The 13th annual Lights On Afterschool...OCTOBER 18, 2012

Attention afterschool artists: Create artwork for the 2012 Lights On Afterschool poster!  The submission deadline is May 1, 2012. Info at Lights on Website...

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 FYI 
Lights On Afterschool celebrates nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families and communities.  In America today, 1 in 4 youth -- 14.3 million children - are alone and unsupervised after school. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning. They provide opportunities to help young people develop into successful adults. Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs.
 
Thousands of afterschool programs in communities nationwide celebrate Lights On Afterschool! Be a part of this effort each year to showcase the importance of afterschool programs and underscore the need for quality afterschool programs for all children.

When you register you receive planning tips and tools, free posters and more!  Join the Afterschool Alliance and afterschool programs across the country in rallying for afterschool programs.  More than 7,500 communities, and 1 million Americans celebrate Lights On Afterschool every year!

Go to the following page to learn how you can participate in Lights On Afterschool. Visiting afterschoolalliance.org will give you all the  INFORMATION & DOWNLOADS needed for a successful "Lights on Afterschool" event!

YOU WILL FIND INFO IN:

• Creating an email invite; sample provided
• How to use evite.com or e-invite service
• Graphics for invitations
• Sample print invitations from past events

GETTING PRESS

• Ten Steps
• Media Timeline
• Save the Date
• Media Alert
• News Release

USING LIGHTS ON TO RAISE FUNDS

• Tips for Getting Sponsors
• Ways to Give Sponsors Exposure at Your Event
• Sample Letter to Potential Sponsors

ARTWORK & MEDIA

• Light Bulb Art
• Graphics & Logos
• Newsletter Article
• Lights On Buttons & Other Items
• Poster
• Radio Announcer Copy
• Web Banners
• Afterschool Fact Sheet
• Lights On! Fact Sheet

SAMPLE MATERIALS

• Email & Print Invitations
• Save the Date
• Media Alert
• News Release
• Policy-Maker Invitation
• Policy-Maker Proclamation
• Other Proclamation

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The WHO, WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN of Lights On Afterschool...

WHO TO INVITE:
...Kids!
...Educators and school personnel
...Parents, grandparents and extended family business and community leaders and Policy makers
...Media
...Youth organizations: sports teams, school bands, academic and service clubs, volunteers, etc.
...Local celebrities: TV news anchor, radio host, athletes
the community!

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WHAT TO DO:

• Student-created and led activities like raps, skits, dance, music and poetry
• Sell items to raise funds for your program (See Buttons and Bracelets page available for order at afterschoolalliance.org) 
• Student demonstrations of afterschool activities, for example yoga, basketball, karate, mural painting, chess, debate
• Ask attendees to show their support for afterschool by signing on to Afterschool for All: Project 2010 (see instructions at Project 2010)
• Contests and competitions (kids versus adults or kids versus kids)
• Short dance and music performances
• Special guest speakers: parents, local elected officials, the superintendent, mayor, a member of Congress, local celebrities, etc.
• Presentations by youth about their afterschool experience
• A snack or pizza dinner
• Light bulb art decoration by event guests

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WHEN:

• Pick a time that best suits your event goals and plans, such as:
• During your regular afterschool program hours
• Evening hours when parents can participate
• An early afternoon gathering at a museum, city hall, outdoor square or other public place
• A breakfast or lunch reception that elected officials and business leaders can attend

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WHERE:

• Your afterschool program facility, indoors or outdoors
• City Hall
• Public library, park or recreation center
• Museum
• Places of worship
• School gymnasium or auditorium
• Shopping mall or local JCPenney store

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TIP: After reading some of the below ideas--and would still like some other suggestions--- visit the "Connecting to Families" Social Events Category. There are also directions for making a Light Bulb Piñata in the Paper Maché category.

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IDEAS taken from past Events:
The following is a SAMPLE of ideas from around the country for Lights on Afterschool. As you will read—ANYTHING works! Visit the website mentioned above for more than 100 suggestions.

♦ Birmingham, Alabama: A “Lights On Afterschool” celebration was held at Avondale Elementary and Glen Iris Elementary from 3:30-6:00 PM. Events at the different locations showcased WELLNESS PROGRAMS--- offered free glucose and blood pressure testing, and demonstrated physical education activities that involved students and parents. City Council members and School Board members, program participants, families, school staff, and community members attended.

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♦ Birmingham, Alabama: Greystone YMCA Birmingham, Alabama: Afterschool instructors worked with students to PAINT A MURAL.

