Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, the last full week of April each year, is a time to recognize, appreciate and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours. “An estimated 850,000 professionals work with children and youth during out-of-school hours providing enriching experiences,” according to the National Afterschool Association.   The Idaho Out-of-School

Hundreds of middle schoolers in Emmett accessed after-school classes and camps because of grant funding that expanded afterschool programming available in their community. The Idaho Out-of-School Network funds took Emmett Middle School’s program from 36 students per day to 299 students served, according to Shannon Anderson, Emmett School District’s Before and After School Director. “We

It all started with a community garden. Josie Erskine, the owner of the Peaceful Belly Community Garden, had been doing farm education for over 18 years when she decided to seek funding to make a formal program. The farm already has a beautiful facility with a commercial kitchen and meeting space used as a restaurant

The American Falls School District’s after school program Fired Up makes afterschool time safe and fun for students and worry-free for parents. “Parents feel they can send their kids here for help, especially with Covid learning loss,” said Fired Up Director Hutch Swan. “We have parents who work late, parents who work the fields for