RELEASED Oct. 9, 2009

MORE THAN 40 VALLEY SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PART IN AFTER‐SCHOOL CELEBRATION

Free Family‐Friendly Event

CLOVIS, Calif. – Hundreds of elementary, middle school and high school students from throughout the Central Valley will participate in the Lights On Afterschool event at the Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis, Calif., on Oct. 21 and 22 from 3- 8:30 p.m.

Students from as far away as Lindsay will compete in dance competitions, talent shows, chalk art, and more. The event will kick off with hundreds of dancers and spectators joining in a “Thriller” dance at the west end of the mall. Other activities include: student art and silent auction, music, storefront displays, free exhibits, giveaways, and entertainment for the entire family. The event culminates with the ceremonious lighting of a 13‐foot “Lights On Robot,” Thurs., Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. This event is part of an effort to illuminate the importance of quality after‐school programs throughout the nation. The local need to address after‐school time is apparent, according to statistics from the Fresno Police Department. In 2008 there were a total of 6,158 juvenile arrests with 27 percent of these arrests occurring between the hours of 3-6 p.m.

“The need to address what children and youth are doing after school is an issue for schools,
families and the community,” said Randy Mehrten, Safe & Healthy Kids Senior Director at Fresno County Office of Education. “After‐school programs of today are innovative, providing youth with safety, academic support, cultural and creative enrichment, physical and mental health awareness, and personal development.”

The free Lights On Afterschool community event is presented by the Central Valley Afterschool Foundation, the Fresno County Office of Education and Sierra Vista Mall. The schedule of activities is available at www.lightsoncentralvalley.org.

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BACKGROUND
Lights On Afterschool is a national project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable after‐school programs. This month, 1 million Americans will celebrate Lights On Afterschool!

Lights On Afterschool is celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of after‐school programs for America’s children, families and communities. After‐school programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning. They provide opportunities to help young people develop into successful adults.

National After-School Facts

• According to Afterschool Alliance, national after‐school statistics include:
• In America today, one in four youth – 14.3 million children – are alone and unsupervised after school. (America After 3 PM, May 2004)
• A report on 21st Century Community Learning Centers showed that 45 percent of all after‐school participants improved their reading grades, and 41 percent improved their math grades. (Afterschool Alliance)
• On school days, the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex. (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2002)
• Teens who do not participate in after‐school programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes than teens who do participate. They are also three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and they are more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity. (YMCA of the USA, March 2001)

Local After-School Facts

• According to the Fresno Police Department, 2008 crime statistics on juveniles include:
  • A total of 6,158 juvenile arrests.
  • Juvenile arrests that occurred between the hours of 3-6 p.m. totaled 1,642. Arrests
    during this three‐hour block of time accounted for 26.7 percent of the total arrests.
• Research on after-school programs in the Central Valley shows that students enrolled in an after‐school program have improved regular school‐day attendance by 14 days, 23 percent of English Learners were reclassified as fluent in English and 50 percent of after‐school students improved their CST test scores. (Afterschool Programs in the Central Valley Benefit Children and Youth: Evaluation Results from the 2006‐2007 School Year, April 2008)
• Every $1 invested in after‐school programs produces $3 worth of benefits to children, youth, and the community. (The Rose Institute at Claremont McKenna)