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 Western Pennsylvania area:

 

The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC) Uniontown, PA

The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC) hosted its third annual Lights On Afterschool rally on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus in Uniontown. The event was held to raise awareness of local afterschool programs and the importance of family involvement in the education of young children.PIC currently operates the Fayette County Enrichment Program in the Connellsville, Brownsville, and Uniontown Area School Districts. The primary focus of this after school program is to address the needs of targeted at-risk students and their families in academic, character, social, and cultural education activities that improve scholastic performance and individual development.

This year’s event was a collaborative effort of the Fayette County Enrichment Program, Head Start/Early Head Start of Fayette County, and Dads Matter of Fayette County. All three programs promoted the importance of family involvement in the cognitive and educational development of young children.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Donald Sheffield, the creator of the DARE2XL curriculum used by the Fayette Enrichment Program, and author of the book “Practice Makes Perfect - Not”. He spoke about children earning the right to “chill.” Dr. Sheffield believes that giving children chores to do every day and at an early age reinforces a strong work ethic. Also, children from the PIC afterschool programs performed a series of character-building skits and motivational raps that were written by Dr. Sheffield.

 

Greater Johnstown School District – Eastside Elementary School

The After School Live program in Greater Johnstown School District, which is a 21st Century Program through Cambria County Child Development Corporation, have had Lights on programs since its’ inception 10 years ago. Our focus has always been to stay in school and say no to drugs. I have attached some of the pictures from the event as well.

The Greater Johnstown School District in conjunction with the After School Live program and the 21st Century Community Learning Center provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Education has provided the 10th Annual Lights On Celebration at Eastside Elementary School.

This year, as in the past, a group of High School Athletes went to the elementary school to share lunch with the young students. The athletes gave out player cards to all of the young students and encouraged them to do well in school, listen to their parents and teachers, and to stay away from bad behavior.

After lunch, guest from the community, community partners, State Representatives, County Commissioners, City Mayor and the District Attorney’s office, visited us for our celebration providing talks to the student’s on the importance of good choices and after school programs to stay involved and out of trouble. The Mayor of the City of Johnstown provided a Proclamation for National Lights On Day in Johnstown. The high school students also introduced themselves and told the children what their plans for college were and how important is was for them to stay focused and participate in after school activities. The cheerleaders gave a final cheer and we closed the chapter on the 10th Annual Lights On Celebration.

 

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

The Lights on After School event at The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh was a success.We had 46 people attend including 2 from the Mayor's office and Mr. Stephen Zumbrun whoread a proclamation from the Mayor. In addition, we had two visitors from the Department of Education. Our special guest speaker was Mr. Chris Moore from WQED's Black Horizons. Mr. Moore's speech encouraged students to stay in school, work hard and never let anyone get in the way of following their dreams. Our students worked on a sand mural project with artist James Maszle. This project was displayed to all in attendance.

After-School Programs Keep Youth Alive by Rebecca Nuttall

Pittsburgh Courier

Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:22

A national study conducted for the Afterschool Alliance discovered that 4 million African-American children are in need of after school programs. The study also found that the lack of programs leaves 2.8 million of those children without adult supervision for several hours every day.

For the 10th year in a row, the Afterschool Alliance sponsored a nation-wide rally to shed light on these statistics and gain support for an increase in afterschool programs. The local rally on Oct. 22 was held at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, which has been a part of the national movement for the past five years.

“We started to really look at the statistics of how after-school programs help families and as soon as we saw that, we knew we really wanted to get behind this movement,” said JuWanda Thurmond, Youth Programs manager. “We really believe in our program. I think it does tremendous work.”

Over the years, Thurmond has seen the benefits of the museum’s Youth Alive After School Club firsthand. She referenced one student who has been involved in the program since middle school and is now set to pursue a degree in early childhood education from Point Park University.

“I think the impact is definitely felt in the community,” Thurmond said. “The statistics show that those students who are not involved in afterschool programs, because those hours are the most vulnerable, they can get involved in sex and drugs, but I know for the kids who are involved in our program, that’s not an issue.”

As part of this year’s rally, Chris Moore, WQED co-producer and host of “Black Horizons,”took the time to talk to students from the Youth Alive program. He encouraged them to use the museum as a resource for finding their future career.

“This is a place where you can find your voice or interest. A lot of programs here can get you interested in something you can do for life,” Moore said. “You have to surround yourself with people who are doing whatever it is you want to do. I want you to seize the moment.”

Moore also cautioned the students to consider the consequence of each choice they make. He shared stories of how choices have negatively affected the lives of other students and his own personal experience of getting into a stolen car in his youth.

