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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

January 29, 2010

from the office of Julie Bibler, Executive Director

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

WE

ARE

21st CENTURY

COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
 

Our mission to is provide programs and services that enrich the educational, social, and cultural opportunities of students in our community

See what we've been doing this week -- after-school, and meet some of the special people that make our programs work!

Cedar Community Learning Center

East Community Learning Center

Tallmadge Community Learning Center

Last Friday, Moses Garcia visited us and taught us the "Thriller" dance by Michael Jackson.  We had a blast learning all the dance steps and listening to the music. We also named Carissa and Aaron as HEROES of the week. Carissa and Aaron gave their best efforts last week and we thank them.
 

West After School Center

The students at WASC had a very important guest come on Friday, January 22.  Ronald McDonald came to the Center to talk to the students about being a hero versus being a bully.  The students had the chance to role play situations and learn what to do if they see someone else being bullied. Staff member Ashley Fiore had the chance to participate with one of the students during one of Ronald's many magic tricks to learn that bullies disappear when a teacher is around!  The students learned a lot from Ronald and really enjoyed his magic, music, jokes and scenarios!

Thank you!

The West After School Center wants to thank Dr. Paul Young for presenting a Step Up to Quality in-service on Saturday. Thirty seven people from five community providers attended the class on "Promoting Positive Behaviors After School." This was a welcome opportunity for staff to discuss and identify strengths and weaknesses, to reflect on positive practices and to promote student achievement in after school time. There will be another SUTQ training session on “Multi-tasking is a Myth,” at WASC on February 20.

Please call 740-653-5678 to register.

The West After School Center wants to thank Bill Venrick for his donation of a marble tower. Bill is a well-know wood craftsman and thought that our children would enjoy watching the marbles fly through the tower. We will get many hours of enjoyment playing with this gift.

Meet Moses Garcia

.

Now, as the Site Director of a great program under the West After School Center, Mr. Garcia is able to look back and  see how far he has come. When not at the Center working in the lives of children, he is busy producing, writing, rapping, and performing. He has a desire to create music that will inspire and empower, especially the youth.  Mr.Garcia believes "... that music has a huge influence on young people and for many, it's music that is raising them, teaching them about what to value, especially if it’s not coming from the home…music has a way of validating people and I am passionate about bringing the right music to their ears.” More info on Mr. Garcia and his music can be found at www.openlabs.com/Moses-Garcia.

Mr. Garcia is proud to be a part of the WASC under the leadership of Julie Bibler and the mentorship of Dr. Paul Young.

February is Children’s Dental Health Month

           National Children's Dental Health Month has been observed each February for more than 55 years. It serves as an annual reminder to children, parents and caregivers of the importance of healthy oral health habits. We cannot allow children’s dental checkups to be missed or their dental health to suffer because of the economic downturn. If you need assistance, contact a program director. 

February 5, 2010

is

National Wear Red Day

Heart disease is the number one killer of women. You can speak  up about the risk of heart disease in women by wearing red on this day.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

You can help support the

West After School Center

every time you shop at your local Krogers.  It's simple.  Just sign up and every time you shop and have your Krogers Plus Card scanned, a portion of the amount comes to the West After School Center. Encourage your friends to help us - and support our mission!

Thanks to our supporters. 

We received over $100 during the second quarter of this rewards program!  (August, September & October).

TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

1. Pick up a copy of the registration form from the WASC. It has the scan barcode on it.

2. Simply take the form to the Customer Service Desk at your local Kroger store. They will scan it and your Kroger Plus Card, and with 72 hours a percentage of everything purchased at Krogers comes to the WASC - between now and April 30, 2010.

The West After School Center wants to thank the Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio and its Choice Food Pantry for becoming our newest partner. Lutheran Social Services has provided families at all four of our 21^st Century CLC’s with bread and will continue to support us in the coming weeks and months.

ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, and COLLABORATION

Join us in Washington, DC.

Register now for the best convention for professionals in the field!

Click HERE for a link for convention registration.

Watch  Healthy Living for Kids weekly on the Lancaster Schools Television Network

The Goals for our Television Program:

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 foods 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.

Kids You Should Know - look for this interview with Gerald Stratton and Brandon Mayhorn, 5th Graders at West School, coming soon to Healthy Living for Kids Show

OAN Meeting, Wednesday, February 3,10:30-2:30 p.m.

Education and Vision Committee-Lunch with Principals, Tuesday, February 9, 11:30 a.m.

WASC Board of Directors Meeting, Thursday, February 18, 9:30-11:00 a.m.

ODJFS & SUTQ Training, Saturday, February 20, 8:00-1:00 p.m.

Childcare Program

Healthy Living for Kids Preview with Executive Director

Healthy Living for Kids Committee Meeting - at WASC

WASC Leadership Team Mtg.

21st CCLC/Childcare Program

Center closes

Center closes

Center closes

Center closes

Center closes

Childcare Program

Marketing Com. Mtg. at Clark Ins.

Healthy Living for Kids Committee Meeting - at WASC

WASC Leadership Team Mtg.

21st CCLC/Childcare Program

Childcare Program

WASC Closed for

Presidents' Day

21st CCLC/Childcare Program

Childcare Program

Healthy Living for Kids Committee Meeting - at WASC