Madison to Focus on Out-of-School Time Programs Through

 
The City of Madison, the Madison Metropolitan School District and Madison Out-of-School Time (MOST) will host community conversations about family involvement with Madison’s out-of-school time (MOST) programs. The meeting will bring local and national experts and families together to discuss the most effective ways that Madison can help families build and exercise power so they can partner with MOST providers, schools, and local government for the well being of our children and youth.
 
Madison was one of 14 cities selected by the National League of Cities to partner with the U.S. Department of Education to hold community conversations with stakeholders, including educators, parents, and community leaders.
 
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the city and the school district to partner with the U.S. Department of Education,” said Mayor Paul Soglin.  “The expertise of the federal staffers, combined with the real life experience of our families, community leaders and educators can really be an asset as we work together to provide a more productive and healthy out-of-school-time experience for Madison’s children.  We have a lot of ideas and enthusiasm here already but these forums can help channel that.”
 
“We know that families are essential partners in our students’ success,” Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham said. “As a district, we are working hard to define authentic family engagement through district wide standards and to give our schools the resources to make it a reality. We are excited that together with the U.S. Department of Education, we can continue our partnership around out of school time and ensure that families play a key role.
 
“We’re excited to have been selected a host city and being a part of the national conversations about after-school and out-of-school time.  Family engagement is critical for MOST in the development of an out-of- school time system,” Paul Terranova, executive director of the Lussier Community Education Center and co-chair of the Family and Youth Engagement workgroup stated.  “No one cares about the kids in our schools and afterschool programs more than their families.  We need families – and youth – engaged as powerful voices in all of the big decisions we make as a community.”
 
Community conversations will occur in 14 cities to bring together local leaders, educators, families and community leaders to discuss strategies for providing youth with the foundational skills to ensure their success.  Through the collaboration with MOST, the conversations will focus on Madison’s families’ engagement with out-of-school time so that all of Madison’s children and youth have access to comprehensive, high quality out-of-school time programs that support positive youth development, educational achievement, and/or career and community readiness.