117th CONGRESS 2d Session |
Supporting Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 20, 2022.
October 18, 2022
Mr. Cicilline (for himself, Mr. Auchincloss, Ms. Bass, Mr. Cárdenas, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Evans, Mr. García of Illinois, Ms. Kuster, Mrs. Lee of Nevada, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Norton, Mr. O'Halleran, Mr. Pappas, Mr. DeSaulnier, and Ms. Bonamici) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
Supporting Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 20, 2022.
Whereas more than 30,000,000 children in the United States have parents who work outside the home;
Whereas high-quality programs that expand learning opportunities for children, such as afterschool, before-school, summer, and expanded learning opportunities, provide safe, challenging, engaging, and fun learning experiences, including experiences that encourage the study of science, technology, engineering, and math that help children and youth develop social, emotional, physical, cultural, and academic skills;
Whereas, during the COVID–19 crisis, afterschool programs have risen to the moment to support children by—
(1) innovating to provide virtual programming to keep children engaged;
(2) caring for children of essential workers;
(3) providing meals and learning supports;
(4) supporting the wellbeing of children and families; and
(5) helping students recover and accelerating learning;
Whereas high-quality afterschool programs and high-quality expanded learning opportunities provide students with hands-on, engaging lessons that are aligned with the school day;
Whereas high-quality afterschool programs complement regular and expanded school days and support working families by ensuring that the children of those families are safe and productive during the hours parents are working;
Whereas high-quality afterschool programs engage families, schools, and diverse community partners in advancing the well-being of children and youth in the United States;
Whereas high-quality afterschool programs that partner with high-quality community-based organizations build stronger communities by integrating schools with the larger community; and
Whereas Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool, before-school, summer, and expanded learning opportunities programs held on October 20, 2022, highlights the critical importance of those high-quality programs to children and the families and communities of those children: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,