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♦ Anchorage, Alaska: 21st Century Community Learning Center at Wonder Park Elementary hosted a Lights On Afterschool Carnival with a LITERACY THEME. Program participants also enjoyed ACADEMIC BINGO and BOOK GIVE-AWAYS.

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 ♦ Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska: The Base Commander spoke to youth and parents about the importance of afterschool activities. Afterward, the children READ POEMS, SANG SONGS and DANCED for participants. A TASTING PARTY was also held for parents.

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♦ Fort Huachuca, Arizona: the School-Age Services program at Fort Huachuca held a SPAGHETTI Dinner for families. The event featured FACE PAINTING, GAK MAKING, a COMPUTER LAB, PAPER BAG PUPPETS, HAIR SPRAYING, a SMOKE HOUSE from the Fire Department, Army Unit EXHIBITS, POPCORN, a COOKING ACTIVITY AND MORE.

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♦ Los Angeles, California: The Boys & Girls Clubs of East Los Angeles in collaboration with Rapid Advancement Youth Services, and the City of Montebello featured a student TALENT SHOWCASE, ARTS & CRAFTS, GAMES, PRIZES, EXHIBITS on youth education, employment, and health and safety.

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♦ Santa Clara, California: Millikin YMCA, hosted an OPEN HOUSE. There was a KIDS VERSUS PARENTS FLAG FOOTBALL MATCH and LIGHT BULB DECORATING. Organizers provided a HEALTHY SNACK.

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♦ San Francisco, California: Savannah Smith, Jump Prep hosted a MOVIE NIGHT for Lights On Afterschool at Rosa Parks Elementary School-- from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Students, parents and guests WORE PAJAMAS, ATE POPCORN & PIZZA, and WATCHED "E.T.” The school principal greeted guests and community leaders as they entered; a representative from the school superintendent’s office also attended. More than 100 children and parents attended.

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♦ Blackfoot, Idaho: The program participants at Snake River Community Center will celebrate Lights On Afterschool by MAKING A QUILT with light bulb designs. Organizers will later DONATE THE QUILT to charity. The event will also include A HAND MADE PINATA.

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♦ Buffalo Grove, Illinois: The Champions School Partnership hosted an event that included a VISIT TO LOCAL LIBRARY, STORY TIME AND BOOK MAKING. The children created their own books to take home and share with their families.

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♦ Afton, Iowa: East Union and Murray Afterschool Programs - celebrated from 6:00-8:00 PM, with a family PANCAKE SUPPER. The event had a NIGHT-TIME THEME and students DRESSED IN PAJAMAS. Partnering organizations put up BOOTHS with a variety of family-oriented activities that FOCUS ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, STARGAZING and other nighttime topics. The event also included a FIRE SAFETY DISPLAY from the fire department, STORY TIME with the principal, and DOOR PRIZES. It was open to the community, with approximately 200 people in attendance.

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♦ Louisville: Berrytown Family YMCA, from 4:30-6:00 PM with an OPEN HOUSE. Lights On Afterschool light bulbs DECORATED the facility, and the event included a SHOWCASE OF STUDENT WORK. The youth served as Ambassadors for the evening, giving tours of the afterschool facility and speaking on the importance of afterschool programs. Organizers provided REFRESHMENTS.

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♦ Monroe, North Carolina: Benton Heights Elementary School hosted a community OPEN HOUSE for Lights On Afterschool. CHILDREN PERFORMED SONG “Don’t Stop Never Give Up.” Students, family, staff, and community members were invited.

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♦ Portland, Oregon: Schools Uniting Neighborhoods hosted “Pumpkin Lights On” in the gym at Shaver Elementary School for Lights On Afterschoolfrom 6:00-8:00 PM. Activities included PUMPKIN DECORATING, GOURD BOWLING, a CAKE WALK, FACE PAINTING, and GLASS BLOWING. Organizers held a BAKE SALE with proceeds going to the Parent Association. The event was open to program participants, families and staff. More than 300 people attended.

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♦ Pawtucket, Rhode Island: In honor of Lights On Afterschool, Kids Club hosted an OPEN HOUSE & POTLUCK DINNER--- with parents, school administrators, and town council members.

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♦ Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota: The Ellsworth School Age Program provided an OPEN HOUSE WITH REFRESHMENTS made by the children. Parents and children participated in VOLLEYBALL GAMES, RELAY RACE, AND CRAFTS. Children organized TWO PROJECTS TO TAKE TO Veteran's HOSPITAL the following week.

