Recent News and Events
07
 MARCH 2025
Create and Innovate: Makerspaces for OST
This event is structured to guide Out of School (OST) program
coordinators and educators through the process of incorporating
makerspaces into their programs.

It will cover the fundamentals of makerspaces, how to foster a maker
mindset, and how to create a sustainable, portable, and collaborative
makerspace for K-6 students. The plan includes practical steps, training,
and future collaboration with colleagues.

This workshop is a collaboration between the Innovation & Creativity Lab at Gettysburg College, The Pennsylvania Key, and PENN SACCA

Innovation & Creativity Lab, Gettysburg College
300 N Washington Street
Gettysburg PA 17325

$65 (Lunch Provided)
19
 MAY 2022
SAC Provider Health and Safety for Summer
This professional development event will provide summer staff with the
necessary health and safety prep, including COVID-19 practices, DHS
recognized Water Safety Training and Supervision.

05
 MAY 2022
SAC Engagement with Family, Schools, Community and Program Advocacy
Learn what community engagement includes, how to begin the process of engagement and
relationship building with the schools and how to advocate for your SAC Program.

The learner will be able to:
  • Describe engagement with Schools, Communities, and program advocacy
  • Analyze their program’s current engagement and advocacy strategies
  • Create next steps for their program to enhance engagement and advocacy

Use various strategies to build linkages, to foster continuity between and early learning programs,
schools, and child-family affiliated agencies. K3.9 C2
Use information about the early childhood profession as a distinct discipline to provide information to
families, schools, and to the community. K6.11 C2
21
 APRIL 2022
SAC Youth Engagement and Introduction to the SEL PQA Tool
Learn what youth engagement is and what it looks like in program space. In
addition, you will be introduced to the Wiekart SEL PQA Tool, that can be used to
provide an environment conducive to youth thriving.

The learner will be able to:
  • Describe Youth Engagement
  • Analyze their program using the SEL PQA tool
  • Create next steps for their program to enhance youth engagement

Modify the environment to communicate positive messages of acceptance,
warmth, and comfort to children, families, and professionals. K5.4 C2
Use assessment data to inform decision making for instructional, environmental,
and relational purposes. K4.2 C2
07
 APRIL 2022
SAC Career Awareness/STEM/PBL and the Arts
Learn what these elements of programming are, how they benefit youth and how to
incorporate them into your afterschool/summer camp program.

The learner will be able to:
  • Describe the different programming options
  • Determine if any of these program options align with their program needs
  • Create next steps for their program
Use knowledge of the content areas rooted in child development to provide high
quality experiences for children as outlined in the PA Learning Standards and the
Guiding Principles.* K2.15 C2
Provide opportunities for children to approach learning through play
(constructing, organizing, and applying knowledge). K2.14 C2
24
  MARCH 2022
SAC Afterschool/Summer Camp Comprehensive Programming
Learn the components of a comprehensive program or affirm you have all the elements
and look for areas of growth within them. This will be an introduction to the components
with ideas on how to get started on implementation.

The learner will be able to:
  • Identify the comprehensive programming concepts
  • Compare their program with the comprehensive concepts
  • Create next steps for their program
Arrange a responsive learning environment (setting, space, resources, relationships, and
schedules) based on ages, abilities, home culture, and interests and needs of children that
are linked to the PA Learning Standards. K2.1 C2
17
  JUNE 2021
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!
PENN SACCA is excited to announce a series of professional development opportunities now available completely online at your own pace! Each session is hosted by experienced professionals working in the OST field and count towards PQAS credits.
26
MAY 2021
SAC PROVIDER HEALTH AND SAFETY PREP
This professional development event will provide summer staff with the necessary health and safety prep, including COVID-19 practices , DHS recognized Water Safety Training and Supervision.
6:30PM - 8:00PM | REGISTER HERE
21
MAY 2021
UNDERSTANDING THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN DOLLARS
Federal funding through the American Rescue Plan includes the use of the money for supporting extra learning opportunities in the out of school time space. This professional development event will provide detail s on what this means , way s to use the funds and way s to partner with your school district in order to access these funds. | 10:00AM - 11:00AM | REGISTER HERE
19
MAY 2021
SAC PROGRAM PLANNING FOR SUMMER
Summer in the midst of COVID-19 may require some new ways of practices . A panel of specialists will share ideas on things to do with some of the COVID-19 limitations , including room set up, outdoor opportunities, virtual field trips, linking learning opportunities to students needs, STEM and Social Emotional needs and skill teaching. | 6:30PM - 8:00PM | REGISTER HERE