
🚨🚨The 2025 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Competition is open, and we are here to provide information on application best practices! Sign up for one of our open-house virtual sessions ⬇️
May 6, 2025 (10:00 - 11:00am CT): https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ifM3NvEGSX6gVGgVKZZshw#/registration
May 14, 2025 (9:00 - 10:00am CT): https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3p_s_TQzRsuulEzztoHVTQ#/registration
May 22, 2025 (2:00-3:00pm CT): https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/O6ZDdunSTd-1-YGp5qbgnQ#/registration


Our SEEDS of Early Learning cohorts met again this month, and we want to give a shoutout to Lindy, our SEEDS educator leading the Minot group!


Available for FREE for all out-of-school time programs across North Dakota, Cypherworx and The Flourish Lab eLearning platforms are a great resource to elevate your program! Email kristin.knorr@k12.nd.us for more information!


Our office will be closed today (4/18). See you Monday!


Our office will be closed today (4/18). See you next week!


Our Child Care Aware of ND team was excited to attend the ND Early Childhood Conference last week. We were able to Connect with so many programs and providers from across the state; Learn from a variety of keynote and breakout presenters; and Grow professionally by being able to present two different breakout sessions during the conference! It was a great two days!





The 2025 grant competition for 21st Century Community Learning Centers has launched! Find information here: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/education-programs/federal-title-programs/21st-cclc-title-iv-part-b-nita-m-lowey-21st-century/2025
Register for the virtual applicant workshop on April 29th here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ZATqLVHaiEq64rPblLwMVC_0K67K38hOiydrUcP2tqtUNjI1WFJGODBHOVAwN1dKWjg0RzJMUDVRUy4u&route=shorturl
The 21st CCLC program aims to create or enhance community learning centers that offer students engaging academic activities and opportunities to supplement their regular school-day programs. Grants will be awarded competitively and are contingent upon federal funding availability.


Congratulations to our newest LETRS® graduates! These educators have dedicated two years to building a strong background and depth of knowledge that can be leveraged as effective teaching strategies to improve student literacy outcomes. Congratulations on this major accomplishment!



We are helping the Afterschool Alliance conduct a nationwide survey to learn more about families’ experiences with afterschool programs. We need more input from North Dakotans! Please take a few minutes to complete this survey before the end of the week. All responses are anonymous, confidential, and will be used for research purposes only. Please click on the survey link to get started: https://edge.surveyresearchfeedback.com/e.asp?p=AFS2401&S=C. Thank you so much for your input!


Meet Carol, this week’s Tutor Spotlight 🌟
Her favorite part of tutoring? Building relationships and seeing students grow—especially those returning from the previous year. And when those Kinders "take off"? Pure magic. ✨
Her message to others: “It works!”
Thanks for your heart and dedication, Carol! 💖
#AmeriCorps #ReadingCorps #MakingADifference #EarlyLiteracy


💙 Afterschool staff — you play a key role in keeping kids safe!
Join this free virtual training on April 28 from 1–2:30pm CT. Learn about child abuse risk factors, healthy development, and prevention strategies.
📲 Register now or scan the QR code! https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dGqwrUWcQOyGJYKxF1piaw#/registration
#ChildAbusePrevention #AfterschoolMatters #SafeKidsND


Our teachers of teachers have been checking out Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling! Faculty at VCSU in the elementary education program recently built Scarborough's Reading Rope creating a powerful visual about the interaction of language comprehension and word recognition.


🚨 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2025 ND Literacy Summit! 🚨
Join us in Fargo for The Next Chapter in advancing literacy instruction across North Dakota. 📚✨
Don’t miss this opportunity to encourage, equip, and empower—secure your spot today! 🎟️
https://members.ndrea.org/ndrea-events/Details/ndsor-literacy-summit-july-30-31-2025-1345155?sourceTypeId=Hub
#TheNextChapterND #2025NDLiteracySummit


🚨 NOW HIRING! 🚨
📚✨ Make a difference in your community! We're looking for part-time Reading & Math tutors for the 2025-2026 school year!
✅ Support young learners in your local schools
✅ Earn a monthly stipend & an education award
✅ Be a role model and help students succeed!
This is your chance to give back AND get rewarded! 🌟
📢 Tag a friend who would be perfect for this & SHARE this post! Let’s spread the word! 📢
👉 Apply now: https://fs16.formsite.com/servetogrow/Tutor-App25-26/index


Thinking about getting your CDA? We offer scholarships! Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/UT6BPdPzP4


🌟 Meet Jennifer, NESC Executive Director & a passionate advocate for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs! 🌟
Since 2021, Jennifer has been on the ND Afterschool Network Leadership Team working to ensure OST programs go beyond the classroom—fostering confidence, creativity, and real-world skills for every student. Her dream? A fully accessible, hands-on learning space where kids explore, grow, and thrive. 🚀
What’s one book that changed her perspective? *The First Days of School* by Harry Wong—because setting the stage for success starts on day one! 📚💡
#OSTMatters #Leadership #StudentSuccess #BeyondTheClassroom



🌟 Meet Cindy! 🌟
For Cindy, the best part of tutoring is watching students hit their milestones and light up with excitement when they reach their goals! 🎯📖 She’s seen firsthand how powerful tutoring can be and wishes everyone knew just how much it truly works. 💡✨
Thank you, Cindy, for your dedication and the incredible impact you make every day! 💙
#ReadingCorps #AmeriCorps #MakingADifference


📢 **Save the Date!** 📢
Looking for funding opportunities? Join us on **May 6th** for a **Grant Writing Workshop** designed just for you! 📝✨ Learn tips and strategies to secure funding and support your program. Register here: https://registry.ndgrowingfutures.org/register.aspx?evid=40171
#GrantWriting #ChildCareProviders #SaveTheDate


In our latest training, we explored how to boost learner retention and math achievement! From the Curve of Forgetting to powerful Retrieval Strategies, we covered key techniques like Spaced Learning Over Time (SLOT) and Interleaved Practice Format (IPF) to help students retain and apply their learning.
A huge shoutout to North Dakota teachers for their dedication to student success—your hard work makes all the difference! 💙📚 #MathSuccess #RetrievalStrategies #SpacedLearning #ThankYouTeachers



🌟 Tutor Spotlight: Emily! 🌟
Emily’s favorite part of tutoring? The incredible relationships she builds with her students! 💙 She says it’s the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do—and we’re so grateful for the impact she makes every day. Thank you, Emily! 📚✨ #ReadingCorps #AmeriCorps #TutorSpotlight
