A 21st Century Community Learning Center
The West After School Center, Inc.
620 Garfield Avenue
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
740-653-5678
740-65302402 FAX
westafterschool@westafterschoolcenter.org
http://www.westafterschoolcenter.org
OUR MISSION
Dedicated to enriching the educational, social, and cultural opportunities of students and families of our community
2005-2006
ANNUAL REPORT
to the community
Officers
Rob Libbee, President
Lori Marinacci, Vice President
Len Hajost, Immediate Past President
Joyce Rauch, Secretary
Mary Jane Riedel, Co-Treasurer
Brian Young, CPA; Co-Treasurer
Board Members
Gigi Elliott
Rosemary Hajost
Jean Hammer
Tim Huston
Frank Melick
Michael Orlando
Dottie Raymond
Bob Richards
Rev. Tom Rogers
Dan Steele
Ex-Officio
Ann Decker, Tutoring Director
Dr. Paul Young, Executive Director
We appreciate our dedicated volunteers and our community partners
Since its inception, the West After School Center, Inc. has expanded its vision and mission to provide programs services for families and the community beyond the after school tutoring program. We appreciate great support in varied ways from the following:
100+ community volunteers
Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church
United Way of Fairfield County
Fairfield Foundation
Fox Foundation
Robert K Fox Family Y
Ohio University-Lancaster
The Ohio State University Extension Agency
New Horizons Youth & Family Center
Fairfield County Job and Family Services
Fairfield Department of Health
The Recovery Center
Lancaster Festival
Art & Clay on Main
Fairfield Family, Adult, and Children First Council
West Elementary & Lancaster City Schools
The Eastside Center for Success
Lancaster Community Action Head Start
2005-2006 WASC Staff
The Evolution of the West After School Tutoring Program
In March 1997, Ed Clum, Director of Foundation Shelters/Dinners, participated in a program sponsored by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators called SWAP (Supervision With A Principal). He shadowed Dr. Paul Young, Principal, and gained insights into the needs of children, parents, and staff at West School. In the fall of 1998, following additional meetings and discussions with Dr. Young and community-minded citizen Rosemary Hajost, they planned the West After School Tutoring Program.
Volunteers Are the Key
Rev. John Harra, pastor of the neighboring Sixth Ave. United Methodist Church, (also a SWAP participant), was approached and agreed, courtesy of his congregation, to offer the church education unit as a site for the after school program. Volunteers from that church along with many others began working with children from 3:45-4:45 p.m. one afternoon each week. The program grew in strength and numbers and ended the year with 70+ volunteers. Twenty-one students received assistance with their homework and remediation of basic skills. They also gained a positive adult role model in their lives from their friends, the volunteers. During the 2005-2006 school year, over 100 volunteers provided assistance to nearly 100 students.
As the program continues and expands, it stands as a model for other schools and for various legislative initiatives designed to help every child in Ohio and the nation acquire the basic reading skills necessary to pass the national standardized tests. Student progress is improved and steady. In June 2002, West students achieved the highest district reading scores in Grades 1, 4, and 6.
WASC’s 21st Century Community Learning Center
The West After School Center, Inc. (WASC), a private, non-profit incorporation, owns and operates a 4200 sq. ft. educational center across the street from West Elementary School. Starting July 1, 2004, the WASC began operating as a 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC). The 21st CCLC Program is a key component of President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act. It provides students and their families the opportunity to learn new skills and discover unique abilities after the school day has ended. Congress appropriated nearly $100 million for after-school programs in Fiscal Year 2003 which supported centers in 6800 rural and inner-city public schools in nearly 1500 communities. The 21st CCLC sites operate in collaboration with public and non-profit agencies, organizations, local businesses, post-secondary institutions, scientific, cultural, and other community entities.
21st CCLC are designed to expand academic enrichment opportunities for children attending schools in low wealth areas and to help students meet local and state math standards in reading and math. 21st CCLC funds also provide youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, technology education programs, art, music, and recreation, counseling, and character education to enhance programs.
The Board of Directors of the West After School Center is committed to the mission of developing collaborative programs and partnerships that support the learning environment of West Elementary School and its surrounding neighborhood.
West Elementary School