What Californians Are
Saying About Afterschool Programs
Download
PDF
From the governor down to the
program participants, Californians know that after-school
programs are essential.
“My vision and goal [is] that, by
2010, every child who needs it has access to an effective
and comprehensive afterschool program."
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
June 6, 2003
•
• •
“Afterschool programs
provide positive outlets for millions of children after
the school bell rings.”
Senator Barbara Boxer
February 20, 2003
•
• •
“The
California State PTA believes that high-quality before-
and after-school programs for all children and youth can
provide engaging and enriching environments that lead
to improved academic achievement. Statistics show that
such programs also reduce truancy and juvenile crime.
“That’s why I encourage all PTA members to
work with their school districts to bring After School
Education and Safety Program (ASES) funding to their students.
Applying for ASES funding is a great chance for PTA leaders,
schools and community organizations to work together to
provide quality programs that meet the needs of students,
schools and working families.”
Brenda Davis, President
California State PTA
October 2006
•
• •
“We go to the after-school program
at Orville Wright Elementary School. We like the after-school
program because we do fun activities. Also, it is fun
because we get to go to fun field trips. We also like
to play sports like soccer, basketball and other fun activities.
They help us with our homework. They also teach us to
stay out of trouble and how to be safe.”
Hector Escobedo and Kevin Murillo,
students
Modesto Bee
April 12, 2006
•
• •
“All children need an environment
where they can learn, seek guidance and make friends and
this is what LA’s BEST gives our children. Learning
does not end in the classroom. LA’s BEST teaches
children that they can learn outside of school. The program
is also successful in keeping our children off the streets
and out of harm’s way.”
Former Los Angeles Mayor James
Hahn
July 21, 2004
•
• •
“Having quality youth
development programs is critical to breaking the hold
of gangs and drugs in our neighborhoods. Working with
the police, schools, non-profits, and the faith-based
community, San Bernardino must vastly expand its support
and number of opportunities for such after school programs.”
San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris
Excerpt from “Operation Phoenix”,
the Mayor’s Crime-Fighting Program for San Bernardino
•
• •
“I strongly believe
that after-school programs are key to the success of many
California school children. They provide important academic
support, enrichment activities, and a fun and safe environment
for students during the crucial hours after school. Studies
show that students who participate in quality after-school
programs perform better academically and also like attending
school more than their counterparts who do not participate
in an after-school program.
“As a former classroom teacher and school board
member, I have also seen first-hand how these kinds of
programs lead to future success. This fall, California
school districts will have a unique opportunity to access
$550 million in funding for after-school programs. We
encourage you to apply for these funds.“
Jack O’Connell
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
September 2006
•
• •
“The expansion of the After School
Education and Safety Program (ASES) is a tremendous opportunity
to increase access to after-school programs in California.
“My parents never finished high school, and they
knew they wanted a different experience for me. I attended
Los Angeles public schools, and it was because of the
patience, support, and personal attention I received from
teachers and staff at my schools that I was put on a path
to academic success and developed a lifelong love of learning.
“That is the kind of personal attention young people
find every day in after-school programs. I have seen after-school’s
benefits first-hand, which is why I worked to expand my
city’s LA’s BEST after-school program to 16
schools in my district. Studies show that after-school
programs not only help students learn, but also keep them
safe during the crucial hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
“I want all students to have access to a quality
after-school program. I am continuing to work to expand
after-school programs in Los Angeles and urge others to
do the same in their communities. Strong community partnerships
make strong after-school programs, and ASES is a great
opportunity for city leaders to help schools and community
organizations work together to provide quality after-school
programs for the youth they serve. Our young people deserve
all the support we can provide for them, so let’s
provide them with after-school programs.”
Alex Padilla
Los Angeles City Council Member
Immediate Past President, League of California Cities
September 2006
•
• •
“…After-school
programs keep kids safe in the afternoon hours, a time
of day when they are far more likely to be either the
victims or perpetrators of crime. That's among the reasons
an overwhelming majority of California voters supported
Proposition 49's requirement that a small portion of the
state budget be directed toward after-school.
“Study after study has demonstrated
that after-school programs are a terrific investment in
our kids. Scrimping on after-school today would doom us
to spending much more money down the road on juvenile
centers and prisons….”
John Poch, After-School
All-Stars — Greater San Jose
Letter to the editor, San Jose Mercury News
March 3, 2006
•
• •
“It keeps [students] out of trouble.
These programs are very effective and very positive. I
would love to see it expanded to our school, but like
everything else, it's all about money.”
Principal LaVerne Shireman
Garrison Elementary School
Modesto Bee, March 28, 2006
•
• •
“With the passage of
Proposition 49 and the state’s commitment of $550
million for after-school programs, California is making
the country’s largest public investment in after-school
programs and a strong commitment to providing quality
after-school opportunities for our children.
“As an author of California’s original after-school
program in 1998 (AB 2284), I worked with Governor Schwarzenegger
and after-school experts to ensure our state was ready
to expand high-quality programs statewide this school
year. Last week, the Governor signed my bill, SB 638,
which streamlines our existing state and federal after-school
program design and establishes priorities for Prop 49’s
implementation.
" As a result, the After School Education and Safety
Program and the federal 21st Century Community Learning
Center grants will provide schools and their partners
with a flexible, direct funding source and enable after-school
programs to deliver student-driven and life-enriching
opportunities for youth in our neediest communities.
"As our nation narrows the school focus to test scores,
those educational experiences that make learning fun and
encourage resiliency — arts, advanced academics,
leadership, sports and more — are disappearing from
the school day. I believe that after-school programs return
excitement to the learning process. After-school programs
provide our children with a safe place to be during after-school
hours and have been proven to have positive impact on
students’ success in school and life."
State Senator Tom Torlakson
September 2006
•
• •
“I believe we need to expand afterschool
programs and work together on joint-use to transform schools
into genuine neighborhood centers.”
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
State of the City Speech
April 18, 2006
•
• •
“Research tells us that from 3 p.m.
to 8 p.m. is the most dangerous time of day for young
people – when crime involving youths doubles –
as they leave school and return to an empty household
or neighborhood street unsupervised. The answer, according
to a consensus of experts, is to provide afterschool programs
in every community.”
Denzel Washington,
Actor and Activist
April 8, 2003
|
