The 2017 Lights On Afterschool Day will be here before we know it. The Tennessee Afterschool Network has teamed up with Afterschool Alliance to help make YOUR Lights On Afterschool event even more successful.
Register or Find an Event in Tennessee
We want to know how you plan to celebrate! Afterschool Alliance has lined up several goodies for you when you register your event as an official Lights On Afterschool celebration. You’ll receive an event starter kit, which includes 10 free posters to help you promote your event, and you will eligible for cool prizes each week. Sign up here. While you’re there go to Find an Event to check out all of the awesome Lights On Afterschool Events in Tennessee!
Governor’s Proclamation
Governor Bill Haslam has named October 26 Lights On Afterschool Day in Tennessee to recognize the role of afterschool programs in enhancing learning and providing opportunities for children to develop interpersonal skills and relationships. The proclamation was requested by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, a Steering Committee member of the Tennessee Afterschool Network.
In his proclamation, the governor said, “The citizens of the State of Tennessee stand firmly committed to quality afterschool programs and opportunities because they provide safe, challenging and engaging learning experiences that help children develop social, emotional, physical and academic skills.” He further noted that, “these expanded learning opportunities help close the achievement gap and prepare young people to compete in the global economy.”
Download a PDF of the Proclamation
Social Media
We want to make this year’s celebration bigger and better than ever. In these last few weeks leading up to Lights On Afterschool 2017 help spread the word and get the country ready for another brilliant nationwide rally.
The Lights On Afterschool Facebook event is live, and a profile pic frame is up! Head to https://www.facebook.com/profilepicframes, search “Lights On Afterschool” (or just check the left sidebar – the Afterschool Alliance page might be there, if you’ve liked us!), and select the frame! You can reposition it on your profile as needed.
Join in on a fun social media action, where people show support for afterschool by raising their arms over their heads in the shape of a lightbulb/our Lights On logo. The idea is for people to challenge each other to do it, something like the ice bucket challenge. It is meant to give folks something fun and energizing to do that day, especially if they are not hosting/attending an event. (For those hosting events, we will be encouraging event organizers to do the “lights on” pose for one of their photos and post it.)
Start posting images for this campaign now, and keep going all the way through Lights On day. You can help by:
- Post your own Lights On Afterschool pose photo
- Challenge others to do it and help spread the word
- RSVP on our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/123064458404061/
- Use the Lights On Afterschool frame, at https://www.facebook.com/profilepicframes, keyword “Lights On Afterschool”
What a social media post could say:
Twitter:
My #LightsOnAfterschool; is yours? I challenge @XXXXX @XXXXX to do the same or donate to help afterschool programs! http://ow.ly/UNoZ30fO9kg
Facebook:
My #LightsOnAfterschool; is yours? Today is a nationwide celebration of all that afterschool programs do to keep our kids safe and learning. For every child in afterschool, two are waiting to get in, so I challenge @XXXXXX @XXXXXX and @XXXXXX to help keep the #LightsOnAfterschool or donate: http://ow.ly/UNoZ30fO9kg
Go Live
If you’re hosting an Lights On Afterschool event, why not let your Friends in on the fun! “Go Live” with the event by hosting a Live Video on Facebook – and be sure to tag @TNAfterschool
Wondering how that works? Check out these instructions from Facebook.
More Social Resources
Afterschool Alliance has also developed a great social media guide with tips on promoting your program and Lights On Afterschool on Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram. (You can download that guide here.) Here are a few more posts to get you started. (Feel free to copy/paste the text and download and use the accompanying photos with your posts!):
@teamhaslam, thank you Governor Haslam for proclaiming today Lights on Afterschool Day in TN! 179,897 Tennessee kids are safe and engaged in learning, physical activity, the arts and beyond thanks to our state’s amazing afterschool programs! Learn more at www.tnafterschool.org
Need Help Planning?
Everything you need to plan a successful event, from case studies to sample materials, is available in the Lights On Afterschool Planning Kit.