MEDIA CONTACT: Meghan Frick, GaDOE Communications
Office, (404) 463-4246, mfrick@doe.k12.ga.us
PROGRAM CONTACT: Nathan Schult, 21st CCLC
Program Manager, (404) 232 -1197, nschult@doe.k12.ga.us
-Follow GaDOE on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at
@GeorgiaDeptofEd
Today in America, 15.1 million children remain alone and
unsupervised after school. To recognize the need and importance of quality
afterschool programs, hundreds of afterschool programs in Georgia will join
together on October 26, 2017 to celebrate the annual nationwide event, Lights
on Afterschool. Since 2000, Lights on Afterschool has
brought communities, students and families across the country together
to collectively emphasize the importance of keeping the lights on and the
doors open after school. Last year, more than one million people
gathered at more than 8,000 sites across the country, including U.S. military
bases worldwide, to demonstrate their support for afterschool programs.
Through Georgia’s Title IV, Part B, 21st Century Community
Learning Centers Program (21st CCLC), the Georgia Department of Education
provides federal funds to establish or expand community learning centers that
operate during out-of-school hours. This school year, 128 programs will operate
more than 237 locations serving approximately 27,000 21st CCLC students
and their families. The majority of these programs will host Lights on
Afterschool events in their communities on Oct. 26 to highlight their
programs’ successes and the importance of quality afterschool programs in the
lives of children, families and the community.
“As we prepare children for their future, we know that
in-demand careers and fields require students to receive a high-quality,
well-rounded education,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “During
the school day, there is often not enough time to provide additional academic
support and services for students who can potentially benefit from extra
academic enrichment activities. Thanks to the 21st CCLC
program, children have the opportunity to discover new talents and explore real
world connections that expand and enhance their learning.”
Over the course of a year, students only spend an average of 15
percent of their time in school. There is a growing opportunity outside of the
school day to provide students – particularly those who attend high-poverty and
low-performing schools – with academic enrichment opportunities. 21st CCLC
programs help students meet academic standards in core subjects by offering a
broad array of enrichment activities that complement regular academic programs,
as well as literacy and other educational services for the families of
participating children.
“Not only do these programs directly benefit schools, but parents
and the community rely on quality programs to provide safe engaging
environments for their children afterschool or during the summer,” said Nathan
Schult, 21st CCLC Program Manager. “Quality afterschool
programs make communities stronger by involving students, parents, business
leaders and volunteers. On October 26, communities across Georgia and the
country will stand together in continued support and commitment of afterschool
programs that help children develop academically, socially, emotionally and
physically”.
As the only national celebration of afterschool programs, Lights
on Afterschool is a powerful reminder that afterschool programs play a
critical role in keeping youth safe, engaged and prepared to be successful
adults. This event highlights the importance of providing students and families
with innovative afterschool programs and activities that ensure the lights
stay on and the doors stay open for all children after school.
To learn more about Lights on Afterschool and see
a complete list of events in Georgia, visit http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm. For more
information about Georgia’s 21st Century Community Learning
Centers Program, please visit http://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/21st-Century-Community-Learning-Centers.aspx.
