Weekly Media Roundup: December 9, 2020

Survey: Afterschool Participation Drops to Lowest Rate Since 2009, As Providers Seek Funding for Students During Pandemic, The 74 Million

Data from America After 3PM, a household survey commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance, reveals staggering unmet demand for afterschool programs in the United States. Families cited cost, lack of transportation and lack of available programs as primary barriers to enrolling their children in afterschool programs. A separate survey released in November shows that programs are stepping up to meet students’ needs during school hours when many schools are physically closed due to the pandemic. Advocates are raising the need for federal funding to ensure all families can access programs and programs can stay afloat financially during the pandemic. “I think [afterschool programs] are playing a huge role right now,” Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, told the 74 Million.

I Run a Lively After-School Program. Here’s How We’re Making Remote Activities Work., Chalkbeat

In virtual afterschool programming run by a 21st Century Community Learning Center in southern New Jersey, students are taking part in master classes on public speaking, yoga, drama, baking, survival techniques, and more. To keep students engaged and help them explore their passions while in-person programming is suspended, the program has adjusted its schedule, incorporated new activities like e-sports and a video game coding class, and combined its two program sites. “Now, students’ and families’ needs might be a little different. But it’s still vital that students have opportunities for leisure, learning, and gathering with each other outside of school in ways that foster good habits. Here is where after-school educators….can keep them engaged, learning, living, and loving,” Director Rann Miller wrote in Chalkbeat.

PetSmart Providing Toys for Camp Fire Kids, Times Record News (Texas)

Each day after school, as many as 75 children in Camp Fire North Texas afterschool programs get hot meals, take part in environmental activities, play outside, do hands-on learning projects and more – all while remaining socially distanced and masked. This year, PetSmart is providing each Camp Fire student with a stuffed animal as a holiday gift, and students will also celebrate by giving back their community. “Camp Fire members will not be singing Christmas carols at nursing homes this year, but they are making and sending Christmas cards to nursing home residents,” the Times Record News reported.

Teachers Pivot in Pandemic and Ensure After School Program Still Provides Safe Haven for Austin Neighborhood, WGN 9 (Illinois)

In normal times, Kidz Express offers comprehensive afterschool programming in the Austin community in Chicago from 3 to 6 PM each weekday. During the pandemic, the program is offering virtual tutoring sessions, distributing meals and groceries, and more. Mentors are available 24/7 if students need someone to talk to. Teacher Marco Dodd told WGN 9 that Kidz Express is “a place where kids come and they feel safe. They feel safe to speak their mind, they’re safe to learn …. I just try to stress to them to talk to someone, stay healthy, eat right, so when all this blows over and we get back to a functioning society, they will be in the right place.”