Weekly Media Roundup: October 29, 2025

IAN Literacy Playbook Empowers Indiana After-School Programs With $25,000 Grants, WISH-YV (Indiana)

This October, the Indiana Afterschool Network (IAN) launched the IAN Literacy Playbook initiative, providing valuable literacy resources, tools and funding to Indiana’s afterschool programs. “One in eight third graders still are not reading proficiently,” Lakshmi Hasanadka, CEO of the Indiana Afterschool Network, told WISH-TV. “When kids struggle to read, they’re not set up to success in school and in life.” Through the initiative, IAN will provide grants up to $25,000 to support afterschool programs’ literacy efforts.

MO Kids Can Benefit from After-school STEM Learning, KRCU (Missouri)

Students in Missouri are falling behind in reading and math, and students in rural and low-income Missouri communities are at greatest risk when enrichment programs aren’t available, finds the 2025 Kids Count Data Book. Ed Kim, vice president of education and training for Code Ninjas, notes afterschool programs provide opportunities to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in ways not always possible in the classroom. “Focusing on STEM education is going to be a critical piece of American education moving forward,” Kim told KRCU. “We just have to make sure we’re always providing opportunities. And it’s not just in school. It’s got to be opportunities outside of school, so kids can take the time to connect the dots on their own.”

Students Shine With ‘Lights On,’ The Laurinburg Exchange (North Carolina)

Since 2007, Partners In Ministry has provided comprehensive afterschool programs across three counties in North Carolina. For Lights On Afterschool, the program hosted a celebration featuring student cheer, rap, music and drama performances, plus a student parade with lightbulbs set to the song “This Little Light of Mine.” At the celebration, North Carolina State Representative Garland Pierce read Governor Josh Stein’s proclamation declaring October 23 Lights On Afterschool Day in the state. “Here at Partners In Ministry, our afterschool program is more than a place to study. It is a place to dream, to explore, to grow and to believe in what’s possible. It is where our students discover their strengths, build confidence,” Executive Director Melba McCallum told the Laurinburg Exchange.

Alachua County Celebrates After-School Care Programs Circus-Style, WUFT (Florida)

Students in the Gainesville Circus Center afterschool programs juggled swords, danced, and performed aerial hoop tricks at the Children’s Trust of Alachua County’s Lights On Afterschool event last week. Alachua County Commissioner Ken Cornell attended and expressed thanks to the afterschool professionals for the support they provide students and working families. “We want to highlight all the hard work that all the after-school programs and all the leaders in those programs do, also the importance that they provide for not only the kids, but also the community,” Children’s Trust Community Engagement Coordinator Emily McCauley told WUFT.