We know that the sky will be bright from one of the end of the state to the other on the official Lights on Afterschool day, Thursday, October 25, 2018! But we also know that lots of afterschool programs are spreading the fun over the entire month.
More than a million Americans will join in a nationwide celebration. Is your program’s event included on the national Light On Afterschool site? If not, rush to fill out the simple online form now and be part of the growing numbers of programs across the country. http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm.
The Tennessee Afterschool Network is hoping to beat last year’s record of participating programs. We’re only 9 events short of our goal this year! Help us promote the importance of afterschool during the Lights On Afterschool celebration!
Still looking for activity ideas?
Whether your program is large or small, there are lots of great ideas at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org. Here are a few examples of what is happening in Tennessee:
- Boys & Girls Club of Dumplin Valley, White Pine will be filled with tons of lights of all different types, ranging from tree lights to lava lamps. The “Glow Crazy” evening will include a program of singing, dance performance and speech and carnival-type games that will be enhanced with glow-in-the-dark.
- North Cumberland Elementary Afterschool Program, Crossville will invite parents to join their student in Spider Night complete with spider craft activities, a spider-fact-filled quiz game.
- United Way of the Mid-South, Memphis will combine a host of STEAM activities with a community-wide Trunk or Treat festival.
- Martha O’Bryan Center, Nashville is hosting a video social media campaign with students giving a speech, skit, or song about the importance of afterschool programming.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mountain Empire, Bluff City will kick off the festivities with a Glow Stick Lighting Ceremony followed by a game of “Hula Hoop Rock-Paper-Scissors” as part of Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play.
We want to hear what you are doing. Please share your photos and videos of the moments that made your event special with Mary Graham, mary.graham@uwtn.org.
Add a little bling:
From downloadable posters to swag, www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa has really thought of everything you need. Reproducible light bulbs from their website can be great student-created decorations as a string of afterschool lights to cover the walls of your hallway.
Who is on your guest list?
Don’t let your program be the best-kept secret in town! This is a great time to showcase the great activities in your program that help students grow and explore new skills and activities. Possible guests could be:
- Mayor
- City council members/ commissioners
- School board members
- School superintendent
- State representatives
Proclamations from mayors make a program addition to your event. Here is a generic proclamation you can adapt to your needs. Mayoral Proclamation