Whereas millions of children in the United States have parents who work outside of the home;

Whereas high-quality programs that expand learning opportunities for children, such as after-school, before-school, summer, and expanded learning opportunities, provide safe, challenging, engaging, and fun learning experiences, including experiences that encourage the study of science, technology, engineering, and math that help children and youth develop social, emotional, physical, cultural, and academic skills;

Whereas high-quality after-school programs and high-quality expanded learning opportunities provide students with hands-on, engaging lessons that are aligned with the school day;

Whereas high-quality after-school programs complement regular and expanded school days and support working families by ensuring that the children of those families are safe and productive during the hours parents are working;

Whereas high-quality after-school programs engage families, schools, and diverse community partners in advancing the well-being of children and youth in the United States;

Whereas high-quality after-school programs that partner with high-quality community-based organizations build stronger communities by integrating schools with the larger community; and

Whereas Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of after-school, before-school, summer, and expanded learning opportunities programs will be held on October 23, 2025, to highlight the critical importance of those high-quality programs to children and the families and communities of those children: Now, therefore, be it