ST. LUCIE COUNTY – St. Lucie Public Schools unites with other communities across the nation on October 22nd to turn the lights on for afterschool programs and activities. During this rally for afterschool program awareness, more than twenty-five area afterschool programs are expected to participate in the 16th annual Lights On Afterschool.
Two locations are earmarked for the rally in St. Lucie County according to organizers Terrance Platt and Kimberly Roberts. The PALS Center in Fort Pierce and the Port St. Lucie Community Center in Port St. Lucie will open their doors from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM in order for parents, students, and community members to become familiar with afterschool opportunities. Representatives from a host of organizations including library services, area churches, tutorial services, sports programs, mentoring services, service organizations, parks and recreation programs, and much more will man booths in an expo-style setting. Students will perform, attendees will have opportunities to win door prizes, and hands-on activities will be available.
Roberts said, “We want this to be a community event. We want everyone in our community to see this as an opportunity to showcase all the programs and activities in our community, because this can have a positive impact on our children.”
Superintendent E. Wayne Gent agrees with afterschool programs’ positive impact on students. He said, “Quality afterschool programs refine students’ skills and broaden their perspectives on opportunities available to them.” Gent also affirmed the fact that afterschool activity involvement contributes to improvements in attendance, behavior, academic achievement, and more.
For more information about Lights on Afterschool, contact Terrence Platt or Kimberly Roberts at 772.429.3617 or 772.429.3957 respectively.
About St. Lucie Public Schools
The mission of St. Lucie Public Schools is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information visit St. Lucie Public Schools’ website www.stlucieschools.org ; Facebook www.facebook.com/stlucieschools; Twitter@StLucieSchools; or contact Kerry Padrick at kerry.padrick@stlucieschools.org.
