NEWS
from the West After School Center, Inc.

620 Garfield Avenue        Lancaster, OH  43130
740-653-5678  740-653-2402 FAX   Email:  westafterschool@westafterschoolcenter.org
Visit us at www.westafterschoolcenter.org

April 24, 2009

A 21st CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER
Our mission to is provide programs and services that enrich the educational, social, and cultural opportunities of students in our community

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

West After School Center Executive Director, Paul Young, and his Board of Directors and staff were pleased to host  Mr. Aaron Dorsey, Manager of Extended-Day Learning Opportunities Research, Training, and Member Services, from the National School Boards Association, Washington DC., at the WASC, Cedar CLC, and Tallmadge CLC this past Monday.  

Former Lancaster Board of Ed. member, Rosemary Hajost, one of the founding members of the WASC, learns from Mr. Dorsey how the NSBA supports linkages between the regular school day and after-school programs at a meeting at the West After School Center.

WASC President, Lori Marinacci, West School Principal Terri Garrett, and Lancaster City Schools Board of Ed. member Amy Eyman share time learning with Mr. Dorsey.

 Ohio's Summit for Extended Learning Opportunities Summit, April 21, 2009, Columbus

This past week the Ohio AfterSchool Network (OAN) and the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) sponsored a summit of educational leaders from state and national educational professional associations and after-school leaders to promote awareness and support for creating collaborative relationships that lead to the development of extended learning opportunities for children in the state.  A moving and motivating keynote address was delivered by Dr. Peter McWalters, Commissioner of Education for the State of Rhode Island. 

Click on the titles below pictures to hear these leaders address the summit attendees.

State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Deb Delisle

click HERE

Rhode Island Commissioner of Education, Peter McWalters

click HERE

Liz Nusken, Director of the Ohio AfterSchool Network

Click HERE

Aaron Dorsey, National School Boards Association

click HERE

Janelle Cousino, AfterSchool Alliance

click HERE

Dr. Julie Davis, Executive Director, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators

click HERE

GOOD NEWS!

WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER IS AWARDED THE

FEED OHIO SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM GRANT for 2009

The West After School Center has been awarded a grant to further expand the Summer Lunch Program for the children  of Lancaster and the surrounding area this summer, beginning June 4. This competitive grant is awarded by the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (GOFBCI). Last year, the WASC served over 20,000 lunches during the summer months, and we hope to increase participation and meet the needs of our children in families in FOUR additional serving sites this summer in Lancaster east-side neighborhoods.

The economic downturn has challenged many families' ability to adequately feed their children. Help us spread the word that a free lunch is available Monday-Friday in nine locations this summer.

Let's work to feed our kids - and have fun together doing it! 

Summer Job Opportunities, MON-FRI June 4-August 14

Enrichment Program Directors, 4-5 positions, 4 hrs./day/$16.00/hr.degree needed

Program Assistants, 5-6 positions/4 hrs./day/$10.00/hr./h.s. diploma and must be able to lift and provide personal vehicle to transport food

Luncheon with Principals

As part of of our on-going visioning and continuous improvement processes, the West After School Center's Education and Vision Committee hosts the principals collaborating with our after-school programs to reflect, plan, address issues and celebrate success. WASC Board members and principals met for a luncheon meeting on Monday, April 20.  We thank principals Terri Garrett (West), Nathan Hale (East), Jeromey Sheets (Cedar Heights) and Brian Lawson (Tallmadge) for their help in providing a clear vision for after-school programming within their schools and the Lancaster community.

Look Inside the After School Programs in Lancaster This Week

Cedar Community Learning Center

Eastside Center for Success

Robin Wright-Strauss from Wahkeena is pictured leading a group of Eastside CFS students as they learn about the food bears eat and their habits in the wild. As spring comes, bears are waking up from their winter hibernation and becoming active in our forest areas.

Tallmadge Community Learning Center

West After School Center

Active bodies promote healthy minds that are ready to learn. Creative games played with a colorful parachute foster physical and mental agility. What a great way to spend a sunny afternoon outside.

