Fairfax, VA 22035
For media inquiries, contact: Gail Bjorklund, 703-324-8225, TTY 703-222-9452
For Immediate Release - October 20, 2004
"We're ready and eager to get to work creating more after school opportunities for children in Fairfax County," stressed Linda Waymire, president of the School Age Child Care (SACC) Parent Advisory Group (PAG).
A staunch advocate for quality after school programs with two children in the Virginia Run Elementary School SACC program, Linda said county agencies involved in after school programming should "put their resources together and get going" on providing more after school programs - especially for middle school children. She recommended using SACC's Club 78 at Holmes Middle School in Alexandria as a prototype for new programs.
Linda discussed her after school programming ideas at Virginia Run SACC where children and teachers hosted a rally in support of the nationwide Lights On Afterschool! effort. Mt Vernon Woods SACC and Club 78 at Holmes Middle School also participated in the rally.
A project of the non-profit Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool! hopes to ensure that all children have access to after school programs by 2010. The effort is chaired by California Governor Arnold Schwarzennegger and has the support of more than 6,000 communities across the USA, including Fairfax County.
"Fairfax County is firmly committed to quality after school programs and activities for youth," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly in support of the Lights On effort. "Not only do these programs provide safe, challenging, engaging and fun learning experiences to help children develop their emotional and academic skills, but they also support working families by ensuring that their children are safe and productive after the regular school day."
SACC centers participated in the Lights On rally by providing refreshments for guests and demonstrating after school activities enjoyed by children.
Children at Virginia Run SACC offered guests fresh salsa dip (prepared on site) and snow cones, created their own jewelry, and played games and sports outdoors. The middle schoolers at Club 78 prepared chicken snacks for their guests, produced theatrical skits, and showed off their video editing talents in the center's film studio. Mt. Vernon Woods SACC served up a buffet of snacks and children silk-screened tee shirts with the Lights On Afterschool! light bulb logo.
Teachers at each center collected quotes from children about why they like SACC. Jack, a kindergartner enjoying his first year in the SACC program at Virginia Run, confided that he likes SACC "because you can do anything you want to do or you don't have to do anything you don't want to do."
"Lights On Afterschool! helped us showcase the wonderful after
school programs we have in Fairfax County and demonstrate what they can
provide for children," said Linda. Next year SACC will support the
Lights On Afterschool! effort with activities at each of its 131
centers.
For more information about SACC visit the web site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc/Sacc.htm
Fairfax County is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination
in all county programs, services and activities
and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
To request special accommodations, call 703-324-3535 or Virginia Relay
711.