Consultant to the Commission
dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com
617.792.3173
Monday, September 10, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Special Commission Announces Cape and Islands Hearing Location
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time will be holding their seventh public hearing on Tuesday, September 11 from 5 PM - 8 PM at the:
Barnstable Town Council Chambers
Barnstable Town Hall
367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA
Please follow these directions to get there:
Take the Mid-Cape (Route 6) East to Exit 6 (Route 132/Iyannough Road). Take a right off the exit, and take Route 132/Iyannough Road approximately three miles to the Airport Rotary. Enter the rotary, and take your second right off the rotary onto Barnstable Road. Take Barnstable Road, approximately one mile to Main Street. Take a right onto Main Street, and go approximately one half mile to Pearl Street. Take a left onto Pearl Street, and then the first left onto South Street. The Town Hall parking lot will come up shortly on your left.
Here is a link to a map that shows the location of Town Hall. http://www.town.barnstable.ma.us/departments/directions.pdf
Barnstable Town Council Chambers
Barnstable Town Hall
367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA
Please follow these directions to get there:
Take the Mid-Cape (Route 6) East to Exit 6 (Route 132/Iyannough Road). Take a right off the exit, and take Route 132/Iyannough Road approximately three miles to the Airport Rotary. Enter the rotary, and take your second right off the rotary onto Barnstable Road. Take Barnstable Road, approximately one mile to Main Street. Take a right onto Main Street, and go approximately one half mile to Pearl Street. Take a left onto Pearl Street, and then the first left onto South Street. The Town Hall parking lot will come up shortly on your left.
Here is a link to a map that shows the location of Town Hall. http://www.town.barnstable.ma.us/departments/directions.pdf
Monday, August 13, 2007
Special Commission Issues Report on Its Progress
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has issued a report last Friday on its progress to-date. The report, which can be found on the Special Commission's website reveals the Special Commission's accomplishments. At this point, the Special Commission has:
*Held two full Special Commission meetings
*Presided over 6 public hearings
*Toured 5 diverse afterschool programs
*Convened the 3 Special Commission's Work Groups
*Launched the Special Commission's web site and blog
In the next four months the Special Commission will:
*Publish 8 Issue Briefs by Labor Day
*Preside over 4 public hearings in September
*Tour 4 diverse afterschool programs in September
*Hold at least two Special Commission meetings
*Continue to convene the Special Commission's Work Groups
*Draft and finalize the Special Commission's report
Nearly 250 people attended six public hearings so far in Springfield, Pittsfield, Worcester, Framingham, Quincy and Dartmouth with 66% of those who have testified on this important issue. Extensive media coverage of the Special Commission's work has also occurred.
For more information or questions about the Special Commission's Progress Report, please contact Debra McLaughlin, Consultant to the Special Commission at dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com.
*Held two full Special Commission meetings
*Presided over 6 public hearings
*Toured 5 diverse afterschool programs
*Convened the 3 Special Commission's Work Groups
*Launched the Special Commission's web site and blog
In the next four months the Special Commission will:
*Publish 8 Issue Briefs by Labor Day
*Preside over 4 public hearings in September
*Tour 4 diverse afterschool programs in September
*Hold at least two Special Commission meetings
*Continue to convene the Special Commission's Work Groups
*Draft and finalize the Special Commission's report
Nearly 250 people attended six public hearings so far in Springfield, Pittsfield, Worcester, Framingham, Quincy and Dartmouth with 66% of those who have testified on this important issue. Extensive media coverage of the Special Commission's work has also occurred.
For more information or questions about the Special Commission's Progress Report, please contact Debra McLaughlin, Consultant to the Special Commission at dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Special Commission Revises Public Hearing Schedule
The Massachusetts Special Commission has revised its public hearing schedule for September 2007. The public hearings will be held from 5 PM to 8 PM in each location and will now occur on:
September 11, 2007 - Cape and Islands (location TBD)
September 18, 2007 - Merrimack Valley (location TBD)
September 20, 2007 - Lynn (location TBD)
September 25, 2007 - Boston (location TBD)
Hearing locations will be forthcoming.
September 11, 2007 - Cape and Islands (location TBD)
September 18, 2007 - Merrimack Valley (location TBD)
September 20, 2007 - Lynn (location TBD)
September 25, 2007 - Boston (location TBD)
Hearing locations will be forthcoming.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Dartmouth Public Hearing a Success!
Co-Chairs Senator Thomas McGee and Representative Marie St. Fleur are joined by Representatives Alice Wolf and Patricia Haddad and Commission Member Gwynn Hughes at UMass Dartmouth for a hearing on how children and youth spend their time when not in school on Thursday, July 19th.
