from the office of Dr. Paul G. Young, Executive Director

Visit our website at: http://www.westafterschoolcenter.org/
This weekly update is distributed via email to the WASC Board of Directors & Staff, Volunteers, School Staffs, Parents, State and National Afterschool Advocates, Providers, and Community Leaders

Earth Day 2008 is April 22nd. In this time of 'thinking green", follow the link for an Ecological Footprint Quiz to calculate your own personal ecological footprint using the Earth Day Network website. This quiz estimates how much productive land and water one needs to support what he or she uses and what he or she discards. After answering 15 easy questions, the respondent is able to compare his or her Ecological Footprint to what other people use and to what is available on this planet. The site also directs the user to information on steps that can be taken to reduce the size of the user's carbon footprint.		Take the ecological footprint quiz.
		TV-Turnoff Week 2008 is April 21-27. This year marks the 14th year for TV-Turnoff Week, a project of the Center for Screen-Time Awareness, a nonprofit organization that encourages children and adults to watch much less television in order to promote healthier lives and communities. Learn more about TV-free activities here.
		Consider the following statistics: On average, children in the US will spend more time in front of the television (1,023 hours) than in school this year (900 hours). Over 60 percent of Americans frequently or always watch television during dinner. Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000 "American children and adolescents spend 22 to 28 hours per week viewing television, more than any other activity except sleeping. By the age of 70 they will have spent 7 to 10 years of their lives watching TV."     -The Kaiser Family Foundation
Are the higher prices of gasoline at the pump emptying your wallet? WE CAN HELP!! Save the cost of your child's lunch each day this summer. Take advantage of the FEED OHIO summer lunch program available at five additional sites in Lancaster besides the air conditioned convenience of the West After School Center.			FEED OHIO Summer Lunch Program   June 3 - August 15 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.  Monday - Friday sponsored by the West After School Center in collaboration with the Lancaster-Fairfield County Community Action Head Start, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Governor's Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (GOFBCI).	Six Serving Sites in Lancaster free to any children/youth age 2-18   Eastside Center for Success - East School Playground West After School Center Robert K Fox Family YMCA Cedar Heights Elementary School Playground South Elementary School Playground Tallmadge Elementary School Playground
Circus Night P.T. Reptiles - snakes, alligators, frogs, spiders and more The Amazing Meeker: balloon fun Giggles the Clown Free games with prizes Free hot dogs and refreshments Free car seat safety check .			part of the Fairfield County Festival	Thursday, April 24, 2008 5:00-6:30 p.m. Corner of Main Street and Memorial Drive
West Elementary School Carnival inflatables basket raffles climbing walls games, food, and fun			sponsored by the West School PTO	Friday, April 25, 2008 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Summer Child Care Program at the WASC  June 3-August 19 $125.00 per week - weekly learning themes
Enrollment is now open for summer childcare at the West After School Center - available for any child ages 5-12 from any school in the city.				Open 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. free lunch is provided
Is your child ready to succeed in school? Help your child get a jump start on education ELI - Early Learning Initiative Your 3, 4, or 5-year old may be eligible for Ohio’s ELI is now available for 3, 4, and 5 year old children receiving child-only Ohio Works First assistance. New program changes allow 3, 4, and 5 year old, child-only Ohio Works First recipients to participate in the program regardless of caretaker income. As the caretaker, your personal income or, employment status will not be counted when determining eligibility. Call your local county department of job and family services and get your child enrolled in the Early Learning Initiative. Help your child succeed. Click HERE to learn more or visit our ELI program at the WASC.
The WASC Youth Media Program Follow the progress of this weekly program by reading the blog at: http://westafterschoolcenter.wordpress.com/ This program is made possible by grant funding from the Gannett and Fairfield County Foundations.
Get to Know a WASC Volunteer	My association with the WASC is: volunteer tutor. How Long?  one year. I was born in: Florida. My childhood ambition was to be a: a lawyer. My job is: a student (senior) at Lancaster High School If not working at my job, I'd rather be: sitting in the sun. If I did not live in Lancaster, I'd rather live: somewhere warm. My favorite pastime is: running. My favorite food is: spaghetti. My favorite TV show is: Heroes. My favorite style of music is: acoustic. My favorite movie is: Happy Feet My biggest challenge is: keeping straight A's I am inspired by: my dad. To me, a perfect day is: not doing anything except reading.
Ashton Sniderman