When the school day ends, learning continues. Throughout October, Partners for Change partner districts celebrated Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide celebration led by the Afterschool Alliance highlighting the importance of high-quality afterschool programs.
Schools welcomed families and community members to experience the academic support, enrichment and connections these programs provide.
At Latonia Elementary in Covington, “Cardinal Club CHARGED UP: Powering Your Curiosity” showcased the hands-on learning offered through the district’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs.
Students created colorful suncatchers from recycled plastic lids, built electrical circuits with foil and batteries, solved math problems through glow-in-the-dark bowling and used prisms to turn white light into a rainbow of colors. They also decorated light bulbs to share what they love about Cardinal Club in recognition of Lights On Afterschool on Oct. 22.
At Southgate Independent, students decorated pumpkins and invited their families to a glow-in-the-dark pumpkin walk. In Newport, a fall festival brought the community together to celebrate the relationships at the heart of afterschool programs.
Each celebration highlighted opportunities for students to experiment, solve problems and express their creativity in a welcoming environment.
During the 2025-26 school year, 1,658 students participated in afterschool programming across Partners for Change partner districts. Lights On Afterschool celebrates what those opportunities make possible: more time to learn, explore and connect.