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♦ South Londonderry, Vermont: The Collaborative held a Harvest Festival for Lights On Afterschool. The event featured a CHILI AND APPLE PIE -MAKING CONTEST, SCARECROW MAKING, PUMPKIN DECORATING, DANCING, MUSIC, AND GAMES. Organizers read a letter from Senator Bernie Sanders. The event was open to the community and more than 230 people attended.

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 Part One of Four Parts:

Is your program writing a newsletter each month?  If not, seriously consider it!  Newsletters are an effective means of communication between your program and parents. A great way to inform the entire school community of all you are doing! 

First, BEFORE YOU START--
Decide on the purpose of the newsletter. Is it primarily a tool to convey program information, upcoming events and policy? Or is it something in which you want to include child participation? First grade to high school students have great ideas. When they are part of the newsletter creation process, they are more willing to use it as a communication tool and share it with their parents. Favorite websites and special program moments are just a couple of student generated ideas.

2. CHOOSE A TEMPLATE for the newsletter.
Microsoft Word has simple newsletter templates that can be modified for the special needs of your program. Each newsletter template allows the addition of clip art or photos with minimal computer knowledge. Click here for templates and tools from Education World.

3. PERSONALIZE THE TEMPLATE.
Include a catchy name, the issue, volume number and date. The volume number will change with each school year, but the issue number will change with each new issue of the newsletter (for example, the newsletter's first issue in its second school year will be Volume 2, Issue 1).

4. DECIDE HOW OFTEN TO PRINT the newsletter.
With the amount of activities going on in a good child care or school-age program, one should go out every month. (A classroom  newsletter may need to be written every week and  PTA news will depend on budget allotment; it could be monthly or quarterly.)
    • Keep your newsletter up-to-date and send it out on time. If parents feel that the newsletter only contains old news, with out-of-date information, they will not read it.

 5. Any school newsletter --whether it's an after-school program, classroom or PTA-- should be informative, upbeat/fun to read, and aesthetically pleasing. 
    • Make it about the kids and parents alike to keep people interested in the Newsletter. The more interactive the newsletter, the more likely parents will read it. Who knows? You just may get volunteers to join in and bring some of their talents with them!

 6. WHAT ARE SOME CATEGORIES THAT CAN BE INCLUDED?

• Current Activities

• Up-coming Events--both during the Program Day and Family Social Events

• Thank You's

• Tips for Parents on Timely Topics (Discipline, Nutrition, etc.; actual ideas are in below categories)

• Family Involvement: Share favorite program recipes for snacks, play dough or crafts for families to make together at home

• Monthly Birthdays

• Favorite Websites

• Family Feature: Invite a family to tell about themselves (especially good when families are new to the program and/or school

• Collecting Beautiful Junk: Do you have a 'Wish List' going? Include  requests for recycled materials and gently used items to that "Wish List" (Check out our Wish List ideas)
 
 • Include cute children's quotes or stories

• Photographs: Including photographs of students adds a little depth to the newsletter. Children (and parents) will be excited to see their faces; children are also then more willing to share with their parents. If you do this, it is important to display a picture of each student in the program at least once, and be careful not to feature one student continuously each month.

• ONE AT A TIME, SPOTLIGHT the director, program manager, and staff members in the Newsletter.  Something that parents and people in general love to read are biographies on other people. Ask those involved in your program if if they would be willing to be interviewed for the newsletter. Ask in advance...The interview can be in person, or written.
.....Just write down a few questions and give it to the spotlighted person. Ask such things as how long they've been working with children,  and what their personal hobbies are.
.....Stay away from overly personal questions such as religious and political views. Take a picture to post next to their interview.

• How about creating a "KINDNESS COLUMN" (Kindness ideas here) in your school or program newsletter! Report the news of acts of kindness being given, shared or generated by your students. What about Community Services? (Community Service Ideas here)

• A column (The Kid's Corner) by the children is also a consideration!

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TIP:  Consider uploading the newsletter to your school website. If you choose to upload the newsletter to your school website, remember that the information may be searchable by the public. Many parents do not want student information available online.

IMPORTANT: If using children's photographs, make sure you have a photo permission with the explanation on how it is to be used.

TIP: Be sure to share your newletter with the school community. Place copies in the teacher's lounge-- and if affordable--give one to each teacher and school staff member--a great way to spread the news of all the wonderful things your program is doing!

