Hawthorne Scholastic Academy moves on to the CPS Championships after winning the Northside K-6 Intermediate Section!
We are thrilled to celebrate (again!) the outstanding success of the Hawthorne Scholastic Academy chess team, a brilliant example of what students can achieve through hard work and practice.
The team recently competed in the CPS Academic Chess’s 2026 CPS Northside Championship Tournament on February 28th, going head-to-head against CPS’s most talented. We are incredibly proud to announce that the Hawthorne Scholastic Academy chess team placed 1st among 16 teams in the highly competitive K-6 Intermediate section. Hawthorne beat out our friendly competitors, including Skinner North Elementary, Decatur, Alcott, Keller Gifted Magnet School, and Edison Regional Gifted Center. Not bad for Hawthorne’s first year placing in CPS!
HSA student Bota Narthasilpa scored 4.5/5, placing 2nd individually. Leyee Qian took 4th place, and Tate Walling,, Kaiyee Qian, and Ness Mehta all tied for 5th with Leeyee. Thus, Hawthorne’s total score of 16.5 points, a full point ahead of the competition (crazy!).
This remarkable accomplishment highlights the hard work, strategic thinking, and steady practice nurtured in the Nexplore/MM Chess program. Using the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills they’ve learned, these young competitors truly shone when it mattered most.
In recognition of their brilliant performance, the team won a well-deserved 1st Place Plaque! We sincerely hope they bring it to school to display and inspire the next generation of chess champions!
Now, we’re on to the championships on March 14th!
February 2026: Rejuvenation, impact & the power of After School 💛
February took us to a conference that reminded us exactly why afterschool professionals are the heartbeat of their communities.
On February 27–28, Nexplore attended the CAN 2026 Site Coordinator Symposium, hosted by the California Afterschool Network — and the energy in the room was powerful, emotional, and deeply inspiring.
This wasn’t just another conference. It was a space for rejuvenation, validation, and real conversations.
🌟 CAN 2026 Site Coordinator Symposium
The majority of attendees were site coordinators — the leaders who work long hours, often behind the scenes, making afterschool programs run every single day.
The tone of the symposium was clear: You matter. Your work matters. The impact is real.
Keynote speakers shared real-life stories of students whose lives were transformed years ago because of the care and consistency of a site coordinator. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
This event focused on reminding professionals that even when the work feels thankless, the ripple effect lasts for years.
💬 Meaningful Conversations at the Nexplore Table
We had powerful conversations about programming needs and trends.
There was a healthy mix of coordinators interested in:
💻 Screen-based enrichment options
✂️ Hands-on, no-screen programming
📚 Curriculum-only models
The interest in curriculum-only options sparked important conversations — especially since one of Nexplore’s biggest differentiators is that we don’t just bring curriculum — we bring the teachers too.
We also made a fun new connection with the team from Nature Watch, adding another great relationship to our growing network.
🎨 In Times of Terror, Wage Beauty
One of the most moving sessions came from ASAPconnect with their presentation:
“In Times of Terror, Wage Beauty: A Journey into Healing, Courage and Imagination.”
Inspired by Mark Gonzales’ book In Times of Terror, Wage Beauty, the session invited attendees to consider a powerful question:
When the world feels heavy and uncertain — will we react with fear, or will we wage beauty?
Through guided meditation and reflective exercises, participants explored how creativity, courage, and connection can become tools for healing — not only for students, but for entire communities.
🤝 #iAmImpact: Healing Circles & Community Care
Another standout session came from #iAmImpact, who cultivate relationships to help people thrive both personally and professionally.
Their workshop centered on healing circles and practical strategies to support students in crisis. Site coordinators were encouraged to build spaces of safety and collaboration — communities that work together instead of against one another.
It was a reminder that afterschool programs are more than enrichment — they are ecosystems of care.
✨ Why February Mattered
The CAN 2026 Site Coordinator Symposium wasn’t about flashy announcements or trends.
It was about impact.
It was about restoration.
It was about remembering that afterschool professionals change lives — sometimes quietly, but always meaningfully.
We left inspired, energized, and even more committed to supporting the leaders who support students every day.
And if February is any indication of what 2026 holds… it’s going to be a powerful year.
👉 Want to see what’s next for Nexplore?
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