“I tell you all of this just to let you know you have choices. Instead of making the choices that can take you in the right vein of life, you can make the wrong choices,” Moore said. “I think how close my life came just because I made the choice to jump in that car.”

Justen Thurmond, 17, has been a mentor with Youth Alive for two years, serving as a role model for middle school students from Pittsburgh Allegheny. He has been involved in planning several activities including field trips to Artist Image Resource, Robots 250 and the New Hazlett Theater.

“Because Allegheny is a diverse school, you get to work with a lot of diverse kids,” Thurmond said. “I like being able to give advice. I like being able to talk to them about life situations.”

 

Wilkinsburg Boys & Girls Club

On Tuesday November 27, 2009, the Wilkinsburg Boys & Girls Club held the Lights On After School Open House. Invitations were given to all of the schools in the area inviting the faculty to attend the event.  We also had a Membership Recruitment Drive on the same day inviting parents to bring their children, and had our members invite a friend for the day. Overall, about 8 parents and 1 teacher attended, with 11 children coming for the recruitment drive. Members of the leadership program acted as hosts and guides for all who came by showing them around the building, answering questions, and introducing them to staff.  The parents were impressed with the building, and some of them have told us that they will be signing up their children for membership to the club.

 

The LaRosa Club in McKeesport

The LaRosa Club in McKeesport held a kids carnival with 80 children, six adult parents and one local official in attendance. They also had kids make lightbulbs which were posted throughout the club entry. The proclamation from Governor Rendell was posted.

 

The Shadyside Boys & Girls Club

The Shadyside Boys & Girls Club hostedour Lights on After School event on Thursday, October 22nd from 4:00-7:00pm.With the assistance of about 20 volunteers from the University of Pittsburgh’s Black Action Society, the Club hosted an after-school play day for 70 boys and girls ages 6-13.The children were treated to Pizza and candy provided by the members of the BAS.The children played games in the gym with the volunteers.They also did a Halloween craft and decorated the Lights on After School light bulb cut-outs which are now displayed throughout the Club. It was a great day foreveryone involved.

 

Northern Area Branch of Boys and Girls Club

At the Northern Area Branch of Boys and Girls Club, we did many different activities for Lights On Afterschool. All of themembers in attendance participated in this event, which was around 25 kids. We started off the day with a small cookout, giving each child a hot dog & chips. While eating, they all colored their light bulbs. After everyone was finished, weplayed various games in the gymnasium including team relay races and a kickball game.

 

Clearfield County

Project S.O.A.R. (Schools Organized to Achieve Results) Clearfield County celebrated Lights On Afterschool by hosting an OPEN HOUSE at the Moshannon Valley Super Bowl.  Students at each of the 8 school districts (Clearfield, Curwensville, DuBois, Glendale, Harmony, Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola and West Branch) created program display boards to share with parents and community members.  The students also located another afterschool program outside of Pennsylvania providing the name of the program, the city and state, and how that program would be celebrating Lights On. Each student then placed their information card on the U.S. map.  Students couldn’t help taking advantage of a few games of bowling.  A food drive was held to help out a local food bank. The Moshannon Valley Super Bowl gave each individual donating food a coupon good for 1 free game.  Approximately 87 students, parents, community members and staff attended the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The School District of the City of Erie, PA

CHAMPS Afterschool Enrichment Program of the Erie School District celebrated Lights On Afterschool by hosting a multi-generational Youth Leadership Conference in which over 200 CHAMPS students & teachers, college students, AmeriCorpsVISTA Volunteers, and Healthy Youth Development of Erie County members came together.The day-long event consistedofteam building activities, discussions of Erie’s challengesand development ofaction plans that was leadby Search Institute National Youth Leadership Presenter, Jim Conway. A representative from Congresswoman Kathy Dalkemper’s office presented us with a proclamation which lead into our afternoon activities.  “Fishbowl” panel discussions focusing on “At Risk Behaviors”, “Personal Responsibility,” “The Role of Quality Afterschool Programs,” and “Exploring the Possibilities” was the afternoon activity in which select community leaders and students shared in dialogue. Community leaders included ErieSchool District Board of Director President,Assistant Superintendent of Schools, a representative from the Mayor’s office, Erie City Council members, Chief of Police, Erie Judge, Director of Student Assistance Program and parents. The discussions lead to a greater awareness of quality afterschool programming and additional partnerships within the community. The community did indeed learn the importance of keeping the lights on afterschool! Contact: Lorri Bland, Program Supervisor lbland@eriesd.org 814-874-6145