WHO, WHAT, WHEN & WHERE
As you start planning how you'll celebrate Lights On Afterschool, use these questions to help figure out your event logistics. Once you’ve got the basics, the rest is a piece of cake!
Who?
Who are you trying to reach with your message?
Parents? Educators? Funders? Policy makers? The media?
Who are the best people to deliver your message?
Parents? Students? Principals? The mayor?
Who to invite to your event:
kids
educators and school personnel
parents, grandparents & extended family
business and community leaders
local partners
policy makers
media
youth organizations: sports teams, school bands, academic and service clubs, volunteers
local celebrities: tv news anchor, radio host, athletes
the community
When?
When should you celebrate?
Celebrating Lights On Afterschool Alberta between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. is the best way to call attention to the needs of students during the hours after school. Celebrate during regular afterschool program hours, or during the evening when parents can participate.
When is the best time to reach your target audience?
Be mindful of your target audience and pick a time that best suits your goals. If media is important, remember that print reporters often need to file stories by late afternoon. If it’s important that elected officials or other community leaders attend, perhaps hold a breakfast of lunch reception.
Where?
Where is the best place to deliver your message?
Your location should be the best place to bring your message home and be easily accessible to your guests and target audience:
your afterschool program facility, indoors or outdoors
city hall
public library, park or recreation center
museum
places of worship
school gymnasium or auditorium
What?
What would you like to come out of your event?
Media coverage? A stronger relationship with your mayor? More parent involvement? Impress funders or potential funders?
What message do you want to communicate?
How can you demonstrate to your target audience that afterschool is key to kids' success? What is the value of your program from the perspective of the community, parents, funders, students and local businesses?
What to do:
Showcase the achievements of local afterschool programs and students.
Convey your afterschool message: Every child should have access to afterschool! Celebrate the benefits of afterschool and call for support to ensure that programs in your community and across the country thrive.
Connect the afterschool message to any related current events.
Educate your supporters on how they can talk to friends, family, neighbors and other community members about the importance of afterschool programs.
What activities can you include at your event?
Student-created and led activities like skits, dance, music and poetry.
Sell items to raise funds for your program.
Student demonstrations of afterschool activities, for example: yoga, basketball, karate, mural painting, chess, debate.
Contests and competitions (kids versus adults or kids versus kids).
Special guest speakers: parents, local elected officials, the superintendent, mayor, a member of Congress, local celebrities, etc.
Presentations by youth about their afterschool experience.
A healthy snack or dinner.
Light bulb art decorations. (found on materials page)
