WEST AFTER SCHOOL CENTER
 NEWS & OPINION

February 2007

Our mission is to provide opportunities that enrich the educational, social, and cultural experiences of students and families in our community.
 
 

620 Garfield Avenue, Lancaster, OH  43130     

740-653-5678                 

740-653-2402 FAX

OU-L Reading Academy at the WASC

Over 30 students from West School and other public and private elementary schools have enrolled in our winter program and attended two Saturday afternoon classes this past month.  They will continue meeting on Feb. 10, 24, and March 10, 1-3 p.m. This class was purposefully geared toward students in grades 3-6 to better meet the needs of the college students enrolled to obtain their certification. Additional classes are currently being planned for the upcoming spring and summer quarter. If you would like your child to participate, or know of children from other schools that would benefit, please visit our website, complete, and return an application.  www.westafterschoolcenter.org

 
 

Email:  pyoung@westafterschoolcenter.org

Visit us at www.westafterschoolcenter.org

Dr. Paul G. Young, Executive Director

Mrs. Jane Hart, Student & Family Coordinator

Mrs. Julie Bibler, Tutoring Program Administrator

Mrs. Chris Kuttler, Office Manager

Friday Fun Days at the WASC

Once a month, more than half of our students enjoy the opportunity to learn swimming skills and water safety procedures at the Robert K. Fox Family Y. It is great fun and exercise for all participants. Students experience other interesting topics and lessons on other Friday afternoons each month. Ask about our special "Pet Day" held in January.

Results are reported in percentages

SA

A

D

SD

DK

1.  My child benefits from this program.

 87.5

 10

0 

 0

 2

2.  The tutoring has helped improve my child’s reading skills.

 75

21 

 0

 0

 4

3.  The tutoring has helped improve my child’s math skills.

 73

21 

 2

 0

 4

4.  My child enjoys the program and looks forward to attending

     each day.

 69

27 

4 

0 

0 

5.  My child tries harder in school since attending the program.

 

 63

31 

4 

0 

2 

6.  My child is safe while attending the After School Program.

 92

8 

0 

0 

0 

7.  The After School Staff members care about my child and encourage him/her to do well in school and in the program

 100

 0

 0

 0

0 

8.  The After School Staff communicates with me.

 85

15 

0 

0 

0 

9.  My child has improved in the ability to follow directions and

     complete school tasks.

 58.3

33.3

 2

 0

6

10. My child’s behavior has improved  A)  At School

                                                             B)  At the Center

54

67

40 

25

4

2 

0 

0

2 

6

ATTENTION !

Moms, Dads, & Preschoolers

(You don’t need preschoolers to attend!)

Free to all WASC families!

Join us at the West After School Center to decorate some Valentine Cookies for your family.

Wednesday  Feb. 14th   10:00 a.m.

 

 
 

Do You Know Where Your Kids Are After School?

Hopefully, they are with us at the WASC! Our survey shows that parents are not worried about the safety and care of their children after school. But many others in the workforce do have concerns. Estimates from recent reports suggest that more than a third of the American labor force consists of parents of minor children. Almost three-fourths of those children are between 5 and 18 years old. Two-thirds of their parents are employed full-time. The gap between the time school lets out in mid-afternoon and the time many employed parents get home from work adds up to 15 to 25 hours a week. The distractions that occur when anxious parents must call home, check emails, leave work, or simply worry about their children’s welfare detracts from workplace productivity and employee performance. This dilemma is estimated to affect millions of working parents nationwide.

Despite the progress in recent years in establishing before and after school childcare centers, many communities still face a serious shortage of affordable, high-quality after-school programs. According to Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance in Washington, D.C.., more than 14 million students between kindergarten and 12th grade take care of themselves after school. That includes 40,000 kindergartners and almost 4 million middle school students in grades 6 to 8.

In Lancaster, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, there are approximately 450 spots available for school-age children in 17 centers scattered throughout the city. Three of those centers do not have a contract with JFS for childcare reimbursement. Not counting those students attending private schools, Lancaster City Schools alone minimally enrolls 2500 kindergarten-grade five children. Add another 1500 in the middle schools, and a staggering 3000 or more kids could be in need of care in our community.

