MSCR highlights the vital role of local afterschool programming serving more than 4,100 students across 34 sites.

MADISON, Wis. — Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) will join communities across the nation to celebrate National Lights On Afterschool with a student-led parade, performances and engaging activities on Monday, October 19, at 3:00 pm on the Wisconsin State Capitol Square.

The event will feature special guest speakers Attorney General Josh Kaul, Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Joe Gothard and MSCR Executive Director Mary Roth, who will deliver opening remarks welcoming attendees and advocating for youth programming.

At this event, we will celebrate Attorney General Kaul’s Meta Settlement victory and what it will mean for kids. As part of the settlement, Meta must implement sweeping new safety features designed to protect kids on Instagram and Facebook, including strict daily time limits, robust age assurance measures, age-appropriate content controls and limits on features linked to poor mental health outcomes in kids and teens.

At Madison Metropolitan School District, nearly 600 elementary students enrolled in MSCR Afterschool programs will take part in the celebratory parade around the Capitol. Participating locations include Hawthorne, Henderson, Lori Mann Carey, Lowell, Mendota, Midvale, Nuestro Mundo, Orchard Ridge, Sandburg, and Schenk Elementary Schools, along with the Meadowood Neighborhood Center.

Afterschool programs offer nondigital, engaging alternatives to social media that reduce screen time and promote well-being. They are the “in real life” opportunities that promote youth well-being, mental health, and healthy development, ensuring young people experience the connection, joy, belonging, support, and engaging experiences they’re seeking to help them grow and thrive in the digital and offline world. 

National Lights On Afterschool is an annual event that draws attention to the essential need for high-quality out-of-school-time programs. These initiatives keep children safe, inspire lifelong learning, and provide crucial childcare support for working families. Across Madison, MSCR serves more than 6,700 youth in grades K–12 across 34 program sites, offering dedicated staff and a wide range of enrichment opportunities.

“Afterschool programs are so much more than a safe place for kids to go when the school day ends—they are where curiosity takes off,” said Mary Roth, MSCR Executive Director. “From hands-on STEM projects and creative arts to sports leagues and dependable childcare, our goal is to give every child in Madison a supportive environment where they can discover new talents, build confidence and thrive.”

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  • What: MSCR National Lights On Afterschool Parade, Celebration and Performances
  • When: Monday, October 19, at 3:00 pm
  • Where: Wisconsin State Capitol Square, Madison, WI (State Street intersection)
  • Who: Attorney General Josh Kaul, MMSD Superintendent Joe Gothard, MSCR leadership, and nearly 600 local youth participants

About MSCR

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) enhances the quality of life for Madison residents by providing accessible, high-quality recreation and enrichment programs. MSCR serves thousands of children and families annually through afterschool care, athletic leagues, fitness programs, and community events across the city. For more information, visit mscr.org.

About Lights on Afterschool

Madison-area Out-of-School Time (MOST) and the Wisconsin Partnership for Kids 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 Kids 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.