Afterschool programs provide education and fun

"I get to do fun things like make animated pictures," said Joshua Acevedo, a fourth-grader at Mission Elementary School in Ontario.

On Thursday evening, Joshua and his mother were at the Lights on Afterschool event at the Montclair Community Center.

Montclair's event -- called "Building a Better Future" -- included cultural exhibitions, a chorus performance, refreshments and tables displaying the accomplishments of students enrolled in after-school programs. 

"We love it," said Renee Acevedo, Joshua's mother. "He's able to do his homework, be exposed to different programs, and there's even time for him to go outside and play."

After-school programs are available at 12 Ontario-Montclair School District schools. Components include academic assistance, enrichment programs and recreational activities. 

Students are assigned to adult-learning leaders who plan and conduct daily activities. 

Besides assisting students with homework, learning leaders lead enrichment activities such as crafts, art, drama, music, dancing, games and sports. The program also provides a nutritious snack each day.

In advance of Lights on Afterschool this year, the Afterschool Alliance released a new special report, "America After 3PM: A Household Survey on Afterschool in America," that explores how U.S. children spend their afternoons. 

<CW-6>According to the state Department of Education, 6.2 million students  were enrolled in California's public schools in the 2008-09 school year.

The report revealed that 1.7 million of California's K-12 children are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. They spend an average of eight hours per week unsupervised after school.

The report also revealed 1.3 million of California's K-12 children participate in after-school programs. On average, after-school participants spend nine hours per week in after-school programs. Participation averages three days per week.

Also, almost 2 million of all California children not in after-school programs would likely participate if an after-school program were available in the community, regardless of their current care arrangement, and that on average, California families spend 

$84 per week for after-school programs, according to the report.

"When they're with (an after-school program) they're in a safe environment and not out in the streets or getting into trouble," said Melissa Mayorga, an after-school coordinator at Mission Elementary.