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FAN Announces 2010 "Lights On Afterschool" Mini Grant Recipients
The Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) has announced the winners of the 5th Annual Lights On Afterschool mini grants. The seven winners are listed below with a summary of their event. Lights on Afterschool (LOA) is a nationwide event that recognizes the critical importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, their families and communities. LOA is a project of the Afterschool Alliance.
LOA Luau - The School District of Osceola County’s S.P.I.R.I.T. (Students Participating in Recreation and Instruction Together) program currently operates in 12 schools throughout the county. The district will conduct a program-wide “Lights on Afterschool Luau.” The Luau will involve several activities and competitions, including a variety of dance drills, trivia games, hula-hoop contests, student performances, cook-offs and more. The district has invited players of the Orlando Magic to host a basketball game with the students – trading in their traditional jerseys for Hawaiian grass skirts. One of the County Commissioners will speak to attendees and present “Keeping the Lights On After School” proclamation to the program director. The event will be held on Oct. 21 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Gateway High School in Kissimmee.
Spotlight on Success - Seminole County Public Schools, in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, operates two 21st Century Community Learning Centers. To spotlight the success of the district’s afterschool initiatives, the 2010 LOA event will tie the 21st Century Community Learning Centers into a collective celebration of the impact of afterschool programming in the City of Sanford. The event will kick-off with the Mayor of Sanford delivering a proclamation designating the day as “Lights on Afterschool Day.” Then guests will be invited to tour the afterschool programs and see exhibits, such as karate and gymnastics demonstrations, that showcase the activities provided to children at the centers. The event will take place on Oct. 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
40 Events and Counting - The YMCA of Broward County plans to host more than 40 events in 2010 for LOA. Two flagship events will be held on Oct. 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The first event will invite guests to tour the first YMCA facility house in a Broward County public school, named the Y-Zone (wellness center, group exercise studio and teen room). Attendees will experience presentations and exhibits of visual, cultural, culinary and performing arts, as well as academic achievement. The second event will spotlight the gains made by children, and those children with special needs, with performances including dances, songs, skits and exhibits of artwork created in recognition of LOA.
Embracing FAN Quality Standards - Brevard Public Schools LOA program will engage school and local officials, parents and the 4,100 students enrolled in our programs. Each of their 58 sites along with the Brevard Zoo, will host events to promote the positive impact of afterschool programs. This year, Brevard Public Schools’ School Age Child Care has embraced the Florida Afterschool Network Quality Afterschool Standards as an important part of their staff training and will hand out the Afterschool Alliance’s “Afterschool for All” fact sheet to all event attendees. Each site will display large LOA banners and posters, and will feature activities and special displays that best showcase their programs. Each event will be held on Oct. 21 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at their respective locations.
“Lights On” Focused - R’Club Child Care will sponsor events with the Pinellas County School District at 26 elementary schools, five middle schools, two exceptional student centers and three free-standing locations. Attendees are expected number in the thousands. The overall focus will be to highlight the need for safe afterschool programs for working families with an emphasis on extended learning. Each site’s event will include hands-on projects for families, distribution of awareness items (strobe buttons, wristbands, etc.), proclamations from local cities and Pinellas County, presentations about the importance of afterschool programs, and the decoration of light bulb art by participating children. The decorated light bulbs will be sent to local Congressmen and women.
Tomorrow’s Leaders - Prime Time Palm Beach County celebrates the significance of afterschool programs all week long culminating with a grand finale of their LOA event to be held on Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The total number of participants throughout the week is expected to exceed 4,500. The 6th Annual Lights On Afterschool Palm Bach County event boasts the theme “Tomorrow’s Leaders STEM from Today’s Learners – (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)” recognizing that afterschool programs present a unique opportunity to inspire youth to pursue and prepare for careers in STEM fields.
LOA Game Shows - The City of Hialeah’s afterschool programs, in partnership with the Education and Community Services Department, will host a kick-off event at which the mayor and city council will proclaim Oct. 21 as Lights On Afterschool Day. Two events will be hosted at the city’s afterschool program locations including, Creative Learning & Play (CL&P), and Young Leaders with Character (YLC). The events will include a game called, “Are You Smarter than Me?” where CL&P students will compete with local politicians, business leaders and media representatives in a battle of wits. The other event will include the students from YLC and their families participating in the city’s version of “Family Feud”. All events will focus on the importance of afterschool programs in the daily lives of Hialeah families.