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time's sixth public hearing was a great success. Held in at UMASS-Dartmouth on Thursday, July 19th, over 40 people attended representing youth, parents, community-based providers, public education, and public safety perspectives on this critical issue to children, youth and families.
Co-Chairs Senator Thomas McGee and Representative Marie St.Fleur convened the hearing and were joined by Representative Alice Wolf, a member of the Commission and Representative Patricia Haddad, the House Chair on Education. Additional Commission members in attendance were: Gwynn Hughes of MAP, Joseph Gillis Jr. of the MA Association of School Committees, Fran Barrett representing Commissioner Ann Reale of EEC, Associate Commissioner Sally Fogerty of DPH, Deborah Kneeland of MADCA, Ben Lummis of Mass2020, Michael Cahill of the YMCA's of MA, and Dr. Deborah Dancy of the MA Association of Elementary School Principals.
Prior to the public hearing, members of the Special Commission toured the afterschool program held at the Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy in New Bedford. The Academy serves 150 children in afterschool programs during 5 weeks during the summer months. Members of the Special Commission viewed an arts-based afterschool program taught by Brick by Brick - one of the many community-based partners that NorthStar Learning Centers uses with funding from the 21st Century federal grant program. A special thanks to Bob French, the Director of Policy and Program Development of NorthStar Learning Centers, Asst. Superintendent Karen Treadup, and Patty McGrath, Executive Director of Brockton's Get on Base for arranging the site visit for Special Commission members.
The public hearing was covered by the New Bedford Times and the Fall River Herald News. The hearing was also taped by DCTV-18, New Bedford's Community Access Channel.
The remaining four public hearings for the Special Commission will be held in the fall on September 11, 13, 20 and 25 at locations to be announced.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Special Commission Announces Four Remaining Public Hearing Dates
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has announced dates for its four remaining public hearings. Hearing locations have yet to be confirmed. The hearings will be held on:
Tuesday, September 11, 5 PM - 8 PM - REGION TBD
Thursday, September 13, 5 PM - 8 PM - REGION TBD
Thursday, September 20, 5 PM - 8 PM - REGION TBD
Tuesday, September 25, 5 PM - 8 PM - BOSTON
We look forward to your participation as the Special Commission continues to seek public comment about this very important issue.
Tuesday, September 11, 5 PM - 8 PM - REGION TBD
Thursday, September 13, 5 PM - 8 PM - REGION TBD
Thursday, September 20, 5 PM - 8 PM - REGION TBD
Tuesday, September 25, 5 PM - 8 PM - BOSTON
We look forward to your participation as the Special Commission continues to seek public comment about this very important issue.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Special Commmission Issues Press Release About July 19 Public Hearing
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time
Announces Public Hearing
Special Commission to Convene Sixth Public Hearing in Dartmouth, July 19, 5 PM - 8 PM
Boston, Massachusetts - July 16, 2007 — The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time announces its sixth public hearing to be held at the University of Massachusetts—Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, in North Dartmouth on Thursday, July 19 from 5 PM - 8 PM in the Woodland Community Commons Conference Rooms 1 & 2. Before the public hearing, from 3 PM—4 PM, the Special Commission members will be visiting the Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy’s summer program. Located at 247 Elm Street in New Bedford, the Carney Academy serves 60 elementary school students over a 5 week period emphasizing project-based learned to address the loss of learning that can occur over the summer.
This Special Commission was created by the Massachusetts Legislature to "study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out of school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."
Led by Senator Thomas McGee (D-Lynn), the Chair of the Senate's Labor and Workforce
Development Committee and Representative Marie St. Fleur (D-Boston), the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the 36 member Commission has committed to holding ten public hearings throughout the state to gather input about the Commonwealth's afterschool system. Youth, parents, community and faith-based providers, law enforcement officials, educators, funders, business and other community leaders are expected to attend and provide testimony.
"We have a historic opportunity to gain a better understanding of the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children, youth and families," said Senator Thomas McGee. "Since a quality workforce is a linchpin of the afterschool system, we need to identify solutions to strengthen it. We look forward to gathering information from the public hearings and site visits that will help us figure out this and other ways to better serve children and youth when they are not in school."
"Currently, Massachusetts provides afterschool programs to approximately 20% of the
Commonwealth's school age population," noted Representative Marie St. Fleur. "It is well documented that the time period between 2PM and 6PM is the most hazardous, if unsupervised, for children of that age. It is clear that we need to closely examine how public/private partnerships can leverage existing resources to serve more children and youth to coordinate and strengthen a system of afterschool and expanded learning that promotes their healthy development. The public hearings and site visits will help us to hear from all stakeholders on this important matter."
