MILLVILLE — They city joins communities nationwide to celebrate Lights on Afterschool, a day that honors afterschool programs that keep kids safe and busy once the final bell rings.
According to the Afterschool Alliance, a quarter of children spend the afternoons alone and unsupervised.
With the Lights on Afterschool celebration on Oct. 18, children can showcase what they learn from afterschool programs.
Thanks to a New Jersey Department of Education Grant, Millville Elementary’s “Club 21” program gives students a pace to engage in fun activities and improve their studies.
Over 200 fourth and fifth grade students utilize the program during the school year and for four weeks in the summer.
Haleyville-Mauricetown students will participate in either a book club, baking club or economics club.
Holly Heights, Mt. Pleasant and Rieck Avenue students will do projects based around the A.J. Meerwald, the state’s official tall ship.
R.D. Wood students will make cotton swap skeletons and record an exercise video to learn more about how the body works.
R.M. Bacon and Silver Run students will use the time to focus on academics and homework.
All seven schools are kindergarten through fifth grade and, with the exception of Commercial Township’s Haleyville School, are located in Milllville.