10th Annual Lights On Afterschool Celebration
Over 260 afterschool programs in Pennsylvania participated in the 10th Annual Lights On Afterschool Celebration on Thursday, October 22, 2009. Lights On Afterschool celebrates the remarkable work being done by students who attend our afterschool programs. It is a powerful reminder that afterschool programs keep children safe, inspire them to learn, and relieve working parents of worries about how their children spend their afternoons.
Here are some of the activities that took place in the Eastern Pennsylvania area:
Prince Hall School in Philadelphia (Home And School IN Education)
SHIN11 (Home And School IN Education) After School Program at the Prince Hall School in Philadelphia had a wonderful "Lights On" Celebration. The students were the leaders of the program. They welcomed our quests and they told everyone about the SHINE 11 program. They gave highlights of the program in the form of a slide presentation and performed a short song about the daily curriculum taught. Also at the event, the students introduced our math/ science and reading activity. Every family had to estimate amount of candy in the jar (math activity). Next the families rotated to the science activity (Balloon Pop). Finally the families shared their "Prescription for Laughter" (Reading activity). A hearty laugh each day is very healthy for everyone. We were very pleased to have our Assistant Superintendent from the Philadelphia School District attend. In addition to the Assistant Superintendent, we also had three staff members from the federal program 21st Century Community Learning Center. Our event will be in our local paper (The Tribune) in December 2009. The next day (10/23), one of our students said "Yesterday was the best day ever."
BALLOON POP SCIENCE ACTIVITY
FACE PAINTING
Sunrise of Philadelphia, Inc
A member agency of the Southeast Philadelphia Collaborative. This year Sunrise and all of the member agencies celebrated our 3rd year of our Lights on After School IDOL CONTEST. Usually we run the Idol Contest at the school where our program operates, however, this year we were fortunate enough to celebrate Lights on After School at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.We had a wonderful turn out of non-profit officials from throughout the Philadelphia area, along with a group of School Principals, Teachers, Administrators from the School District of Philadelphia, students, after-school student members and many talented youth who made this program a huge success. Below is an article that ran in the South Phila. Review (our neighborhood newspaper) highlighting Lights on Afterschool.
Sharing the Stage by Ian Romano
South Phila. Review
Area students shook things up at the Kimmel with a friendly dancing, singing and instrumental competition. The King of Pop might be gone, but his influence continues to inspire performers young and old.
The 10-member Lil’ Chaos dance group made up of middle- and high-school-aged students had the crowd at the Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., screeching with every shoulder jolt and clawed-wrist swing. The Oct. 20 tribute to Michael Jackson by the after-school group at United Communities of Southeast Philadelphia, 2029 S. Eighth St., was part of the nonprofit Southeast Philadelphia Collaborative’s Third Annual After School Idol Talent Show. The top dancing, singing and instrumental acts earned individual recognition, including Lil’ Chaos, who took home first prize in the dance category.
“[Jackson’s] music is universal — it resonates with the whole world,” Melissa Keith, the group’s organizer, said.
“The competition gives its member agencies, based in the 19147 and 19148 ZIP codes, a chance to work together and learn about each other.”
“This is also something that the youngsters can come to and show off,” Margaret Baldwin, Idol committee co-chairwoman, said.
The night had 11 performers with each representing one of the nine organizations that make up the collaborative. According to the organization, the nine groups serve 1,500 children in South Philadelphia. The Midnight Dreamers, a team of South Philadelphia High break dancers, also represented United Communities. The performers took turns twisting and zigzagging their limbs while in the center of a semi-circle. Spectators applauded at the one-handed rhythmic hops.
“I’m not a one-dimensional person,” group member Marcel Mamadou said. “I need to have different things underneath my belt.”
A few of the previous winners also performed. Fifteen-year-old Donnetta Street of Bok Tech took the title two years ago for her song, “Vow to the Lord.” The resident of Fifth and Morris streets now volunteers for Variety, an after-school program geared towards helping kids with mental and physical disabilities.
