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
May 21, 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
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING NEWS
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
This past Friday, we spent the afternoon with Ms. Ellen Ford. She taught us wonderful songs and stories incorporating exciting Native American elements. We had a wonderful time, and we look forward to more opportunities to have Ms. Ford join us again!
East Community Learning Center
Fire safety came to the East Community Learning Center this past week from the Lancaster Fire Department. Students were able to examine the firetruck and emergency squad, and were informed on emergency procedures. The favorite part of the afternoon was actually climbing in the vehicles and dreaming of what it would be like to grow up to be a fireman or EMT. Students also completed art projects, finished and studied their homework, practiced math facts on the computer, and worked hard to be "caught being good." Students who have been "caught being good" have their name in a drawing for a variety of prizes on the last night of the program.
The program for after school will end Friday, May 21, with many students attending over 120 days this school year- an extra 180-200 hours of supervised study time. The students have worked hard all year and are thankful for the many volunteers who have faithfully read with them, especially Mrs. Ann Essman, Fred and Donna Menigat, Tom Saddler, and Mary Guinan. The tremendous effort of the staff at the East After School Center has provided a great learning environment. We thank Mr. Brian Dorion, Mrs. Sally Cyrus, Mrs. Terry Carpenter, Mrs. Denise Schoonover, Mrs. Liz Flowers, Mrs. Dalelene Stafford, Mrs. Sally Labus, Mrs.Hollie Swartz, Mr. Kent Kerns, and Program Assistant Mrs. Robin McBroom.
Tallmadge Community Learning Center
We are wrapping up the 2009-2010 Tallmadge After School Program. When all is said and done this week, we will have been here for 158 days and serviced 82 students and their families. Thank you to all who have supported the Program this year, and we look forward to servicing you next year.
Last week at Tallmadge, we had a great Fun Friday. C.J. Huffman, a magician, entertained us with his sleight of hand and illusions. We were all amazed by his talent. Thank you, Mr. Huffman, for spending the afternoon with us.
West After School Center
Students enjoyed the nice weather last week by getting outside and playing. Games such as kickball, four square, tag, and basketball helped students burn up their end-of-the-year energy. Bill Foister came to WASC to teach self defense. Mr. Foister stressed the importance of keeping yourself safe and taught many skills to use in case of an emergency.
Mrs. Bibler, Mrs. Kuttler and Ms. Fiore walked in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday. They walked to support Mrs. Thorne in her battle against breast cancer. There were 50,286 participants who raised $2.5 million for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
We thank our volunteers.
The facts-
Volunteers supported our program during 114 days of service.
75 volunteers served students with 1000 hours of combined service = $8-10,000 worth of in-kind service for the West After School Center.
"We thank our volunteers for their time and talents working with the students at WASC. This is a great service to our community and a tremendous in-kind service to our mission. Thank you for another outstanding year!"
WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM
The West After School Center will again be serving lunches at nine community sites, beginning June 7. Last year, WASC served over 23,000 lunches during the summer months, and we hope to increase participation and meet the needs of our children.
Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Cedar Elementary Playground
East Elementary Playground
Lancaster Club Apartments 180 Sells Rd.
Medill Elementary School Playground
River Valley Apartments
Robert K. Fox Family YMCA
South Elementary Playground
Tallmadge Elementary Playground
West After School Center
The economic downturn has challenged many families' abilities to adequately feed their children. Help us spread the word that a free lunch is available for children from 2-18 years of age, Monday-Friday at nine locations this summer.
Let's work to feed our kids - and have fun together doing it!
ADVOCACY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, and COLLABORATION
We thank the principals and teachers in our partnering schools for their assistance this past week completing surveys on the progress of the students enrolled in our programs. All 21st CCLC programs in Ohio must complete annual progress reports about their program services which is compiled for the U.S. Department of Education by Learning Points Associates. Classroom teacher perception of student progress is one important part of the data collection.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
The West After School Center is pleased to announce a new community partner. The Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council will be providing a summer craft program at the WASC and the East Elementary School summer lunch programs, starting on Friday, June 11, and continuing each Friday until the lunch programs end on August 13. The program will take place at WASC for one hour, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The East program will be a “Crafts to Go," which will be passed out to children between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The children will be able to take the craft home to do on their own. We want to thank this new partner and encourage children to come and enjoy this special opportunity.
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 $80 during the third quarter of this rewards program! (November, December & January).
TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:
1. All current and new members must enroll after April 1, 2010.
2. Please log on to
www.krogercommunityrewards.com
and click on "Ohio" to register your Kroger Plus Card. After registering, a portion of each purchase you make using your Rewards card comes to the West After School Center, Inc.
Watch Healthy Living for Kids weekly on the Lancaster Schools Television Network
The Goals for our Television Program:
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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.
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Encourage children to engage in healthy and productive extra curricular activities at home and at school.
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Teach families how to prepare foods and economical family meals and snacks.
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Showcase the wealth of community resources and personnel that can help kids and families develop healthy lifestyles.
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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 Kaitelin Lansinger and Kayla Crist, 5th Graders at West School, coming soon to Healthy Living for Kids Show