ECOT testing will take place at the WASC next week, Monday-Friday from 9-1.

Look for this new book, which was released at the NAA and NAESP conventions on April 1.

Principal Matters has been designed to help principals and after-school program leaders enhance their collaborative relationships.  

published by School-Age Notes

click here to see more books and resources from SAN.

Our Goals:

1.  Create and sustain a community dialogue and awareness campaign that helps every individual learn to make healthy choices about what and how much they eat as well as how much daily exercise they get. 

2.  Encourage children to engage in healthy and productive extra curricular activities at home and at school.

3.  Teach families how to prepare meals and economical family meals and snacks.

4.  Showcase the wealth of community resources and personnel that can help kids and families develop healthy lifestyles.

5.  Demonstrate the positive impact and benefits that participation in before and after school programs can have on children's mental health and social development.

Horizon Activities Center leaders (located in Lorain, Elyria, and North Olmstead) visited the West After School Center on April 21, 2009, Immediately, leaders from both sites were sharing ideas, challenges, and materials, observing, visioning, talking with students, staff, and volunteers, and discussing program ideas. We were flattered to learn that our colleagues had been so impressed with the concept of our Healthy Living for Kids Show that they have developed shows or TV in their area. Follow the link at the right and check out their work - impressive to say the least!

l-r, Julie Bibler, WASC Site Director, Dave Smith, Executive Director, Horizons Activities Center, Jackie Plantner, Educational Service Director, Deana Sutton, Southside Lorain Director, Paul Young, WASC Executive Director

See Horizons Activity Centers videos HERE

Learn more about the six Horizons Activities Centers in Lorain and western Cuyahoga Counties HERE.

West After School Center

Board of Directors

Committee Meetings

WASC Marketing Committee, Monday, April 27, 9:00 a.m. at Clark-Behrens Insurance

Healthy Living for Kids, Monday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. at the WASC

WASC Nominating Committee Meeting, May 4, 9:00 a.m. at Clark-Behrens Insurance

Healthy Living for Kids, Monday, May 4, 11:30 a.m. at the WASC

WASC Finance and Faciliities Committee Meeting, Thursday, May 7, 9:00 a.m., at 540 E Main St.

WASC Board of Directors Meeting, Thursday, May 21, 9:30-11:00 a.m.

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

WASC  Marketing Committee, 9:00 at Clark-Behrens Insurance

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

GED Class, 9:30-11:30

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

ELI Classes, Rm.1 &  2 - 8:30-3:15

GED Class, 9:30-11:30

Dr. Young presenting at OCCRA Training Meeting, Columbus

Lancaster Area AfterSchool Providers Summit, 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Garcia and Ms. Maynard at SUTQ 101

Dr. Young presenting at OCCRA Training Meeting, Columbus

Conference Call - NAESP/NAA New Day for Learning Advisory Team - Dr. Young

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Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

WASC Nominating Committee, at Clark Behrens Insurance

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

GED Class, 9:30-11:30

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

ELI Classes, Rm.1 &  2 - 8:30-3:15

GED Class, 9:30-11:30

WASC Finance and Facilities Committee, 540 E Main Street

special Mexican menu tonight

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Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

GED Class, 9:30-11:30

Dr. Young at Meeting in Whitehall

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

ELI Classes, Rm.1 &  2 - 8:30-3:15

GED Class, 9:30-11:30

Quarterly Meeting, Columbus, 10-2

21st CCLC Grant read Training - Elluminate

Last Day for WASC Volunteers

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Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

Childcare Program 

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

GED Class, 9:30-11:30

ELI Classes, Rm. 1 & 2 - 8:30-3:15

ELI Classes, Rm.1 &  2 - 8:30-3:15

GED Class, 9:30-11:30

WASC Board of Directors Meeting, Election of Officers

21st CCLC Grant Read, Bethel Church, Columbus

Last Day for 21st CCLC Program Operation

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740-653-5678

WE RECYCLE

740-653-2402 (FAX)

Eastside Center for Success Staff