by Davy James, Staff Writer
The value of the peace of mind parents receive from knowing their children are safe after school is immeasurable. With that goal at its heart, South Brunswick Community Education celebrated National Lights on Afterschool Day on Oct. 16.
”This is a national event and the program was started nine years ago,” said Sheila Barry, manager of school age care. “This acknowledges the fact that school buildings don’t shut their doors at 3 o’clock in South Brunswick.”
The national celebration involved inviting parents to participate in numerous activities with their children at each elementary school and both middle schools in the district, including pumpkin painting, Hula-Hoop races and other games and activities.
About 1,000 children districtwide participated in the program, according to Ms. Barry. She said Lights on Afterschool gives parents a valuable resource for their children. The national day was a celebration of the Lights on Afterschool program, which runs each day after school in South Brunswick and nationwide.
”First and foremost parents know their children are safe and they use it because they have a busy schedule at work,” Ms. Barry said. “We have adults who facilitate activities so the kids learn and grow. They get to socialize with their friends and one of the strongest aspects is that the program occurs right in the building they attend school. When the bell rings they just stay in their home school.”
A regular day offers students the chance to play outside and get physical activity while also providing homework support. In addition, the children also participate in learning activities in a more relaxed atmosphere, according to Ms. Barry.
The program doesn’t only offer after-school activities, but also allows parents to drop off their children before the start of the school day. Beginning at 7 a.m. and running up until the school day begins. With some schools running their program up until 9 a.m., parents have a safe and productive atmosphere to leave their children in if work requires them to leave earlier in the day.
”The before-school program is very similar but more low key,” Ms. Barry said. “It’s not as large as the after-school program but it allows parents to leave their kids in a safe location and then move on with their day.”
Lights on Afterschool has a 1-to-12 student to adult ratio in the elementary schools and a 1-to-15 ratio in the middle schools. The overall goal for the students is to provide support for different areas each child handles throughout school.
”We have a theme based curriculum that changes once a month at each building,” Ms. Barry said. “The goal is not to focus solely on academics but to give them hands-on activities. The goal we have is to learn and also have fun.”

