Weekly Media Roundup: November 3, 2021

State Celebrates Success of Afterschool/Summer Program Expansion, Rutland Herald (Vermont)

At a Lights On Afterschool event held in Montpelier, Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced a new initiative to ensure every student in Vermont can access high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs. Students shared their views about the role afterschool programs play in their lives and gave Governor Scott and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders “After School Hero” capes in recognition of their success in increasing access to afterschool and summer learning programs. “We’re celebrating today because afterschool programs offer a better way to serve our youth. Decades of research demonstrate the benefits of afterschool and summer programs for youth of all ages,” Vermont Afterschool Executive Director Holly Morehouse told the Rutland Herald.

'Lights on Afterschool' Shows How Over 40,000 Students Need Activities After 3 p.m., Argus Leader (South Dakota)

At Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire and Kids Inc. sites across Sioux Falls, South Dakota, students and their families celebrated Lights On Afterschool with glow parties, carnivals, dance parties, basketball games, crafts, board games, and more. The waterfalls at Sioux Falls Park were lit to highlight the importance of afterschool and the need for more support for programs. “Today we recognize the importance of these programs and urge our communities to continue to support efforts to reach all children,” Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire CEO Rebecca Wimmer told the Argus Leader. “Learning doesn’t have to stop at 3 p.m.”

Lincoln Avenue Capital Supports Multi-City Educational Afterschool Program in Partnership with Baseball Hall of Fame and Morgan Stanley, WFMZ-TV

In a joint venture with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Morgan Stanley, Lincoln Avenue Capital properties is opening afterschool programs at its affordable housing properties in Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; Rochester, NY; Arlington, TX; and Reno, NV. “The Museum’s award-winning education curriculum connects baseball with a large spectrum of subjects, engaging students and fostering lifelong learning,” Baseball Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch told WFMZ-TV. The programs incorporate baseball concepts into activities and lessons, such as “Baseball Coast to Coast” geography and “Be A Superior Example (BASE)” health science.

TEA Offering Funding for Afterschool Program to Help Students Make Up for COVID-19 Learning Loss, KXAN (Texas)

To help students recover from the pandemic, Texas state government established the Texas COVID Learning Acceleration Supports program (TCLAS) to support funding of school districts’ tutoring and afterschool programs. “Prior to COVID, in 2019, on average, we were at close to 50% proficiency in both reading and math across the state. After the COVID impact in 2021, we were at 43% in reading and only 35% in math,” Texas Education Agency Deputy Commissioner Kelvey Oeser told KXAN. Based on feedback from parents and school districts, Texas plans to offer more TCLAS grants to afterschool programs next semester.