The national After School Professionals Appreciation Week will be celebrated by the Fayette County School System April 23-27. The purpose of the week is to recognize those who work with youth during out-of-school hours. The National After School Association spearheads the week-long recognition.

The theme for this year’s national After School Professionals Appreciation Week is “Celebrate, Encourage, Appreciate the Heart of Afterschool.”

Fayette’s After School Program operates in all 14 of the school system’s elementary schools, and is open to students in grades kindergarten through fifth. The program begins at the end of the school day and lasts until 6:30 p.m. every day that school is in session. Approximately 1,290 students are enrolled in the program.

Today’s after school programs are viewed as more than just childcare. Students participate in a variety of activities that promote a healthy lifestyle, civic awareness, intellectual curiosity, and lasting friendships. ASP employees are responsible for creating weekly themed plans for activity centers in addition to daily learning centers. ASP personnel include five central office employees, 28 site managers and assistant managers, 60 itinerant aides, and 14 substitutes.

Parents, students and community members are encouraged to thank the ASP employees at their schools for all of the work they do throughout the year to provide enriching and fun learning experiences for participants.