Posted: | September 16, 2014 01:19 PM |
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From: | Senator John T. Yudichak and Sen. David G. Argall |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Resolution designating October 23, 2014 as Lights on Afterschool! Day |
In the near future, we plan to introduce a non-controversial resolution designating October 23, 2014, as Lights on Afterschool! Day in Pennsylvania. This will mark the 15th annual national commemoration of the Lights on Afterschool! Day, a national event recognizing the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children. Pennsylvania has over 2.1 million school-age children and youth and over 1.3 million of them (6 to 17 years of age) have both parents in the workforce, or in the case of single parent families, the sole parent in the workforce. Children’s out-of-school hours represent the “single biggest block of time” for youth and a key time during the development of children into adolescents and adolescents into adults. Research on the benefits of afterschool programs is clear – it demonstrates that out-of-school hours have a significant influence on the development of children and teenagers’ habits, attitudes and skills that will ultimately help determine their academic and lifetime successes. High-quality afterschool programming improves student achievement, reduces crime by and against youth, and promotes positive social development. Across Pennsylvania, communities are already working together to develop safe, affordable and enriching afterschool experiences for school-age children and teens. It is vitally important that the Senate recognize the importance of these programs and support the contributions that providers and volunteers make to improve the lives of our young people. |
Introduced as SR487