October 15, 2025
For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Whitmore at lwhitmore@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-3036 or Eileen Otis at eois@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-3008
MSCR Celebrates National Lights On Afterschool
MSCR serves for than 4,120 youth in Afterschool programs at 34 different sites
MSCR will celebrate National Lights On Afterschool with an exciting parade featuring its afterschool participants on Monday, October 20, at 3:00 pm on the Wisconsin Capitol Square. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Madison Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard will provide welcoming remarks.
Lights On Afterschool Celebration is a national event that highlights the critical need for quality afterschool programs. These vital community programs keep children safe, inspire learning opportunities and meet essential childcare needs. This parade specifically celebrates MSCR Afterschool programs, their dedicated staff, and the participants and their families. MSCR serves more than 4,120 youth in grades K-12 in afterschool programs across 34 locations.
The Lights on Afterschool event kicks off at 3:00 pm with nearly 400 children in MSCR Afterschool programs at Hawthorne, Henderson, Lake View, Lincoln, Lindbergh, Lori Mann Carey, Midvale, Orchard Ridge, Sandburg and Schenk Elementary Schools, and the Meadowood Neighborhood Center are coming together at the Capitol for a celebratory parade.
As MSCR Executive Director Mary Roth describes, “We are honored to showcase MSCR Afterschool. We provide a wide range of programs, including childcare, enrichment clubs and sports leagues. These programs offer a safe haven after school and serve as a springboard for creativity and personal growth by engaging children in activities from arts and crafts to STEM projects.”
Out of School Time providers in the Madison area supported 14,371 students with over 1.7M hours of support during the 2023/2024 school year, and a study of 8,000 MMSD students indicates that the more students participate, their school GPA and school engagement increases. The national Lights On Afterschool celebration is organized by the Afterschool Alliance to bring awareness to the fact that for every one kid in an afterschool program in Wisconsin, four kids are waiting to get in. Despite this, Wisconsin is one of a minority of states that has no dedicated funding for afterschool programs. According to the “America After 3pm” report published October 2025 by the Afterschool Alliance, nationwide, there are nearly 30 million youth whose parents/guardians want afterschool programs — more than 3 in 4 are missing out. That’s 22.6 million children whose parents would enroll them if a program were available.
Lights On Celebration Schedule on Monday, October 20:
3:15 – 4pm: Lights On Afterschool Parade around the Capitol Square
3:30 pm: Guest Speakers: Dr. Joe Gothard, MMSD Superintendent
Lt Governor Sara Rodriguez
Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR), a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), provides accessible, inclusive recreation and enrichment opportunities for all Madison residents. From afterschool programs to outdoor adventures, MSCR connects people of all ages through movement, learning and community. Programs include arts, enrichment, camps, fitness, outdoors, sports, swimming and more. Visit mscr.org or call (608) 204-3000 for more information.
Madison-area Out-of-School Time (MOST) and the Wisconsin Partnership for Children and Youth are supporting this event. MOST is a citywide collaboration between MMSD, the City of Madison, Dane County and 40 different youth serving organizations to help close Madison’s opportunity gap by ensuring that all children have access to comprehensive, high-quality out-of-school time programs that will support positive youth development, educational achievement, and/or career, college and community readiness. The Wisconsin Partnership for Children and Youth Unites and Educates Out-of-School Time Supporters to advocate for expanded awareness and funding so all Wisconsin kids can benefit from quality Out-of-School Time Programs.
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