Every October schools across the country participate in a special celebration of the events and programs that take place after the final bell rings to end the regular school day.
From Lynne McKenna of West Lake Junior High –
Students at West Lake Junior High got a chance to check out this year’s Mustang Activity Program (MAP!) offerings at a special open house held as part of the nationwide Lights On! after-school celebration. This year, over 8,100 after-school programs participated in events designed to highlight what is going on after regular school hours across the nation.
West Lake’s Lights On! event included demonstrations by after-school teachers of the various activities that are offered, raffle prizes and pizza for everyone who attended! Over 150 students, teachers, administrators and guests enjoyed themselves at the celebration. The West Lake MAP! Is made possible by a Federal 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, awarded through the Community Education Partnership of West Valley City, as well as Title I funding. CEP Director Margaret Peterson also attended our open house and was pleased with the activities and the crowd!
Four afternoons each week, students meet in the cafeteria for snacks and to sign up for that day’s activities. Students then move to computer labs to spend 30 minutes working on homework, with teachers available for tutoring, homework help, etc. Then students end the afternoon with an enrichment activity, with different options each day, including Bowling, Song-writing with the SpyHop Youth Media group, Cooking, etc. We also have the Mustang Lounge, complete with an X-Box, Ping Pong and other activities, for students with no academic deficiencies. These activities provide a safe, supervised afterschool experience for West Lake students all year long.