Afterschool event slated next week

An event next week will celebrate achievements of afterschool students in Jamestown as a part of a nationwide campaign to expand afterschool programs.

Lights On Afterschool starts at 5 p.m. Oct. 16 at Washington Elementary School’s gymnasium. The event supports adding more afterschool programs nationwide. There will be nearly 7,500 similar events across the nation in support of keeping afterschool programs. More than a million Americans are expected to take part.

In North Dakota, 39 percent (40,584) of K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. Of all North Dakota children not currently enrolled in afterschool education, 25 percent (23,597) would be likely to participate if an afterschool program were available in their communities.

“We are all very proud of our afterschool students,” said Shelley Mansavage, Jamestown site manager. “There’s no reason that learning should stop at 3 p.m., particularly if the alternative is unsupervised time in front of a television set, or any of the dangerous or unhealthy behaviors that children can get involved in during the afternoons.”

Jamestown’ program is supported by funding from the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative. Since its creation, it has provided funding to allow millions of children to attend afterschool programs.

For more information on local afterschool programs, contact Mansavage at Washington Elementary School.

Tags: life, education