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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 10, 2014 03:26 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jake Wheatley, Jr. |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Lights on Afterschool! Day in Pennsylvania |
| In the near future, I will introduce a resolution designating October 23, 2014, as “Lights on Afterschool Day!” in Pennsylvania. This year will mark the 15th annual national commemoration of the Lights on Afterschool Day, a national event recognizing the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children. According to the Afterschool Alliance, 26% of Pennsylvania’s school-age children are alone and unsupervised during the hours after school. Only 9% of school-aged children in Pennsylvania participate in after school programs, while 32% of kids in our Commonwealth would participate in an afterschool program if one were available to them. Lights on Afterschool Day promotes awareness of the critical need for quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, their families and their communities. Research on the benefits of afterschool programs is clear—it demonstrates that out-of-school hours have 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. |