News Story - Idaho State Journal

POCATELLO -- Students in the School District 25 Lights On Afterschool program expressed their warmth for Congressman Mike Simpson's support by presenting him with a handmade quilt Thursday.

Simpson, a member of the Afterschool Caucus in Congress, appeared at Greenacres Elementary, which was participating in the nationwide series of rallies for the program that provides youth with supervised safe, educational and fun activities.

"It's important for us to see the programs that we fund, how they work," Simpson said. "To keep the kids engaged is very important."

Syringa Elementary student Jade Underwood, 11, presented Simpson with the quilt, pieced together by Afterschool program participants.

Underwood has participated in the program for two years, and gives it high marks.

"I like the 4H cooking basics and the Get Fit workouts," she said.

Underwood attends the program at Syringa Monday-Thursday for two hours after school lets out.

Mayor Roger Chase, as well as representatives from the Pocatello Police Department, the Marshall Public Library, Boy and Girl Scouts and School District 25 were also in attendance.

The big draw for the students was the Police Department's obstacle course, part of the DARE program. Kids donned goggles that simulated the visual impairment of alcohol influence. Small children inexpertly weaved a tricycle around cones, while older students had difficulty walking the course.

The Police Department also presented a video showing simple self defense tactics and stranger avoidance, as well as offering fingerprinting for child identification.

"Ooh, look at that," Ellis said to an ink-stained student. "That's a pretty fingerprint."

In Pocatello, five elementary school serve 160 children, providing homework assistance, mentoring, tutoring, academic enrichment and character education, according to Program Direct Joyce Anderson.

Simpson said that the Afterschool program's proposed $1.1 billion budget was slashed by 25 percent by President Bush. Congress restored that funding and added another $50 million. He predicted that the budget will be approved sometime in

early 2009. He has high hopes for the program's future, and education in general, regardless of which party wins the White House or has a majority in congress.

"My guess is that you'll see a ... significant emphasis on education in the next budget," Simpson said.

Parents with school age children may obtain more information about the program by calling the district at 232-3563, or going online to WWW.afterschoolalliance.org.

This document was originally published online on Saturday, October 18, 2008

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of our paper.

supportRschools wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:58 AM:

" This is such a wonderful program, I know the 3 year funding is over at the end of this school year, I hope the School District will see that this essential program continues. Kudos to Ms Anderson who has done such a super job for the kids "

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