Pasadena Unified Celebrates National ‘Lights On After School’

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will celebrate “Lights On! After school” Oct. 17-21, 2016, with events that highlight the opportunities that local after school programs provide for students and families. Lights On! After School is a national celebration that recognizes the value of after school programs that serve children during out of school time.

“This celebration highlights the enrichment resources available before and after school that are helping to transform PUSD into the best school system in the area,” said Superintendent Brian McDonald. “Our collective efforts ensure that our students have opportunities to explore and grow to reach their full potential.”

PUSD’s PasadenaLEARNs After School Program is hosting the celebration with the Afterschool Alliance, a collaborative of after school programs in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre. Partners include the City of Pasadena’s After School Adventures, YMCA, Day One, Lake Avenue STARS, Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena, College Access Plan, A Step Ahead, and the Partnership for Children Youth & Families for the weeklong celebration.

Pasadena LEARNs serves approximately 3,000 students at 26 sites in before and after school programs each year; LEARNs also offers summer programs. LEARNs programs include homework assistance, Science Olympiad, Little Kids Rock, Rising Stars Chorus, sports and cheerleading.

Other after school programs available on PUSD campuses include Lego Robotics, 3D Printing, Mad Science, Harmony Music Project, Girls on the Run, GATE, STEAM Coders, Engineering in Elementary, Innovation Club, Parker-Anderson Enrichment Clubs, instrumental music, After School Adventures, Math Field Day, and more.

After school programs ranked as an area of strong interest in selecting PUSD schools, according to the 2016 Parent Survey conducted last spring.

“After school programs provide academically enriching environments and caring and supportive mentors for students,” said Maria Toliver, Pasadena LEARNs Director. “They also give working families peace of mind, knowing that their children participate in safe and supervised activities during out of school hours.”

On Monday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m., the After School Alliance will host a kickoff event at Eliot Middle School, 2184 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. PUSD, local officials, community members, and business owners will join students and families in the celebration.

Lights On! After School events will continue throughout the week with guest speakers, performance showcases, fun activities, and giveaways:

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at 4 p.m., at Washington STEAM Magnet Academy, 1505 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at 4 p.m., Blair High School, 1201 S. Marengo Ave., Pasadena
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, at 4 p.m., Pasadena High School, 2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena
Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, at 4 p.m., Wilson Middle School, 300 S. Madre St., Pasadena

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), 351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, (626) 396-3600 or visit www.pusd.us.