Milton Elementary families celebrate after-school programs

More than 100 children and parents celebrated an after-school program at Milton Elementary designed to keep lights on and doors open for students.

The Oct. 25 Lights On Afterschool rally was one of 8,000 events held nationwide to draw attention to the need for more after-school programs. At Milton Elementary, students participated in activities offered through the FAME program and enjoyed popcorn donated by Grotto Grand Slam.

Milton Elementary’s FAME program began in 2009 with a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The program now serves 110 children, providing homework assistance, tutoring and clubs in various subject areas. The program is a collaboration of the Cape district, Food Bank of Delaware, Boys & Girls Club and Children and Families First.

“This is our 10th year with the 21st Century Learning Grant, and we are all very proud of our afters-school students and staff,” said FAME program administrator Terri Whitacre. “There's no reason learning should stop at 4 p.m.”

Whitacre said data shows the demand for afterschool programs continues to far outpace existing programs. She said in Delaware, 26,000 children from kindergarten to 12th grade participate in afterschool programs, but over 48,000 are waiting for an available program in their area.

Further, in Delaware 84 percent of parents support public funding for these programs, 75 percent say after-school programs give working parents peace of mind and 73 percent say after-school programs reduce the likelihood of kids engaging in risky behaviors, Whitacre said.

Lights On Afterschool is organized by the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children have access to quality afterschool programs. Go to afterschoolalliance.org.