Gwinnett County Public Schools celebrates Lights on Afterschool

     Across Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), the third annual celebration of Lights on Afterschool (LOA) was recognized on October 23. This event, designed to raise awareness about the importance of quality after-school care programs, has grown each year thanks to the partnership between the Office of Community Schools and the six approved after-school care agencies:  

• B2Anywhere

• Camp Success Academy 

• Discover Afterschool Programs 

• GASP!

• Right at School 

• YMCA of Metro Atlanta 

     Through these partnerships, GCPS is proud to offer low cost after-school care programs in elementary school buildings across the district, serving students Monday through Friday until 6 p.m. Current enrollment indicates nearly 3,000 students take advantage of this opportunity across the district, representing a 6% increase over the previous school year.

     This year, Gwinnett County Community Services kicked off LOA with a celebration for the community on Saturday, October 18, at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center. The event included STEAM activities, board games, literacy exploration, and lots of giveaways to highlight learning beyond the school day. On Thursday October 23, all programs across Gwinnett hosted activities to highlight the importance of after-school care for families.

     Camp Success Academy hosted a Lights on Afterschool Community Day where participants received a visit from Gwinnett County Police Department officers. Officers spent the afternoon playing bingo and board games with students and encouraged discussions about trick or treat safety and making good choices.

     Discover Afterschool Programs held a “Spooked into After-school” Family Movie Night. Parents were invited to share snacks and watch a movie, complete with movie-based activities and lots of fun.

     GASP! Programs hosted a celebration party featuring a game truck, a balloon-pop activity, and glow party.

    Right At School hosted a “Literacy is Cool” night, where students participated in a read-aloud from a community member, complete with a “design your own bookmark” station promoting the joy of reading.

     Y-Explorers (YMCA of Metro Atlanta) spent the day participating in team-building activities including the “Lightbulb Challenge” (creating light-bulb art) to highlight “why they love after-school”, and designed puzzles to represent their favorite part of after-school care. Students then worked as a team to put the puzzles together to complete a portrait of after-school.

     These events reflect the district’s continued commitment to foster well-rounded students and to support the development of the whole child. Contact your local elementary school to learn more about its after-school care program and visit the district’s website for more information.