Instead of Regional Connections, BSB is offering an opportunity this April to take part in Afterschool Program Site Visits. Join fellow afterschool professionals for an exciting chance to explore SIX outstanding afterschool programs in action! These site visits offer valuable opportunities to observe best practices, exchange ideas, gain inspiration for new activities, assess how programs meet student needs and challenges, and see firsthand how they engage with families, schools, and local organizations.
Register soon, as space is limited at each site. Ensure these visits are a success by planning to attend one or more programs across the state!
The following locations are hosting Afterschool Program Site Visits in APRIL:
Week One: Wood River Elementary School
Date of Visit: Friday, April 4
Site Visit Time: 1:30-6:00pm, program begins at 3:00pm
Grades Served: K-5th Program
Description: Discover this exceptional afterschool program in Wood River! Located in a rural community, this program thrives on strong daily attendance and active student engagement. Each month, students explore new interests through rotating clubs, while a weekly Art Club nurtures their creativity. During your visit, you'll experience the ever-popular LEGO Club in action and witness the unique interactions among K-5th grade students as they mentor and support one another. A dedicated team of school-day and high school student staff drives the program’s success. Seeking inspiration for a top-tier playground? Don’t miss Wood River’s newly installed, state-of-the-art play space!
Week Two: Arnold Elementary School in Lincoln
Date: Monday, April 7
Site Visit Time: 3:00-6:00pm, program begins at 3:30pm
Grades Served: K-5th
Program Description: Don't miss the chance to experience Lincoln's very own Community Learning Center (CLC)! During this visit, you'll see firsthand how local partnerships enhance this program with valuable services. Highlights of the visit include Diggin' Up Dinos with a local children's book author, Planet Pals with UNL Honors Program students, Wildlife Explorers with Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, Be The Change led by school-day teachers, the Basketball Club—a key part of the innovative CLC Sports League—and the Photography Club. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this exceptional site that has fully embraced the idea of "community learning centers!"
Week Three: Centennial Elementary School in Columbus
Date: Tuesday, April 15
Site Visit Time: 2:00-5:45pm, program begins at 3:25pm
Grades Served: K-4th
Program Description: Looking for professional development ideas? Join Columbus Afterschool Programs as they showcase their innovative approaches! The visit will begin at the Project Director's office. Guests will gain insights into professional development strategies, explore lesson plan books for STEM in the GYM and their engaging Cooking Clubs. Plus, they'll share SEL books and activities, offering valuable resources for your program. Most impressively, you'll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how they organize and prepare for programming across SIX different sites. You will then travel to Centennial Elementary where you will get to see an K-4 site that serves 50 students with a variety of unique needs. You'll leave with a wealth of ideas you'll be eager to implement in your program! Don't miss this exciting opportunity!
Week Four: Cozad Elementary School
Date: Wednesday, April 23
Site Visit Time: 2:00-6:00pm, program begins at 3:20pm
Grades Served: K-5th
Program Description: Located in the heart of Nebraska, Cozad offers an exceptional afterschool program you won’t want to miss! If you're looking for inspiration on launching a community-wide career exploration initiative, this is the place to visit. You'll gain valuable insights and resources on effective strategies for success. What makes this visit even more special? You'll have the opportunity to explore their greenhouse and see students actively engaged in their garden project. Discover how Cozad Elementary's afterschool program has fostered strong relationships with partners, parents, and the school community. Don’t miss out—come see it in action!
Week Four: Westmoor Elementary School in Scottsbluff
Date: Thursday, April 24
Site Visit Time: 2:30-6:00pm, program begins at 3:30pm
Grades Served: K-5th
Program Description: Head over to the western part of the state and explore all that Scottsbluff afterschool programs have to offer! Westmoor Elementary School will highlight their engaging Science Club, where kindergarteners participate in fun, hands-on activities. They'll also introduce their popular Engineering Club, where 5th graders get to build and program LEGO robotics. Plus, you’ll learn about the Road Trip Club, which invites students to explore a new U.S. city each week, offering an exciting and interactive way to expand their knowledge of geography and culture. Scottsbluff is licensed through DHHS, so you'll also get insight into the benefits of being licensed.
Week Five: Norfolk Middle School
Date: Tuesday, April 29
Site Visit Time: 2:30-5:30pm, program begins at 3:20pm
Grades Served: 5th and 6th
Program Description: Are you offering middle school programming? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to visit Norfolk Middle School and explore their Modern Band Club, where students play music and discover new genres. Learn how to engage middle schoolers with a variety of hands-on activities, including art, robotics, cooking, and sports. Discover how to nurture creativity, teamwork, and physical fitness while also creating opportunities for leadership, social connection, and personal growth for your students! This is the only middle school site visit being offered, so be sure to join us!