"There are many reasons why afterschool and summer programs are critical for New Bedford's children", said Bob French, the Director of Policy and Program Development for NorthStar Learning Centers. "School engagement and extended opportunities to learn skills are so important - particularly over the summer where children traditional lose ground academically. There has also been a lot of gun violence in New Bedford and this can discourage parents from letting their kids go outside. Afterschool programs offer a safe and enriching alternative to staying at home."
1.1 Million School Aged Children and Youth in Massachusetts
There are 1.1 million school aged children and youth ages 5-18 that live in Massachusetts. Of that group, 720,000 are children ages 5-13 and 380,000 are youth ages 14-19. Current state funding serves 205,500 children and youth leaving nearly 80% without access to quality and enriching afterschool and summer opportunities.
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time intends to study this issue more in-depth. In addition to holding the nine public hearings, it will also convene three working groups that will 1) analyze information and access issues; 2) identify quality, workforce and professional development concerns, and 3) determine how the afterschool system in the Commonwealth can be sustained. The Special Commission expects to issue a report in the fall of 2007 that will have recommendations in these areas which will strengthen the Commonwealth's
afterschool system.
About The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has been created 'to study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out-of-school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time
For More Information Contact:
Debra McLaughlin, Consultant to the Commission
dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com
617.792.3173
Visit Our Blog:
http://www.massafterschoolcomm.blogspot.com
Visit Our Website:
http://www.massafterschoolcomm.org
Announces Public Hearing
Special Commission to Convene Sixth Public Hearing in Dartmouth, July 19, 5 PM - 8 PM
Boston, Massachusetts - July 16, 2007 — The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time announces its sixth public hearing to be held at the University of Massachusetts—Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, in North Dartmouth on Thursday, July 19 from 5 PM - 8 PM in the Woodland Community Commons Conference Rooms 1 & 2. Before the public hearing, from 3 PM—4 PM, the Special Commission members will be visiting the Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy’s summer program. Located at 247 Elm Street in New Bedford, the Carney Academy serves 60 elementary school students over a 5 week period emphasizing project-based learned to address the loss of learning that can occur over the summer.
This Special Commission was created by the Massachusetts Legislature to "study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out of school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."
Led by Senator Thomas McGee (D-Lynn), the Chair of the Senate's Labor and Workforce
Development Committee and Representative Marie St. Fleur (D-Boston), the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the 36 member Commission has committed to holding ten public hearings throughout the state to gather input about the Commonwealth's afterschool system. Youth, parents, community and faith-based providers, law enforcement officials, educators, funders, business and other community leaders are expected to attend and provide testimony.
"We have a historic opportunity to gain a better understanding of the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children, youth and families," said Senator Thomas McGee. "Since a quality workforce is a linchpin of the afterschool system, we need to identify solutions to strengthen it. We look forward to gathering information from the public hearings and site visits that will help us figure out this and other ways to better serve children and youth when they are not in school."
"Currently, Massachusetts provides afterschool programs to approximately 20% of the
Commonwealth's school age population," noted Representative Marie St. Fleur. "It is well documented that the time period between 2PM and 6PM is the most hazardous, if unsupervised, for children of that age. It is clear that we need to closely examine how public/private partnerships can leverage existing resources to serve more children and youth to coordinate and strengthen a system of afterschool and expanded learning that promotes their healthy development. The public hearings and site visits will help us to hear from all stakeholders on this important matter."
"There are many reasons why afterschool and summer programs are critical for New Bedford's children", said Bob French, the Director of Policy and Program Development for NorthStar Learning Centers. "School engagement and extended opportunities to learn skills are so important - particularly over the summer where children traditional lose ground academically. There has also been a lot of gun violence in New Bedford and this can discourage parents from letting their kids go outside. Afterschool programs offer a safe and enriching alternative to staying at home."
1.1 Million School Aged Children and Youth in Massachusetts
There are 1.1 million school aged children and youth ages 5-18 that live in Massachusetts. Of that group, 720,000 are children ages 5-13 and 380,000 are youth ages 14-19. Current state funding serves 205,500 children and youth leaving nearly 80% without access to quality and enriching afterschool and summer opportunities.
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time intends to study this issue more in-depth. In addition to holding the nine public hearings, it will also convene three working groups that will 1) analyze information and access issues; 2) identify quality, workforce and professional development concerns, and 3) determine how the afterschool system in the Commonwealth can be sustained. The Special Commission expects to issue a report in the fall of 2007 that will have recommendations in these areas which will strengthen the Commonwealth's
afterschool system.
About The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has been created 'to study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out-of-school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time
For More Information Contact:
Debra McLaughlin, Consultant to the Commission
dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com
617.792.3173
Visit Our Blog:
http://www.massafterschoolcomm.blogspot.com
Visit Our Website:
http://www.massafterschoolcomm.org
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