Afterschool programs play an essential role in boosting academic performance, promoting physical health, and creating a safe environment for children of working parents.  If you're a teacher or director who operates one of these programs, you know how much work goes into keeping children engaged.

Here are five websites we found that are packed with tons of free (and fun!) activities for kids:

Say goodbye to whiteboards and printed menus and hello to new and up-to-date digital signage! Digital signage is changing the way cafeterias around the country share their daily menus and school announcements. It not only gives your cafeteria a fresh, updated look, but also helps to engage your students and increase participation. 

A report conducted by Grand View Research, Inc. suggests that the digital signage industry will nearly double in the next decade. You might be saying to yourself, “I operate and manage a school cafeteria. Why is this important?” As the use of digital signage becomes more and more prominent in industries such as retail, restaurants, transportation, and healthcare, it will soon become the norm and one of the most effective ways to engage students in the lunch line.

Social media platforms have become such a powerful communication and marketing tool that even SNA publishes resources to help teach nutrition programs how to create effective social media strategy. While online communities continue to grow and change, Facebook still remains one of the most used social platform, even compared to Instagram and Twitter.

With so many active users, Facebook can be a huge asset to promoting your program and encouraging parents to have their kids grab lunch at school. So let's make sure we're doing everything we can to grab their attention and get real returns with your Facebook social strategy. 

Here are 9 dos and donts to effectively managing your nutrition program's Facebook Page:

It's almost here! This year the School Nutrition Association is taking their Annual National Conference to Vegas. From July 9-12, over 7,000 school nutrition professionals and vendors (including us!) will be gathering for the biggest conference in our industry. From sharing bright ideas in educational seminars to visiting over 800 vendors at exhibition, this year's event is sure to keep you busy!

Here's a few things you won't want to miss at this year's Annual National Conference:
 

The new school year is right around the corner and we're excited to release a whole new set of designs for our 2018-19 school year menu templates!  These fun, free, easy-to-use templates are available for you to download now to prep for the new year.

With popular, unique designs that channel the spirit of each month, these menus are sure to catch the eye of your students' parents.

MySchoolBucks is excited to honor the 850,000+ afterschool professionals nationwide who are dedicated to enriching children's lives during out-of-school hours. We are proud to partner with several afterschool programs, and in celebration wish all staff a Happy Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week! With an estimated 10.2 million children participating each year, afterschool programs play a vital role in enhancing education, promoting physical and emotional health, providing a safe environment and exposing youth to new experiences.

With an estimated 40% of parents between the ages of 38 and 18, millennials are part of an ever growing parent population in K-12 schools. This generation of the early cell phone adopters, now Facebook, Snapchat and tweet constantly, turn to Alexa for daily problem solving, and require Uber as a main source of transportation.  With the increasing reliance on convenience-based technology as a part of daily life, here are some ideas to help engage with your parents and promote your meal program in the digital age:

Since the National School Lunch Act was first signed in 1946, a lot has changed in the world of school nutrition. Meal requirements have been defined and redefined, federal cuts and grants have altered the way programs are managed, and of course the advent of technology has completely changed the way your program operates. 

It’s that time of the year again! Today kicks off this year's National School Breakfast Week from March 5-9. This year's theme is 'I Love School Breakfast' and is the perfect opportunity for you to boost student participation, increase revenue in your cafeterias, and inform students about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast.

Being a part of your students' daily lives - whether in the lunchroom or in the classroom - creates a special and unique bond. What better day to celebrate the friendship and care you provide them than on Valentine's Day?

Below are a few simple ways to get students engaged and show them you love them: