YMCA sheds light on its afterschool programs
MIDDLEBURG – About 40 students, with parents and school faculty funneling in and out, gathered at RideOut Elementary Thursday for “Lights On Afterschool,” celebrating the importance of …
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YMCA sheds light on its afterschool programs
MIDDLEBURG – About 40 students, with parents and school faculty funneling in and out, gathered at RideOut Elementary Thursday for “Lights On Afterschool,” celebrating the importance of afterschool programs.
Children cycled through multiple activities at RideOut Elementary’s cafeteria, consisting of Jenga, Legos and circuits. They voted in a lightbulb decoration contest and had a snack. Another group went outside for exercise.
The YMCA has afterschool programs at every elementary school in the county. The programs cover kindergarten through sixth grade, close to 1,500 students.
Chuck Steinfurth, YMCA’s afterschool experience executive, said the afterschool programs performed an important task: giving children multiple activities from 3-6 p.m., so they’re not just sitting around.
“I think it provides a safe, enriching place for children where they can have fun after school,” Steinfurth said. “Parents know that we’re teaching them as well.”
Steinfurth said the goal of Lights On Afterschool was to show parents what happened on a normal day for students. Thursday’s event was Minion-themed, chosen by students. They would make their own Minion glasses at some point.
Lights On Afterschool began in 2000.
“Today, we want parents and faculty to see what we’re doing every day,” he said.
Site Director Veronica Sherrer said younger students could partner with older students and make friends. She said her son grew up in afterschool programs.
“Afterschool programs builds relationships everywhere,” Sherrer said. “It’s good social and emotional growth, they can actually relate with other kids.”
RideOut Elementary Assistant Principal Treena Petrelli called the afterschool programs an extension of RideOut’s day.
“(The YMCA) really understands our mission at RideOut. They do great things in here with STEM and are really focused on the safety,” Petrelli said. “We work well as a team. The kids really seem to enjoy it, you can see it.”
Heather Santana arrived at RideOut to see her first-grader and fourth-grader. She said the afterschool programs gave her children the ability to take their creativity and explore and expand on it.
“They experience so much throughout these programs, they thrive on letting these kids grow,” Santana said.
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