2024 Lights On Afterschool Proclamation

Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool (LOA) is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The national effort is organized by the Afterschool Alliance has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.  LOA events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.

The Case for Afterschool

The research is clear – when young people regularly participate in high-quality Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs), we see improvements in the core A, B, Cs of school success – attendance goes up, positive behaviors increase (and negative behaviors go down) and course work (and grades) improves. One of the primary goals of Beyond School Bells is to support state and local policy that helps Nebraska communities create more, high-quality sustainable ELO programs that enroll more of Nebraska’s highest need students. We leverage our partnerships to help policy makers understand what makes quality ELO programs, how these programs are financed, how they can engage the strengths of all Nebraska communities and, ultimately, what these programs can do to enhance outcomes for all Nebraska students and our future economy.

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