National Days of Advocacy

LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL 

Celebrate the 21st annual Lights On Afterschool October 22, 2020!

Launched in October 2000, 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.

The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry—and discover new skills. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.

 

Registration for the 21st Lights On Afterschool is NOW open!

Whether you’re planning to hold an event in person or online, sign up your afterschool program’s event now for expert tips & the chance to win free prizes! Lights On – Signup

Planning – Planning a memorable event doesn’t need to take a lot of time or energy. Whether you’re putting things together a week beforehand or starting to plan months in advance, our interactive timeline gives you a checklist to get organized & keep your planning on track. Planning Timeline

Who, What, When & Where – As you start planning how you’ll celebrate Lights On Afterschool, use these questions to help figure out your event logistics. Once you’ve got the basics, the rest is a piece of cake! Who, What, When & Where

To learn more about Lights On Afterschool, register an event, access event planning tools, or to find out what’s going on in your area, visit afterschoolalliance.org.

 

2019 State of South Carolina Governor’s Proclamation 

 

20th Annual Lights On Afterschool Rally – October 24, 2019 Highlights On Thursday, October 24, 2019 local, state and national partners came together at Sandel Elementary in Columbia to mark the 20th annual Lights On Afterschool, part of a nationwide series of rallies for after school organized by the Afterschool Alliance.

The program for the event at Sandel Elementary School will feature Zelda Waymer of the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance; Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent of Richland School District One; Leon Lott, Sheriff, Richland County; and keynote speakers South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and Dr. Barry Ford, President and CEO of the Council for a Strong America.

After presentations, students will participate in breakout sessions focused on gun safety, stranger danger, fire and safety prevention, and other topics. There was a Lights On Afterschool Bulb Coloring station, and each child will receive an Irly Bird Book on safety, courtesy of Sheriff Lott and Attorney General Wilson.

When: 2:45 pm Thursday, October 24, 2019

Where: Sandel Elementary, 2700 Seminole Road, Columbia South Carolina

 

2019 SC Organizations Celebrating Lights On

South Carolina supports after school & proudly celebrates 20 years of Lights On! The following organizations  are hosting events:

The Quest Zone

Quest Zone at East Aiken school of the Arts

Quest Zone Lights on Afterschool

Open House STEM Night

Lee Central Middle School

Abby Spitzer

Town Hall & Kaleidoscope Lights On Event

Trident Technical College

Heather Studer

Back 2 School 2020

Lights on at Barron Academy Arden

Lights on at Barron Academy Bradley

Lights on at Barron Academy Burnside

Lights on at Barron Academy BP

Lights on at Barron Academy HBR

Lights on at Barron Academy JPT

Lights on at Barron Academy PG

Comprehensive Remediation Program-Lights On Afterschool

“Lights On Afterschool – Keeping Kids Safe and Secure!”

THE WEED AND SEEDERS

Lights on Afterschool in Florence

Quest Zone @ Lexington Elementary

Shiloh Project Lift Opening Celebration

Safe activities after school

Family Fun Night!

MPA lights On

King’s Court Afterschool Program

Belvedere Elementary The Quest Zone

Hursey Elementary Kaleidoscope

WINGS

WINGS For Kids

Hunley Park

The Quest Zone

GoalPOST- Lights on AfterSchool

SOAR After School

Lights on Afterschool Spartanburg

Lights On Afterschool Festival

H.Y.P.E. (Helping Youth Pursue Excellence) After School Programs

Art/music

Chameleon Inspirations Learning Center

 

 

NATIONAL SUMMER LEARNING DAY

National Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year. Your participation sends a powerful message across the nation that summers matter and offers an opportunity to showcase how summers can make a life-changing difference in the lives of young people. Find out more.

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE: July 14, 2016

The National Summer Learning Association is a WONDERFUL resource for activity ideas, planning guides, research and funding opportunities for summer camps.  Check it out today!

Together we can ensure all SC children are safe, healthy and engaged in learning during the summer.  Let’s prevent summer learning loss and be certain to do the following:

Research

Regular attendance in high-quality summer programs is associated with a range of positive academic and social development outcomes, including improved math and literacy skills, successful transition to the next grade, improved self-esteem and leadership skills, increase attachment to the labor market and increase likelihood of future employment.  (Chaplin & Capizzano 2006; Roderick & Nagaoka 2003; Cooper, et al. 1996; Bialeschki, Henderson and Jame 2007; Sum et al 2007; Granger, Durlak, Yohalem and Reisner 2007)