ELC joins national ‘Lights Afterschool’ celebration

State Rep. Melanie George Marshall (standing) and Timothy Barnekov, dean of UD’s College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy, (second from right) observe how ELC students like John (left) learn math by playing cards with ELC teacher Christine Stopera (second from left) and sophomore Jill Clayton (right).

3:18 p.m., Oct. 26, 2005--“The House of Representatives expresses its deepest appreciation and support to the University of Delaware Early Learning Center’s (ELC) ‘Lights on Afterschool Program,’ ” the citation read. It was presented to the center by state Rep. Melanie George Marshall, of Newark, Oct. 20, at ELC’s “Lights on Afterschool” celebration.

ELC was one of 6,000 after-school programs across the nation participating in the fourth annual rally, sponsored by the Washington, D.C.-based Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of after-school programs.

Marshall told the children, parents and dignitaries participating in the celebration that more than 28 million children in the U.S. have parents who work outside the home, and 14.3 million children have no place to go after school. Many after-school programs are facing funding shortfalls so severe that they are being forced to close their doors and turn off their lights, she said.

“A child who grows up to realize his or her potential is one who will give back to society--to you and me--in ways we can’t even begin to count,” she said. Marshall called on the Delaware legislature to engage in innovative after-school programs and activities that ensure “the lights stay on and the doors stay open for all children after school.”

Sharon Stull, ELC associate director of School Age, introduced Marshall, and said after-school programs “help children and youth develop socially and culturally, building strong communities and promoting positive relationships.“

She took the occasion to announce a new program that ELC will initiate Nov. 3, called “Start Something,” funded by the Tiger Woods Foundation and based on Start Something, the book Woods and his father wrote detailing how youngsters can set goals and then take the steps needed to reach them.

Newark Mayor Vance Funk congratulated ELC and the University for bringing the center to Newark and “doing such a terrific job at making the facility a welcoming one that gives young children the opportunity to do things they’ve never experienced before.”

Before and after the ceremony, attendees were taken to classrooms where the children guided them through some of the math, science, composition, drama, art and music activities at the center.

Timothy Barnekov, dean of UD’s College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy (CHEP) was shown how ELC students learn math by playing cards as Christopher Clark, director of the School of Education observed.

ELC director Karen L. Rucker said it was important for the center to participate in the “Lights on Afterschool” celebration because the staff understands so well how after-school programs support academic success.

Article by Barbara Garrison
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson

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