The Georgia House of Representatives Children and Youth Committee under the leadership of Chairman Judy Manning conducted a successful and highly engaging site visit to the afterschool program at Whitefoord Community Program (WCP) on February 22nd.

With over 14.3 million K-12th graders in this country taking care of themselves after the school day ends, more and more school administrators are recognizing the critical role of afterschool programs.

Fairfax County School System in northern Virginia is an example of a school system that sees the importance of afterschool programs. For the past couple of years, the majority of Fairfax County schools have had some sort of afterschool program, which meets two to three times a week; but beginning January 2007, all 26 middle schools in the county will offer an afterschool program. Each program is tailored to the particular interests of the school’s students, ranging from step and hip hop classes to drama and cooking workshops to yoga and Tae Bo classes.

An average of over 9,000 students attend an afterschool program in Fairfax County in any given week, and the attendance continues to grow. The $4 million cost of the afterschool activities is paid for by the Fairfax County School System, while Fairfax County contributes $3 million annually. Individual schools contribute teacher support and in-kind donations of facilities and equipment.

The Coverdell Institute at Georgia College & State University is hosting its annual symposium, Fostering Student Success and Achievement: Georgia Education Policy Symposium. This event will take place Tuesday, April 17, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA. The Institute invites Georgia education stakeholders – teachers, administrators, policy makers, education advocacy organizations, university scholars, and researchers – to celebrate progress and identify opportunities to build on what is working in Georgia’s educational arenas.

Keynote speakers include Dr. George Mehaffy, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Dr. Paul Ruiz, Education Trust, and Dr. Greg Olsen, Scientist and President of GHO Ventures (and Space Traveler) Scholars from Georgia College, the University of Georgia, and the University of West Georgia, along with representatives from Georgia Afterschool Investment Council, Seamless Education, and the Carrera-model Afterschool Program will serve as workshop presenters. Workshops will illustrate research results and effective programs that address student retention and success.

Children in the United States gain up to three times as much weight during summer vacation as they do while in school, a new study of 5-and 6-year-olds reported Average weight gain measured by BMI was triple in the summer after kindergarten the amount gained during the kindergarten school year. Average weight gain measured by BMI was double in the summer after first grade the amount gained during the first grade school year.

"In school, there are only certain times you can eat.. When not in school there are many times to eat," said co-author Brian Powell, an Indiana University sociologist.

Make plans to join the Afterschool Alliance and advocates from across the country for the 6th Annual Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington, DC on April 23rd and 24th. The two-day program will include special topic forums, networking sessions, the Breakfast of Champions and visits to Capitol Hill offices. At the Breakfast of Champions we will honor afterschool champions, including Michael Vick, Atlanta’s own NFL star and supporter of afterschool.