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Since first launching the Reading Is Lit! family engagement kits, the regional team has continued work in development, distribution, and evaluation to reach goals. ThinkTV and Learn to Earn Dayton collaborated to pilot kits for out-of-school use that encourage family engagement through literacy activities. We have been thrilled with the positive reception the kits have received from educators, students, and families. The pilot is designed to be intentionally small, as we conduct the formative work of evaluating and adjusting the process, reducing costs for sustainability, adapting to changing technologies for engagement and communication, establishing methods for ongoing outcome tracking, and preparations for scale. Even keeping the program strategically small through the development process, there has been significant impact. Since the first launch with ~100 kits in the fall of 2023, the initiative has expanded with nearly 1,000 kits produced for distribution by the end of 2024. The team has developed four unique kits, each including a grade-level appropriate book and complementary activities that students and caregivers can enjoy at home. The work is guided by feedback from families and dedicated educators who work to ensure activities are aligned with classroom efforts. Thank you to our many partners, including the Iddings Foundation, Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative (through The Dayton Foundation), CenterPoint Energy Foundation, The Frank M. Tait Foundation, Kettering Family Philanthropies, and the University of Dayton Teacher Education Program & Fitz Center Educational Equity Program. See how families learn together with these kits! Fall distribution included: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault Frog on a Log? , by Kes Gray Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea , by Ben Clanton To learn more, contact Erica Fields at Erica.Fields (at) learntoearndayton.org

In November, the Summer + Afterschool Collaborative (SASC) gathered for its quarterly meeting and strategic planning session, bringing together a network of over 30 partners committed to improving out-of-school time (OST) programming for Montgomery County students. This dynamic collaboration aims to increase access to high-quality programs that support student success beyond the traditional school day. Growing Participation and Impact One of the most exciting updates from the meeting was the addition of 15 new organizations to the SASC network this year alone. These new partners have already participated in SASC-related activities, contributing to the expansion and enhancement of OST programming throughout the region. As the collaborative continues to grow, so does its ability to support a diverse range of opportunities for students in Montgomery County. Focused Work Groups Driving Change Currently, several work groups are at the forefront of efforts to improve OST experiences for local students. These work groups are tackling critical areas such as: Afterschool Transportation : Advocating for better transportation options to ensure all students can access afterschool programs. Academic & STEM Opportunities : Expanding learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Social-Emotional Learning & Health Awareness : Promoting programs that support students' mental health and emotional well-being. Professional Development : Enhancing training and support for both students and OST staff to build capacity and improve program quality. Attendance Improvements : Addressing barriers to consistent participation in afterschool programs, ensuring more students can take full advantage of these opportunities. Strategic Planning for the Future At the November meeting, the team was excited to welcome Ten Speed Consulting, a partner firm leading the strategic planning process for the collaborative. Their role is critical as they guide the SASC in aligning with the upcoming Quality Standards from the Ohio Afterschool Network. This forward-thinking initiative will position the collaborative to continue its work in fostering high-quality, impactful out-of-school programs for years to come. Gratitude to the Charles D. Berry Foundation None of this progress would be possible without the support of the Charles D. Berry Foundation, whose generous funding makes the work of the SASC possible. Their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for local students is deeply appreciated and crucial to the success of this collaborative. Join the Collaborative If your organization is interested in being a part of the Summer + Afterschool Collaborative and contributing to the future of out-of-school time programming in Montgomery County, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to Wesley Biles II at wesley.biles2@learntoearndayton.org  for more information on how to get involved. For more details on the SASC and our ongoing initiatives, visit Learn to Earn Dayton's SASC page . Together, we can ensure that every student in Montgomery County has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

The Fairview School Learning Garden grew from Northwest Dayton Partnership with investments from Blue Meridian Partners, through Learn to Earn Dayton, and with generous support from the CareSource Foundation, the Berry Family Foundation, and the Louise Kramer Foundation. Installed 2024 Seeds of Knowledge, Cultivated by Community The Fairview Elementary Learning Garden transformed an underutilized area into an inspiring, inclusive green space that fosters education and creativity. Based upon a community-identified priority in the Power of Place Plan for Northwest Dayton, Grunder Landscaping worked with the residents, Learn to Earn Dayton, and Dayton Public Schools to create an engaging and inspiring learning space. Having opened spring 2024, the garden now serves as an outdoor classroom promoting hands-on learning and improved physical and mental health for students. Ensuring year-round use, the Learning Garden is available to educational partners for afterschool and summer programming. The project is a meaningful collaboration between the school and local community, inspiring a love of nature, healthier lifestyles, and creative approaches to learning. Thank you also to the many dedicated community partners who activate and care for the space, including Omega CDC Freedom Schools, The Victory Project, and the Dayton Public Schools teachers, staff, and administrators at Fairview Elementary. Lisa Minor, Associate Superintendent of Dayton Public Schools, shared these insights: “Research shows that school gardens and outdoor learning spaces create a sense of well-being, confidence, collaboration skills, and an overall appreciation for nature. The newly constructed Fairview Garden will prove to not only benefit the children, but also the community as the administration looks forward to expanding partnerships with community volunteer gardeners.   Allowing students to create their own community sensory garden with vegetables, flowers and herbs will create a space of wellness and discovery which will have a lasting impact on the overall health and education of the students. Teachers now have a space where they can extend learning beyond the classroom walls to allow students to enjoy learning through nature and hands-on experiences.  We look forward to watching our teachers create engaging lessons for the outdoor space as well as seeing the increase in academic achievement through the use of this wonderful learning environment.  Once again, thank you for a wonderful space where staff and students can grow and explore.”

