A light in the darkness

Event focuses on impact of afterschool programs

Students at Troy Middle School took part in a nationwide event Thursday celebrating afterschool programs and the impact they can have on the lives of young learners.

Lights On After School gave visitors an opportunity to tour the various 21st Century After School Program offerings at the school, with Mayor Patrick Madden issuing a proclamation recognizing the value of the district’s effort to the community.

The 21st Century After School Program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during nonschool hours for children, particularly students who attend highpoverty schools. The program helps students meet state and local standards in core academic

subjects, such as reading and math, offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

In the Troy City School District, the program supports about 625 students in grades 5-8 by providing academic enrichment opportunities, arts and crafts, culinary arts, music, recreation, science, technology, engineering, project-based learning and youth development activities during non-school hours. Community partners include the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Commission on Economic Opportunity, Troy Family YMCA, The Arts Center of the Capital Region, St. Anne’s Institute and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County. Launched in October 2000,

Lights On After School is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The event is a movement to support afterschool programs and push for continued funding for our kids to continue receiving the services that they so desperately need.

For more information on the program, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa. cfm or www.troycsd. org/programs/21st-century-after-school-program

PHOTOS PROVIDED Teacher Christopher Meyers, right, and student Ivy Riley, second from left, show Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino and Troy Mayor Mayor Madden a project they’re working on in a woodworking class during a Lights On After School program...

PHOTOS PROVIDED Students in the 21st Century After School Program at Troy Middle School pose with Troy City School District and local officials, including Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino, Assemblyman John McDonald III, D-Cohoes,...

PHOTOS PROVIDED Troy Mayor Patrick Madden presents a proclamation to students in the Troy City School District’s 21st Century Afterschool Program and the program’s director, Amanda Hooker, during a Thursday afternoon event at Troy Middle School.