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Shining a Light on Seattle’s Afterschool Programs with Lights on After School

by on October 24, 2024
Scholars at Roosevelt High School participate in college and career readiness expanded learning activities with Project MISTER.

#LightsOnAfterschool: DEEL celebrates the many community educators and mentors who create environments of safety, welcome, growth and affirmation for Seattle youth! Your efforts improve the wellbeing of our young people, in school and beyond. We see you, and we are grateful for your collaboration and commitment.

In honor of Lights on Afterschool, the City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) celebrates the outstanding work our K-12 community-based partners are doing to provide high-quality afterschool programming for Seattle youth. These programs offer a wide range of enriching activities designed to foster academic success, strengthen essential life skills, and support social-emotional well-being. 

Celebrated today, Thursday, October 24, Lights on Afterschool is a national day of awareness that recognizes the importance of afterschool programs in helping young people reach their full potential. These programs create safe, supportive environments where students can continue learning beyond school hours, engaging in activities that are fun, educational, and aligned with their needs and interests. 

DEEL’s investments in afterschool programming have been instrumental in ensuring that students, particularly those furthest from educational justice, have access to opportunities that support their academic growth. Through Opportunity & Access, Youth Leadership and Cultural Education, and Culturally Specific and Responsive strategies, DEEL partners with a range of community-based organizations, many of which are focused on culturally responsive programming that celebrates the diverse backgrounds of the students they serve. Programs funded by DEEL span academic tutoring, STEM exploration, arts enrichment, social-emotional learning, and college and career readiness, with the goal of helping students succeed both in and out of the classroom.  

In the 2022-23 school year, nearly 2,200 youth from grades K to 12 participated in afterschool program sessions offered by DEEL Opportunity & Access partners. According to DEEL Director Dr. Dwane Chappelle, “The benefits of afterschool activities for our youth go far beyond academic achievement. These programs provide a space where young people can explore their interests, build confidence, and develop relationships with mentors who understand their unique experiences.” Access to afterschool programming also contributes to greater stability for Seattle families. Chappelle continues, “For parents and caregivers, afterschool programs offer peace of mind, knowing that their children are in a safe, enriching environment.” 

DEEL is proud to partner with organizations such as El Centro de la Raza, among many others, to ensure that afterschool programs remain a vital part of our city’s education ecosystem. These programs not only help students stay on track academically but also support their emotional well-being, giving them the tools they need to succeed in school and in life.  

Middle school youth thrive in the Roberto Maestas Afterschool Program at El Centro. A safe environment where young scholars are encouraged to cultivate their curiosity and learn through truth and vulnerability, the Roberto Maestas program offers opportunities for academic, cultural and personal development. According to a recently promoted program participant, “The middle school program has benefited me in a number of ways. For example, me having fun in this program, going on fieldtrips and seeing new things, making new friends, [and] having homework help to make sure I stay on track.”  

Program staff also note the positive connection between access to afterschool learning and youth voice. According to Nadia Gutierrez, Afterschool Program Coordinator, “[Roberto Maestas] is a good program that I wish I had had when I was younger! Having workshops and sessions with the kids elevates their own individual passions. It’s empowering to learn about their culture and identity, and it is important to elevate their voice and what they want to learn.”  

“Gracias por el programa, por ayudarnos con nuestros estudiantes con sus tareas y pues con sus berrinches también. Que bonito que estan aqui.”

“Les dan una oportunidad de hacer actividades y no solo estar en la casa en el celular.”

– Comentarios de padres de familia de estudiantes integrantes del programa Roberto Maestas en El Centro de la Raza, Beacon Hill, Seattle

“Thank you for the program, for helping us with our students, with their homework and well, with their attitudes too. It’s so great that they are here.”

“(Afterschool programs) give them the opportunity to do activities and not just be all day at home on their cellphones.”

– Comments from parents / caregivers of student participants in the Roberto Maestas Afterschool Program at El Centro de la Raza, Beacon Hill, Seattle

To enroll in the Roberto Maestas After School Program, caregivers can bring their scholars to El Centro De La Raza room 301, meet Nadia Gutierrez, program coordinator, and fill out an enrollment form. All students in grades 6 to 8 who are enrolled in Seattle Public Schools are welcome and eligible to join the free program.  

Eligibility for participation in afterschool activities with other DEEL partners varies according to each program. For more details and information about enrollment in afterschool programming, please visit the following partner websites. 

The City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning’s mission is to transform the lives of Seattle children, youth, and families through strategic investments in education. www.seattle.gov/education 

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Filed Under: BIPOC Community Youth Programs, Department News, K-12 Education Tagged With: ,

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