Learn to Earn Dayton is thrilled to once again work with The Dayton Foundation Del Mar Encore Fellow program to have an experienced local professional join our team. Dr. Beverly Williams Odon was born and raised in New Jersey but spent most of her adult/professional life in the Miami Valley. She received her Sociology degree at Douglass College in New Brunswick, NJ (the women’s college campus of The Rutgers University network). Dr. Odon also earned her M.Ed degree at Xavier University (School Social Work/Counseling) and her PhD at Union Institute and University (Inter-generational Studies) in Cincinnati.  Her working career includes a myriad of institutions and organizations that address community needs through comprehensive services to children, youth and families. For more than forty years, Dr. Odon offered her skills, knowledge and energy to connect resources with community residents and as an advocate for emerging issues and marginalized persons. Her service record includes working in behalf of abused and neglected children at Montgomery County Children’s Services; supporting Dayton Public Schools early childhood education services as a school social worker; program administration for one of the first diversion programs for female status-offenders through an LEAA grant to the National Council of Negro Women; delivering social services support to Head Start aged children and families at Miami Valley Child Development Centers; as the first center director and program coordinator at the Dora Lee Tate Service Center under the direction of the MC Commissioners and promoting local collaboratives, advocacy initiatives and support for the local non-profit sector through the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area.  Dr. Odon has always been passionate about family, kinship caregivers, volunteerism and inter-generational approaches to community life.  She serves at Calvary MBC, Clothes That Work, Dayton Metro Library and Soroptimist International, Dayton. Because of her faith perspective, pursuit of best practices and professional growth, Dr. Odon endorses the value and positive potentiality of stakeholders, elected officials, service consumers and service providers joining together to envision the Greater Dayton area at its BEST.  During her time at Learn to Earn Dayton, Dr. Odon is collaborating with critical education, government and community organizations to help launch a year-long academy to equip and inform residents on the function of schools and local governments, and provide the knowledge and network they will need to become advocates that drive systemic change.

Learn to Earn Dayton partnered with Dayton 6th to launch Every Day in School Matters, a county-wide campaign to draw attention to the importance of attendance. In a recent feature of the Dayton Daily News , Trotwood-Madison Interim superintendent, Marlon Howard, introduced their local attendance initiative, Attendance=Achievement: Every Minute Matters. Howard states, "Reducing chronic absenteeism is no small task, but we're committed to seeing measurable progress.... We know that when students improve their attendance rates, their improve their academic prospects and their chances of graduating. This is not just about meeting a target - it's about transforming lives." Congratulations to the committed educators at Trotwood-Madison for this exciting effort that recognizes attendance is not simply about motivation, but requires a holistic approach that addresses social challenges and environmental factors. Absenteeism cannot be solved by any one person, school school district, or agency. All stakeholders—students, families, educators, agencies and community partners—have a role to play in helping reduce chronic absenteeism.  Learn more at https://www.learntoearndayton.org/everyday

Learn to Earn Dayton is once again collaborating with Dayton 6th to raise awareness about the significance of school attendance, emphasizing that consistent attendance is crucial for academic success. Both UD Men's and Women's Basketball teams, along with students from DECA Middle will be highlighted in the campaign. According to the most recent data from the Ohio Department of Education, 27 percent of students attending public school districts in Montgomery County are chronically absent. The six most economically distressed districts in the area have a staggering 38 percent of their students chronically absent. That number is an average for kids from kindergarten through 12th grade. When students miss school, they not only have significant learning setbacks, but they can also miss out on things like meals, counseling, and socialization. “Chronic absenteeism starts a domino effect for students,” said Stacy Schweikhart, CEO of Learn to Earn Dayton. Studies that show young students who are chronically absent are 65 percent less likely to meet the Third Grade Reading Guarantee and that “by end of sixth grade, you can predict, based on absenteeism, whether a student will graduate from high school.” Chronically absent students are 89 percent less likely to graduate on time. Learn to Earn Dayton is committed to helping improve student outcomes for all students in Montgomery County so that ultimately we have a workforce with the credentials and college degrees to earn a living wage.

