Author: School's Out Washington

Developing our Bridge Conference COVID-19 Protocols

By School's Out Washington

As we prepare to return to an in-person Conference for the first time in three years, we are announcing our revised COVID-19 Protocols and Practices for our 2022 Bridge Conference, which will take place in Tacoma October 24-25.   SOWA leadership and the Bridge Planning team recognize the importance of honoring multiple truths, norms, and experiences, especially when deciding about the health and safety of our community. Our Bridge Planning team includes staff from across the state, is primarily people of color, and has a wide array of experiences in the field. Their perspectives and experiences helped shape our decision-making process.   … [ ]

Celebrating the 2018-2021 BSK Out-of-School Time Cohort

By School's Out Washington

In 2018, SOWA implemented the first round of Best Starts for Kids (BSK) funding and support known as the Best Starts for Kids Out-of-School Time Initiative. We partnered with 32 organizations that provide access to consistent, high-quality, and culturally relevant summer and afterschool programming, infusing more than $12 million to underserved communities across King County. Grantees more than doubled the number of youth served to reach over 2,100 in their BSK Out-of-School Time programming in Fall 2021, according to Public Profit’s final evaluation. Some grantees dramatically expanded the number of youth they were able to serve, and other grantees created … [ ]

Response to Mead School District Board of Directors Draft Policies

By School's Out Washington

Response to Mead School District Board of Directors Draft Policies: Draft Policy 2401 – Civics Education and Amendment to Policy 2021 – Library Media Center  School’s Out Washington (SOWA) remains committed to ensuring that all children and youth in our state feel welcome, safe, and can thrive. We join many students, families, school staff, and organizations in opposing two proposals before the Mead School District Board of Directors – Draft Policy 2401 and Amendment to Policy 2021.   As an intermediary organization that works with afterschool and summer programs all over the Spokane area and the state, we see the challenges … [ ]

Play is for everyone with Greentrike

By Adriana Zazula

Be inquisitive. Be about community. Truly. Let youth not only be a voice, but an active contributor for the programs they want to be a part of.  These are just a few takeaways from my conversation with Fahren Johnson,  Director of Strategic Initiatives at Greentrike in Tacoma. Greentrike is an organization that “honors children and youth and champions play.” Beginning as the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Greentrike has become a county-wide advocacy and education organization—one that believes playful experiences are essential for learning, joy, and a thriving community. Fahren emphasized that accessibility is key to their work. The organization is … [ ]

Path & Purpose—Greater Trinity Academy

In our 2021 Annual Report, Path & Purpose, we explore how through shared vision and purpose, connection, community, and persistence, our partners are creating equitable pathways for thriving youth across this beautiful state. Read the full report here. Greater Trinity Academy’s mission is to “provide a high quality innovative academic experience stimulating a child’s enthusiasm for learning throughout their educational career and beyond.” They are working to eliminate the achievement gap that exists in far too many cases. The motto they instill in all their youth is, “I can learn anything.”  The organization has been working with BIPOC youth in the … [ ]

Tanaya Winder will share her “heartwork” at the 2022 Bridge Conference

By School's Out Washington

We are thrilled to have Tanaya Winder as our Opening Keynote Speaker at this year’s Bridge Conference. Our Bridge Planning Team was inspired by her storytelling, artistry, and messages about healing and wellness, which match our desire to build a Conference that integrates opportunities for healing, restoration, and joy. We appreciate her roots in youth development and we sought out people whose identities have not been as well represented in the past few years. She is able to talk about difficult things while still leaving folks feeling uplifted and her work is well-aligned with our theme of Illuminating Becoming. Tanaya … [ ]