Lights On Afterschool shines bright at Tawanka Elementary

The cafeteria at Tawanka Elementary School in Feasterville was buzzing with excitement on October 27 as children, staff, and community members gathered for the 4th annual Lights On Afterschool celebration, a nationwide event that spotlights the vital role afterschool programs play in helping students learn, grow, and thrive beyond the classroom.

Hosted by the Neshaminy Kids Club at Tawanka Elementary, this year’s celebration offered an inside look at how the school’s afterschool program supports not only academic development but also emotional growth, social skills, and community connection.

“This celebration was to demonstrate how afterschool programs are so vital to the community and how we provide our children with a safe and supportive environment,” said Antonella Gia Caranci, Assistant Supervisor of the Neshaminy Kids Club at Tawanka. “Sometimes the kids don’t even realize they’re in an afterschool program because they’re having so much fun learning and interacting with each other.”

The Lights On Afterschool nationwide event, now in its 27th year, is organized by the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs. First launched in 2000, it began with 1,200 events across the country and has since grown to more than 8,000 celebrations nationwide, attracting over one million participants each year.

The annual observance shines a light, literally and figuratively, on the importance of keeping the “lights on” for afterschool programs that keep children safe, help working families, and inspire learning long after the school bell rings.

“In America today, 7.6 million children are alone and unsupervised after school,” the Afterschool Alliance notes. “Programs like these keep kids engaged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.”

At Tawanka Elementary, that message came to life through an afternoon filled with hands-on learning, community engagement, and joyful celebration.

“We had guests come in to speak to the kids, including Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran, who talked about safety, and the Lower Southampton Fire Department, who demonstrated fire safety techniques,” said Caranci. “The kids were so engaged. They asked great questions and really took to heart what they were learning.”

Sheriff Harran emphasized the importance of safety awareness, discussing “safe words” to use with parents and offering practical tips for playing safely outdoors. “He even said, ‘I feel like I’m not talking to kindergarteners and fourth graders; I feel like I’m talking to twelfth graders,’ because they came across so intelligent,” Caranci recalled proudly.

After the talk, each student received a small sheriff badge sticker. “They put them right on their shirts and were so eager to take pictures with him,” Caranci noted.

Firefighters from the Lower Southampton Fire Department also joined the event, inviting children to explore a fire truck up close and learn about emergency preparedness. “They showed the kids the hose, the equipment, and talked about what to do in case of a fire,” said Caranci. “One of the kids asked, ‘What do I do if a fire starts?’ They were so curious and engaged.”

Another guest, Lower Southampton Township Supervisor Cyndie Bowman, brought an element of fun and connection by leading a relay race and talking with students about what they enjoy most about the program. “Cyndie’s own children attended Kids Club years ago, so she knows firsthand how valuable these programs are,” Caranci said. “Having her there showed the kids that people in the community really care about them.”

The students also contributed their own creativity to the celebration. Since the Lights on Afterschool’s logo is a lightbulb, each child received a paper with a lightbulb on it that they colored and decorated.

They also made a huge sign about Lights On Afterschool on which they each wrote messages or drew pictures about their favorite parts of their afterschool program. Many highlighted storytelling as a favorite activity, where Caranci often makes them characters in her imaginative tales. 

“Some of the kindergarteners go home and write their own stories, with help from their parents,” she said. “They come back and ask me to read them. It’s amazing to see their confidence and creativity grow.”

The Neshaminy Kids Club program at Tawanka serves about 78 students daily, offering care before and after school. The before-school program runs from 7 to 9 am, and the afterschool hours, from 3 to 6 pm, a time filled with enrichment activities, games, and learning opportunities designed to support the whole child.

“When the kids come in after school, they start by having a snack with their friends,” Caranci explained. “Each grade has their own table, and I put conversation cards on the tables, fun questions or facts they can discuss together. It helps them build social skills and connections.”

From there, students rotate through crafts, interactive games, and emotional learning activities. “If we see that it’s been a tough day for some of them, we might do something reflective like an All About Me poster or talk about ways to turn our day around,” she said. “These small things really help them start or end their day on a positive note.”

The program also introduces special projects such as history clubs and STEM sessions with visiting instructors. “They love learning about things like Egypt or doing science experiments,” said Caranci. “It’s learning, but in a way that feels like fun.”

Beyond academics, the Kids Club focuses on developing emotional intelligence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. “We try to steer more toward helping them deal with emotions like anger or sadness, and how to solve conflicts,” Caranci said. 

Her philosophy centers on balance, encouraging children to step away from technology and engage with the world around them. “A lot of kids spend so much time on screens,” she noted. “I try to make them aware that there’s so much in the world to experience. You can learn anywhere if you just put your phone down and take a look at what’s around you.”

During the Lights On Afterschool celebration, that message came full circle. Students not only interacted with community leaders but also learned the value of teamwork as they worked together to make lemonade for their guests. “They measured, mixed, and poured; it was simple, but it showed cooperation and pride,” Caranci said.

For working parents, programs like Kids Club provide not only a safe place for their children but also peace of mind. “We’re helping families by giving them that reassurance that their kids are safe, supported, and learning even after the school day ends,” Caranci said. “It allows them to focus on work knowing their children are in a positive environment.”