Dr. Tom Lasley, Learn to Earn Dayton's founder and current Montgomery County Educational Service Center and Learn to Earn Dayton Director of Policy and Advocacy, was honored with the Citizen Legion of Honor Award from The Presidents Club of Dayton for his servant leadership in our region! In addition to Learn to Earn Dayton, Dr. Lasley has founded or co-founded several organizations critical to educational and social programming for young people and adults in the Dayton region and across Ohio. These include Dayton Early College Academy, the Ohio Early College Association, AIR CAMP INC, and more. Congratulations, Dr. Lasley, on this well-deserved recognition of your lasting impact on our region! During the celebration, both The City of Dayton and the City of Kettering, Ohio - Government declared October 3, 2024, Thomas J. Lasley II Day!

We are proud to be once again partnering with Dayton 6th  and the Dayton Flyers Basketball  and Dayton Women's Basketball  programs for the Every Day in School Matters campaign in 2024! The film shoot was high energy at DECA Middle  and we can’t wait to share the finished product with the region. Keep your eyes out for this reminder of the importance of school attendance around town just in time for basketball season! #everydayinschoolmatters

For all high school students -- and their families -- you're invited to the Greater Dayton College & Career Fair on Tuesday, October 22, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., at Wright State University Nutter Center McLin Gymnasium, 5736 Raider Road, Fairborn. (Note: Optional advanced registration  can save you time at the door, but is not required!) With FREE admission, easy registration, and over 90 colleges, universities, and local employers waiting for you, you must add this event to your calendar! The event is hosted at the Nutter Center and is designed for ALL students from across the region to attend and benefit from the opportunity to meet with admissions teams from more than 90 colleges and universities  throughout Ohio and the U.S. (plus several international colleges, too!). Register in advance  or at the door when you arrive. Consider all your options as you meet with representatives from a wide range of schools with many different assets, specialties, and opportunities. Whether you're looking for: a big school or a small school; a school close to home or far away; a school where you can play sports, play music, or just play, you can find YOUR perfect fit. But only if you start looking. This is the single largest college & career fair in our region to date. Don't miss it! Questions? Contact the Greater Dayton College and Career Fair Liaison, Rob Durkle, at robert.durkle@wright.edu .

Learn to Earn Dayton, through our partnership with Montgomery County Educational Service Center, is hiring for two exciting positions to support strategic initiatives. These positions are part of the team working to increase economic mobility and reduce disparities in student outcomes. Review the information below, and apply to jobs@learntoearndayton.org by October 21, 2024. Learn to Earn Dayton Vision: All learners and their families in our region can thrive – regardless of race, gender, or zip code At Learn to Earn Dayton, our cradle-to-career, place-based partnerships use a systems-level mindset to transform economic and social environments and improve all residents' life prospects. These partnerships take a whole family approach to build well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with both children and the adults in their lives. We work to align opportunities that equip families to pursue their goals and thrive. **************************** Senior Manager for Strategic Initiatives The Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives is responsible for managing and implementing place-based initiatives, action networks, and community investments across multiple strategies. Position Summary The Senior Manager provides critical leadership for a range of strategic initiatives focused on improving economic and social mobility in focused geographies throughout Montgomery County through collective action, capacity building, and advocacy. The Senior Manager is responsible for helping to lead the Montgomery County Two-Generation Collaborate, oversee its strategic plan, identify opportunities to build and scale the HUB network and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance improvement of outcomes for students and families. Learn more about the necessary requirements and essential functions, review the full job description online. ************************ Coordinator for Strategic Initiative Programs The Coordinator supports the Learn to Earn Dayton team’s innovative strategies to increase academic, economic and social mobility and reduce disparities in student outcomes in Montgomery County. Position Summary The Strategic Initiatives Program Coordinator provides administrative, program planning and implementation support for Learn to Earn Dayton’s strategic initiatives. The Coordinator is responsible for engaging stakeholders to facilitate program networks and collaborative partnerships. Learn more about the necessary requirements and essential functions, review the full job description online. ************************ Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter directly to: jobs@learntoearndayton.org  by October 21, 2024.

Learn to Earn Dayton CEO, Stacy Schweikhart, was featured in a Dayton Daily News article exploring educational achievement gaps. She shared our data, highlighting the challenges faced by students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The article also featured the strategies being taken by school districts to help close those gaps and support academic success for all students. Learn to Earn Dayton is pleased to focus on the data, policy, and partnership to close educational achievement gaps from the cradle to a student's chosen career. Read Eileen McClory's story in the Dayton Daily News.

Learn to Earn Dayton was thrilled to be tapped to guide the Student Vision for Dayton project , in support of Mayor Mims and the City of Dayton's efforts to ensure that young people raised their voice in determining the priorities and policies that will create Dayton's future. To set a path to where we're going, we start with where we have been. At the My Voice. My City. My Future. Kick-Off, L2ED shared the results of the student survey and walked participants through relevant data that highlighted and showcased student priorities. Scroll through to see the data points: