Minnesota Alliance With Youth

Say hello (or сайн уу) to Anarmaa! Anarmaa is joining the Alliance team as a Community Solutions Fellow with IREX from Mongolia, and will be working as our Youth Research Fellow until November!

She hopes to engage in advocacy and policy work focused on youth involvement, climate action, research and data analysis, community engagement, and sustainability initiatives. She seeks to inspire young leaders, contribute to environmental conservation efforts, and promote evidence-based decision-making to foster a sense of environmental stewardship within communities. In her free time, Anarmaa enjoys collecting notebooks, exploring nature, spending cherished moments with her children, and finding satisfaction in the simple task of folding clothes.

We're so happy to have you here!

Sign up today for the Check & Connect Student Engagement Intervention National Conference this September! There are so many great presentations and workshops to choose from, including a session presented by Minneapolis Public Schools and Minnesota Alliance With Youth: "Leveraging AmeriCorps Members to Implement and Sustain C&C Programming."

Hope to see you there!

https://checkandconnect.umn.edu/conf/default.html

The National Youth Leadership Council interviewed their Alliance AmeriCorps VISTA for the “Power of Young People” podcast, discussing how AmeriCorps VISTAs address community challenges and needs. Listen to Nadia and Becky talk about why they chose to serve!

Addressing Community Challenges through the AmeriCorps VISTA Program by The Power of Young People Learn about AmeriCorps VISTA program - a program that encourages national service by connecting service-minded individuals with nonprofit organizations around the country! Hear from NYLC’s own AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, Nadia Kruzel and Becky Cole, on what drove them to this work, the impact the...

Our Executive Director Jim Davnie and EdAllies Policy Director Matt Shaver discussing chronic absenteeism and the work at the legislature this session to find and fund solutions at the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare Be@School Conference today!

Learn more about chronic absenteeism and our work to support students at www.mnyouth.net

Our Executive Director Jim Davnie was up early this morning, talking with The WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar about AmeriCorps Promise Fellows and the new Youth Mental Health Corps initiative!

Didn't get up early enough to catch him on air? Take a listen here: https://bit.ly/JimonWCCO

There is still plenty of time to apply to serve with AmeriCorps this school year OR to bring a Promise Fellow to your school! Learn more at www.mnyouth.net

Did you catch our Executive Director Jim Davnie and AmeriCorps Promise Fellow Kaija Lee on WCCO & CBS News Minnesota yesterday? They talked about serving as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow and the new Youth Mental Health Corps initiative with Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest and ServeMinnesota.

Watch it here: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/video/how-to-support-students-and-their-mental-health/

"One of my students suffers from a lot of negative self-talk. I was able to work with her this week to help her better cope with not getting her own way and not being so upset when she lost a game.

It felt very rewarding when I was able to help her see good things about herself. Plus, we found out that she is really good at fishing!" 🐟

- Summer Engagement Fellow

Want to help youth find their strengths and talents? Sign up to serve ---> https://mnyouth.net/americorps/join-the-corps/

Congrats to Christian and to all of the incredible principals nominated this year!
Minneapolis Public Schools

Did you know that the Alliance has a cohort of Summer Engagement Fellows? These AmeriCorps members are spending the summer months at school-based programs, camp experiences, and community programs.

This story about a student working towards high school graduation over the summer is an inspiration! ☀️🎓

"A couple months back I was working with one of my students was behind on credits and she really wanted to graduate on time, so she came to me, and we planned and set a goal for the remainder of the school year. She would come to my office every day and I helped her get a lot of extra credit assignments. It was nice to see her push her limits and at the end, she was so sweet and was telling me how appreciative she was.
She walked with her graduating class and now she is at summer school finishing up the .5 credit she has left."

ServeMinnesota

From Awareness to Action:
Uniting Efforts to Address the Attendance Crisis

We're looking forward to the
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare and Hennepin County Government Be@School Conference in August!

"Together, we’ll focus on chronic absenteeism as well as the intersecting issues of racial justice, mental health, and the impacts of COVID-19, to catalyze meaningful change in our communities."

Our very own Jim Davnie will be co-presenting on the state of Absenteeism with EdAllies's Matt Shaver!

Reserve your spot today!

https://learning.umn.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load&entityId=48721069

Our Alliance AmeriCorps VISTA members gathered today to showcase their year of service at the VISTA Capstone Event!
Thanks to all of our host sites, supervisors, and community members for their support and partnership this year!

Su***de Awareness Voices of Education Queerspace collective FamilyWise Services National Youth Leadership Council St. Louis Park Public Schools

"Serving as a Promise Fellow was a deeply rewarding experience that shaped me into the person I am today. I’d encourage anyone who is able to consider volunteering."
Serve as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow this coming year!

Healthy Community Initiative

AmeriCorps experience shapes career path It’s a familiar story that has been shared in these pages by other AmeriCorps volunteers: I had just earned my college degree, a bit unsure where that step should lead

An excellent new report from the Everyone Graduates Center and BARR Center about the importance of school connectedness.
"Across all grade levels, students who feel more connected to school have higher attendance rates, higher academic outcomes, and higher graduation and post-secondary success rates."

Strengthening School Connectedness to Increase Student Success - EdResearch for Action The EdResearch for Action Overview Series summarizes the research on key topics to provide K-12 education decision makers and advocates with an evidence base to ground discussions about how to best serve students. Authors – leading experts from across the field of education research – are charge...

"I have a particularly strong connection with my sole fifth grader on my list who I support during a 3rd period class–our connection is known throughout the whole school, staff and students alike. We made matching earrings and bracelets in Swiftie Club and she sings my name in a way everyone knows (something along the lines of “Ms. J-ay-ay-ayne”).

She also seeks me out when she needs something before anyone else, even if this requires searching every room in the whole school. This student has a surplus of energy which is not always used positively. She often becomes dysregulated for attention, not being able to sit and focus for long, and tends to distract the people around her.

One day, her heightened disruptions and poor behavior landed her an email home to her caregivers about it. The day after this was received, she walked into school quietly. Her head was down and she did not yell my name as she usually would. She stood next to me without saying anything as if she was waiting for me to probe what was wrong. I greeted her and asked if something was wrong when she revealed her teacher sent an email to her parents about her disruptions. She felt as if her teacher was “snitching” on her. I acknowledged and uplifted her feelings, then asked her how her teacher likely felt about her behavior and having to email home. She thought for a moment, then admitted to acting poor as of late and showed understanding of why she got an email home. She also admitted that she is in control of her actions and perhaps acts out to garner attention.

I asked if we could work together to come up with a plan to better manage her energy which she accepted. We agreed to check in with each other at the beginning of 3rd period–if she felt as if she needed a movement break then, we would take one, or we would wait until halfway through the class period to do so. She wanted me to let her know when she was getting rowdy, showing a commitment to bettering herself.

She is like a brand new student after these interventions were implemented and I am very proud to have contributed to this."

By Jane, AmeriCorps Promise Fellow serving at Laura Jeffrey Academy
ServeMinnesota

Ann is an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow serving students at Minneapolis’s Southwest High School (in partnership with the Check & Connect Student Engagement Intervention program), and her path to service is unique and inspiring!

Ann’s career has included a wide span of positions within the education sector; school bus driver, parent volunteer, school board member, positions at the University of Minnesota and various nonprofits, and most recently, a decade in the Minneapolis Public School District’s Research, Evaluation and Assessment department. After this impressive career, there was still one place Ann had never worked: in a school!

After Ann left MPS, her first instinct was to fill that gap. Having worked with the Check & Connect program for years, she was familiar with the model and impact and said “yes” when MPS Director of Student Retention and Recovery Colleen Kaibel suggested serving as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow with the program.

Read more about Ann's AmeriCorps AmeriCorps experience:

https://mnyouth.net/spotlight-on-ann-mavis/

ServeMinnesotaMinneapolis Public Schools

Thanks to the Albert Shanker Institute for highlighting the issue of chronic absenteeism and inviting us to share about what's working in Minnesota to support student attendance and engagement!

Tackling Chronic Absenteeism Is a Crucial Investment in the Future Schools, districts, communities, and legislative bodies must ensure every child has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

Last night the MN State Legislature wrapped up its 2024 session, and the Alliance is thrilled to have granted funding for both our AmeriCorps Promise Fellows program and the Minnesota Youth Council. These programs provide our state's young people with critical support and elevate their voices and ideas. State investment in this work allows us to sustain and grow our impact, and reach new communities and students.

A big thank you to our chief bill authors; Representative Sencer-Mura and Senator Cwodzinski. 🎉

Steve Cwodzinski State Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura

Today, the Biden Administration is calling on states, cities and towns, and schools to cultivate a “culture of attendance” and send a clear message that students need to be in school. 🏫

At this morning's Every Day Counts Summit at the White House, the Director of the Domestic Policy Council of the United States, Neera Tanden, referenced the new Digital Backpack 🎒 created by the National Partnership for Student Success Support Hub; a set of “Resources to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Your Community,” that includes a curated set of publicly available resources, including a selection of Examples In Action (spotlights with information on how districts have worked to address chronic absence in their communities).

One of these spotlights is the successful relationship between our AmeriCorps Promise Fellows and Minneapolis Public Schools (utilizing the Check & Connect Student Engagement Intervention model!) Check it out (pun intended!)

ServeMinnesota

https://www.partnershipstudentsuccess.org/program-spotlight-americorps-promise-fellows-minneapolis/

✈️We're going to the White House!✈️

Tomorrow- Wednesday, May 15, 2024 the White House will be hosting the “Every Day Counts Summit: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Increasing Student Engagement."
Alliance Executive Director Jim Davnie and Minneapolis Public Schools Check & Connect Student Engagement Intervention Director of Retention and Recovery Colleen Kaibel have been invited to participate and share successes from our AmeriCorps Promise Fellow collaboration with Check & Connect in Minneapolis middle and high schools!

View the livestream starting at 8:30am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWe0dwnm1c

Viewers will have the opportunity to hear from senior Administration officials – including Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, and others – about the Administration’s efforts to increase student attendance and engagement and help students come to school every day. Viewers will also hear from experts in the field – including state and local leaders representing school districts from across the United States that are making progress to address this challenge through evidence-based strategies.

High school students, frustrated by lack of climate education, press for change- check out this great story featuring Ethan Vue, Minnesota Youth Council Representative!

"Ethan Vue, who grew up with droughts and extreme temperatures in California, now lives in Minnesota and is a high school senior pushing for the bill.

“I just remember seeing my classmates always sweating, and they’d even drench themselves in water from the water fountains,” Vue said in a phone interview, noting climate change is making heat waves longer and hotter, but they didn't learn about that in school.

“The topic is brushed on. If anything, we just learn about, there’s global warming, the planet’s warming up.”"

High school students, frustrated by lack of climate education, press for change Distress about the Earth’s future is driving many young people to act

We love this story of student success from AmeriCorps Promise Fellow Ethan, who serves at Edina Public Schools. 🏫🚌

"Riley was tardy to almost every single class first semester. She wasn't absent much, but her tardies piled up and up and up. In this second semester, she's only been tardy three times, and not absent a single time. It's a complete 180 turnaround that I am incredibly happy with, but also impressed by. A 7th grader has a lot going on in their life, so to see Riley make such an effort to get to class on time is wonderful to see."

ServeMinnesota

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the folks at NAMI have put together a comprehensive suite of programs and resources dedicated to eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
nami.org/mham

👂A great listen on this sunny Friday morning! Our own Jim Davnie talks with EdAllies's Josh Crosson and Matt Shaver about the issue of Chronic Absenteeism in our schools.

NEW EPISODE ALERT!

