Latest News

During stay-at-home advisories, Pennsylvania Parents as Teachers’ affiliates continue to serve families by using technology tools

The COVID-19 pandemic has directly impacted Parents as Teachers (PAT) families and providers across the country. Usually, PAT professionals are welcomed into families’ homes every day, to support parents as their child’s most influential teacher in life. These personal visits involve three parts: parent-child activities in which a parent can play with and guide his or her child in exploring new concepts depending on the age of the child; child development and parenting strategies discussion; and family well-being issues.

Youth Engagement in the Time of Social Distancing: An Introductory Conversation

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) announced today that it will participate in an online discussion exploring how afterschool humanities programming for youth ages 12 to 18 is being impacted by the COVID-19/novel coronavirus outbreak.

The virtual event, organized by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council Teen Reading Lounge network will take place April 2, 2020 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and explore local and national examples of virtual youth programs and youth engagement strategies. It is open to any Pennsylvania afterschool provider, library, school or community organization.

Center for Schools and Communities Announces Free Online Training for English Language Development Professionals in Pennsylvania’s Public Local Education Agencies

Today, March 30, Center for Schools and Communities announced that it will offer three new online training sessions for Pennsylvania’s teachers, free of charge.

The workshops will provide an opportunity for educators to remain engaged with the professional community, while gaining new or renewed knowledge to inform their teaching of English learners.

Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador Policy Project

On March 26, 2020, Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) held its first of four webinars as part training in the 2020 STEM Ambassador Program.

The STEM Ambassadors were extremely interested in how to offer advocacy, policy and student STEM events while keeping safe social distance during these challenging times; and ways to develop STEM Learning Ecosystems in their local counties through virtual platforms,

Bullying Prevention and SEL: What Can I Do Now?

Center for Safe Schools webinar shares ways to connect with students virtually and prepare for the new normal.

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 26, 2020 — On Tuesday, Center for Safe Schools presented the “Bullying Prevention and SEL: What Can I Do Now?” webinar for an overview of best practices in social emotional learning and bullying prevention. Led by Leah Galkowski, coordinator at Center for Safe Schools, the high quality online professional development event hosted 227 participants from 12 states and Canada; and is now available as a free recording for on-demand viewing.

Highmark Foundation 2020 School Grants and Awards Program

Deadline: EXTENDED until further notice
Funds: Up to $7,500

Schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia can apply for grants to support bullying prevention, environmental health, healthy eating, and physical activity, as well as school-based health.

2020 Excellence in Leadership Certification Course

Today, Center for Schools and Communities presented the first of eight sessions of Pennsylvania Department of Education 2020 Excellence in Leadership Certification course for 21st CCLC grantees and staff from the statewide Migrant Education Program as a virtual event.

The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) announces it will livestream a music program on March 19 at 1 and 2 p.m.

In conjunction with the CSIU, local musicians KJ Reimensnyder-Wagner and Geoff Craven hope to bring some normalcy and positivity to your day, if even for just a little while, through the power of music. Join us at 1 p.m. as we livestream a music program geared toward preschool and elementary school aged children. The program will be full of fun and feature interactive songs including “The Wee Ones of Ireland”, “This Old Man”, “Old McDonald”, “BINGO”, “Hokey Pokey” and more!

COVID-19 - Update from Center for Schools and Communities

Center for Schools and Communities office building and conference rooms at 275 Grandview Avenue in Camp Hill, Pa. will be closed Monday, March 16 through March 30, 2020.

Center operations, program and initiative work will continue by remote without interruption from 8 a.m to 5 p.m Monday through Friday.

A directory of contact information for staff can be found at: https://www.center-school.org/staff-directory/

Our top priority is ensuring the health and safety of our customers, staff and community.

PSAYDN Announces 2020 Afterschool Champions

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) recognizes eight program leaders, two organizations, two elected officials and two youth groups for innovation and excellence in afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire learning and help working families.

Press Release | 2020 Afterschool Champions

SEL for Health and Wellbeing

Social and emotional learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in ensuring the overall health and wellbeing of students. In order to make healthy, responsible decisions, students need the skills to understand their own emotions and to navigate the world around them. When educators and students are empowered with the wisdom of SEL, it can have life-altering effects.

As we strive to promote the health and wellbeing of all students, it is important to tap into the transformative models and high impact practices that already exist and explore how to get them into the hands of more educators and youth development professionals. At the 2020 National Social and Emotional Learning Conference May 18-20 in Baltimore, that’s just what we plan to do!

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) Announces 2020 Pennsylvania STEM Ambassadors

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) today announced the third cohort of Pennsylvania STEM Ambassadors. The program aims to shape the future of STEM education in the commonwealth by targeting vital policy conversations to legislative leadership in the areas of STEM Learning ecosystems, computer science, apprenticeships, state and federal policy for formal and informal education, and workforce needs.