Today is Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event to bring awareness to the importance and positive impact that afterschool and other out-of-school time (OST) programs have on students of all ages. Research shows students participating in high-quality afterschool programs are absent from class less, behave better, receive better grades and perform better on tests compared to non-participants. Additionally, afterschool programs have shown to reduce the math achievement gap between low and high-income students and students participating in these programs overall have a lower obesity rate than non-participants. Students at the three campuses we support through our Middle School Matters program–Decker, Mendez and Webb Middle Schools–have the chance to participate in our free afterschool and summer programs to further enrich what they learn during the school day. We asked students from each campus about their experience participating in our OST programs. What do you like best about afterschool? -Hanging out with my friends -Learning new soccer tricks -Cheerleading -I can get help with homework and have fun. -It helps you do things you’ve never done before – you help the community and feel grateful for what you’ve done. -It’s not boring – it’s fun! You can go outside and play. -It’s an opportunity for us to learn about something that’s not a school subject. How has being in afterschool changed you? -It has made me more outgoing. -I have made new friends! -It’s helped me learn more about education and the community while helping others. -It’s taught me how to be […]
Read MoreLights On Afterschool
Dismissal bells ring around the country at about 3 p.m. every day. For many students, this where learning stops – TV, hanging out with friends, or spending time at home alone make up the rest of their days. For others, the end of the school day signals the beginning of a new adventure. Conventional knowledge of afterschool programs makes little distinction between daycare and the dynamic range of activities available to today’s youth. However, children and teens in afterschool programs receive so much more than supervision. Today’s afterschool programs offer everything from cooking classes to program coding, and offer a broad menu of hobbies and skill-building. Additionally, afterschool programs provide a safe and supervised space for adolescents, especially older students, during the time of the day when they are most likely to engage in crime and risky behavior. Studies show that students participating in high-quality afterschool programs display improved behavior and lower levels of absenteeism, earn higher grades, and perform better on tests compared to non-participating students. 19% of Texas students spend the hours between 3 and 6 p.m. alone and unsupervised. Today, on the 15th annual Lights On Afterschool Day, students, parents, and programs across the nation are celebrating afterschool programs as a crucial space for youth to grow and thrive. In Texas, 18% of students participate in an afterschool program. However, 19% of Texas students spend the hours between 3 and 6 p.m. alone and unsupervised. There is still much work to be done in order to provide afterschool enrichment to all students. United Way for […]
Read More