Lights On Afterschool for the

Present and Future Success of Our Children and Youth

On Thursday afternoon, October 17, Prime Time Palm Beach County (Prime Time) hosted its 9th Annual Lights On Afterschool Palm Beach County event in celebration of Lights on Afterschool Day 2013 at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium and Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach.  

Lights On Afterschool is a national awareness initiative of the Afterschool Alliance, a national advocacy organization, and was celebrated by more than 7,500 communities and one million Americans nationwide. Prime Time's event was one of 600 in the state of Florida and is a countywide celebration of how quality afterschool programs positively impact the academic and social development of children and youth in our own communities and throughout the nation.  

The mood was festive at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, as more than 600 children and afterschool staff members arrived in buses, five of which were provided by Prime Time to enable children and staff from programs without transportation to participate.

Afterschool advocates, including parents, educators, and business and community leaders joined the afterschool programs and gathered under sunny skies for a brief program. Rhonda Rogers, Prime Time Director of Community Engagement & Supports, welcomed all and introduced guest speakers Lew Crampton, President and CEO of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium and Andrew Aiken President and CEO Of the Palm Beach Zoo. Mayor Jeri Muoio presented a proclamation for Lights On Afterschool Day 2013 for the City of West Palm Beach.

Pictured Left to Right: Andrew Aiken, Suzette Harvey, Jeri Muoio, Rhonda Rogers, Lew Crampton

Additional distinguished guest speakers included  Chuck Shaw, Chairman of the School Board of the School District of Palm Beach County (which also issued a Lights On Afterschool Day 2013 proclamation); Andy McAusland, Program Officer from the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County (which provides significant funding to Prime Time); and Donald Kiselewski, Director of External Affairs, Florida Power & Light, the Title Sponsor of the event.

Prime Time Executive Director Suzette Harvey spoke on the importance of quality out-of-school time programs stating that they "expand the appeal of learning and provide opportunities for our children and youth to succeed now and in the future."

At the conclusion of the program the children headed off on their scavenger hunt adventures at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium and the neighboring Palm Beach Zoo. It's a perfect example of how quality afterschool works... having fun while enjoying hands-on activities that reinforce learning and social skills.

Meanwhile, the adults had the opportunity to view an insightful advocacy video recently produced by Prime Time, featuring interviews with three Representatives from the Florida House of  Representatives - Lori Berman, Mark Pafford and Bobby Powell - all true champions of afterschool.   

Click to view Advocacy video

Let us continue the momentum of Lights On Afterschool Day 2013 and shed the light on afterschool all year long.  Take action for afterschool online on the Afterschool Alliance website http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/petition/index.cfm. 

Get to know your legislators, and if you have an afterschool program, invite them for a site visit. A quality afterschool program in action says it all.  Together we can make sure that quality out-of-school time programs flourish in our community and provide opportunities for our children and youth to succeed.

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To view photos from the 9th Annual Lights On Afterschool Palm Beach County event, click here.