By Lisa Baldwin
BATTLE MOUNTAIN - This year Sept. 12 marked the fifth year that the 21st Century Afterschool Program was available to Lander County students in grades first through eighth.
Afterschool programs are a vital support for youth, families and communities. The engaging, hands-on experiences they provide help today's youth develop the skills they need to succeed. They help working families by giving kids a safe, nurturing place to be until they are once again back home with their families. They encourage young children to learn more, as well as giving them the resources and help they need to complete school work.
Currently, there are over 15.1 million school-age children alone and unsupervised after school each day. That's more than a quarter of all youth. This is an increase of nearly one million children in the past five years. (America After 3 PM, 2009)
In an effort to bring more attention to the need for the program, Oct. 20 was declared National Rally Day for LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL. Over 7,500 communities and one million Americans - including those in Battle Mountain - helped SHINE awareness on the importance of afterschool programs.
This year's theme was LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL. School children were asked to dress in yellow when attending school on Oct. 20. That night, Mary S. Black (MSB) and Eleanor Lemaire Elementary (ELES) Schools held parent night from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. From 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. the high school drama team came in and worked with those at MSB, while ELES made popcorn Halloween hands. Parents and others were invited to stop in and see the students' talent and creativity. Then from 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. they enjoyed snacks while reading under the lights of the schools libraries.
Battle Mountain Junior High School (BMJHS) will be putting on a Halloween Hall for the Battle Mountain community on Oct. 27. The BMJHS Afterschool program kids will be having a door decorating contest. Winners will be determined by student votes. Tickets are for sale for 25 cents each or six for $1.
Enter the double doors closest to Eliza Pierce Elementary School and trick or treat down the hallway and exit the double doors by the office where you can place your vote. They will also be having a canned food drive to help others in the community have a great holiday season this year. So bring the entire family and come out and have some fun and help those in need while doing it.
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