The 18th Annual Lights On Afterschool
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Launched in October 2000 by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.
Lights on Afterschool is an opportunity for out-of-school time programs to showcase the importance of quality out-of-school time programming to parents, school administrators, policymakers and community members. Take advantage of this annual celebration to highlight the important work you do why out-of-school time programs are such a critical component of a child’s personal development and academic success.
Photography, Music, Dance, Visual Arts Featured at Lights On Afterschool Events This Month
Events will be held at schools, community centers, art and science museums, parks and recreation centers, state capitols, malls and other venues to demonstrate the many ways afterschool programs help students succeed in school and in life. The New York skyline will again shine for afterschool on October 26th when, for the 11th consecutive year, the iconic Empire State Building is lit up in yellow and blue for Lights On Afterschool.
Tucson, Arizona ‘s KIDCO afterschool program will host a talent show on October 26th at the Deemster Outdoor Performance Center. The show will feature performances from all 16 KIDCO afterschool sites, and each program will perform a dance from a different decade. In addition, some of the sites will create carnival games for the guests to play before the performances. Each participant will be given a glow-in-the-dark wristband to light up when they kick off the dances.
Other ways to rally for afterschool programs in honor of Lights On Afterschool include:
- Ask your mayor to issue a proclamation declaring Thursday, October 26 as the official Lights On Afterschool day in your community and expressing the city’s support for quality out-of-school time programs. (Please share copies of the proclamations with AzCASE)
- Invite your mayor and/or city council members to tour your out-of-school time program and plan to highlight the accomplishments and interests of your children during their tour
- Invite your local school administrators and faculty and school board members to tour your out-of-school time program and plan to highlight the accomplishments and interests of your youth during their tour
- Follow up with school and city officials after their tours to discuss how you might partner with them and they with you to further benefit the children and youth in your community
See how programs across the country celebrated Lights on Afterschool last year!
Getting Started is Easy!
Whatever you decide to do, we would love to hear about it! Share your LOA plans with us at info@azafterschool.org.
