When the bell signals the end of the day, the lights stay on in many school buildings to give children extra help. But some who need help aren't taking advantage of the opportunity.

That was the message in Pittsburgh and nationwide yesterday as part of the annual "Lights on Afterschool" celebration. "Lights on Afterschool" was launched seven years ago to promote awareness of after-school programs.

Activities yesterday at Pittsburgh Peabody High School in East Liberty attracted about 200 adults and 500 students, said Rick Flanagan, youth development director for Bloomfield-Garfield Corp.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl attended. Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and state Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District, read "Stellaluna," a children's book about a young bat, to the audience.

This year, more than 1 million people were expected to take part in 7,500 events nationwide, and the Empire State Building in New York was to glow with yellow lights for the occasion, said the national sponsor, the nonprofit Afterschool Alliance.

"In America today, one in four youths -- 14.3 million children -- are alone and unsupervised after school. After-school programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning," the alliance says on its Web site at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

Wireless Neighborhoods helped to organize the event at Peabody. Using about $500,000 in federal money, the group provides after-school programs to about 320 children in kindergarten through second grade. Programs are run by a network of organizations, such as Bloomfield-Garfield Corp.

Mr. Flanagan and Stephen MacIsaac, executive director of Wireless Neighborhoods, said the programs provide extra math and reading instruction -- aligned with school district curriculum -- to struggling students. Students also may get snacks and exposure to athletic opportunities, health programs and the arts.

Lisa Fischetti, the school district's chief of staff, said the district also will subsidize tutoring for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches at six low-performing high schools -- Carrick, Oliver, Peabody, Perry, Schenley and Westinghouse. But so far, she said, only 200 students have signed up for the help, which is provided by community groups and private companies.

Ms. Fischetti said it's "critically important" that struggling students avail themselves of the aid.