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 GOOD IDEA! WILL THIS BE YOUR FIRST NEWLETTER? Hold a contest to name the newsletter. Students can have two weeks to hand in suggestions. The student/program body can then vote on the names. The winner receives special recognition and a small prize and gets his or her picture in the newsletter.

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 The sections of 'Newsletter Category' are:

Click for the  Entire Newsletter Category

Part 1. What to Put in Newsletters 

Part 2. Prose, Poems and Cute items for Newsletters

Part 3. Timely Newsletter Topics to Connect Kids and Parents

Part 4. Newsletter Topics of Health and Food

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 Part Four: Health and Food Related...Timely and short tips and articles are a 'good thing' to occasionally post in parent newsletters. (A good way to provide valuable information.)

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THE EFFECT OF SECOND HAND SMOKE
An Australian study reported in the March issue of Indoor Air found that PARENTS WHO SMOKE OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSE ARE STILL EXPOSING their children to the HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PASSIVE SMOKING. The study found that the levels of respirable suspended particles, including nicotine, were significantly higher in houses where smokers lived than in smoke-free homes --even if the parents only smoked outside.

Lead author of the study, Dr Krassi Rumchev of Curtin University of Technology, says the findings indicate that the level of passive smoking by children at home may be underestimated, as those whose parents smoked outside were exposed to levels of environmental tobacco smoke high enough to cause harm. "According to the study, smoking outdoors seems inadequate to protect children," Rumchev says. "The results demonstrate clearly that if parents want a smoke-free environment for children, they need to stop smoking."

She adds that children were more likely to have respiratory illnesses including asthma, coughs, and colds than those in tobacco-free households. She says smokers appear to disperse pollutants into the home when returning inside. "When people come inside they're still breathing out smoke and it contaminates the air. It's enough to do harm," Rumchev says. "Nicotine attaches to the hair and body, and pollutants are dispersed into the air off clothes, because small particles can attach to clothes."

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USING FOOD AS A REWARD OR PUNISHMENT

Try not to use food to punish or reward children.
Withholding food as a punishment may lead children to worry that they will not get enough food. For example, sending children to bed without any dinner may cause them to worry that they will go hungry. As a result, children may try to eat whenever they get a chance. Similarly, when foods, such as sweets, are used as a reward, children may assume that these foods are better or more valuable than other foods. For example, telling children that they will get dessert if they eat all of their vegetables sends the wrong message about vegetables. Source: webmd

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KID TESTED LUNCH TIME TIPS!

   • Make food fun by cutting sandwiches into different shapes. Cookie cutters are great for this.
 
   • In hot weather, keep foods cool by including a carton or plastic container of juice, frozen overnight, in the. The juice will be thawed by lunchtime.
 
   • Pack 'kid-size' foods like cherry tomatoes, baby bananas, and mini boxes of raisins.
 
   • You can control what goes into your child's lunch box, but you can't control what goes into your child. Send your kids to school with a lunch they like and one they've helped prepare and pack;  they'll be less likely to toss or trade it.
 
   • Rely less on processed, packaged foods--replace them with fresh foods whenever possible.
 
   • Remember that kids can be influenced by peer pressure. Foods they love at home might be not-so-cool at school. Ask them what types of foods their friends bring for lunch.
 
   • Most kids will skip foods that take a lot of effort to eat. A little prep work can make almost anything more kid-friendly. For example, peel Clementine's and oranges; cover them with plastic wrap before packing.

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BREAKFAST!

Bet on Breakfast: Mornings can be chaotic, leaving breakfast and better nutrition in the lurch. Nicklas' research bears that out. Kids who eat breakfast take in more of the nutrients they need, she says. Breakfast skippers do not make up for the missed opportunity the morning meal provides.

What you eat for breakfast matters. Cereal (particularly whole-grain types) with milk and fruit make a quick meal that offers an array of nutrients.

Cereal can be good for the waistline, too. A recent Journal of the American Dietetic Association study that followed more than 2,300 girls from ages 9 and 10 found that girls who continued to eat cereal on a regular basis for 10 years were leaner than girls who did not eat it. Eating cereal was linked to increased intake of fiber, calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and zinc, and decreased consumption of cholesterol and fat.

