R-5 schools celebrates 'Lights On After School Day'

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Nevada Daily Mail

In observance of "Lights on After School Day" Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, Bryan Elementary School Principal Debbie Spaur, left, toured classrooms and observed student activities with Mayor Pro-Tem Jane Novak, State Representative Barney Fisher and R-5 Superintendent Dr. David Stephens. --Rusty Murry/Daily Mail

Governor Jay Nixon proclaimed Thursday, Oct. 22, as a day to celebrate after school programs in Missouri. He joined 24 other governors in issuing proclamations to support "Lights On After School Day."

"It was our hope that everyone would keep the lights on for our children Thursday afternoon from 3-5 p.m.," said Cindy Heislen, director of Community Education at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. "This action symbolized the importance of keeping the lights on and doors open so that children will have the opportunity to learn and grow in safe, supervised and educational environments after the school day ends."

More than 168 events across the state were held to commemorate the 10th annual observance.

According to a landmark study released last week, "America After 3PM,: quality after school programs are not widely available in much of Missouri and across the nation. The study, commissioned by the After School Alliance and sponsored by the JC Penney After School Fund, surveyed American households to determine how kids spend their after school hours. It found that participation in after school programs has grown nationally by about 15 percent over the past five years-from 6.5 million to 8.4 million children. However, 15 million children remain unsupervised after school. The study reported that 12 percent of Missouri students participate in after school programs, compared to 15 percent nationally. Overall, the study found that 32 percent of Missouri's schoolchildren are on their own in the afternoons, and another 16 percent are in the care of their brothers or sisters. The study also finds the parents of 32 percent of children not already in after school programs say they would enroll their children in a program if one were available. Eighty-four percent of Missouri parents say they are satisfied with the after school program their child attends.

According to Nevada R-5 Elementary Director and Bryan School Principal Debbie Spaur, "We provide a 'Lights On After School' program for all students, K-3, and for students with academic needs in grades 4 and 5."

The Nevada R-5 "Lights On" program is held from 3-5 p.m., every day that school is in session. Spaur said, "We extend the school day, but we do it in a way that is different from the regular school day."

In the "Lights On" program there are more opportunities for hands-on activities as well as extra help with academics and homework. A nutritious snack and play are also a daily part of the program.

After school teachers are certified elementary teachers who use their expertise to provide an intellectually stimulating environment for the students during those critical hours between 3 and 5 p.m. Spaur added, "I really think it gives parents peace of mind to know that when they drop their children off at 7:30 a.m. they will be in a safe school setting until 5 p.m."

On Thursday, Oct. 22, Nevada Mayor Pro Tem Jane Novak and Missouri State Representative Barney Fisher, were present during Bryan School's "Lights On After School" program. They were given a tour of the after school classrooms by Nevada R-5 Superintendent David Stephens and Principal Spaur.

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Here we go again! The teachers and school system is not only responsible for feeding taking care of your kids in the classroom, now they are expected to "baby sit" them until you get off work. How convenient for you. Guess these are the additional duties of the overpaid teachers.

-- Posted by GED on Tue, Oct 27, 2009, at 7:59 PM

Are you kidding me? You think a teachers job is so easy? Here's an idea, spend two weeks in a kindergarten classroom as a sub. and see how easy a teachers job is. Overpaid my bee-hind!! They spend most of their days with your children. A teacher should get paid like a doctor, they are teaching the future!!! And, NO I AM NOT A TEACHER!!!! Just someone who actually appreciates a good teacher when I see one, and I'm not affraid to say it!!

-- Posted by bobbiboo on Tue, Oct 27, 2009, at 11:24 PM

I know of a family where there youngest daughter was a child considered left behind and they went to the schools every year wanting to know what the problem was and wanted to hold their child back. These parents both are college educated and business people but, the school insisted for 4 years that she is doing fine and will catch up. Well they were not going to settle because they knew they had a bright child with alot of common sense and was very polite, quite and shy. They took her out of public schools and the lights on after dark which nothing but a daycare after dark. Enrolled her in a christian school, held her back and now after 3 years she has caught up to her grade level and has surpased it by 2 years. Children who need that extra time is not getting the quality of assistance they should be getting, because they want all children whether your child needs the help or not. The schools get so much money from the government for every child they can get enrolled, it's a number and a moneys game. So, it's the parents duty to take a bigger stand in your childs education just like these parents did. And if your child is failing and the school is still passing them on to the next grade level, then you need to take a step and re-evaluate the situation. I wouldn't be surprised if there are not dozens and dozens of children in this same senario getting left behind when there is absolutly reason.

-- Posted by mu fan on Wed, Oct 28, 2009, at 10:16 AM

The "No Child Left Behind" won't allow the teachers to fail the kids when they should be. They have to move them on like cattle or there will be a stampede. Some should be in a special school but some parents can't afford it or they do not want that image.

-- Posted by GED on Wed, Oct 28, 2009, at 7:15 PM

GED, you talk out of both sides of your mouth. Get over yourself. please.

-- Posted by victor1208 on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 9:06 AM

Just calling it as I sees it.

-- Posted by GED on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 8:29 PM

Trust me the teachers are being paid for the extra effort that they supposedly put in during the "lights on after dark" program, or they wouldn't be doing it. They won't even work a ballgame without compensation, while the parents are DONATING their time and efforts (and money) to raise money. WOW

-- Posted by tigerproud on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 10:06 PM

mu fan - you said it perfectly! It took over 5 YEARS of me begging, pleading, and FINALLY going to central office before someone would give my child the help she needed. I knew she was not up to par in her schoolwork but I was always told she was not the "bottom of the barrel" or "there are others that need the help worse" or "perhaps if she was just a little more behind" then she could get some extra help. I could see back in first grade that she was going to be one of those children who would just get passed through and slip through the cracks. I am sorry but there are so many things about LOAS (Lights on after school) that need to be addressed. My child participated only because of the extra help it claimed to be providing. Several times my child's work was initialed in red as "checked and ok" only for her to wind up missing 6-7 on the paper! It actually hurt her worse! Now, I do agree that teachers are not paid enough for what they do but don't buy into this LOAS as anything other than a babysitter. Truman school has a massive amount of issues and is a mess - middle school is actually a breath of fresh air!

-- Posted by redbird0708 on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, at 2:01 PM

I am a single mother and am thankful that this program is provided. My child does his homework, has snack, and gets the chance to just play with other kids his age.

I can't believe it would take parents four years to put up with a child's lack of progress without raising a fuss and getting testing done independently, esp if they are college educated and professionals. I am in regular communication with my child's teacher - but ultimately I am the one who is responsible for advocating for him. Education doesn't just happen from 8-3 (or 5, in this case) but at home. Every night. We read, we play games, we count....I'm the one in charge of his education. And I choose Lights On to augment that education.

Thanks, Nevada R-5 and the LOAS professionals.

-- Posted by bearcatprof on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, at 6:50 AM