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

	WASC FAMILIES enjoyed the Strengthening Families Program  February 26, 2007
Help your students prepare for the Ohio Achievement Tests!  Practice tests for grades 3-8 are on-line. Click HERE
16th Annual Early Childhood Spring Conference presented by FAMILY, ADULT & CHILDREN FIRST COUNCIL & THE CHILDREN’S COMMITTEE In partnership with the Central Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center Friday, MARCH 23, 2007 AT OHIO UNIVERSITY-- LANCASTER CAMPUS--1570 GRANVILLE PIKE--LANCASTER, OHIO 43130		Fairfield County Family, Adult and Children First Council WASC staff will be compensated for the cost of registration. See Jane Hart to register. A full conference schedule is available in the WASC Office.
Friday Fun Day Activities at the WASC - February 23, 2007
Hokey Pokey Dancing	Margery Packer shared her personal story about living with blindness and discussed how she lives with her seeing eye dog, Becky. The kids loved meeting them both!	Musical Chairs
It's Survey Time! Our students in grades 1-5 completed a survey last week. Their results are positive, and only those who were absent were unable to complete the on-line survey. If you'd like to view the survey questions, please CLICK HERE. Results are being tallied for the survey completed by volunteers and will be posted soon. We thank volunteer Bob Arthur for his good work and assistance setting up these on-line surveys.
West After School Center Student Survey Results, February 2007 63 students enrolled at time of survey, Gr. 1-5 - 60 responses to survey = 95% return rate Results are reported by percentages The Questions Strongly Agree Agree Do Not Know Disagree Strongly Disagree 1.  I like coming to the West After School Center. 62 35 3 0 0 2.  I like my volunteer tutor. 65 20 10 5 2 3.  My academic coach cares about me. 72 22 6 0 0 4.  I am reading better because I come to the center. 50 33 12 3 1 5.  I do better in math because I come to the center. 42 35 12 5 6 6.  I complete all my homework because I come to the center. 55 28 14 3 0 7.  I feel safe at the center. 67 22 6 2 3 8.  My behavior is good because I come to the center. 56 27 15 0 2 9.  I like our Friday activities and other fun things that we do. 73 12 12 0 3 10.  I like the snacks at the center. 63 27 2 3 5 Additional Unsolicited Written Comments:            I like the center because it is fun here. (grade 1) I like my friends here. (grade 1) I like to play at the WASC. (grade 1) I like the guessing games. (grade 1) I like reading here. (grade 1) I like the dinners and I like the toys. (grade 1) I like the after school center because it is fun there. (grade 2) I love the West After School Center .(grade 5) The  WASC is fun. (grade 5) swimming, PopTarts (grade 5) Improve snacks. Have more fun stuff. Read more (grade 5) No graham crackers for snacks. I want PopTarts for snack. More family activities. (grade 5)
YOU CAN BECOME A STAR! We want your comments and participation in recording what you do each week at the WASC. The week of March 5, we will be videotaping each tutoring session to allow the outside world to see just what happens so well at our center each afternoon. This videotape will be used as an informational and advocacy tool as well as for educational and marketing purposes. We hope you'll dress for this TV recording in a manner you'd want others to see you and come prepared to share your experiences at our center. We hope to capture footage of all our students and volunteers and comments, testimonials, etc. from those who will share.
	On Monday, March 26, the Columbus Children’s Theatre Touring Company will present “The Reluctant Dragon” at 4:00 p.m. to the students attending the WASC tutoring program. This presentation is made possible through the Strengthening Families Program sponsored by The Recovery Center of Lancaster. "Dragons are a pest and must be got rid of" – that’s what all the villagers say. It doesn’t seem to matter that this particular dragon wouldn’t hurt a fly. But this dragon has a friend with a great deal of good sense. She must convince St. George that violence is not the answer and there are other options than fighting. Family members are welcome to attend this heartwarming and funny tale!
	Mom’s Craft Morning!  Spring is coming! Please join us on Monday, March 12, at 10:00 when we will make some sparkling and colorful eggs for your Easter basket. Call Jane Hart for more information. RSVP on the Family Bulletin Board as you sign your child out of tutoring.
	Dr. Young and Mr. Libbee, Executive Director of the Eastside Center for Success, will be attending the National After School Association Conference in Phoenix, March 20-23. This is the largest conference of its kind in the nation for afterschool providers and advocates. Dr. Young will present the story of the development of the West After School Center at a special session on Wednesday morning, March 21 and participate with Judy Nee, NAA Board President, in a session focused on professional development for principals and after school providers, also on Wednesday. A full conference overview can be seen by clicking HERE