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, West School Staff, Parents, Afterschool Advocates,, Providers, and Community Leaders

Read For the Record	On September 20, 2007, in communities all across America, people will gather to read The Story of Ferdinand to show their support for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record.  They will read at their local library, the town green, a local preschool, and in their own homes.  You can be a part of this national movement at the West After School Center. In addition to reading the book that day, our students will have the opportunity to illustrate the story. In a combined effort with other students, we will then build a story board.
The Power of One 6th Annual Faith-Based and Community Group Summit	The purpose of this summit is to recognize and celebrate the common mission of faith-based groups, service providers and community groups that serve adults, children and families, review work of sub-committees, and network and share information.		Friday, October 5, 2007 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon Liberty Center
Training Opportunities for the Cedar CLC staff and others that need training or certification updates	Child Abuse Training Sept. 4 & 5, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Cedar Heights ========================= Communicable Disease Saturday, Sept. 8 - 8:00-2:00 at the WASC (to be confirmed Sept. 4)		Cedar CLC staff training in CPR and First Aid, Aug. 25
Childcare Opportunities at the WASC and the Cedar CLC	6:00 - 8:45 a.m.  $45.00/week      3:30 -6:00 p.m.   $45.00/week      Kindergarten  (a.m. or p.m.)                                 $45.00/week		Services are operated simultaneously with 21st CCLC programs. Call 653-5678 for further information and to register.
Registrations for the 2007-2008 after school program will begin Thursday, August 30 during the West School Open House. The WASC will also be equipped this year as a drop-in location for children of working parents on snow and emergency -school closure days. Open to any child K-5 in the area. Must have registration papers completed. We will be closed for Level-3 weather-related emergencies.
Community Care Day, September 12, 2007 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.					Planned Projects at the WASC Sidewalk replacement and parking lot sealing with volunteers from Lancaster Police Department
Free Training Opportunity ...	Why Do They Do That? Understanding the School-Age Behavior and Guiding it Positively   Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Time: 10 am – 12 pm West After School Center   620 Garfield Ave., Lancaster, OH 43130 Instructor: Katie Sandford, After School Specialist Register by: October 1, 2007 Free			October 18, 2007
Coming in September ...	An expanded partnership between the West After School Center and the Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Head Start. We will be starting our third year of partnership with Head Start offering space for the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) Class. Also, we will be offering space for morning and afternoon Head Start Classes, which previously had been a partnership when space was available at West School.   Head Start classes begin Sept. 4. (contingent upon licensing approval)					8:30 - 3:15 - ELI Class 8:00 - 11:30 - A.M. Head Start Class 12:00 - 3:30 - P.M. Head Start Class Students are in session Monday-Thursdays. Teachers complete management plans and home visits on Fridays. For information about programs for your child, call 653-4146 or call 653-5678 and ask for Jane Hart, Student & Family Coordinator.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2007    (check out the streaming video) Whether you’re cooking a gourmet meal, ordering food from your favorite take-out place or eating on the go, rest assured that what your kids really want during dinnertime is YOU! Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what’s on their mind. The communication that occurs over the course of a meal is critical in building a relationship between you and your kids and it helps you understand the challenges they face. Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA)* at Columbia University consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. CASA created Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ in 2001, as a national movement that encourages parents to frequently eat dinner with their kids and be involved in their children’s lives as simple, effective ways to reduce substance abuse among children and teens. Family Day is celebrated on the fourth Monday in September. Family Day is not just for families. It is a day for all to celebrate, including businesses, unions, religious organizations and community groups. The symbolic act of regular family meals should be promoted and celebrated inside and outside the home throughout the year. Regular family dinners aren’t the only way to help keep your kids substance free. Here are some other important things you can do:  Set a good example. Know your child’s whereabouts, activities and friends.  Set fair rules and hold your child to them. Maintain open lines of communication. Surround your child with positive role models. Learn the signs and symptoms of teen substance abuse and conditions that increase risk.