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

December 19, 2008

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 Board of Directors and the staffs from all of the West After School Center program sites

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and

HAPPY NEW YEAR

see you once again beginning January 5, 2009

click HERE for a trombone rendition of Jingle Bells

Paul Young and Lyndsey Lawlis from the OSU Marching Band

Looking Ahead to 2009 (information from the AfterSchool Alliance)

This past Tuesday, President-Elect Barack Obama named Chicago Public Schools CEO, Arne Duncan, to be the nation's next Secretary of Education. If he is confirmed, Duncan will preside over the agency during the period when the No Child Left Behind Act is restructured and reauthorized.  Duncan is known to afterschool supporters for his successful efforts to build flexibility into the supplemental education services system, and the No Child Left Behind Act overall. Known as a pragmatic reformer, in 2006 he called on Congress to double funding for No Child Left Behind. Duncan also is a strong proponent of early childhood education.  President-Elect Obama has pledged to double funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the nation's chief funding stream for afterschool. While in the Senate, Obama also introduced legislation to support summer learning programs.

"We are looking forward to working with the new Administration and Congress to help bring us closer to the goal of afterschool for all," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. "These are indeed tough economic times, with difficult funding choices to be made. But with more families working harder than ever to make ends meet, we need to be sure that all kids have access to safe, enriching activities during the afternoon hours when they might otherwise be unsupervised. Quality afterschool programs are essential for families and communities. They also provide our children and youth with valuable academic, social and professional skills that will help them succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy."

The incoming Obama Administration has created a website, Change.gov, to inform the public about policy ideas and initiatives, and give citizens a virtual "seat at the table." Afterschool is featured on the agenda (Click sentence to be directed). Advocates and supporters can visit the site to view the Afterschool Alliance's recommendations, and are encouraged to post a comment reinforcing the importance of afterschool programs.

Similarly, a coalition of nonprofit organizations, including Change.org and MySpace.com, has launched a national advocacy campaign so the public can vote for their

"Ideas for Change in America." The top ten ideas will be presented to the new Administration on Inauguration Day, January 20. The goal is that each winning idea will receive full consideration from the new Administration and Congress.

The Afterschool Alliance's Afterschool for All is one of "Ideas for Change in America's" featured ideas. Supporters can vote for afterschool here. The first round of voting ends on December 31, with subsequent voting before finalists are selected.

"We are facing a critical time for afterschool," Grant added. "Now is the time to be sure our voices are heard and this issue becomes part of the national conversation. School and program administrators, business leaders, parents and youth should speak out and let others know that we cannot afford to continue underfunding the afterschool programs that children and families urgently need."

source: AfterSchool Alliance

West After School Center

Board of Directors

Committee Meetings

Healthy Living for Kids Committee, Monday, January 5, 11:30 a.m.

WASC Marketing Committee, Monday, January 5, 2008, 12:30 p.m.

WASC Board of Directors Meeting, Thursday, January 15, 9:30 a.m.

WASC Vision Committee, Tuesday, January 20, 11:30 a.m.

WASC Tutor Committee Meeting, Tuesday, February 3, 9:30 a.m.

Cedar Community Learning Center

On December 18, the Cedar CLC held its annual Holiday Party with students and parents. Nearly 100 people were in attendance. The students and their families were given an art craft to do with our Art Academic Coach, Ashly Draper. Parents were given the opportunity to talk with staff members about programming and the progress they are experiencing with their sons and daughters. The event was successful and the parents did not fail to mention how much they appreciate the program and all we have to offer. 
 

Tallmadge Community Learning Center

See us adapting in different program space at the TallmadgeCLC

West After School Center

Click HERE

Watch the WASC Holiday Craft making in action

MEAL PROGRAMS at the WASC

Busy parents can take advantage of the availability of supper at the WASC, Cedar Heights, and Tallmadge, Monday-Friday, throughout the year.  The snacks we serve are free, and the supper program (5:30-6:00 pm) is open to any child in our programs or others that would sign up for supper, based on qualification requirements similar to the school lunch program. The WASC is a sponsor of afterschool meals for the centers serving children at East, West, Cedar Heights, and Tallmadge.

Hold the Dates!

early April 2009

Plan Now! Register for the most exiting and best professional leaning experience of 2009. AfterSchool Program Directors and Principals together for the first time, intentionally to promote collaboration - in a great American city.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION

Don't miss it!

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.

Don't miss it!

Wednesday, Thursday Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Channel 6, Time Warner Cable - right after Jack Greathouse's "STUFF"

What does "eat better" really mean?

Eating better means making healthy choices. The goal is to have a balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals, but not too many calories. Some people may need to add more fruits and vegetables or whole grains, while cutting back on sugary snacks. Others may need to eat more protein. The idea is to achieve a good balance, and moderation in how much you eat.

The good news is that there are guidelines, suggestions, and help to make sure that the kids in your life are eating better every day. Click HERE to learn more.

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Childcare Program 

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MERRY CHRISTMAS
 

ALL

WASC

PROGRAMS

ARE

CLOSED
 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

ALL

WASC

PROGRAMS

ARE

CLOSED

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

Childcare Program

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

Childcare Program

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

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

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is

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

Childcare Program

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

Childcare Program

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

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New Year's Eve

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

WASC Leadership Staff Team Meeting, WASC, 9:30

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

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

 ELI Classes, Rm.1 &  2 - 8:30-3:15

Healthy Living for Kids Committee Mtg.

Center closes

GO BUCKS  

Beat Texas    

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Childcare Program 

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Childcare Program 

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Childcare Program 

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

WASC Leadership Staff Team Meeting, WASC, 9:30

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

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

 ELI Classes, Rm.1 &  2 - 8:30-3:15

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

Healthy Living for Kids Committee Mtg.

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Center closes

Center closes

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