Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s Capital Kids is a network of after school programs, established in 2001, in partnership with schools, non-profit organizations, and other area funding sources.  Capital Kids provides a safe haven for youth between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. with quality after school programming.  Each year, the Mayor’s Office of Education funds 16-20 after school programs that are a part of the Capital Kids network.  The Office also administers four Capital Kids sites that primarily serve elementary children.  There are more than 700 youth served in the Capital Kids network each year.  In collaboration with the United Way of Central Ohio and the Columbus Foundation, the Mayor’s Office of Education created and funds After School Count! (ASC).  ASC is a program that coordinates on-going professional development training for after school providers and their staff.  In addition, Mayor Coleman worked with the Columbus City Schools and Superintendent Dr. Gene Harris to pass a historic Bond Package to rehabilitate aging schools and construct the first new school buildings in more than 25 years; Awarded the 2006 After-school Champions Award by the National League of Cities and the National After-school Alliance Hosted four regional education summits, bringing community and educational leaders together to address concerns, such as “Closing the Achievement Gap;” Worked with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to bring the After School All Stars to Columbus, to help learn through athletics. Worked with Columbus City Schools to fight truancy through truancy sweeps by our Columbus Police Officers. The District now has a 94% attendance rate as a result. Completed a 7-year, $2 million initiative to update cross walks and warning lights at 106 schools. Installed new yellow-green school zone warning signs at 101 schools at a cost of $159,000 Installed 65 "Look Left - Look Right" mats at Elementary Schools In collaboration with the Columbus City Schools Project Mentor program, the City has recruited approximately 150 City employees to serve as mentors to 8th grade students.