In this episode of the amplifiEd, Josh Crosson and Matt Shaver discuss the issue of chronic absenteeism in schools with Jim Davnie, the executive director of the Minnesota Alliance With Youth. The conversation explores the definition of chronic absenteeism, its causes, and its impact on students and the school community.

The conversation explores the challenges of chronic absenteeism in Minnesota schools and the efforts being made to address the issue, highlighting the collective focus of legislative leaders and the involvement of various organizations in tackling the issue during the 2024 legislative session.

Stream the episode wherever you get your podcasts or at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edalliesmn

We appreciate the legislature’s commitment to youth leadership and their attention to the alarming issue of chronic absenteeism in K-12 schools. Funding for the AmeriCorps Promise Fellow program and the Minnesota Youth Council demonstrates the legislature's commitment to funding solutions that work!
Thank you State Representative Cheryl Youakim State Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura State Representative Mary Frances Clardy Representative Sandra Feist Representative Larry Kraft State Representative Kristi Pursell Representative Jay Xiong for your support!

Minnesota House passes bill to put $55M into literacy, teacher training and pre-K programs A majority of the money in the bill — $37 million — will go toward addressing issues related to implementing last year’s Read Act

“Our AmeriCorps Promise Fellow has become a tremendous asset to our school community and is a perfect fit for our student body and school needs.”

Support students at YOUR school by hosting an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow- a perfect fit in an MTSS Tier 2 role, impacting student attendance and engagement!

https://mnyouth.net/americorps/partners/

Important article from Education Week about the impact of connectedness and relationships on student outcomes and school attendance!

"A body of research that predates the pandemic shows that when students feel connected to school, they’re more likely to attend and perform well academically. They’re less likely to misbehave and feel sad and hopeless."

“We know that when kids feel like they belong in school, they have better attendance, they have better academic achievement, and just greater social-emotional support.”

'A Universal Prevention Measure' That Boosts Attendance and Improves Behavior When students feel connected to school, attendance, behavior, and academic performance are better.

Tomorrow!
🗳️
Join Michael Wall from Secretary of State Steve Simon's office for a Lunch and Learn on Elections Education, Activities, and Required Voter Registration Support for High Schools – They will talk about Minnesota’s statutory requirements around voter registration and preregistration as well as provide information on resources and programs offered in 2024 to help with elections education and civic engagement work. There will be time for questions and answers.

Register for this event:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Youth Voter Outreach Lunch and Learn. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Youth Voter Outreach Lunch and Learn. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

🌎 Party for the planet! 🌎

Join the Minnesota Youth Council on April 21st for an event featuring different interactive stations tabled by environmentalist organizations. There will also be featured speakers who will be discussing topics relating to environmentalism. This event is open to the public so please invite any k-12 students!

APRIL 21st from noon-3:30pm!

RSVP FOR EVENT HERE: https://forms.gle/Tg4bsUksZKiwGHcZ9

Yesterday in the State Senate, Minneapolis Public Schools Roosevelt High School student Nona gave powerful and important testimony about her struggles with school engagement and attendance and the role of her AmeriCorps Promise Fellow Abby (who serves in partnership with the Check & Connect Student Engagement Intervention program)

"Madam Chair and committee members. Good morning. My name is Nona Champion. I am a ninth grader at Roosevelt High School. I've been a student at Minneapolis Public Schools for my whole life, and I first experienced Check and Connect in eighth grade. Before I met someone in Check and Connect, I had a hard time focusing on work.

I also did not go to class, and I was always late to school. Now when I go to Check and Connect, I have two people at Roosevelt High School, Abby and Jesse, who support me, help me with work, keep me motivated even when I don't feel like doing it, stay after school with me, even texts me when I don't come to school.

If I didn't have someone from Check and Connect, I probably would have terrible grades. Abby has helped me in big ways with school. Check and Connect is a safe space for me at school, and if there wasn't a Check and Connect at school, I don't know where I would go for a safe space or to get support. I think other students should get to experience Check and Connect because it has helped in so many ways and I know it has helped me.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to me today."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu3eDNNIbxg&t=4s

ServeMinnesota