Investing in Evidence-­Based Social and Emotional Learning, from the Wallace Foundation, is a companion guide to a 2017 evidence review of social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The guide offers guidance on how to assess local SEL needs, how to choose evidence-based interventions that meet those needs, and how to implement and monitor those interventions. Included are also 60 K-12 SEL interventions that are eligible for funding under ESSA Tiers I through III evidence requirements.

Graduate NYC's College Completion Innovation Fund (CCIF) is supporting institutions and organizations in significantly improving student outcomes in the areas of increasing momentum and persistence, and improving success for transfer students and near-completers. New York City-based undergraduate colleges (public or nonprofit) and nonprofit community-based organizations are invited to submit a brief application, due December 21, 2018, to participate in the College Completion Innovation Series, which will include two in-person workshops as well as optional phone and online collaboration opportunities. After participating in the two-day series, organizations will be invited to develop and submit a full proposal to implement their innovative practice. Organizations may request grants of up to $200,000 to support work over the course of one to two years.

Each year, the New York City Department of Education (DOE) creates new admissions guides that help New York City students and their families apply to school. For more than a decade, the covers of these guides have been designed by high school students through the Cover Design Challenge. This challenge gives students the chance to reflect on their lives as public school students in New York City, creatively share their stories through design, and to explore design as a profession. The grand-prize design will be featured as the cover of the DOE High School Admissions Guide. Submissions will be accepted until January 4, 2019 at 11:59 pm. Visit the Challenge website for full details.

In partnership with the Afterschool Alliance, the New Life Foundation will award 26 grants to out-of-school time (OST) programs serving disadvantaged middle school youth through their Aim High grant program. The Aim High program is part of the New York Life Foundation’s ongoing investment in middle school OST programs to help economically disadvantaged eighth-graders reach ninth grade on time and prepare to succeed in high school. The grant program will fund afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, based on a competitive application process. This request for proposals will close on January 25, 2019, 5:00 pm ET. Grant winners will be notified in May 2019. Watch a recorded webinar on how to apply for the grant.

Bullyproof the Musical an anti-bully program presented by Play'N Around Theatre Company will be available in January 2019 for New York City Schools. Bullyproof The Musical teaches children that to become BULLYPROOF they must first to take a S.T.A.N.D. Play'N Around Theatre Company has been creating and touring educational, musical theatre to schools and before/after school sites since 1999. Play'N Around Theatre has partnered with before and after school organizations such as YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and others bringing enriching educational, musical theatre and introducing the power of arts in education to children. The show includes 45-minute live educational musical production, a question and answer segment, pre and post activity study guides with curriculum connections, and more. For more information visit www.playnaround.com or call (727) 255-3514.