Obviously, that number is reduced where a parent, grandparent, neighbor, or babysitter provides after school care. However, considering all the data, there are, without a doubt, many Lancaster school age children going home to unsupervised environments and many anxious parents worried about their whereabouts. It doesn’t take many adolescents on our streets to engage in negative behaviors before that way of spending time is considered to be “cool”.  The problems that emerge during this at-risk time eventually expand into a burden for taxpayers and social agencies that are already overburdened.

Even where kids do behave appropriately, a lack of after-school programs also raises concerns about childhood obesity. "They're home alone, and they're eating," Grant says. "They're not out running around. They're watching television, playing on the computer. They're not being active." She adds, "One of the ironies we have to face is, there's great support for after-school programs, [and] there are all these kids who need these services. After-school is not a partisan issue. It spans across the aisle. It goes from far right to far left."

Discussions are taking place about developing a collaborative partnership with Lancaster City Schools and child-care providers in the city to expand offerings and programs in schools throughout the district. If you would like to contribute your ideas, and help create a model system of childcare for Ohio, call us for further information at 653-5678 or speak with any member of the WASC Board of Directors.

  Sources: Gardner, Marilyn. (in the Christian Science Monitor), 1-3-2007

West After School Center Parent Survey Results, January 2007
76 students enrolled at time of survey, Gr. K-5 - 62 families, 48 responses to survey = 77% return rate Results are reported by percentages
The Questions

Strongly Agree

 Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Do Not Know
1.  My child benefits from this program.  87.5 10 0 0 2
2.  The tutoring has helped improve my child’s reading skills. 75 21 0 0 4
3.  The tutoring has helped improve my child’s math skills. 73 21 2 0 4

4.  My child enjoys the program and looks forward to attending each day.

 69 27 4 0 0

5.  My child tries harder in school since attending the program.

 63 31 4 0 2
6.  My child is safe while attending the After School Program. 92 8 0 0 0

7.  The After School Staff members care about my child and encourage him/her to do well in school and in the program

 100 0 0 0 0
8.  The After School Staff communicates with me. 85 15 0 0 0

9.  My child has improved in the ability to follow directions and complete school tasks.

 58.3 33.3 2 0 6.25

10. My child’s behavior has improved at School

 54 40 4 0 2

11. My child’s behavior has improved at School

 67 25 2 0 6
Additional Unsolicited Written Comments:          
 [name] really enjoys attending the WASC. The WASC is a blessing from God. [name] is receiving the best grade cards she has ever received due to the help she's getting at the WASC. I appreciate this service. It really helps my son improve in school.
[name] has improved greatly since attending the WASC for tutoring. She loves to come and never gives us any problems about attending. She does however still need to improve her skills in math, reading, and spelling. Her self esteem has improved in these areas, but she still is behind what the other children are doing in class. I appreciate everything the WASC tutors have done for [name] and keep up the great work. The only suggestion I have is possibly a sheet to let me know how she did in tutoring or what she is still struggling with.  My child was recently diagnosed with ADD. The program has benefited her greatly. She is trying much harder putting forth greater effort and is blossoming from the extra help she receives here. The swimming trips give her something to look forward to and to work harder for, The staff at the center impresses me greatly. I see care and concern in everyone I meet. The program has been very helpful in assisting my child with her speaking out. She has also improved somewhat in her interpersonal skills. I would recommend this program to any parent.
Thank you for everything you have helped him with. He's doing very well in school. I think it's a great program. My child benefits greatly. The staff are great. Thanks, my son loves coming here everyday & he has improved at everything.
I have better communication with my son's tutor than his teacher at the school. It makes me feel better to know he's not just another face in the crowd. She's a life saver. My student has greatly improved her spelling skills while attending this program. I feel this program has benefited my daughter greatly and I am grateful to have it available to us.
We are extremely happy with the WASC and how they take care of our child!! We appreciate all the encouragement and attention you give to our family. This program should have been available to the children before it was. It has helped her and made her confident and happy since she started.
  Thank-you for helping my son with everything that he needed help with.  
 

