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Weekly Media Roundup : March 11, 2015

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Weekly Media Roundup : March 11, 2015

After School Programs Promoting Healthy Lifestyles For Kids (WNEW, District of Columbia)

After school activities are beginning to emerge as an effective weapon in the battle against childhood obesity, according to a new survey conducted for the Afterschool Alliance.  Afterschool Alliance executive director Jodi Grant told WNEW’s Chuck Carroll that 95 percent of parents surveyed in D.C. said their child’s after school program involves some sort of physical activity.  The percentage was lower in Virginia and Maryland, with 87 percent and 77 percent of parents saying the same, respectively.  Despite these statistics, only about one out of five students is actually involved in an after school program.  The obesity rate among children continues to skyrocket, with one out of every three kids considered obese, but the survey suggests a simple solution could help curb that epidemic – after school programs.

Fitness Progress Tied to Nebraska After School Programs (WOWT, Nebraska)

A new household survey indicates that afterschool programs are an effective tool in the effort to prevent childhood obesity in Nebraska and nationwide.  The survey was conducted by Shugoll Research for the Afterschool Alliance.  A special report was included in the survey titled "Kids on the Move: Afterschool Programs Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity."  In the survey, most Nebraska parents (73 percent in Nebraska and 72 percent nationally) report that their child’s afterschool program provides children with beverages, snacks and/or meals, and 88 percent in Nebraska are satisfied that the food served is healthy.

Study Finds Afterschool Programs Help Promote Healthy Eating (Motherhood Through My Eyes, Florida)

Going back to my grammar school days, I recall staying in afterschool programs with one of my brothers because our school days ended at 2:30 pm and our mom worked across the street until 4:30, sometimes 5.  Aside from the obvious getting homework done, we had time to socialize and communicate with classmates.  Our parents would either pack us some snacks or we would save one or two from lunchtime.  One thing is for sure, whoever was watching us always made sure we kept busy and ate something.  Afterschool programs are still around today and, according to a special report from Afterschool Alliance, parents have expectations for these programs.  More than 70% of Florida parents said their child’s afterschool program provides beverages, snacks, and/or meals for the children in the programs.  In addition, 78% of them are satisfied that the food being served is healthy.

Healthy Habits: Afterschool Programs (Motherhood Moment, Minnesota)

Evidence is mounting that afterschool programs are an effective tool in the effort to prevent childhood obesity in Minnesota and nationwide, according to a household survey conducted by Shugoll Research for the Afterschool Alliance.  In the survey, most Minnesota parents (79 percent in Minnesota and 72 percent nationally) report that their child’s afterschool program provides children with beverages, snacks and/or meals, and 82 percent in Minnesota are satisfied that the food served is healthy.  Similarly, a strong majority of parents (82 percent) agree that afterschool programs should offer opportunities for physical activity, and 91 percent of Minnesota parents with a child in an afterschool program report that the program does just that.

Weekly Media Roundup: March 20, 2024

Matthew McConaughey and ASU Are Helping an Arizona School District. Here's How, Arizona Republic (Arizona) Matthew McConaughey and Arizona State University (ASU) have teamed up to help a Phoenix-area school district apply for federal afterschool funding included in the Bipartisan Safer...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      03/20/24

Weekly Media Roundup: March 13, 2024

English Learners Stopped Coming to Class During the Pandemic. One Group is Tackling the Problem By Helping Their Parents, Hechinger Report In North Carolina, nearly one third of English language learning students were chronically absent last year, a rate significantly higher than the...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      03/13/24

Weekly Media Roundup: March 6, 2024

Charlotte Afterschool Program Aims to Break Cycle of Youth Crime and Violence, WBTV (North Carolina) In response to the 33 percent rise in juvenile gun violence in Charlotte, North Carolina, county leaders presented The Way Forward plan to city council members this week. The plan includes...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      03/06/24

Weekly Media Roundup: February 28, 2024

Program Designed to Boost Reading Rates in NW Tallahassee is Reaching More Students, WTXL (Florida) At Springwood Elementary School’s afterschool program in Tallahassee, Florida, students are paired with volunteers from United Way’s ReadingPals program, working together to improve...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      02/28/24

Weekly Media Roundup: February 21, 2024

Missoula After-School Program for BIPOC Youth Creating Next Generation of Leaders, KTVQ-TV (Montana) At the Association for BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) Youth afterschool program in Missoula, Montana, students of color build community, take part in mindfulness activities, and develop...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      02/21/24

Weekly Media Roundup: February 14, 2024

Viewpoint: Invest in Out-of-School Programs to Help Solve State’s Educational Challenges, South Bend Tribune (Indiana) Indiana lawmakers are considering continuing the state’s pandemic-era investments in out-of-school time learning, including afterschool and summer learning programs....

BY: Magen Eissenstat      02/14/24

Weekly Media Roundup: February 7, 2024

Rangers Star Welcomes Kids to the Ice in After School Program, NBC4 (New York) With help from a donation from the Garden of Dreams Foundation, 50 students in the WHEDco (Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation) afterschool program in the South Bronx are lacing up skates and...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      02/07/24

Weekly Media Roundup: January 31, 2024

Advocates of Afterschool Opportunities Rally in Albany for $119M Funding Boost, Spectrum News 1 (New York) On Tuesday, afterschool leaders, students, and lawmakers gathered in Albany, New York to press for an additional $119 million in state funding to ensure universal access to afterschool. At...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      01/31/24

Weekly Media Roundup: January 24, 2024

'Articulate Their Pain': Preventing Teen Suicide Through the Power of Music, Spectrum News 1 (North Carolina) DDAAT-App, a mental health nonprofit with an afterschool program in Charlotte, North Carolina, is partnering with The Bridge, a music studio, to give students access to recording...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      01/24/24

Weekly Media Roundup: January 17, 2024

Bessie Coleman After School Aviation Program to be Tested in Oklahoma, General Aviation News (Oklahoma) Sixth and 7th graders in Tulsa, Oklahoma are exploring careers in aerospace and aeronautics by building planes, flying drones, and participating in other hands-on projects thanks to a...

BY: Magen Eissenstat      01/17/24