Lights On Afterschool spotlights importance of afterschool activities

A group of district, civic and city leaders gathered together to highlight the importance of afterschool activities as part of the 20^th Lights On Afterschool Celebration hosted by Dallas ISD’s Extended Learning Opportunities Department.

In kicking off the Lights on After School program, Dallas ISD Trustee Karla Garcia said that Dallas ISD was joining more than 1 million people nationwide in calling attention to after-school programming and the impact it makes on the lives of district children and working families.

“All of the things that have come to me–with civic engagement, with sports, with building teams and a strong self-identity–would not have happened without (after-school) opportunities,” said Garcia, a Dallas ISD graduate. “And I thank Dallas ISD for making these opportunities available to me and other families.”

In her remarks, Trustee Joyce Foreman said afterschool activities are a big part of Dallas ISD’s mission of educating all students for success.

“Afterschool programs provide an ecosystem of support and sense of community for our students,” she said.

Dallas City Councilman Jaime Resendez, State Senator Royce West and Dallas Arboretum President and CEO Mary Brinegar also spoke to the importance of afterschool programming. Afterwards, district students showcased afterschool learning in action, from STEM, Chess, Health amp; Wellness, Culinary, DJing and special musical performance DSO Young Musicians-Kahn Elementary featuring by Angel Subero from the Boston Pops.

“We offer an array of wonderful afterschool programs in Dallas ISD through the Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Department, we are grateful to be able to showcase our students Demonstration of Learning of the E3 Model of providing Enriching, Engaging, and Empowering  project based leaning  during this Lights On Afterschool Celebration,” said ELO Director Lori Griffin. “It’s been a special day.”