Think Together celebrates 20 years of ASES during Lights On Afterschool at 450 schools across California. Oct 23, 2026, 21:40 ET More than 450 school showcases and a live virtual event brought together school district leaders, elected officials, educators and community partners to celebrate expanded learning. SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Think Together, a division of Think Education and California's leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, celebrated 20 years of California's After School Education and Safety (ASES) grant through nearly 450 onsite school celebrations across the state. Under this year's theme, "Partnering for Better Futures," the events highlighted the role of schools, districts, educators, families and community partners in creating meaningful opportunities for students beyond the traditional school day. "Every year, I'm so impressed by the commitment our school partners and communities bring to Lights On Afterschool. It's exciting to see these celebrations grow year after year, alongside the impact of our work with school systems across California," said Think Education Founder and CEO Randy Barth. "Together, we're helping hundreds of thousands of students access opportunities to build skills beyond the traditional school day and Lights On Afterschool is a chance to recognize the people and partnerships that make that possible." More than two dozen spotlight celebrations brought together school district leaders, elected officials, educators and community partners to recognize the impact of expanded learning. * At Vineland Elementary in Baldwin Park Unified School District, Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza and Board President Norma Olmos joined Senior Director of Support Services Noreen Iwai-Ito, Coordinator of Student Achievement Norma Verdugo, Principal Emma Rodarte, Assistant Principal Lucila Macias, teachers and school staff for the school's celebration. * In the Inland Empire, Rialto Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Álvarez and members of the district's Board of Education joined students, educators and families for "No Matter Where You're From, You Belong Here," a food festival celebrating belonging and connection at Kolb Middle School. * Also in the Inland Empire at Jurupa Unified School District, students, families and educators came together to celebrate Lights On Afterschool and the impact of expanded learning. Think Education Chief Operating Officer Tia Dwyer joined district leaders in recognizing the partnerships that help create meaningful opportunities for students beyond the traditional school day. * At Mission Crest Elementary in Hesperia Unified School District, students explored "Welcome to Wonderland," a science- and literacy-themed mystery that brought learning to life through hands-on activities. Assemblymember Juan Carrillo and legislative representatives Laura Villa and Maya Innabi joined the celebration, along with Rosalie Trujilo, executive director for Think Together's high desert region. * In the Bay Area, Ledesma Elementary in Oak Grove School District hosted "Our Community Shines," a family art event celebrating creativity and community participation. State Sen. Dave Cortese was among the event's confirmed participants. * At Fairmont Elementary in Vacaville Unified School District and Think Together leaders celebrated Lights On Afterschool at. Attendees included Assistant Superintendent Ramiro Barron, Principal Marisa Carbonell, Assistant Principal Chelsea Sweeney, ELOP administrators Lori Furtado, Aaron Toliver, Annaliese Vasquez and Tess Wilken, Think Together representatives Cindy Murillo, L'Nira Martinez, Ricardo Molina, and Greg Eibell, and Dr. Moss-Escovedo, representing State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon. * In South El Monte, Think Education leaders joined Mountain View School District leaders for a student-led science fair featuring hands-on STEM learning and exploration. * At Vanwig Elementary in Bassett Unified School District, families joined a harvest festival celebrating school-community connections. A representative from Assemblymember Blanca Rubio's office was expected to attend, alongside district and community leaders. Think Together also hosted a virtual Lights On Afterschool broadcast that extended the celebration beyond school sites and drew nearly 1,000 viewers across live and on-demand viewing. Hosted by Think Education Senior Vice President of Partner Success and Innovation Tommy Brewer II and Think Education Director of Family and Community Engagement Merin Figueroa, the broadcast highlighted how partnerships among public leaders, school districts and communities help create conditions where students can thrive. The program featured State Sen. Dave Cortese, Assemblymember Mike Gipson, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, Duarte City Councilmember and Senior Field Representative for Lisa Calderon Martin Calderon, Managing Director of the Community Schools Learning Exchange Dr. Hayin Kimner as well as parent, student and alumni voices. "For 20 years, ASES has helped school districts expand opportunities for students beyond the traditional school day," said Think Together Senior Vice President of Partner Success and Innovation Tommy Brewer II. "We're grateful to the elected leaders and school communities that champion expanded learning and help make these experiences possible for students and families." For nearly 30 years, Think Together has partnered with school districts across California to help change the odds for kids. Through expanded learning and other education solutions, the organization works alongside districts to create opportunities for students to learn, grow and succeed. About Think Together For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational opportunity and excellence for all kids. A division of Think Education, Think Together innovates, implements, and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students each year. Think Together's program areas include early learning, afterschool programs and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. Follow Think Education on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. 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Cultivating meaningful connections within Rio School District. As Think Together continues to expand its impact across California, its partnership with Rio School District marks an important milestone; bringing high-quality expanded learning opportunities to the Central Coast and serving more than 1,000 TK-8 students across seven school sites while establishing a strong foundation for long-term partnership. For Think Together Associate Director of Program Excellence Thania Vela, community trust has been central to the partnership's success. Since launching at the beginning of last school year in Rio, Think Together has focused on building strong relationships with students, families, and district leaders while delivering engaging academic and enrichment experiences that support the whole child. Recognizing that Think Together was new to the area, Thania and her team prioritized family engagement from the start, creating events across multiple school sites where families could connect with staff, explore program offerings, and learn about resources available to support their students throughout the school year. "Starting from the ground up in a new community was both exciting and challenging, but we remained focused on building trust with families and creating engaging experiences for students. The success we've seen is a testament to the dedication of our team and our partnership with Rio," said Thania. "It truly takes a village, and together, we're making a meaningful difference in the lives of students while continuing to build something special for this community." Those efforts have translated into strong community support. According to a Think Together family survey, 95% of Rio families value the support provided through the program, and 96% said they would recommend Think Together to other families. "I enjoy that Think Together is a safe environment for my daughter to complete her homework, socialize with friends, and release some of her energy outdoors while her dad and I are at work," said a Think Together parent from Rio Del Mar Elementary School. Through expanded learning programs, students strengthen literacy and STEM skills, build social-emotional comprehension, support their physical well-being, and participate in experiences that foster both academic and personal growth. Beyond academic support, students across all seven school sites also have access to Think Together's enrichment accelerator initiative, which offers opportunities in music, dance, sports, cultural enrichment, coding, theater, and more. These experiences help students discover new interests, build confidence, and develop skills that extend beyond the classroom. For many Rio students, Think Together has become more than an after-school program; it is a supportive environment where they feel encouraged academically, socially, and emotionally. "Partnerships like these reflect our shared commitment to ensuring young people have access to opportunities that help them become the very best version of themselves," said Think Together Director of District Partnerships Katy Wallace. "By working alongside Rio School District, we are bringing meaningful learning experiences directly to students and families, empowering them to thrive beyond belief." The Rio partnership is part of Think Together's broader growth across California, including new partnerships with districts such as Santa Maria-Bonita, Visalia, Vacaville, Elk Grove, and Fairfield-Suisun. Looking ahead, Think Together and Rio School District will expand opportunities even further through Think Summer, providing students with hands-on enrichment experiences during the break. Together, Think Together'll also launch a jump-start program for incoming TK and kindergarten students, helping the district's youngest learners begin their educational journey with confidence. As the partnership continues to grow, Rio School District demonstrates what's possible when schools, families, and community organizations work together to expand opportunities for students.