“It’s about playing to your strengths,” Brad Baldia, the collaborative’s director, said. “We want people to take advantage or volunteer with some of these groups — to realize that these opportunities are out there.”
Before closing the show, Zhang Sah Martial Arts, 530 Bainbridge St., had a small group of students demonstrate their craft. Seventeen-year-old Ishmael Jackson leaped over a pyramid of five others to kick a wooden board held by his instructor, Marcas Dargan, a sophomore at Community College of Philadelphia.
“It’s sort of a lifestyle,” Dargan said of martial arts. “It’s really fun to learn something that was passed down from decade to decade. You learn how to become a better person.”
Neighborhood Bike Works-Philadelphia, PA
Neighborhood Bike Works held a graduation ceremony for eight children on Lights On Afterschool Day, 2009. Each one of the youth took possession of the bicycle that they had renovated during the previous seven weeks of afterschool activities. The children take away not only a bicycle, but the skills to maintain it and the knowledge that they can plan, start, and finish a creative technical job. Youth also received a bicycle helmet and a lock for their bikes.
NBW Earn-a-Bike instructor Liz Brown recognized the individual achievements of each students and presented graduation certificates in front of a group of parents and siblings. Two NBW volunteers were also in attendance. Executive Director Andy Dyson gave a short presentation the Lights On Afterschool Event, thanked the legislators and governor and read excerpts from the resolutions.
Concluding with some words on the history of the agency, he invited parents and family members to join NBW’s board. The event wrapped up with presentations from some of the youth on what they learned, followed by snacks and rides home supervised by Liz and Tenderbridge volunteer Leonard Bonarek.
Regency Park Apartments Lights on Afterschool Celebration
The 2nd annual Lights on Afterschool event begin at 6:00pm at Regency Park Apartments Community Center. The event was well attended by parents, children, and dignitaries alike. Camie Arvey Director of Elementary Education/Curriculum & Instruction K-6 Coatesville Area School District was our special guest along with Mr. Anthony Gordon CEO for Graystone Academy Charter School. Mr. Robert Butcher from Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and Gail Pippin Project Director 21st Century Community Learning Centers/Coatesville Area School District did attend again this year.
The Regency Park Afterschool Program is primarily funded through the Coatesville Area School District’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant. Interstate Realty Management Company/ Regency Park Apartments assist in the funding of the program by providing a free space for afterschool programming as well as financial assistance. The district has been the recipient of the Afterschool funding for 10 years starting with a single site. The Regency Community Center is the newest location and the most unique program.
This is the only site where families are served in their own community. Any child who qualifies may attend the program without regard to the school they attend; as long as they reside within the CASD. We currently serve children who attend 6 different schools. We are also the only site who is in partnership with a major corporation.
Top left: Richard Luciano, Angel James
Top right: Foster Schucker Stem Robotic, Crystal Lowery Regency Park Apartments, Robert Butcher PHFA
Bottom left: Amy O’Grady, Felix Rosario
Bottom right: Aslee Jones, Sirahj Jenkins, Wanisha Deveaus, Midred Powell, Siana Norris, Nelson Negron and Camie Arvay look on.
This year we celebrated our Middle School Mentors. The program is funded for students K-5. We have several middle school students who assist with homework help and reading to and with younger students. Mrs. Amy O’Grady Site Manager for the program recognized these students with a certificate and a gift cards to local eateries.
Mr. Robert Schucker from Stem Robotics was on hand with robots for our kids (big and small) to test drive. He and Crystal Lowery Social Service Coordinator Regency Park Apartments explained how the program would be run by adult mentors. Ms. Lowery introduced Mr. Blake Krisman Sr., an adult mentor for the Robotics Program. The benefits of this programming are wide reaching: the obvious are mechanical design skills along with hand to eye coordination skills. The program will promote team building and the ability to work with others effectively the reach a common goal. It will assist students with their communication skills as well as foster the spirit of cooperation. Lastly the program will open up a world of opportunity for our students; it will expose them to the advantages of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as life and career choices.
Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County
Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County celebrated on Lights on After School at its nine locations in Reading. Featured in the news article and photos is our program held at the Oakbrook Unit. We were pleased to have Senator Mike O’Pake along with local school principals participate in the event.
LCCC Carbon and Schuylkill SHINE 21st Century Program
The Shine program is an after school program that works in harmonious partnership with the school districts of Carbon and Schuylkill Counties to help students from Kindergarten to 4th grade. It supplies the student with small group tutoring, project based enrichment activities as well as a hot meal and transportation home. The Children of Lehigh Carbon Community College's SHINE (Schools and Homes in Education) 21st Century After-School Program participated in the 10th annual "Lights On" after school celebration. This year’s “Lights On” was dedicated to the late Senator James Rhoades, a champion for after-school programs.
Over 225 students in grades K-4th in five school districts and 4 parochial schools in Carbon and Schuylkill County began the program by singing two songs from Positive Action, a character education and resiliency building program.
3rd and 4th grade SHINE students premiered a video which they along with senior volunteers, LCCC media students and Channel 13 news anchors created called the “SHINE Victory Garden for Educational Success.” The video, a multi-disciplinary academic service learning project highlighted the importance of early childhood, after-school programs and parents who are actively engaged in their child’s education.
Businesses, community organizations and school districts were recognized for their financial sponsorship in a recent campaign for the support of the SHINE after-school program. Many businesses indicated that investing in quality after-school programs is an investment in their future workforce. Children presented checks to 3 local food banks as part of a year long service learning project.
Guest speakers at the event included: Panther Valley Superintendent, Rosemary Porembo, Mary Edith Rhoades, wife of the late Senator James Rhoades and LCCC President Don Snyder. Speaker of the House Representative John Mauer presented the Legislative Citation and Senator David Argall read the Senate Resolution 175 declaring it as Lights on Afterschool in PA. The event was attended by over 400 parents and community members.
North Schuylkill School District
The children enrolled in the North Schuylkill Afterschool Program decorated with hand crafted fabric pumpkins, decoratively wrapped home made caramel apple and music in preparation for Lights On. Over 150 people including community members, families, staff, guests and 78 children enrolled in the program called M.A.G.I.C. (Multi Activities Generating Individual Activities) Afterschool Program and shared a meal of macaroni and cheese. The Mayor of Ashland and District Attorney, James Goodman, read the proclamation. The children were treated to special decorated Lights On cake and storytelling by professional story teller Rand Whipple from Box of Light Theater.
Attorney General, Tom Corbett sent a representative from his office to present information on Cyber Bullying and Internet Safety to the parents. Diane Rowland from Prevention Partnership was on hand to share materials to parents and Deb Klabe from PA Department of Education was honored to see the festivities to celebrate Lights On Afterschool at North Schuylkill Area School District.
Boys & Girls Club of Allentown
Our event celebrated and show cased our afterschool programs. We decided to have a fun event and staff began planning for weeks. Staff hung up posters, made signs, and promoted the event within the community. It was an incredible celebration for our parents, children and staff.The Boys & Girls Club of Allentown had 125 members participating our Wacky Field Day. We utilized every area in our largest facility.Some of the activities we held were: 50-yard dash, foul shots, timed relays, golf, tournaments in cup stacking and Jenga, trivia, word games, egg drop and more.
The children participated in teams and the group scoring the highest number of points received prizes.There were also prizes given to all of the children who participated. A fun time was had by EVERYONE!
Hazleton Northeast Migrant Education Program
The Hazleton Northeast Migrant Education Program, operated by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Lewisburg, PA hosted a Lights On Afterschool celebration on October 22, 2009. The Migrant Afterschool Program joined over 7,500 other programs nationwide in celebrating the importance of these initiatives. Migrant families and students, community partners and mentors, school district and the migrant staff participated in the open house.
The Migrant Education Student Dance Group performed several numbers from various countries. The afterschool program provides English and Math tutoring, reading instruction, dance and music classes, as well as, assistance to migrant high school students in completing their Senior Projects and Credit Recovery classes, and college club opportunities.