For thousands of Alaska’s children and youth, the return of school means the return of what Karen says is “the best part of the day”, afterschool! This week and next, schools are starting and afterschool programs across the state are welcoming staff and opening their doors for Alaska’s children and youth. While exciting, this time can also be stressful for staff and students alike. However, there are some easy things that program providers can do to make sure the year gets off to a strong start for all!
Staff Team Building
It may seem intuitively important, but sometimes team building activities can be put on the backburner when we’re busy accomplishing start-of-year tasks. The benefits, however, are immense! When adults have positive connections and interactions, they are modeled for youth. Spending time building team and staff relationships at the beginning of the year and fostering them throughout the year can benefit staff communication, program operations, and most importantly, help make the afterschool program a positive and supportive environment for youth. Staff team builders are easy to incorporate into orientation and staff meetings, and can often be translated into activities to do with youth.
Establish a safe environment
Youth cannot meaningfully engage with activities or each other if they do not fully feel safe. Establishing a safe environment will allow them to move up the Pyramid of Program Quality to experience a supportive, interactive, and engaging environment. In addition to having clear expectations in place, a safe environment can be achieved through making sure the space is physically safe and prepared. Make sure there are no safety hazards present. Have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit accessible and make sure students know the protocol should those items be needed. Keep things like furniture placement and entrance/exit visibility in mind. Make sure students’ physical needs are met through access to healthy food and snacks, water, and bathrooms, or any necessary accommodations that may come up.
Calendars and Schedules
Help keep staff, students, and families on the same page with accessible schedules and calendars. Post daily and weekly routines in the program space so students know what to expect. Plan events early and and keep event calendars handy so families can anticipate field trips and family events like Lights On Afterschool.
Structure and Expectations
Having structure and expectations in place off the bat allows students to learn the routine and limits right away. Involving youth in expectation setting is an important opportunity for youth voice and a great way to get their buy in. Rules and expectations should have reasons behind them that contribute to the needs or safety of staff and students. It is important to reference expectations often after they are set. Whether it is having a youth read them to the group at the beginning of program every day, or having each student verbally agree to them as they come through the door, when all youth are aware of the expectations, they will hold themselves and each other accountable.
Promote Staff Self Care
Working with youth is an incredible experience that at times can bring as much stress as it does reward. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and this rings all too true in youth work. Be it secondhand trauma or the everyday stresses that can come up in afterschool, encourage staff to be attuned to their needs so that they can show up as their best selves for the youth. Check out The Afterschool Professional's Guide to Self-Care for resources specific to the afterschool field.
The Alaska Afterschool Network wishes you a very happy back-to-afterschool season! Our staff are just an email away for technical assistance and resources to help make this year of afterschool the best one yet.