Other Than Cereal
There's no need to limit breakfast foods to traditional choices such as cold cereal, however. The following healthy, kid-friendly breakfasts will beckon kids to the table (many are portable feasts to eat on the way to school or during morning snack time):
 
   • Half a whole grain bagel, spread with peanut butter and topped with raisins; milk 
   • Leftover pizza and 100% orange juice 
   • 8 ounces low-fat fruited yogurt, whole grain toast and 100% juice 
   • Fruit and yogurt smoothie and whole-grain toast 
   • Scrambled egg stuffed into half a whole-grain pita pocket and topped with shredded cheddar cheese and salsa or ketchup with 100% juice 
   • Waffle sandwich: two whole grain, toasted waffles spread with almond, peanut or soy nut butters with milk. SOURCE:webmd.com

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INVOLVE CHILDREN IN FOOD ACTIVITIES

Children learn important nutrition concepts through daily experiences involving food. Shopping for food, comparing labels, taste testing new foods, cooking, creating simple recipes and analyzing food ads are just a few of the many ways kids can begin to discover the wonderful world of food!

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 KIDS IN THE KITCHEN  How do you get kids to buy into good nutrition? Getting children involved in food choice and preparation is one of the best Giving kids a say in what they eat encourages the autonomy they crave.

 Allow your child some veto power in the supermarket. For example, let your child choose between bananas and kiwis, or oatmeal and Cheerios. At home, encourage your children to prepare healthy brown-bag lunches and easy snacks.

Gather as often as possible for family meals, particularly when your child has been involved in making them. Research shows dining together without distractions -- including the TV -- translates into a better diet and lower chance of overeating, says Economos. Plus, it gives you and your child a chance to talk. Of course, family meals are often easier said than done! Source: webmd.com

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 HOW DO YOU KNOW IF CHILDREN ARE GETTING THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FOODS? MyPyramid.gov --- the government's food guidance system suggested servings are based on age, gender, and activity level. The examples below illustrate how school-age children's needs differ.

A 6-year-old, active girl every day needs:

   • 5 ounces from grain group 
   • 2 cups from vegetable group 
   • 1 1/2 cups from fruit group 
   • 3 cups from milk group 
   • 5 ounces from meat and beans group 
   • 5 teaspoons oils.

An 11-year-old, active boy needs this every day:

   • 7 ounces from grain group 
   • 3 cups from vegetable group 
   • 2 cups from fruit group 
   • 3 cups from milk group 
   • 6 ounces from meat and beans group 
   • 6 teaspoons oils.

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CALCIUM THE BONE BUILDER!

To build a strong, healthy skeleton that will last a lifetime, kids should be sure to "bone up" on calcium. From ages 11-24, children have the opportunity to maximize their bone density, filling their bones to "peak capacity." The best sources of calcium are lowfat dairy products like yogurt, nonfat/1% milk and lowfat cheese, calcium-fortified soy milk and tofu, calcium-fortified orange juice, sardines or salmon with bones and broccoli.

NEW RECOMENDATIONS FOR DIETARY CALCIUM 

AGE               Recommended Calcium (milligrams) 
1-3 Years       500
 
4-8 Years       800
 
9-18 Years     1300
 
19-50 Years    1000

51+ Years      1200

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THE BENIFITS OF FREQUENT FAMILY MEALS

Sharing frequent family meals can have many positive benefits for children and teens, including enhanced school performance, more healthful eating habits and reduced risk of substance abuse. The following information is from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University .

Children and teens who have frequent family dinners:

• Are at half the risk for substance abuse compared with teens who dine with their families infrequently
• Are less likely to have friends or classmates who use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs
• Have lower levels of tension or stress at home
• Are more likely to say that their parents and families are proud of them
• Are likelier to say they can confide in their parents
• Are likelier to get better grades in school
• Are more likely to be emotionally content and have positive peer relationships
• Have more healthful eating habits
• Are at lower risk for thoughts of suicide...

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Remind Parents of this IMPORTANT Warm Weather Tip
Kids Playing Outside & Water Needs

As a guideline, encourage at least 4 ounces of fluid every 15-20 minutes, or whenever there’s a break or time-out. Tip: One ounce equals about one "gulp."  So kids need a minimum of 4 GULPS OF WATER EVERY 20 MINUTES!

 Use caution when it’s hot outside, especially for active kids. In high temperatures, kids don’t sweat as much as adults do, so it’s harder for them to cool off. This makes them more at risk for dehydration and heat exhaustion.

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The sections of 'Newsletter Category' are:

Click for the Entire Newsletter Category

Part 1. What to Put in Newsletters

Part 2. Prose, Poems and Cute items for Newsletters

Part 3. Timely Newsletter Topics to Connect Kids and Parents

Part 4. Newsletter Topics of Health and Food

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