CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
Vol. 43, No. 68
October 19, 2009
“Lights On Afterschool” Will Be Observed This Week
New report says 32% of Missouri students are on their own after 3 p.m.
Front porch lights and schoolhouse lights across the state and nation will be turned on Thursday afternoon to recognize the importance of afterschool programs for students, families and communities.
Gov. Jay Nixon has proclaimed Thursday (Oct. 22) as a day to celebrate afterschool programs in Missouri. He joined 24 other governors in issuing proclamations to support “Lights On Afterschool Day.”
“It is our hope that everyone will keep the lights on for our children Thursday afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m.,” said Cindy Heislen, director of Community Education at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. “The action symbolizes the importance of keeping the lights on and doors open so that children will have the opportunity to learn and grow in safe, supervised and educational environments after the school day ends.”
More than 168 events across the state will be held to commemorate the 10th annual observance. From potluck dinners to 5K runs, local events give youth a chance to showcase the skills they learn and talents they develop at their afterschool programs and to send the message that quality afterschool programs are important.
Under the federally funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) initiative, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education awards about $12 million in grants each year to support more than 150 CCLC programs operated by school districts, community-based organizations and faith-based organizations across the state, Heislen said.
Quality afterschool programs can provide safe, engaging environments that complement the academic activities of the regular school day. Afterschool programs typically include tutoring and supplemental instruction in such basic skills as reading, math and science; youth leadership and character-building activities; and special programs such as drug abuse and violence prevention.
New Study: America After 3PM
Quality afterschool programs, however, are not widely available in much of Missouri and across the nation. A landmark study, America After 3PM, was released last week in conjunction with the national “Lights On Afterschool” observance. The study surveyed American households to determine how kids spend their afterschool hours. It was commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance and sponsored by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund.
The study found that participation in afterschool programs has grown nationally by about 15 percent over the past five years – from 6.5 million to 8.4 million children. However, 15 million children remain unsupervised after school. The study reported that 12 percent of Missouri students participate in afterschool programs, compared to 15 percent nationally.
Overall, the study found that 32 percent of Missouri’s schoolchildren are on their own in the afternoons, and another 16 percent are in the care of their brothers or sisters. The study also finds the parents of 32 percent of children not already in afterschool programs say they would enroll their children in a program if one were available. Eighty-four percent of Missouri parents say they are satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends.
“Lights On Afterschool” is organized by the Afterschool Alliance and is sponsored in Missouri by DESE and the Missouri AfterSchool Network.