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

Read For the Record!!
Yesterday, in communities all across America, people gathered to read The Story of Ferdinand to show their support for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record.  Featured on The Today Show, this event received widespread national media attention. At the West After School Center, the students heard the book read aloud by program administrator, Julie Bibler. Students also enjoyed illustrating the story.
2007-2008 21st CCLC Program Implementation at a Glance
2007-2008 Enrollment (9-20-07) at the WASC =  K= N/A at this point; Gr. 1 = 13; Gr. 2 = 15; Gr. 3 = 15; Gr. 4 = 9; Gr. 5 = 14         Total = 66 2007-2008 Enrollment (9-20-07) at the Cedar CLC =  K = 13; Gr. 1 = 3 ; Gr. 2 = 6; Gr. 3 = 4; Gr. 4 = 7; Gr. 5 = 8                           Total = 41 Nearly one third of the students registered at the WASC participated last year. Average number of snacks served; 9/10-9/14 -165 (WASC, Cedar CLC, and Fox Family Y) Average number of dinners served; 9/10-9/14 -30 (WASC & Cedar CLC) Volunteers  = 65 signed up at resent Requests for volunteers have been made with LHS National Honor Society & Key Club, Berne Union NHS, Fisher Catholic Student Volunteer Coordinator, Fairfield Medical Center, Reflections, The Inn at Fairfield Village, Faith Memorial, Emanuel Lutheran, Fairfield Christian School, First United Methodist;  numerous personal calls to past volunteers. Our goal is to have a volunteer for every student.
		Rick Kelley's musical presentation as part of last Friday's Fun Day Activities was awesome.  He masterfully engaged the students, and as you can see, had them up on their feet moving, singing, dancing, and having a great time. This was Mr. Kelley's first experience presenting to an afterschool program. We hope that he has found an opportunity to fulfill a mission working students in programs like ours and we wish him well.
The Power of One 6th Annual Faith-Based and Community Group Summit	The purpose of this summit is to recognize and celebrate the common mission of faith-based groups, service providers and community groups that serve adults, children and families, review work of sub-committees, and network and share information.	Friday, October 5, 2007 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon Liberty Center
Childcare Opportunities at the WASC and the Cedar CLC	6:00 - 8:45 a.m.  $45.00/week      3:30 -6:00 p.m.   $45.00/week      Kindergarten  (a.m. or p.m.)                                 $45.00/week	Services are operated simultaneously with 21st CCLC programs. Call 653-5678 for further information and to register.
Registrations for the 2007-2008 after school childcare program at the WASC and Cedar CLC remain open. The WASC will also be equipped this year as a drop-in location for children of working parents on snow and emergency -school closure days. Open to any child K-5 in the area. Must have registration papers completed. We will be closed for Level-3 weather-related emergencies.
Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Head Start Parent Meeting Thursday, September 27, 2007  6:30 p.m. at the WASC Open House & Policy Council Elections
Free Training Opportunity ...	Why Do They Do That? Understanding the School-Age Behavior and Guiding it Positively   Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 Time: 10 am – 12 pm West After School Center   620 Garfield Ave., Lancaster, OH 43130 Instructor: Katie Sandford, After School Specialist Register by: October 1, 2007 Free		October 18, 2007 Join us at the WASC at 5:00 p.m. for a special event.
Please Join the Board of Directors and Congressman Dave Hobson for the Grand Opening of the Child Advocacy Center of Fairfield County September 24, 2007 at 10 a.m.  -- 1147 E. Main St. Lancaster, OH 43130 R.S.V.P. (740) 689-4815
SEPTEMBER 24, 2007    (check out the streaming video) Whether you’re cooking a gourmet meal, ordering food from your favorite take-out place or eating on the go, rest assured that what your kids really want during dinnertime is YOU! Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what’s on their mind. The communication that occurs over the course of a meal is critical in building a relationship between you and your kids and it helps you understand the challenges they face. Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA)* at Columbia University consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. CASA created Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ in 2001, as a national movement that encourages parents to frequently eat dinner with their kids and be involved in their children’s lives as simple, effective ways to reduce substance abuse among children and teens. Family Day is celebrated on the fourth Monday in September. Family Day is not just for families. It is a day for all to celebrate, including businesses, unions, religious organizations and community groups. The symbolic act of regular family meals should be promoted and celebrated inside and outside the home throughout the year. Regular family dinners aren’t the only way to help keep your kids substance free. Here are some other important things you can do:  Set a good example. Know your child’s whereabouts, activities and friends.  Set fair rules and hold your child to them. Maintain open lines of communication. Surround your child with positive role models. Learn the signs and symptoms of teen substance abuse and conditions that increase risk.		Join Us at the WASC for Dinner Hot Dogs & Baked Beans Chips Beverage and Dessert 5:00 p.m.     FREE for all WASC Families   Get to know our staff and learn about the programs and services available at the WASC.