Watch our Television Show on  the LSN

Channel 6 Time Warner Cable

Healthy Living for Kids

New episodes air at 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays.

Coming in January to

Healthy Living for Kids

"STUDENTS MAKING Art R TOPS"

S.M.A.R.T.  ART

 

Encourage your child to draw!  Submit your child's or grandchildren's art creations in JPEG form via email to: pictures@westafterschoolcenter.org

Include the artist's name and age. Copies will be made and added to the West After School Center Student Art Gallery, posted on the WASC Website (www.westafterschoolcenter.org), and featured on subsequent episodes of Healthy Living for Kids.

Good health involves the mind, body, and soul!

S.M.A.R.T.  ART

MOM’S CRAFT GROUP

All Moms are invited to join the fun!  Wednesday February 14, at 10:00 a.m.. Come and join us at the WASC and make a special craft. No special skills required – we provide all materials.

Call Jane Hart, WASC Student & Family Coordinator,  if you want more information, 653-5678.

Friday Fun Day Swimming

Robert K. Fox Family Y

Friday, February 16, 2007

3:40-5:00 p.m.—busing provided

Children do not need to know how to swim.

Encourage your child to learn while enjoying the fun and recreation!

We Thank Our Partners

Ohio University-Lancaster (Reading Academy)

 

The Ohio State University Extension   (Master Gardeners)

 

The Robert K Fox Family Y (Summer Lunch Program and Recreational Opportunities)

 

Art & Clay on Main (Summer Art Classes)

 

Eastside Center for Success (Summer Art Classes)

 

Lancaster-Fairfield County Community Action Head Start (ELI Classes)

 

New Horizons Youth and Family Center (Conflict Management Training)

 

Fairfield County Family, Adult, and Children First Council (21st CCLC Program Support)

 

Fairfield County Jobs and Family Services (custodial workers)

 

The Recovery Center (Family Nights)

 

Red Barn Productions

 

Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church

 

Eastland-Fairfield Career Center

 

Fairfield Foundation (Kitchen)

 

United Way of Fairfield County

MEAL PROGRAM at the WASC

 

                 This year, the West After School Center is registered with the Ohio Department of Education as a meal sponsor with the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

We can provide 1 free daily snack for all program enrollees, 2 meals (breakfast and supper) based on income verification. We can also serve supper to those students under age 18 for $3.00.  Parents, staff, and adult visitors are welcome to eat supper with the students, 5:30 each day, for the fee of $3.00.

 

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding with the paperwork requirements as we establish this program and service  to the community.

The flagship program of the West After School Center is the After School Tutoring Program which targets those students needing additional help in reading and math.  But most other programs and services are open to all students and families of

West Elementary School. 

Phone 740-653-5678 for answers to your questions.

Plan Now to Attend the

2007 Strengthening Families Programs

 Feb. 26, March 26, April 30 — 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Free Dinner & Programs for Adults and Kids

The WASC is helping West School purchase a license to Study Island, a leading provider of web-based state assessment preparation programs and standards based learning programs. Students and tutors will be able to access sample test questions from any computer. It is used by 2 million students in over 6000 schools.  More to come later.

LATCHKEY OPENINGS AVAILABLE

Looking for a safe, quality program for your child’s care before or after school?  Check us out, stop by for a visit, or call and speak to one of our staff members. We open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. Latchkey students receive many of the same benefits as those enrolled in the after school tutoring program. 

 

The West After School Center is an independent, non-profit, community-based before and after school child care center licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

This newsletter is from the office of Dr. Paul Young, Executive Director
 

Happy Valentine's Day from everyone at the West After School Center
 
Mark Your Calendars    
Saturdays, February 10 & 24 OU-L Reading Academy Classes 1:00-3:00 p.m. Registration is full!
Thursday, February 15 WASC Board of Directors Meeting 9:00 a.m. The meeting should last one hour
Friday, February 16 Friday Fun Day Swimming 3:45-5:00 p.m. Robert K. Fox Family Pool
Monday, February 19 Presidents' Day WASC is closed Learn about being a TV reporter
Monday, February 26 Family Night - Strengthening Families Program 5:30-6:30 p.m. Programs for adults and children, Free Dinner