Today, hundreds of afterschool programs throughout Georgia will join together with students, families and communities to recognize the 16th annual Lights on Afterschool event. Since 2000, Lights on Afterschool has emphasized the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open after school in order to provide students with quality afterschool programs.

The Thomas County School System provides many opportunities for students to attend afterschool programs. An important partnership with Thomasville Community Resource Center (TCRC) allows the students to receive extra help in academic areas of math, reading, and science, test preparation, homework help, and enrichment activities from certified teachers and certified paraprofessionals. These activities get the students engaged in learning.

Through Georgia’s Title IV, Part B, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program (21st CCLC), the Georgia Department of Education provides federal funds to establish or expand community learning centers that operate during out-of-school hours. The grant allows TCRC to serve students in the community. During this school year, approximately 26,000 21st CCLC students will attend afterschool programs offered at 243 locations that serve more than 60 school districts in Georgia.

“I think our partnership and collaboration with the Thomas County School System is a great and much needed asset that has grown this year,” said LaTonya Williams White, 21st Century program manager at the TCRC. “This partnership allows Thomasville Community Resource Center to have access to the schools, students, and school equipment. TCRC currently serves students at Cross Creek, Garrison Pilcher, and Thomas County Middle in the Thomas County School System.”

The afterschool program at TCRC also allows the teachers to reteach skills that the students were taught during the school day. The ratio is one teacher per ten students, and the students receive one-on-one attention when they are having difficulty understanding the skills that are being taught. The smaller group settings, peer to peer tutoring, and one-on-one is very beneficial to struggling students. The program is also allowing the students to have a safe place to go afterschool.

White said, “The 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs is an asset to the working parents. The students receive snacks through the school nutrition program at Thomas County Schools. The parents don’t have to worry about the students being hungry while they are attending the program, paying for daycare fees, or wondering where their child(ren) are. This program also helps with productivity in the workplace, because the employees are there and can produce the work that is required of them.”

Transportation is provided to the students who attend the 21st Century Afterschool Program at one of the Thomas County Schools.

“When we partnered with the Thomas County Schools, the transportation was included as well,” said White. “The Thomas County School System allows TCRC to provide transportation to the students who reside out in the county areas that includes cities outside of Thomasville.”

The program serves the child from a holistic approach educationally with Thomas County Schools and the Thomasville Community Resource Center. The parents are more engaged since the partnership was formed.

“Students that have been promoted from Thomas County Middle School to Thomas County Central High School have asked if the program would be offered at the high school level. We will work diligently to try to serve students who need and benefit from the 21st Century Afterschool Program,” added White.

“We know that learning does not stop at 3 p.m. when the bell rings,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “We are proud of the remarkable work being accomplished after school by the students who attend our 21st CCLC programs. These programs provide children with safe environments that inspire learning by giving kids the opportunity to discover new talents as they grow academically and socially.”

Over the course of a year, students only spend an average of 15 percent of their time in school. Twenty-first CCLC programs help students meet academic standards in core subjects by offering a broad array of enrichment activities that complement regular academic programs, as well as literacy and other educational services for the families of participating children. Lights on Afterschool is a powerful reminder that afterschool programs play a critical role in keeping youth safe, engaged and prepared to be successful adults.

Another important afterschool program exists at Bishop Hall Charter School. Bishop Hall offers night school and Saturday school for those who need the extra school hours. Nine teachers are on duty from the end of school until 4:30 p.m., and two teachers are on duty from 4:30 p.m.- p.m., Monday-Thursday. Currently, night school at Bishop averages 20 students a night, and Saturday school averages 25 students.

According to Chris Huckans, Bishop Hall principal, more than 40 credits were earned by night school students between January and May. Through night school, five students are on track to complete requirements for graduation in December 2015. One student completed his requirements for graduation in spring 2015.

“Students attending night school are predominately students with full-time jobs during the day or teen moms,” said Huckans. “There are a number of students who attend night school only one or two nights a week to get additional help in math or English. These students attend regular daytime hours.”

Huckans added, “The ability to provide evening and weekend hours for students has been invaluable for Bishop Hall. Removing the hurdle of a very finite school day has opened the door for students to be a provider for their family, as some are the sole provider, and still have the face to face access to quality teachers that they need to be successful academically.”

The Thomasville Community Resource Center will celebrate Lights On Afterschool Thursday at the school sites and will celebrate Lights On Afterschool by having a carnival for the students on Friday at TCRC. The center is inviting parents, community leaders, principals, and anyone else who would like to attend.