Celebrate Lights On Afterschool October 22 to Share a Bright Reminder that Out-of-School Time Programs Matter to Your Community 

Make Plans to Light Up! Want to take part in Lights On Afterschool but short on time? Create a bright reminder that afterschool matters in your community with a few easy activities! Join the #LightbulbChallenge by recreating the Lights On logo, sharing a photo and a message of support, and challenging another program or community partner to join in. It’s a fun way to celebrate your hardworking staff and recognize local afterschool champions. You can also decorate printable lightbulbs and display them in hallways, share them around town, or mail them to your local Congressional district office to show why afterschool matters. Find printable activities on the Afterschool Alliance’s Art page, and be sure to use #LightbulbChallenge and #LightsOnAfterschool to spread the light!

Build Youth Voice and Shared Leadership 

When young people learn to express their opinions, communicate their needs, and take part in decisions, they build skills that support lifelong success. Join PEAR for a virtual workshop on Thursday, October 29, from 12:00-2:00pm, to explore how assertiveness strengthens youth agency and how educators can share meaningful leadership with young people. Participants will learn practical strategies to encourage assertiveness, create opportunities for real-world problem-solving and decision-making, and make learning more relevant to young people’s lives. The workshop costs $200 per person and is designed for educators in both school and out-of-school time settings.

Read the Back-to-School Guide for Parents & Caregivers

When young people head back to school, backpacks and school supplies are only part of what they need to succeed. Feeling connected, knowing they have someone to turn to, and believing they can handle challenges are just as important. Cathedral Home in Laramie has created a free "Back-to-School Mental Health Guide" for parents and caregivers, with practical ways to support young people through everyday conversations, routines, and relationships. These simple steps can help adults build trust, recognize when a young person may need extra support, and create a stronger sense of belonging at home, in school, and throughout the community. Mental health is built through everyday moments of connection, and every caring adult has a role to play.

Bring a Reading Buddy to Your Program 

What if a little extra reading practice could also build a stronger connection between young people and their community? A new Edutopia article on intergenerational Reading Buddies shares how one Wisconsin school district pairs elementary students with adult volunteers for weekly 20–30 minute reading sessions. Students read aloud, talk about what they read, take books home to share with family, and build relationships with adults who value reading. The program has been running for 28 years—and the idea is easy to adapt beyond the classroom. Try this: Could a library, senior center, community group, or afterschool program recruit a few adult volunteers to become regular reading buddies? Start small, choose some great books, and give young readers another person in their corner. 

Participants at the Wyoming Library Association Conference reported that this is a popular idea! Have you tried it? Let us know! Contact Program Associate Kate Foster, katefoster@wycf.org.

Explore Aerospace Careers with STEM Next 

The future of space exploration is opening up exciting possibilities that young people can start exploring today. Launching Futures, powered by RTX, is a free toolkit designed specifically for afterschool programs. It gives educators easy-to-use, career-connected resources to help young people discover the people, skills, and pathways behind aerospace careers. Explore the toolkit and bring the possibilities of aerospace to your program!