Eugene Field hosts Lights On Afterschool
TOM PINNEY/DAILY FORUM
Haunted house builders Using toothpicks and marshmallows, Eugene Field Elementary GO program students build haunted houses during Thursday’s “Lights On After School” event. The special event brought parents and families of the GO program students to see the benefits of having an after-school program.
Afterschool programs give students the chance to continue learning while having fun outside of the rigid environment of the regular school day. Studies have shown increased cognitive development in students who participate in after-school programming as opposed to those who do not.
The problem with after-school programs, however, is awareness. That’s why, every year, the national Afterschool Alliance organizes an event called “Lights On Afterschool” to spotlight afterschool programs across the nation.
The Afterschool Alliance website notes the event was launched in October 2000, and has since expanded to include 8,000 participants in 48 states and the District of Columbia. According to a release, the United States Senate unanimously declared October 20 to be the annual date of the celebration.
In Maryville, Eugene Field Elementary School’s GO program celebrated by inviting parents and families of their afterschool program participants to see what they do.
Dustin Piper, director of the Eugene Field GO program, said the event creates opportunities for awareness.
“This event lets the area know we’re here,” Piper said. “We’re not very visible; not a lot of people know we offer affordable and safe afterschool childcare.
“Most of the workers are Northwest [Missouri State University] education majors, and everyone here has had background checks done.”
One of the Northwest students, senior elementary and special education major Mekenna Wingard, said she had been working with the GO program for a long time.
“I started my sophomore year, so this is my third year,” Wingard said. “I love working with the kids every day, and the kids love coming to the program.”
Graduate counseling major Ian Walter felt similarly.
“I’ve been working here for two years, and it’s been fun,” Walter said. “It gives me good experience, and it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.
“Plus, the kids often say funny things and give me good stories to tell.”
Walter stressed the importance of having afterschool programming available for students.
“Afterschool programs give students the chance to learn without the rigidity of the school schedule,” Walter said. “They get the chance to learn how to really work with other people to solve problems and get stuff done.”
Wingard said the event provided invaluable experiences for the elementary students as well as the college students.
“It’s important not only for the kids to have good examples set for them in the classroom, but for the college students to gain experience handling students in a setting like this,” Wingard said. “Everyone is having fun during these programs, but we’re also teaching each other the entire time.”
Piper said the importance of afterschool programs also comes down to parental assurance.
“As a parent, I need to know where my kids are and that they are safe,” Piper said. “It’s even better to know that my kids aren’t just watching movies in their afterschool program.
“Here, they’re constantly moving, and they’re still learning even though they’re not in the school schedule. I’m definitely a believer in afterschool programs.”