Students and parents urge Arlington County to make after‑school services for teens permanent

Eleventh‑grader Shayla O'Gin and other speakers asked the County Board to prioritize permanent after‑school programming for Arlington teens, citing concerns about isolation, bullying, mental‑health pressures and family stress.

Shayla told the board she had been bullied and described anxiety in her community, saying the county and Arlington Public Schools have added activities but urged a permanent, staffed “safe after‑school community” in 2025 with adult mentors and structured, meaningful activities.

Board members and staff responded during the meeting with a summary of current and planned programs. County Manager Mark Schwartz and staff said the county had recently updated a central resource website (arlingtonteens.com) and described several current programs: three‑times‑per‑week offerings at Kenmore Middle School and others at Thomas Jefferson, Gunston and Arlington Mill; a new weekly program at Wakefield to begin in January; expanded college‑trip offerings; behavioral‑health counselors at high schools; the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) initiative; and various mentoring and family‑support programs.

Board members said they would continue to work with Arlington Public Schools and community groups, and one board member asked for follow‑up on four specific items: program name, the scope of the staff position to coordinate programs, the allocation of one‑time and ongoing funds adopted in the recent budget, and a public January update. The board asked managers to report back by Jan. 10 and said a fuller presentation would appear in opening remarks on Jan. 6 and in the manager’s proposed budget in February.

Ending: County and school staff said they will continue outreach and two design‑stage engagement events for detailed program planning; community groups were encouraged to help publicize existing resources at arlingtonteens.com.