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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 20, 2013 03:34 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jake Wheatley, Jr. and Rep. Katharine M. Watson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Lights On Afterschool Resolution |
| In the next few weeks, myself and Representative Katherine Watson plan to introduce a non-controversial resolution designating October 17, 2013, as Lights on Afterschool Day in Pennsylvania. This will mark the 14th annual national commemoration of the Lights on Afterschool Day, a national event recognizing the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children. Pennsylvania has over two million school-age children and youth and almost 1.3 million of them (6 to 17 years of age) have both parents in the workforce, or in the case of single parent families, the sole parent in the workforce. Children’s out-of-school hours represent the “single biggest block of time” for youth and a key time during the development of children into adolescents and adolescents into adults. Research on the benefits of afterschool programs is clear – it demonstrates that out-of-school hours have a significant influence on the development of children and teenagers’ habits, attitudes and skills that will ultimately help determine their academic and lifetime successes. High-quality afterschool programming improves student achievement, reduces crime by and against youth, and promotes positive social development. Across Pennsylvania, communities are already working together to develop safe, affordable and enriching afterschool experiences for school-age children and teens. It is vitally important that the House of Representatives recognize the importance of these programs and support the contributions that providers and volunteers make to improve the lives of our young people. |
Introduced as HR489