Weekly Media Roundup: June 10, 2026

New Prince George’s Program Aims to Excite Kids About School and Reassure Parents, WTOP (Maryland)

Thanks to federal funding, William Beanes Elementary School in Suitland, Maryland will offer an arts-based afterschool program this fall for pre-k through second grade students whose regular school day ends at 1:40 pm. Students will participate in visual and preforming arts activities aimed at improving literacy, attendance and youth development. U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) joined other members of Congress and local officials earlier this week to tour William Beanes Elementary and several other afterschool sites to highlight the impact of these investments. “This is an opportunity to show where the federal government, by investing a little bit of money, a lot of seed money, can help good things grow,” Senator Van Hollen told WTOP. “One of the smartest investments we can make is in our young people, especially when they’re very young.”

After-School Band Class Helps Philly Students Hit a High Note, WPVI (Pennsylvania)

For the past ten years, Music Education Pathways’ afterschool programs have offered band, orchestra, choir, and drumline classes for free to students at ten sites throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Especially with rising pricings, instruments are one of the things going up heavily and making sure kids have access to instruments is a core component of our program,” Director Evan Connon told WPVI. “Not only are students getting a good music education, but they’re also learning skills they could take with them to everything in life, to be the best students that they can be.” With additional funding from the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office, the program will expand to two more sites this year.

How Time Spent Out of School Can Help Boost Attendance and Academic Success, The 74

“If policymakers are serious about addressing chronic absenteeism, expanding access to high-quality youth programs should be part of the strategy,” Camp Fire CEO Shawna Rosenzweig argues in a recent guest column for The 74. Rosenzweig notes that chronic absenteeism is fueled not only by logistical barriers but also by student disengagement, disconnection and mental health challenges. Boredom and heavy screen use during out-of-school hours often compound these struggles. Afterschool programs have a critical role to play helping spark students’ interest in learning through hands-on activities, fostering meaningful relationships, and providing academic support, “yet access to these programs remains uneven,” Rosenzweig writes.

WNY Youth Direct $2 Million to Out-of-School and Sports, Buffalo News (New York)

This month, the With Youth For Youth (WYFY) Youth Advisory Board announced $2 million in grants for 40 organizations providing out-of-school time opportunities throughout Western New York. The Youth Advisory Board includes 24 teens representing urban and rural communities across nine New York counties. Over the past year, members collaborated to design the grantmaking process, review applications and select recipients that best meet the needs of youth in their communities. “The WYFY Youth Advisory Board members put a lot of time and effort into the process of being grantmakers and creating positive change in Western New York,” My’Aire, WYFY Youth Advisory Board member from Erie County, told the Buffalo News. “We want to show that young people can do hard things. Youth can serve in responsible leadership roles and produce similar results. Age isn’t a limitation on someone’s intellect—they just have to be given a chance, like WYFY gave us.”