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

WASC Valentine Family Dinner Please join us for a spaghetti dinner, family crafts and activities.       Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.      All family members welcome!    We have 50+ registered so far  with room for more!  Don't miss this!    Registration Required by Feb. 4th (So we can plan!)
Support Issue 12 Vote to Protect Children and Elderly from abuse and neglect The number of reports of abuse and neglect has doubled in Fairfield County since 2000. 1 in 8 children in Fairfield County are impacted by abuse and neglect. A successful passage of this issue will increase the number of investigations and promote early intervention.
The BENEFIT BANK A Service Available for Parents								Need help with food? Need help with child care costs? Need help with insurance for your kids? The Benefit Bank may be able to help! What is the Benefit Bank? It is an internet tool for JFS benefit screening. Would you like to find out if you may qualify for one or all of these benefits? Call today for an appointment! There is no cost for this service. It is available at the West After School Center. Call Jane Hart, WASC Student and Family Coordinator at 653-5678.
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today that the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has launched a statewide effort to provide free federal and Ohio income tax return assistance to Ohioans with household incomes below $54,000 per year.    The assistance is offered through The Ohio Benefit Bank – a free service that provides help for low and moderate-income Ohioans to claim tax credits and other work support benefits.   “Completing a tax return can often be a complex and time-consuming process. That’s why I encourage Ohioans who need assistance to take advantage of the Benefit Bank’s tax preparation services,” Strickland said. “Benefit Bank counselors stand ready to help families with their taxes as well as determine their potential eligibility for additional benefits.”
SPANISH CLASSES at the WASC
Senora Escarpeta (teacher from Lancaster High School) has been volunteering and teaching Spanish lessons at the WASC as part of our Friday Fun Day series. She has brought about 10 of her LHS Spanish 3 & 4 yrs students to help teach our students. They have taught the children numbers and colors and played "Simon Says" (in Spanish) to teach them body parts.
The WASC Youth Media Program				The WASC Youth Media Program is the result of a partnership with The Fuse Factory Electronic and Digital Arts Lab, a new and emerging initiative based in Columbus, OH. The WASC and The Fuse Factory have worked together to develop a curriculum in which WASC students are engaged in weekly hands-on workshops where they are introduced to topics such as keyboarding, word processing, digital image manipulation, digital storytelling, typography, and video. They are also given opportunities to think critically about forms of popular media such as advertising. The current program will run from January 2008 to June 2008. This program is made possible from grants from the Fairfield County Foundation and the Gannett Foundation.
Get to Know a WASC Volunteer	My association with the WASC is: volunteer tutor How Long?  2 years.  I was born in: Lancaster My childhood ambition was to be: an astronaut My job is: a student (senior) at Lancaster High School May favorite subject in school is: math My favorite place  have visited (outside Lancaster) is: Disney World My favorite restaurant is: Red Lobster My favorite style of music is: rock If I could watch only one television show, it would be: The Daily Show My favorite movies is:  Stranger Than Fiction I relax by: listening to music My tip for good health is: exercise daily My tip for doing well in school is: do all your work to the best of your ability.
Michael Bibler