Dear Out-of-school Time and Afterschool Program Staff,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, PSAYDN would like to extend heartfelt gratitude for your tireless dedication to enhancing the lives of students and families across Pennsylvania. Your commitment to providing safe, engaging and meaningful opportunities has a lasting impact on the communities you serve, creating brighter futures and stronger connections.
This season of gratitude offers an important reminder to pause and reflect on the difference your work makes in the lives of so many. It also provides an opportunity to recharge and spend time with loved ones, fostering the same sense of care and belonging that you so generously provide for others throughout the year.
On behalf of PSAYDN, I wish you a safe, restful and joyful Thanksgiving break. May your holiday be filled with warmth, appreciation and the company of those who matter most.
Thank you for your unwavering passion and dedication to the children and families of our Commonwealth. We are truly grateful for all that you do.
With gratitude and warm wishes,
PSAYDN Team
Special Announcements
Highlighting Youth Voices in 2024 Advocacy Day Video
At PSAYDN, we believe in the power of youth voice to inspire change, drive innovation, and shape the future of out-of-school time programming. On June 5, 2024, this belief was brought to life at our annual Afterschool Advocacy Day, where students from across Pennsylvania gathered to share their stories, advocate for their needs, and showcase their potential.
We are thrilled to share a special video highlighting the energy, passion and leadership displayed by these incredible students during the event. Their voices remind us of the critical importance of our collective work and the transformative impact we can achieve together.
We hope this video inspires you as much as it inspired us. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to empowering young people and creating opportunities that allow their voices to be heard and their dreams to flourish.
Enjoy, and thank you for being champions of youth and afterschool programs in Pennsylvania!
Throughout the month of October as programs and afterschool networks across the nation celebrated Lights on Afterschool, many of our partners centered the power of STEM in out-of-school time programs.
The South Carolina Afterschool Alliance, with support from a STEM Next grant, hosted its second annual SC STEM Extravaganza, which drew more than 1,000 kids to the festival from 29 afterschool programs in nine counties to dive into hands-on STEM activities. In Pennsylvania, Flight Crew member Tumi Ojo gave remarks about her transformative experience in STEM in afterschool at the State Complex, where she met Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid Mumin.
These celebrations highlight the critical role of STEM in afterschool programs, empowering young people with the skills and inspiration they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
At STEM Next, we are proud to support these efforts as we continue building a nationwide movement to expand STEM opportunities and create a brighter future for all youth.
Professional Learning
Meet One of our 2025 #ELOempowerOST Keynote Presenters
ELO and EMPOWER 2025
Strengthening OST Professionals with Promising Practices and Proven Strategies
February 26-28 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Shauna King Educator, Speaker, Author
King Professional Development
Shauna has a talent and passion for connecting with educators, leaders and parents. Shauna is a former principal, positive behaivior support coordinator and classroom teacher with over 20 years experience in public and non-public school settings.
Recorded Exploring Virtual and Extended Reality Webinars
Virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) are immersive tools that can transform how students experience science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects, build valuable 21st century skills, and explore career pathways. Watch recordings of our two exciting webinars with Harrisburg University exploring virtual and extended reality in out-of-school time programs!
Exploring Virtual Reality to Enhance STEM Learning in Afterschool and Summer Programming
Explore the use of virtual reality (VR) technology as a tool to enhance STEM learning experiences in afterschool and summer programs. Harrisburg University guide participants through the basics of VR applications, demonstrate how it can be integrated into current STEM curricula, and discuss age-appropriate implementation strategies for both elementary and middle school students.
Experience an interactive demonstration of a VR activity, showcasing its potential to engage students and deepen their understanding of complex scientific concepts.
Leveraging Extended Reality for Social and Emotional Learning and Career Exploration in Afterschool and Summer Programs
Extended reality (XR), encompassing augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR), offers unique opportunities to support social and emotional learning (SEL) and career exploration for youth. Harrisburg University will demonstrate how XR can be leveraged to create immersive environments that simulate real-world experiences, such as virtual job shadowing and interactive scenarios for conflict resolution. Explore practical strategies for using XR to build skills in communication, empathy and teamwork, making it a valuable addition to both SEL and career readiness programming.
Pennsylvania Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) is an initiative of Center for Schools and Communities, division of Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200, Camp Hill,PA,17011
